TRUE or FALSE?• -True or False The angel Gabriel appeared to

Joseph to inform him that Mary was with child.

• -True or False The Bible says that three wise men came to the manger to worship and give gifts to Jesus.

• -True or False The Bible says that an unknown number of wise men came to the manger to worship Jesus.

• -True or False The wise men were kings from the Orient.

• -True or False A bright star appeared in the sky and led the shepherds to the manger.

TRUE or FALSE?• -True or False A bright star appeared in the

sky and led the wise men to the manger.• -True or False The shepherds and the wise

men were present on the night of Jesus' birth.

• -True or False The translation of the word, "Immanuel" is "Savior."

• -True or False Jesus was born in Jerusalem.• -True or False An innkeeper told Mary and

Joseph that there was no room in the inn, thus Jesus was born in a manger.

Every Statement Was FALSE!

Bible Authority Contained in

the New Testament

Matthew 28:18 “all authority”Matthew 26:26-28 CommandActs 20:7 Example/ Necessary Inference

What does this have to do with Christ’s Birth?

• “remaining out doors” “clear our Savior born before 25th of December” Albert Barnes Notes on New Testament

• “December is a rainy month” Pulpit Commentary

• “main bulk of the rain in December” ISBE

• Probably between Sept. & Oct.

Where Did Christ-Mass Come From?

• “Christians chose that day to counteract the pagan Saturnalia…have a right to use whatever will reinforce God’s universal love” americancatholic.org

• “Irenaeus and Tertullian omit” Catholic Encyclopedia

• “The pagan festival (Brumalia, Dec.25) with its riot & merry making was so popular that Christians were glad of an excuse to continue its celebration” Schaff- Herzog Encyc.

Some Days May Be Observed Without

Religious Significance• Romans 14:6 – Birthday, Anniversary• Some things observed religiously,

without authority – Circumcision, Washing hands, Eating Meat offered to idols. Others observe NOT religiously.

• Holidays we observe without religious significance: New Years, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, etc.

Circumcision• Under New Covenant, Wrong

Religiously- Galatians 5:1-4• NOT wrong if it is NOT observed as a

religious rite – Galatians 5:6• Paul had Timothy circumcised – Acts

16:3• Paul kept Pentecost – Acts 20:16• BUT NOT in Obedience to the Law of

Moses!• Colossians 2:16

Extremes:• Observe religiously anyway- • Colossians 3:17• Matthew 7:21-23• Galatians 4:10,11• Allow Festivities to take Priority

over serving God-• Matthew 6:33• Engage in Sinful Activities

Associated with the holiday-• Galatians 5:19-21; Titus 2:12

Extremes:• Bind Total Nonobservance on All-• It is a National Holiday• Christians can observe customs so

long as they do not contradict the Bible.

• Must Separate Civil from Religious• Had pagan & Catholic origins, but is

not now totally regarded as a religious day

• Other holidays with religious origins: Valentines, New Years, St. Patrick’s, Easter, & Memorial Day

Arguments:• Name gives it religious significance

thus should not be observed-• “we have a Mass for every Saint,

but there is no Mass for Christ.” Britannica

• Origin of City Names Religious:• San Francisco – St Francs of Assisi• San Antonio – St Anthony• Corpus Christi – the body of Christ• Santa Paula – St Paula• Days of the week from Norse gods

Conclusion• If anyone wishes not to observe

Christmas in any manner, that is fine.

• Do not bind it on others• Romans 14:5 – “let each one be

fully convinced in his own mind”• Romans 14:3 “Let not him who eats

despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.” A Matter of Indifference

Conclusion• Be Careful in observance of Civil

holiday• Stars, Angels & Manger Scenes

connect it with birth of Christ• Danger in going all out for

decorations outside the house• Enjoy decorations and traditions

with our own families who understand their significance

• Be ready to explain to others why we do not observe it religiously

In All Things Practice Charity Toward One

AnotherColossians 3:12-14 NKJV 12 Therefore, as

the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”