Kilskeery Independent Christian School being on holiday and there being no Assembly, I am sending out two studies which I conducted with the school 4 years ago.
They are entitled: ‘CHRISTMAS — why we should distance ourselves from the celebrations, parts one and two.
It is the Christian’s duty to keep themselves “unspotted (Greek – aspilos) from the world,” James 1:27. Peter uses the same word, “unspotted” when he wrote of how we must be “diligent” we must be in maintianing our purity while awaiting the return of the Saviour. “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, (Greek – aspilos) and blameless, 2 Peter 3:13-14.
Here is the second study.
I would like to consider with you my second part of my talk on how the birth of Christ should be celebrated.
I. I BELIEVE THAT CHRIST WAS BORN IN AND AROUND THE MIDDLE TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
The Bible does give us information about the time of His birth. We can work out from Luke 1:5, (8th in the schedule of priestly week long duties in the temple.) 8, 23-24. These duties began at the Passover, is around March/April on our calanedar. Passover in 2025 begins on April 12th. From these verses in Luke 1, we can conclude that John the Baptist was born about the middle of the month of March. Six months later the Saviour was born “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren,” Luke 1:36.
In agreement with this is the fact that sheep were in the fields, verse 8, which would not be the case in mid-winter!
II. SEE HOW THE ANGELS CELEBRATED HIS BIRTH.
(A). They revealed the story of His birth unto men in great detail, 9-12.
(B). They burst into song, v 13.
III. CONSIDER HOW THE SHEPHERDS CELEBRATED HIS BIRTH.
(A). They recognised the divine nature of the news they had just heard, v 15.
(B). They heeded the good news, v 15.
(C). They acted immediately, v 16.
(D). They focused their attention on the Saviour, v 16-17.
(E). They shared the news with others, v 17.
(F). Their celebrations left them refreshed and glad.
That will not be the case with the ‘Christmas’ celebrations that men engage in!!! Wickedness and excess of every form is what will mark ‘Christmas’. We should avoid where possible all the sinful and superstitios and pagan-originated activies of this time of the year and witness rather of what the Bible tell us of the ‘coming of the Son of Man’ to save sinners.
There is a more substantial link between heaven and earth than we Christians can perceive. There is much of heaven’s activity on earth of which we are not aware. The Bible clearly indicates that. For instance, the Saviour said on one occasion: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 18:10. Again, we are told by Paul of the angels, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:14.