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GOD was clear about His first commandment:
Exodus 20:3
King James Version
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Are we really aware the traditions we celebrate?
Such as Christmas?
Do we know the dangers we place ourselves in?
"Yeah, but we're celebrating the birth of Christ," you'd say.
Are we, really?
Was Christ born with pomp?
As born again, I can only look to JESUS, born in simplicity, even in poverty.
Luke 2:7
King James Version
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Look around you.
Aren't people going crazy about Christmas again?
Especially, materially?
People are going crazy buying gifts, putting up trees, decorating, planning parties, crowding stores, shops, and restaurants.
Children eager to receive gifts from Santa Claus.
Their fathers making sure they won't be detected on that day.
Children being taught Santa's going to ride his sleigh with reindeers, carrying a gift for each child.
ESPECIALLY if they're "nice", and not naughty.
Children expect that gift.
Everyone expects a gift.
And if no gift is given, from anyone, from anywhere, you turn sad.
All the while, we forget who Christmas is for.
As born again, I can only think CHRIST is in CHRISTmas.
That our LORD was born, in poverty.
Born in a manger, for the inn had no room for them.
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One would think, even then, that the owner of the inn would take mercy upon a lady, about to have a child, in the midst of winter.
Why was Mary left out, in the cold, with Joseph by her side?
And the world knew not, that a SAVIOR would be born.
But that's all been prophesied:
Isaiah 9:6-7
King James Version
6 For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David,
and upon his kingdom,
to order it,
and to establish it
with judgment and with justice
from henceforth even for ever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
JESUS was sent to save us.
He is the CHRIST, the "Christ of God", the "Lord's Christ", the "Son of God", the "Messiah", the "Savior".
And we esteem Him not.
We are caught up in the ways of the world.
In the vain traditions of men.
Colossians 2:8
King James Version
8 Beware lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ.
Mark 7:7-9
King James Version
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God,
ye hold the tradition of men,
as the washing of pots and cups:
and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them,
Full well ye reject the commandment of God,
that ye may keep your own tradition.
We celebrate European tradition of "Father Christmas", when there is only ONE FATHER -- the LORD GOD.
Isaiah 64:8
King James Version
8 But now,
O Lord,
thou art our father;
we are the clay,
and thou our potter;
and we all are the work of thy hand.
On and on, GOD, sends us prophets to warn us of His wrath.
For man's sinfulness seems never-ending.
We are more attuned to the deceiver, than to JESUS.
This is what we have to overcome:
1 John 2:16
King James Version
16 For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life,
is not of the Father,
but is of the world.
CHRISTmas is not just on the 25th of December.
JESUS taught us how to love GOD, and each other.
Let that SPIRIT of CHRIST in us, be an everyday opportunity to love, and to return to GOD.
Not just on holidays, or vain traditions of men.
But always, for GOD's GLORY.
And in a manner that pleases GOD.
In all of CHRIST's humility.
Related material:
Bible DISCOVERY 10: The LINEAGE of JESUS
Bible DISCOVERY 12: Tracing the Day JESUS was BORN
Bible DISCOVERY 14: The POWER of the NAME of JESUS
Bible DISCOVERY 15: The DESTINY of JESUS
Video:
The Theology of Christmas (Philippians 2:5-11)
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