December 24^th . 2017

10:00 am -------------------We Have Seen His Star And Are Come To Worship Him – Matthew 2:2

*** NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE ***

Christmas

As you well know, we place absolutely no religious significance upon the day and the season commonly referred to as Christmas. I found the following information on the origins of this ‘holiday’ (holy day):

‘Religious historians attribute Dec. 25th being designated as Christmas to Pope Julius I, sometime in the 4th century A.D. It was set to coincide with the Roman Winter Festivals. "Christmas" as "Christ's Mass," the celebration of Christ's birthday, originated when the Roman Catholic ‘Church’ decided to consecrate pagan traditions. ‘The Church’ wanted to convert the pagans of Europe to ‘Christianity’, and as a way of doing so, they established a ‘Christian’ religious meaning to the important and popular celebration of the winter solstice. They chose the birth of Christ because it echoed pagan attributes of the holiday, which celebrated, amongst other things, the rebirth of the Sun ("rebirth of Sun"/"birth of Son"). The truth is, that, before then, Christians didn't really celebrate Christ's birth; it was his death and resurrection that were supremely important, and his birth was a minor point without a fixed celebration. It is certain from scripture, that Christ was not born on December 25^th, but in the spring (May - June).’

All this being established, nevertheless, I agree with Spurgeon when he said : “I am glad that at least one day out of the year folks actually think upon the One named Jesus Who came 2000 years ago.” And I am glad that at least one day a year, those who are usually mean as a snake, become nice and cheerful. And those who rarely do anything for anyone else finally do something nice for a change. And the gathering of families together around a table, the giving of gifts, and a general attitude of good will , are a welcome respite, even if for one brief time in the year. And perhaps, as Spurgeon said, we should take advantage of a time when the minds of men are on this most important of all subjects . . . the question of questions: "What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is He?" As always, the church of God at this time, like every other time we meet, will declare Who Christ is and why He came. Bless God He was born. And bless God even more . . . He died for our sins according to the scriptures.

And so, I wish you all a very, merry . . . time with your families, but more importantly, I wish us all a very glad and merry time of worship today around our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Importance of This Fellowship to Me -- By Henry Mahan

1.) I am a believer, a son of God in Christ Jesus. God has been pleased to reveal His Son in me. He is my life, my hope, and my refuge. I live by His grace and grow on His Word. And so I must constantly be where I can hear His Word in power, in the Holy Ghost, and in assurance. I must be fed on the truth!

2.) I love Christ, He is precious to me, and so all that is of Christ (His church, His ordinances, and His people) is precious to me. I not only feel that I must be iden­tified with them in this world but it’s also my greatest enjoyment to fellowship with believers around the person of Christ. I am just not happy or content around those who do not know or rejoice in Him. Where the people of Christ go, I will go; where they lodge, I will lodge; where they die, I will die, and there I will be buried. I will not be enticed by whatever temptation there may arise to leave them.

3.) I am a frail human. I am subject to fall and subject to attacks from the world, the flesh, and the devil. I am not perfect and I have not arrived. I fear indifference, sin, and coldness of heart. Therefore, I need to be exhorted daily, I need to be encouraged, I need to be comforted, and I need to be rebuked. The world and its liberal preacher who cries "peace, peace" and the religionist will not do these things for me; only the true pastor and the true be­liever (who know my nature and need) can be all these things to me.

4.) I am a witness. Christ said, "Ye shall be my wit­nesses." I am concerned for the salvation of my family, friends, and people around the world; therefore, I desire to bring my family and friends under the word of truth and help to send pastors, evangelists, preachers, and missionaries to other towns and countries to preach Christ.

My Father, I thank Thee for this fellowship of believers.

I pray you will make them a blessing to me