Maybe I can’t think or understand the deep mysteries of the Word like some folks seem to, but I’m going with, love God first with your Heart, Mind, and Soul, then love your neighbor as yourself, and your good to go.
He’s got the rest of it covered by His work on the Cross.
I am thankful for every opportunity to speak about the birth, life, teachings, death, resurrection and exaltation and return of Christ in glory, and I try to take what advantage I can of "Christmas", "Good Friday", "Easter Sunday"; etc., however, I think it should be pointed that many, many Christian churches and pastors who have accepted the principle of "Sola Escritura" and the basic teachings of the well known and widely accepted Westminster Confession of Faith (published around 1648) and its near relatives the Savoy Confession and the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession and what those confessions point out in regard to what is called the "Regulative Principle of Worship", observe that there is nothing in the Bible authorizing the observance of a day for Christ's birth (which you yourself recognize as being practically impossible to know) or even His death. His resurrection is celebrated every Lord's Day by those who, in agreement with what the confessions cited above present, believe that is now the day of rest made for man's benefit (Mark 2:27-28) and which points forward to an eternal rest, which in a sense believers enjoy now (see Hebrews 4). His death is celebrated every time we correctly and biblically observe the Lord's Supper. And in obedience to the command to "preach the Word", no responsible pastor or church can fail to speak of the "Word becoming flesh" (John 1) or of any of His teachings (Matthew 28:18-20). But any church that celebrates the 25th of December or any other day without specific Biblical warrant has forsaken the "regulative principle". And according to how we see the Scriptures, that is not a small matter. We need to worship the Lord the way His word plainly shows.
Erick, I get why you say such things like "his birthdate isn't important," but it betrays a theological danger. The Mystery of the Incarnation is part and parcel of what St. Gregory of Nazianzus declared, "What is not assumed is not healed."
The Early Church and the theology that unfolded from the Spirit's guidance don't focus solely on His death and resurrection, but on the whole economy of God's redemptive love, which calls us to contemplate God taking His flesh from one of us so He can restore our flesh as well as our souls.
The flesh of Jesus was more important than just something to kill. He IS took on flesh. Big deal!
By the Incarnation of Christ, we are able to share the very Life of God. We are made higher than the angels and are given greater dignity than in the first creation. We await our full redemption in the Kingdom.
HE IS!!! Thank you Erick! Love the advent post and setting the record straight on what I had been taught about the pagan holiday. I love how the evidence, more and more, reveals the veracity of Christ. He was and is and is to come!!
Exactly. It’s not the when, it’s that we do and how we celebrate. If whoever decided that it should be on December 25, wonderful. I will celebrate the birth of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ. We should all celebrate it on that day and every day.
Thank you so much for not doing politics. They make my head explode.
Maybe I can’t think or understand the deep mysteries of the Word like some folks seem to, but I’m going with, love God first with your Heart, Mind, and Soul, then love your neighbor as yourself, and your good to go.
He’s got the rest of it covered by His work on the Cross.
Thank you. 🙏
I am thankful for every opportunity to speak about the birth, life, teachings, death, resurrection and exaltation and return of Christ in glory, and I try to take what advantage I can of "Christmas", "Good Friday", "Easter Sunday"; etc., however, I think it should be pointed that many, many Christian churches and pastors who have accepted the principle of "Sola Escritura" and the basic teachings of the well known and widely accepted Westminster Confession of Faith (published around 1648) and its near relatives the Savoy Confession and the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession and what those confessions point out in regard to what is called the "Regulative Principle of Worship", observe that there is nothing in the Bible authorizing the observance of a day for Christ's birth (which you yourself recognize as being practically impossible to know) or even His death. His resurrection is celebrated every Lord's Day by those who, in agreement with what the confessions cited above present, believe that is now the day of rest made for man's benefit (Mark 2:27-28) and which points forward to an eternal rest, which in a sense believers enjoy now (see Hebrews 4). His death is celebrated every time we correctly and biblically observe the Lord's Supper. And in obedience to the command to "preach the Word", no responsible pastor or church can fail to speak of the "Word becoming flesh" (John 1) or of any of His teachings (Matthew 28:18-20). But any church that celebrates the 25th of December or any other day without specific Biblical warrant has forsaken the "regulative principle". And according to how we see the Scriptures, that is not a small matter. We need to worship the Lord the way His word plainly shows.
Do you know that they celebrate Christmas in Bangkok.
Anyone have any idea of the age difference between John the Baptist and the Lord?
6 months
It would be a few months. When Mary visited Elizabeth, the Bible records her (Elizabeth’s) baby leapt in her womb. So between 3-6 months or so?
Kind of what I was thinking, thanks!
You’re quite welcome! Have an awesome weekend!
You too
How many birthdays out there do we often not celebrate on the actual date? There are many.
Again, what matters is that He Is.
And, in a very important regard, He has always been and will always be--and exists outside the concept of time. John 1:1-14
Erick, I get why you say such things like "his birthdate isn't important," but it betrays a theological danger. The Mystery of the Incarnation is part and parcel of what St. Gregory of Nazianzus declared, "What is not assumed is not healed."
The Early Church and the theology that unfolded from the Spirit's guidance don't focus solely on His death and resurrection, but on the whole economy of God's redemptive love, which calls us to contemplate God taking His flesh from one of us so He can restore our flesh as well as our souls.
The flesh of Jesus was more important than just something to kill. He IS took on flesh. Big deal!
By the Incarnation of Christ, we are able to share the very Life of God. We are made higher than the angels and are given greater dignity than in the first creation. We await our full redemption in the Kingdom.
Amen!
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to the dead.
On the third day He rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Nuff said.
Absolutely
HE IS!!! Thank you Erick! Love the advent post and setting the record straight on what I had been taught about the pagan holiday. I love how the evidence, more and more, reveals the veracity of Christ. He was and is and is to come!!
And always will be! How comforting 🤗❤️
Exactly. It’s not the when, it’s that we do and how we celebrate. If whoever decided that it should be on December 25, wonderful. I will celebrate the birth of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ. We should all celebrate it on that day and every day.
Thank you so much for not doing politics. They make my head explode.
William Federer has some research along the same lines that makes it credible that Jesus was born around December 25. Thanks for this.
Your last sentence says it all: He is!
Was about to post the same. 😀