“Yuletide Warning! Jeremiah 10:2 ‘Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen.” This was a post for Christmas Day on an “Apostolic” blog. Yuletide warning? Does that seem like an oxy moron to you? The “warning” was referring to several previous blog entries concerning Christmas not being biblical and all its pagan traditions. I guess when I think of Christmas I think of the birth of Jesus. Yes, technically He was not born December 25th. And, I do believe that sometimes Christmas becomes too commercialized. We seem to spend more time buying the gifts and eating than we do taking the time for worship to One who it should be centered around. Yes, we do put up a tree and decorate it. Some may consider this a “pagan” tradition, since that is where it all started. But, I do not get down on my knees in front of my 7.5ft tree and worship it. To me it is just another part of my living room décor at Christmas. Some of the décor in my home changes according to the season and/or holiday. Does that mean I worship the seasons more than the One who created them? No. But, just where the line should be drawn is a continual question we hear. I do believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God and it is our “road map” on this journey we call life. One point is true; Christmas is not mentioned in the Word of God. But, I like to think of it as Christ – mas; mas meaning “more” in Spanish. We need more of Christ in our lives. Not just during the Yuletide (December 24 – January 6) season…but ALL YEAR LONG! Our hearts should be singing “I want more of Jesus, more and more and more…I want more of Jesus than I’ve ever had before…I want more of His great love so rich and full and free…I want more of Jesus so I’ll give Him more of ME”. That is the key to Christmas…having more of JESUS in our lives. Want more of Jesus this coming year? Than give Him more of you! That is the best gift He could receive all year around!
On the subject of warning; I do believe that there are those called men and women of God that it is necessary for them to warn those that are “unruly”. As it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men”. Unruly…being defined as those that are disorderly, “stepping out of line” and deviating from the truth (per the Greek translation). But, in doing so, they need to be patient with ALL men; being able to endure WITHOUT complaining.
In Acts 20:31 the Apostle Paul told the church in Traos to “Watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears”. He told them that he would warn every one of them night and day…with tears. He did not warn them with an “iron hand” - it is this way or else. He was firm yet shown true love and concern for their souls. This is how it should be. It saddens me to see those professing to preach the truth saying…”Do it this way or your going to hell”. Yes, that may be the direction a person is heading, but isn’t there a more tactful way of putting it? A way that is firm yet showing true love and concern for their souls?
Now, I am not sure that celebrating Christmas is a “heaven or hell” issue. That is not my place to judge whether it is or it isn’t. But, I do know that in the up coming year, I want Christ-mas all year long…Give me more of JESUS than I have EVER had before!
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