Many people in our culture, when asked what their favorite time of year is, would respond, “The Christmas Holidays.” The old song even says that it’s the Most wonderful time of the year. I am partial to the holiday that celebrates the empty tomb of Christ, the defeat of sin and death, and eternal life for believers, but I will not quarrel with those who like Christmas best.
One of the beloved symbols of Christmas is the manger scene, or nativity scene. Many people even enjoy collecting nativity sets. Many images of the manger scene, with snow, angels, wise-men, and sad looking drummer boys, have crept into our celebration of the Season. But, the first Christmas probably looked a little less aesthetically beautiful than most representations. But it was the meekness of the scene that makes it so beautiful. God could have chosen fanfare and hype, but he chose a humble stable for His son to be born in. Humility was the mark of this first triumphal entry, also. Here is a thought provoking excerpt from John MacArthur’s book, “God’s Gift of Christmas:”
We cannot know Jesus if we don’t understand that He is real. The story of His birth is no allegory. We dare not romanticize it or settle for a fanciful legend that renders the whole story meaningless. The Manger that Mary laid Jesus must have reeked of animal smells. So did the shepherds, in all probability. That first Christmas was anything but picturesque. But that makes it all the more wondrous. That Baby in the manger is God! Immanuel!
That’s the heart and soul of the Christmas message. There weren’t many worshipers around the original manger–only a handful of shepherds. But one day every knee will bow before him, and every tongue will confess He is Lord. (Phillipians 2:9-11). Those who doubt Him, those who are His enemies, those who merely ignore Him–all will one day bow, too, even if it be in judgement. How much better to honor Him now with the worship He deserves! That’s what Christmas ought to inspire.
1 response so far ↓
trumpetwarrior // December 30, 2007 at 5:00 pm
One un-truth that the chuch has continued to encourage is one of those things, which are only supported in the Gospel according to Xmas cards. And this lie is clearly denounced in Matthew. Matthew said that the wise came and announced to Herod “Where he who is born king of the Jews” [2:2]. and when the wise men [the number is untold] told him it says that the king, “enquired of them diligently what time [2:7] the globe appeared. This was asked because the orb [according to tradition] would appear at his birth. And they would have left Asia after the birth and with this information he know the age the child and when they did not return the king sent out his men to kill any one 2 years or younger. So we know by this the Messiah was about two at this time, for travel was not fast at this time.
If this was all there was on this subject I would just shrug it off and put back the inages of the wise men in my manger scene. But old Matthew went on to say that when they continued their journey, the orb appeared again to them and it lead them to the house [2:11], not stable. So we know by the time they came the family hyad aquire a house in Bethleham. Also in this same verse Matthew says that there they saw the young child [2:11], and this Greek word means a child of more advanced age than a baby. And was a totally different Greek word then was used indiscribing the baby,
No one who has spent any time studying the word can not see this truth and except it. So at the manger, was only the family and the shepherds, as we are told [Luke 2:8-20]. Some say it does not matter but I believe the truth alwasy matters, for the truth is important, especially when those outside the faith are beginning to say that Christians do not even know the truth about their own masters birth.
Your friend and brother the Trumpet Warriors, the Warrior of Truth.