Christmas 07 - Part 1

                                   Reasons to celebrate Christmas

                                                    CHRISTMAS 07 Part 1                12/2/07 a.m.

Christ•mas \ˈkris-məs\ n

often attrib [ME Christemasse, fr. OE Cristes m+sse, lit., Christ’s mass] bef. 12c

1           : a Christian feast on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Christ and is usu. observed as a legal holiday or among some Eastern Orthodox Christians on January 7[1]

The actual date of Jesus’ birth is unknown.

January 6 became widely observed in the third century to commemorate the ‘manifestation’ (‘epiphany’) of Christ on earth, including his birth, baptism, and the visit of the Magi, with varying local emphases.

The celebration of the nativity is attested in Rome in a.d. 336 (where Epiphany, January 6, commemorated the visit of the Magi), and this became widespread in the fifth and sixth centuries.

Although there are various theories on the selection of December 25, the most widely accepted is that this date had already been a major pagan festival, that of Sol Invictus, the ‘birth’ of the ‘Unconquerable Sun,’ marking the winter solstice (the sun’s triumph over darkness).

With the triumph of Christianity, Christmas replaced the pagan festival, Christians having applied ‘Sun of Righteousness’ (Mal. 4:2) to Christ. 

                                              See also Epiphany; Jesus Christ; Sun; Wise Men.     A.J.H. [2]

The term appears as early as a.d. 1123 in Old English as ‘Cristes maesse’ (and variations) and ‘Christmas’ by 1568, meaning Mass of Christ.

Lk 2:1-38

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to  the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,  because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary,  his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,  and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy  which will be to all people. 11  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,  who is Christ the Lord. (fulfillment of scripture)12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying  (praise God)

14     “Glory  to God in the highest,

     And on earth  peace,  goodwill 5toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and  praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called  Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 Now when  the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23  (as it is written in the law of the Lord,  “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord” ), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord,  “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout,  waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not  see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came  by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29     “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

     According to Your word;

30     For my eyes  have seen Your salvation (salvation)

31     Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32      A light to bring revelation (the knowledge of God)to the Gentiles,

     And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the  fall and rising of many in Israel, and for  a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes,  a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of  Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who  looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The proper manner to celebrate Christmas

1 Co 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

            *** Celebrate Christmas to honor and glorify God ***

Reasons to celebrate Christmas

Reason #1; To praise God(He is due it)

13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God

Reason #2; The fulfillment of Scripture – (God kept His Word)

11  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,  who is Christ the Lord.

Reason #3; Salvation – (the proof of Gods’ love)

30                For my eyes  have seen Your salvation

Reason #4; The light that brings revelation and glory –– (God in the flesh)

(the source of understanding, knowledge, and the glory of God)

            A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Reason #1; To praise God– (He is due it)

13  the angel & a multitude of the heavenly host praised God

20  the shepherds glorified and  praised God

         25 And Simeon blessed God

      36 Anna gave thanks to the Lord

1praise \ˈprāz\ vb

praised; prais•ing [ME preisen, fr. AF preiser, priser to appraise, esteem — more at prize] vt 13c

1           : to express a favorable judgment of : commend

2           : to glorify (a god or saint) esp. by the attribution of perfections vi : to express praise — prais•er n

———————

2praise n

14c

1     a      : an expression of approval : commendation

     b      : worship

2     a      : value, merit

     b      archaic : one that is praised

1 Ch 16:8   8     Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

                                    Call upon His name;

                                    Make known His deeds among the peoples!

As did the Angel of the Lord

11  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,  who is Christ the Lord

As did the multitude of the heavenly host

14  “Glory  to God in the highest, And on earth  peace,  goodwill 5toward men!”

As did the shepherds

17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

As did Simeon

For my eyes  have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32   A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,  And the glory of Your people Israel.”

As did Anna

spoke of Him to all

We are to praise God because;

1.     God is worthy of. 2Sa 22:4.

2.     Christ is worthy of. Re 5:12.

3.     God is glorified by praise. Ps 22:23; 50:23.

4.     Offered to Christ. Joh 12:13.

5.     Acceptable through Christ. Heb 13:15.

6.     Praise is due to God on account of;

a.     His majesty. Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14.

b.     His glory. Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12.

c.     His excellency. Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13.

d.     His greatness. 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3.

e.     His holiness. Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3.

f.     His wisdom. Da 2:20; Jude 1:25.

g.     His power. Ps 21:13.

h.     His goodness. Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11.

i.     His mercy. 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26.

j.     His loving-kindness and truth. Ps 138:2.

k.     His faithfulness and truth. Isa 25:1.

l.     His salvation. Ps 18:46; Isa 35:10; 61:10; Lu 1:68,69.

m.     His wonderful works. Ps 89:5; 150:2; Isa 25:1.

n.     His consolation. Ps 42:5; Isa 12:1.

o.     His judgment. Ps 101:1.

p.     His counsel. Ps 16:7; Jer 32:19.

q.     Fulfilling of his promises. 1Ki 8:56.

r.     Pardon of sin. Ps 103:1-3; Ho 14:2.

s.     Spiritual health. Ps 103:3.

t.     Constant preservation. Ps 71:6-8.

u.     Deliverance. Ps 40:1-3; 124:6.

v.     Protection. Ps 28:7; 59:17.

w.     Answering prayer. Ps 28:6; 118:21.

x.     The hope of glory. 1Pe 1:3,4.

y.     All spiritual blessings. Ps 103:2; Eph 1:3.

z.     All temporal blessings. Ps 104:1,14; 136:25.

