Christmas is here!  It is Christ’s mass, the Catholic determined day of Jesus’ birth.  December 25 was chosen to stand in place of winter solstice, the yearly date when the length of daylight begins to increase until summer solstice.  It has a host of traditions from around the world that are a blend of Catholicism and paganism.  It mixes man-made traditions with Bible history.
 
From a Biblical and historical perspective, Christmas is not really a Christian holy day.  But from a personal point of view, Christmas can be seen as a day of family togetherness, of long pleasant memories, of giving and receiving gifts, and even a time of recalling the real story of Jesus’ birth.  When all things are considered, the celebration of Christmas, or not, is a personal decision based on a personal opinion.
 
Every society has its holidays.  Special days are not a matter of faith.  As Paul wrote, “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike.  Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5).  Paul’s directive to Christians about personal opinions was to leave it to each person to do what he thinks is best without binding that opinion on anyone else.  He went on to say, “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God” (Romans 14:22).
 
So, what is your opinion?  Sorry I asked!  We’ll handle Christmas in our own personal way and respect those who might think differently.  Wishing you a happy holiday.

Rick Cunningham

About 4000 B.C., God told the devil serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring (seed) and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15).  Then about 1900 B.C., God told Abraham, “To your offspring (seed), I will give this land” (Genesis 12:7).  Later, about 1000 B.C., God told King David, “When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring (seed) to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom” (II Samuel 7:12).  After that, sometime before 700 B. C., God revealed to the prophet Isaiah, “The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”) (Isaiah 7:14).  Around that same time, before 700 B.C., God revealed to the prophet Micah, “But you Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2).
 
Then, on the first day of the Lord, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, born to the virgin Mary, a direct descendant of King David, a direct descendant of Abraham, and the one who would crush Satan’s head as he struck at Jesus’ heel.  Isaiah also prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this” (Isaiah 9:7).

Rick Cunningham