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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
How Peculiar
"How peculiar! A church building without a nativity scene or Christmas ornaments; a worship service without a special Christmas program or ceremony. Isn't this the Sunday before Christ's birthday? Doesn't this church celebrate Christmas?"
While attending the services of the Dripping Springs church of Christ, you will find that as a congregation we do not observe December 25th as a religious holiday. Indeed, this may be peculiar to some, but our reasons are deeply rooted in the sacred text.
The Holy Spirit revealed that everything we do is to be done by the authority of Christ, Colossians 3:17. Paul wrote that we should "stand fast, and hold the traditions which have been taught," 2 Thessalonians 2:15. John wrote that we should neither add to nor take away from the Word of God, Revelation 22:18ff. A commemorative ceremony or religious day for the Lord's birthday is neither commanded, authorized, nor alluded to in the Scriptures. It was not a tradition handed down by the apostles, nor was it ever observed as a religious holiday by Christ or Christians in the New Testament. In fact, the only "religious holiday" authorized for Christians is the observance of Christ's death, Matthew 26:26f. We celebrate this event each first day of the week, Acts 20:7.
Is it wrong, then, for a congregation or individual to think or speak about the birth of Christ on December 25th ? No. Neither is it wrong to think and teach about His birth any other time of the year. The Bible does tell of the birth of Christ, but let us be certain in our own minds to separate fact from fiction and truth from traditions of men.
Fact:
- It is a fact: Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea over 1900 years ago. Both the Bible and secular sources confirm this truth.
- It is a fact: Jesus was born of a virgin, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-35.
- It is a fact: Jesus was born in a stable, Luke 2:1-7.
- It is a fact: angels announced His birth to shepherds in the fields, Luke 2:8-14.
- It is a fact: wise men came from the east to worship Jesus, Matthew 2:1-12.
Fiction:
- It is, however, fiction that there were “three” wise men. The Bible does not tell us the number.
- It is fiction that the wise men came to the manger, as most nativity scenes portray. Joseph, Mary and Jesus were living in a house by the time they arrived, Matthew 2:11. Jesus was more than forty (40) days old when they came. See Matthew 2:13-22; Luke 2:22; and Leviticus 12.
- It is fiction that Jesus was born on December 25th. There is no record in the Bible or in any first century secular sources as to the specific date of our Lord's birth. Most likely His birth occurred near the Jewish Passover, which fell during the Jewish month of Nisan. This is evidenced by the fact that the shepherds were herding their sheep in the hills near Bethlehem, there awaiting the sacrifice at Passover.
- It is fiction that the Bible calls the night of our Lord's birth a "holy night" or "silent night."
- It is fiction that Christ's birth is to be observed as a religious festival called Christmas.
Clearly, there are many false ideas being perpetuated about the birth of Christ which must not go unchallenged. Thus, teaching and singing about the true facts related to Christ's birth, life, and death, throughout the year, are truly important, 1 Peter 4:11; Acts 20:27; Colossians 3:16.
However, as a congregation—or individually—let us not make more out of Christ's birth than what was intended by God. Let us not create a religious observance that God never unauthorized.
How then should an individual view Christmas? I submit that we should treat it just like any other family or national holiday, such as Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July. Certainly the spirit of joy, gaiety, good will, gift giving and family togetherness that this season promotes are values that Christians are encouraged to honor throughout the year.
As individuals we can participate in and enjoy the holiday season, not because Christ is in “Christmas," but because Christ is in us, Colossians 1:27. In my home, "Christmas" is a family tradition of love and giving. On December 25th, we will remember the Lord and praise His holy name, just as we should do every day of the year.
True, this may seem peculiar to most in the religious world, but I would rather be peculiar and pleasing to God than to open the door just once in establishing an unauthorized religious celebration.
Happy holidays, and may we remember Christ in our words and our actions, this month—and every month.
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Captured!
We saw him there, disheveled, bewildered and showing signs of living in squalor. Dirty, unkempt— hardly the picture of strength or rule. His abode was filthy and his situation shameful. How could he have come to this state, since he had once been free and in command of his life.
Wait a minute—you thought I was talking about Saddam Hussein? No, I’m talking about any person who is “… without Christ, being aliens… strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world,” Ephesians 2:12.
Yes, Saddam fits that description, but others— many, many others—are also “without hope” in view of judgment.
- The Bible speaks of those “without Christ” as being “servants of sin,” Romans 6:20, under sin’s “dominion,” Romans 6:14. Slaves! Though that captured dictator was thought to be free, he was in the most abject form of bondage. Today, many are in that same state, being separated from God, Isaiah 59:1-2.
- Felix, a man possessed with political power and influence, also appeared to be in charge of his own life. Profligate living had been his practice, and he had everything his own way. But in reality he was in the same condition of those previously described. When he heard the terms of “pardon” from his life of sin, he “trembled,” was “terrified” [ASV], Acts 24:24-25. Instead of seeking forgiveness, however, he looked for a “convenient season” to rid himself of his responsibility to act on behalf of his sin.
- Our current “dictator in residence” still demands to be respected as a ruler. Another man, Saul of Tarsus, whose conscience was clear in his doings, Acts 23:1, used the secular authority given him to put to death those who were Jesus’ disciples. The difference in the two is that Saul, when confronted with his sin, was “not disobedient” to the call of the Gospel, Acts 26:19, was willing to repent, and turned his ways from death to life. We remember the Apostle Paul for his dedication to Christ. Not so with our current impenitent captive.
- Some still maintain loyalty to their former ruler, Saddam, vowing to continue their terrorist ways. In Acts 23:12-24 we read of a similar determination, with forty men “bound by a curse” to take Paul’s life. But threats and danger of death did not deter Paul from his responsibilities, and he continued until his life was taken by another oppressor, Nero. Satan’s days are numbered, and some day he will be found in a “spider hole.” His “rule” is on the way out.
Our lives may be touched by men and women who hate Christ and His word, but we need not fear “them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul,” Matthew 10:28. All men and women, great and small, will stand before Jehovah in judgment. Let us be ready for that day, being found in Christ (Galatians 3:27)
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