Celebrating Christ's Birth
Introduction:
A. Read Luke 2:1-20.
B. What can we learn from these verses?
1. We can learn when Jesus was born. When...
a. Ceasar Augustus made a decree to tax all the world.
b. Cyrenius was goernor of Syria.
2. His birth was a great event.
a. An angel told shepherds that that day, in the city of
David, was born the saviour of the world.
b. A multitude of the heavenly host joined the angel, and
gave praises unto God.
c. The shepherds went to see him for themselves, and
then went and told others all they had seen and heard.
3. Prophecies about the most important person to ever walk
this earth were being fulfilled.
a. He was born in Bethlehem, just as Micah prophesied
(Micah 5:2).
b. He was born to a virgin, just as Isaiah prophesied
(Isaiah 7:14).
C. What can we not learn from these verses?
1. We cannot learn the exact day when Jesus was born.
a. These verses tell us about the taxation, and that
Ceasar Augustus and Cyrenius were in power.
b. But, they do not tell us the exact day when He was
born.
2. We do not even know what time of year it was.
a. We do not know if it was winter, summer, spring, or fall.
b. Many suggest that it was very unlikely that it was in
December, for the shepherds were still in the field with
their sheep.
D. But, as we know, the majority of the religious groups in our
country celebrate December 25 as His birthday.
But, what would He would have us to do?
I. He would have us keep His commandments.
A. Jesus said..."if you love me, keep my commandments."
(John 14:15)
1. One of His commandments is that we are to only do
those things which he has authorized (Colossians 3:17).
a. We are to only do things that He has authorized in
His word (i.e. Lord's Supper - Luke 22:19).
b. But, He has not authorized for us to celebrate Dec.25
as His birthday...nor any day as His birthday.
2. So, to celebrate Dec.25 as His birthday is...
a. To do something He has not authorized.
b. To ignore his authority.
c. Show a lack of love.
d. If we are going to call Him Lord then we should do
what He says (Luke 6:46), and only what He says.
3. We ought to:
a. Believe that He was born to a virgin in Bethlehem.
b. Believe that by birth God was made in the likeness
of sinful man to take away sins.
c. Rejoice that God loved us enough to send His Son
to die for us, so we do not have to perish.
d. Respect His authority, and not celebrate a day as
His birthday. If He wanted us to celebrate His
birthday, don't you think He would have told us
what day He was born on?
B. He has commanded us to remember His death.
1. Luke 22:14-20.
a. He clearly gave a command to partake of the bread,
and cup in rememberance of what He did on the cross.
b. That is what He wants us to do.
2. The early church did as He commanded.
a. I Corinthians 11:23-26.
b. Acts 20:7 - they did do so every first day of the week,
and so should we.
3. Isn't it interesting that most people want to celebrate His
birthday (which He has not authorized), but do not celebrate
His death weekly (which He has commanded).
II. He would have us avoid the traditions of men.
A. Jesus clearly condemned following the traditions of men.
1. He condemned the Jews for substituting, or adding the
traditions of men to the O.T. commands of God.
a. Matthew 15:1-9.
b. Mark 7:1-13.
2. He tells us not to be guilty of it either.
a. Colossians 2:6-8.
b. Colossians 2:20-23.
3. There are many things that are purely traditions of men.
a. Nuns, popes, and cardinals.
b. Instrumental music, and choirs.
c. Infant baptism, and confirmations.
B. Christmas is also a tradition of men.
1. The word christmas itself is man made.
a. Christmas does not appear in the Bible.
b. The word means "Christ - Mass."
2. History books say Christmas is a man made tradition.
a. Encyclopedia Americana:
"It is held by some scholars that the birth of Christ
as 'Light of the World' was made analogous to the
rebirth of the sun in order to make Christianity more
meaningful to pagan converts."
b. The New Book Of Knowledge.
"No one is certain why December 25 was chosen.
There is nothing in the N.T. to indicate that this is
the date of the Nativity. It is believed that the
efforts of the early Christians in Rome to change
pagan customs into Christian rites led, in the 4th
century A.D., to the adoption of December 25 as
the date of the Christ Mass, or feast, in honor of
the birth of Christ. This day was probably chosen
because, according to the calendar then in use,
December 25 was the winter solstice, the time
when days begin to grow longer in the Northern
Hemisphere. The sun-worshiping pagans had
celebrated this day as the promise of spring."
c. The World Book Encyclopedia.
"The first mention of the celebration of Christmas
occurred in A.D. 336 in an early Roman calendar,
which indicates December 25 as the day of
observance. This celebration was probably
influenced by pagan (unchristian) festivals held at
that time."
III. He would have us focus on what is really important.
A. Not when He was born, but that he was born - Luke 2:11.
1. If He was born in August, would He be any less the
Saviour of the world?
a. Some believe August is more likely when He was
born, for the shepherds were in the field.
b. August, or December He would still be the Savior.
2. We can be saved w/o knowing what day He was born on.
a. He was born on that day to save men from sin,
whenever that day was.
b. We must believe that He was born on that day, no
matter what day it was....that is what is important!
B. He was born a Saviour for all men - Luke 2:10.
1. He was born to die on the cross to save all men.
a. Isaiah prophesied of His death (Isaiah 53:8-9).
b. Jesus foretold His death - Matthew 16:21.
c. By dying on the cross He became the propitiation
for the sins of the whole world (I John 2:2).
2. It does not matter:
a. What color you are...He died to be your saviour.
b. How much money you have...
He died to be your saviour.
c. How much education you have...
He died to be your saviour.
d. What sins you have committed...
He died to be your saviour.
Conclusion:
A. The majority of our country will be celebrating His birth on
December 25, but few of them have done what they need
to do so He can save them from their sins.
B. Have you?