THE BIRTH OF CHRIST CG 2022
Prayer
What is Christmas to you?
What about the Christmas story speaks to you the most? Kenosis – That Jesus left heaven, giving up power & knowledge to be a man.
How did people know Jesus was the Christ child? Micah 5:2 KJV [location] & Isaiah 11:1 KJV [blood line] Notes- Prophesy – They knew it. Just as we should know it today, to see the signs of his appearing – not return
Did Jesus have to come & suffer? He is God, couldn’t He just save us? Kenosis Rom 6:23 NKJV
What would you sacrifice for someone? ++Loved one ++Friend ++Stranger ++Enemy NOTES- *If life – like Moses (take my salvation) or just here?
How do we picture Jesus?
INSERT PICTURE
What does the bible say He looked like?
Prior to His birth, how do you picture Joseph & Mary going to & in Bethlehem?
Insert cup/2 faces picture NOTES- 4 masked men with knives, take a man into a room & cut out his heart. Several people standby outside the door, able to stop it, but they did nothing. Surgeons
INSERT PICTURE OF TRADITIONAL NATIVITY
INSERT MARY NICE NOTES- Mary was a 14-16yr old girl near the end of her pregnancy. Told she has to take a 7-9 day journey on foot/donkey through the woods, hills etc just so they can be counted. Today it would take us about 1hr 45min by car. [NEWLINE] O by the way when we get there, there’s probably not going to be room at my families house. Family I haven’t either seen in forever or ever. Then they arrive & can’t find a place to stay so we are going to stay in a barn (actually a cave) with animals. And this is where you will have your baby.
INSERT MARY MAD
What do we know about the Magi? ++They were astrologers. ++They were from the east. ++They arrived late. Notes- Explain they arrived about 2 years later & Mt 2:11 tells us they entered a house not a barn.
Who were the Magi? ++Disciples of Daniel. ++Daniel was in charge of all the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers. Ie Magic. ++They were from the east = the area that was Babylon.
What could a change of perspective do for us?NOTES- See Christmas not as a gift, but an opportunity [NEWLINE] WHAT TYPE OF OPPORTUNITY COULD CHRISTMAS GIVE US?
After Christmas is the new year - What will you resolve? ++Did your faith resolution in 2018 stick?, ++2019? ++2020? ++What will you do in 2021?
NOTE- GAL2:20 1- If I’m dead & live by faith, why do I care so much about how I’m viewed in the world?
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
NOTE- COL 2:6-8 rooted & built up = basing everything on & going off of Him. Beware – this is huge it’s a call to pay attention. Through philosophy & empty deceit = reason without biblical standing & lies. Tradition of men – a deep look into our most basic traditions will start to make you wonder, I’ll leave it at that. The basic principles of the world – our desires, the flesh, worry, fear.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
GAL 5.17 NOTE NEXT SLIDE - DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
The gift of mistakes, the freedom of forgiveness & the opportunity of faith. NOTES- mistakes - We learn from them, loose pride gain humility NEWLINE- forgiveness - to be forgiven is to learn to forgive. And to forgive others, is to forgive ourselves. NEWLINE- Faith - The opportunity of eternity stands before us all. Right now we can invest in the world, or heaven; but not both.
PRESENTS ++What gift would you like to give Jesus this Christmas? ++What gift does Jesus want from you this Christmas? NOTES- When Jesus opens His gift from you, this is what He wants – All your pride, lust, idolatry, pain, insecurity, selfishness, substance abuse ect. NEWLINE(NL)- And His gift is love, acceptance & eternal life.
What is your true focus for Christmas?
All things related to Christmas are good to celebrate, if we do it the right way! ++Bring the focus to Jesus & His birth, through all the symbols & traditions. ++There may not be a better time to reach the unsaved! NOTES- This is the time when people are most open to hearing the “Christmas story” which opens us to sharing the gospel. Even if we don’t agree with how it is celebrated by the world, we can use it to reach them. NL- We should be most afraid of letting Christmas go by & not talk about Jesus with the world. That would be sinful. NL- Read Matt 1:18-2:18 to your family in your house & make that the focus of your Christmas, this truth of what we celebrate & the reason for the season. Where it says that the word of the prophet may be fulfilled, go there and read it to your family so they know.
So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
Let’s look at the truth behind the Christmas of today.
When was Jesus born? ++Sometime between April & Sept 3-4 a.d. NOTES- Shepherds in the fields. NL- Long journey for many for the census in the winter would have killed many.
Where in the bible are we told to celebrate Christmas? ++NOWHERE ++Jesus only commands us to do 1 thing in remembrance of Him. ++Communion NOTES- Nowhere does God command us to celebrate Christmas. Communion – There are no dates or seasons or amount of times we should do this either.