A.     The continuance of blessings. Ps 68:19.

7.     Is obligatory upon

a.     Angels. Ps 103:20; 148:2.

b.     Saints. Ps 30:4; 149:5.

c.     Gentiles. Ps 117:1; Ro 15:11.

d.     Children. Ps 8:2; Mt 21:16.

e.     High and low. Ps 148:1,11.

f.     Young and old. Ps 148:1,12.

g.     Small and great. Re 19:5.

h.     All men. Ps 107:8; 145:21.

i.     All creation. Ps 148:1-10; 150:6.

8.     Is good and comely. Ps 33:1; 147:1.

Praise should be offered;

a.     With the understanding. Ps 47:7; 1Co 14:15.

b.     With the soul. Ps 103:1; 104:1,35.

c.     With the whole heart. Ps 9:1; 111:1; 138:1.

d.     With uprightness of heart. Ps 119:7.

e.     With the lips. Ps 63:3; 119:171.

f.     With the mouth. Ps 51:15; 63:5.

g.     With joy. Ps 63:5; 98:4.

h.     With gladness. 2Ch 29:30; Jer 33:11.

i.     With thankfulness. 1Ch 16:4; Ne 12:24; Ps 147:7.

j.     Continually. Ps 35:28; 71:6.

k.     During life. Ps 104:33.

l.     More and more. Ps 71:14.

m.     Day and night. Re 4:8.

n.     Day by day. 2Ch 30:21.

o.     For ever and ever. Ps 145:1,2.

p.     Throughout the world. Ps 113:3.

q.     In psalms and hymns &c. Ps 105:2; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16. [3]

Praise is called the;

a.     Fruit of the lips. Heb 13:15.

b.     Voice of praise. Ps 66:8.

c.     Voice of triumph. Ps 47:1.

d.     Voice of melody. Isa 51:3.

e.     Voice of a psalm. Ps 98:5.

f.     Garment of praise. Isa 61:3.

g.     Sacrifice of praise. Heb 13:15.

h.     Sacrifices of joy. Ps 27:6.

i.     Calves of the lips. Ho 14:2. [4]



Php 2:9-11

9  Therefore God also  has highly exalted Him and  given Him the name which is above every name, 10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and  that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Ps 107:1-3  1     Oh,  give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

     For His mercy endures forever.

2     Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

     Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

3     And  gathered out of the lands,

     From the east and from the west,

     From the north and from the south.

Ps 107:8  8     Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,

                                    And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

 Mk 8:38   38  For whoever  is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Surely for the birth of Christ God is to be praised.

To know God the Father and Jesus His son is to praise them!!

Do you know them today?

Reason #2; The fulfillment of Scripture – (God kept His Word)

11  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,  who is Christ the Lord. (fulfillment of scripture)

Reason #3; Salvation – (the proof of Gods’ love)

30     For my eyes have seen Your salvation (salvation)

Reason #4; The light that brings revelation and glory – (the source of understanding, knowledge, and the glory of God)

            A light to bring revelation (the knowledge of God)to the Gentiles,

            And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Lk 2:10, 13-14, 17, 2010 Then the angel said to them,  “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14     “Glory  to God in the highest,

                        And on earth  peace, goodwill 5toward men!”

17 Now when they had seen Him, they made 6widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and  praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of hAsher. She was of a great age, 9of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers inight and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to 1the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who jlooked for redemption in Jerusalem.

[5]

Now after aJesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, 1wise men bfrom the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, c“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen dHis star in the East and have come to worship Him.” [6]

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. [7]

A NOTE OF INTEREST – even from His birth Christ was opposed by the King and the population – wanted Him removed

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.[8]

the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” [9]

6683210 3073210 30713806683210307321030713806683210

2:8–20 The shepherds: Worshiping and witnessing. An angel announced Christ’s birth to some shepherds. They speedily came to Bethlehem and, having found him, worshiped God and “told everyone” the supernatural message they had heard concerning him.[10]

Augustus Caesar was ruling, but God was in charge, for He used Caesar’s edict to move Mary and Joseph eighty miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill His Word. Rome took a census every fourteen years for both military and tax purposes, and each Jewish male had to return to the city of his fathers to record his name, occupation, property, and family.

When Mary said “Be it unto me according to Thy word” (Luke 1:38), it meant that from then on, her life would be a part of the fulfillment of divine prophecy. God had promised that the Saviour would be a human, not an angel (Gen. 3:15; Heb. 2:16), and a Jew, not a Gentile (Gen. 12:1–3; Num. 24:17). He would be from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10), and the family of David (2 Sam. 7:1–17), born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14) in Bethlehem, the city of David (Micah 5:2).

