December 23^rd . 2018

9:30 am ------------------------------------------Brethren, Pray For Us – 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

10:00 am ----------------------------------------------The Generation of Jesus Christ – Matthew 1

*** NO WEDNESDAY SERVICE THIS WEEK ***

Christmas Celebration?

The question usually arises at this time of year as to whether true believers should ‘celebrate Christmas’. I know of some who have ‘seen the light’, as it were, and now seek to occupy the moral high ground in telling others that they should make a statement to the world by not recognizing Christmas activities in any way - no trees, cards, lights or festivities of any sort – the more frugal the better. But believers are also bidden in Scripture to avoid giving unnecessary offence to others apart from the offence of the gospel (Rom12:18; Gal5:11). We ought to aim to live at peace with neighbors, work colleagues, unbelieving relatives, etc. whilst recognizing the inevitability of them eventually taking offence at our belief of the Biblical gospel of sovereign grace and particular redemption. The mid-winter festival of Christmas in these days is largely a secular period of materialistic extravagance. In the northern hemisphere it coincides with the darkest days of the year. Bright lights certainly make things look festive; holidays and work closures enable most people to spend time with their families, and the exchange of Christmas cards still serves a useful purpose in maintaining contacts that would otherwise fade. How does presenting a dour, sanctimonious appearance ‘adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour (Titus2:10)’? But, at the same time, I want to be clear that society’s Christmas is most definitely not a celebration of the Saviour’s birth. It is almost certain that Jesus was not born on 25th December; that date for Christmas arises from the amalgamation of Roman paganism with early ‘Christianity’. It used to be said – perhaps it still is said in some quarters – that we need to try to ‘keep Christ in Christmas’ but, for myself, I want to avoid any significant, symbolical or sentimental mingling of the mid-winter ‘Christmas’ festivities with the incarnation of Christ. We do not hold special Christmas services, nor do we mix carol singing with attempts at evangelization simply because we want to avoid any possibility of confusing the message we preach. So, does that mean we do not attach any religious significance to the birth of Christ at all? Of course not! A Christmas popular song first appeared in 1973 by the band Wizzard. Its title is, “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day” and you will hear it on the radio every year at this time. The fact is that for true believers, it is Christmas every day; there is not a day goes by without them rejoicing that God, in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ, was born as a baby in real human flesh so that he might redeem his people from the curse of the law and secure their peace with God. In the same way, every day believers rejoice in the accomplishment of Christ’s death at Calvary and his resurrection, not just at the pagan religious festival of Easter. So I join in – moderately - with mid-winter festivities; we exchange ‘season’s greetings’ with neighbors and others. My family and I decorate our houses, we exchange gifts and we get together to share special meals and pleasure together. But rejoicing that the Son of God became flesh, ‘God contracted to a span’ for the purpose of saving his people from their sins, that is something I seek to do every day of the year.

– Allan, Jellett, Knebworth Grace Church, England

REPENTANCE -- "Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish." -- Luke 13:3