And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
What is Hanukkah? ++Festival of Light ++From the 1st century revolt of the Maccabee family against Antiochus IV Epiphanes (the king) to take back the temple. ++They found 1 jar of oil (enough for 1 day) & it lasted 8. Enough time to make the needed oil to burn the lamps in the temple. NOTES- After – Why do we care about Hunakkah?
Jesus went to Jerusalem during the feast of Hanukkah. ++This would have been a 6 week journey for Him. Recorded in Jn 10:22-42.
So where does Dec 25th come from? ++Dionysius Exiguus a Scythia monk set they year of Christ’s birth. ++Roman calendar based on the year the city of Rome was founded - AUC ++Jesus lived 15yrs under Cesar Augustus & 15yrs under Cesar Tiberius. ++Cesar Augustus took power in 727 AUC ++Dionysuis put Jesus’ birth at 754 AUC ++But Lk 1:5 puts Jesus’ birth during the reign of Herod the Great who died in 4-3 B.C. or 750 AUC NOTES- Exiguus = The humble one NL- Scythia = Modern day Romania N.E. of the Black Sea
The Paca Computus written in Northern Africa near 243 AD says Jesus was born March 28th 3 AD ++Clement the Bishop of Alexander set Jesus’ birth in November of 18 AD ++Joseph Fitzmeyer says Jesus was born on Sept. 11th 3 B.C. ++It was set by Constantine in 312 AD to “Christianize” the Pagans. ++It was the Pagan holiday Saturnaila & making it Jesus’ birthday would put “something” Christian in it ++What was the holiday of Saturnaila? NOTES- Paca Computus – written in Northern Africa near 243 AD says Jesus was born March 28th 3 AD NL- Fitzmeyer – Catholic school in US
The Pagan Holiday of Saturnaila ++Started in 497 BC when the Roman temple of Saturn was dedicated in Rome. ++Saturn was the Roman god of fertility & agriculture. ++The female side was Asherah, Ashtoreth & Ishtar, Venus, Aphrodite… NOTES- The holiday represented in 1 Kings as the worship of Baal & Asherah during the time of King Ahab & the Prophet Elijah. NL- Asherah Pole in OT. NL- Asherah, Ashtoreth & Ishtar = Seriramis – wife of Nimrod. Thus Nimrod is Saturn
Started as a 1 day holiday but grew until it went from Dec 17 to Dec 25th. ++It was a time where lawlessness was celebrated. (The mystery of lawlessness already at work) 2Thes 2:7 ++It began when Roman authorities chose an “enemy of the Roman people”. Could be male or female. NOTES- #2 - The Roman courts were closed & no one could be punished for damaging property or injuring people. #3 – They would be forced to indulge in food & other physical pleasures during the week, then brutally murdered on Dec 25th. This was seen as killing the evil inside Rome.
Lucian, Greek historian, wrote in the 2nd century about this holiday. ++They would go house to house singing while naked. ++They would eat human shaped biscuits. ++Everyone including slaves looked forward to the holiday all year long. ++Each house would elect a “King of Chas” or misrule to preside over the holiday. NOTES- # 1 – Spoke of human sacrifice & widespread drunkenness, rape & other sexual license. Go to # 2 # 3 – Gingerbread men. #4 Slaves could say whatever they wanted to their masters with no punishment. They would wear hats that represented they were free, so no one knew they were a slave.
HO HO HO ++During Saturnalia people would yell Lo! Which became LO LO LO, which is where we get HO HO HO.
Saturnaila in the U.S.A. ++In 1687 in Boston they observed the 1st nativity, but stated “This isn’t Jesus’ birthday.” ++The Puritans refused to celebrate Christmas & 1659-1681 Christmas was outlawed in Massachusetts. Because of it’s Pagan links to Saturnaila.
Saturnaila in the Jewish World ++In 1466 Pope Paul II forced Jews to eat a lot of food then run naked in the streets, reportedly laughing heartily during. ++In the 18th & 19th century Rabbi’s were made to walk the streets of Rome in clownish outfits while people threw things at them.
In 1836 Jews petitioned Pope Gregory 16th – begging him to stop the holiday of Saturnaila. ++He denied & that year 12 Jews were murdered & many Jewish women raped. ++Jews today remember these atrocities and tend to more tie Dec 25th with Saturnaia then the birth of Christ, which they also know it celebrates.
CHRISTMAS TREE ++Related to the Asherah Pole, people who worship trees. Germans hung them upside down. ++The church tried to recruit Pegans why allowing people to decorate the trees. NOTES- Christmas Tree – Male penis & wreath – Female vagina.
Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.
2 Thus says the LORD:
“Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.
Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.