[11]

We are not out of the way of divine visits when we are sensibly employed in an honest calling, and abide with God in it.[12]

"Fear not,; you need not fear your enemies, and should not fear your friends.’’

He furnishes them with abundant matter for joy: "Behold, I evangelize to you great joy;[13]

for it shall bring joy to all people, and not to the people of the Jews only; that unto you is born this day, at this time, a Saviour, the Saviour that has been so long expected, which is Christ the Lord, in the city of David,’’ v. 11. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed; he is the Lord, Lord of all;[14]

He is a Saviour, and he will be a Saviour to those only that accept him for their Lord. "The Saviour is born, he is born this day;[15]

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. To you men, not to us angels; he took not on him the nature of angels. [16]

He gives them a sign for the confirming of their faith in this matter. "You will find him by this token: he is lying in a manger,[17]

IV. The angels’ doxology to God, and congratulations of men, upon this solemn occasion, v. 13, 14.

there was with that angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts;

sufficient, we may be sure, to make a chorus,

that were heard by the shepherds, praising God;

1.      Let God have the honour of this work: Glory to God in the highest.

a.       God’s good-will to men, manifested in sending the Messiah, redounds very much to his praise;

b.      and angels in the highest heavens, though not immediately interested in it themselves, will celebrate it to his honour, Rev. 5:11, 12.

c.       Glory to God, whose kindness and love

d.      Other works of God are for his glory, but the redemption of the world is for his glory in the highest.

2.      Let men have the joy of it: On earth peace, good-will toward men.

a.       God’s good-will in sending the Messiah introduced peace in this lower world, slew the enmity that sin had raised between God and man, and resettled a peaceable correspondence.

b.      If God be at peace with us, all peace results from it: peace of conscience, peace with angels, peace between Jew and Gentile.

c.       Peace is here put for all good, all that good which flows to us from the incarnation of Christ. All the good we have, or hope, is owing to God’s good-will; and, if we have the comfort of it, he must have the glory of it. Nor must any peace, and good, be expected in a way inconsistent with the glory of God;

d.       therefore not in any way of sin, nor in any way but by a Mediator. Here was the peace proclaimed with great solemnity;

e.       whoever will, let them come and take the benefit of it.

f.        It is on earth peace, to men of good-will (so some copies read it), en anthroµpois eudokias; to men who have a good-will to God, and are willing to be reconciled; or to men whom God has a good-will to, though vessels of his mercy.

g.       God’s peace is not given to those who have good will, but to those who are recipients of God’s good will or favor.[18]

h.       This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth.[19]

i.         This news was to be proclaimed to all the people. These were specifically the people of Israel, but perhaps Luke also hinted that the Savior would be for all mankind.[20]

j.         

[21]

----

\

\ə\ abut \ə\ kitten, F table \ər\ further \a\ ash \ā\ ace \ä\ mop, mar

\au̇\ out \ch\ chin \e\ bet \ē\ easy \g\ go \i\ hit \ī\ ice \j\ job

\ŋ\ sing \ō\ go \ȯ\ law \ȯi\ boy \th\ thin \ṯẖ\ the \ü\ loot \u̇\ foot

\y\ yet \zh\ vision, beige \ḵ, n, œ, ue, y\ see Guide to Pronunciation

n northern, noun

attrib attributive, attributively

ME Middle English

fr from

OE Old English

lit literally, literary

bef before

c century

usu usually

[1]Merriam-Webster, Inc: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Eleventh ed. Springfield, Mass. : Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003

A.J.H. Arland J. Hultgren, Th.D.; Associate Professor of New Testament; Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary; St. Paul, Minnesota

[2]Achtemeier, Paul J. ; Harper & Row, Publishers ; Society of Biblical Literature: Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed. San Francisco : Harper & Row, 1985, S. 163

5 NU toward men of goodwill

5 NU toward men of goodwill

[3]Torrey, R.A.: The New Topical Text Book : A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos research Systems, Inc., 1995, c1897

[4]Torrey, R.A.: The New Topical Text Book : A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos research Systems, Inc., 1995, c1897

5 NU toward men of goodwill

6 NU omits widely

h Josh. 19:24

9 NU until she was eighty-four

i Acts 26:7; 1 Tim. 5:5

1 NU God

j Lam. 3:25, 26; Mark 15:43; Luke 24:21

[5] The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Lk 2:36-38

a Mic. 5:2; Luke 2:4–7

1 Gr. magoi

b Gen. 25:6; 1 Kin. 4:30

c Luke 2:11

d [Num. 24:17; Is. 60:3]

[6] The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Mt 2:1-2

[7] The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Mt 2:10

[8] The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Mt 2:3

[9] The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Mt 2:13

[10]Willmington, H. L.: Willmington's Bible Handbook. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 1997, S. 581

[11]Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1996, c1989, S. Lk 2:1

[12]Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Lk 2:8

[13]Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Lk 2:8

[14]Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Lk 2:8

[15]Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Lk 2:8

[16]Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Lk 2:8

[17]Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Lk 2:8

[18]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:208

[19]Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Lk 2:8

[20]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:208

[21] Believer's Study Bible. electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. Lk 2:14