The BIBLE VIEW #887 — Christmas

In This Issue:
Was Jesus Born on December 25?
An Opportune Time
Jesus Came Anyway
The First and Last Time He Comes

Volume: 887     December 5, 2022
Theme: Christmas

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Was Jesus Born on December 25?
Rev. Alexander Hislop

Many Christian holidays have their true meanings, and even the time they occurred altered by false religion’s influence.  Christmas, unfortunately, is one of those days.  Although Christ was definitely born on this Earth, and all the Bible says about Him is true, false religions and their effort to get people to accept their false teachings successfully merged their doctrines with those of Christianity.

Here is some of the history behind how December 25th was adopted to be the day of Christ’s birth, according to Rev. Alexander Hislop’s The Two Babylons:

“ … The festivals of [Catholic] Rome are innumerable, but five of the most important may be singled out for elucidation: Christmas day, Lady day, Easter, the Nativity of St. John, and the Feast of the Assumption.  Each and all of these can be proved to be Babylonian.  And first, as to the festival in honour of the birth of Christ, or Christmas.

“… How comes it that the festival was connected with the 25th of December?  There is not a word in the Scriptures about the precise day of His birth or the time of the year when He was born.  What is recorded there implies that at what time His birth took place, it couldnot have been on the 25th of December.

“… At the time that the angel announced His birth to the shepherds of Bethlehem, they were feeding their flocks by night in the open fields.  Now, no doubt, the climate of Palestine is not so severe as the climate of this country; but even there, though the heat of the day be considerable, the cold of the night, from December to February, is very piercing and it was not the custom for the shepherds of Judea to watch their flocks in the open fields laterthan about the end of October.  It is in the last degree incredible that the birth of Christ could have taken place at the end of December.

“… the celebrated Joseph Mede pronounces a very decisive opinion to the same effect. … At the birth of Christ, every woman and child was to go to be taxed at the city whereto they belonged, whither some had long journeys, but the middle of winter was not fitting for such a business, especially for women with child, and children to travel in.  Therefore, Christ could not be born in the depth of winter.  Again, at the time of Christ’s birth, the shepherds lay abroad watching with their flocks in the nighttime; but this was not likely to be in the middle of winter.  And if any shall think the winter wind was not so extreme in these parts, let him remember the words of Christ in the Gospel, ‘… pray ye that your flight be not in the winter … (Mat. 24:20)’.  If the winter was so bad a time to flee in, it seems no fit time for shepherds to lie in the fields, and women and children to travel in.”

 “… Indeed, it is admitted by the most learned and candid writers of all parties that the day of our Lord’s birth cannot be determined and that within the Christian churchno such festival as Christmas was ever heard of till the third century, and that not until the fourth century did it gain much observance.

“… How did the Romish Church fix December the 25th as Christmas day?  Why, thus:

Long before the fourth century, and long before the Christian era itself, a festival was celebrated among the heathen, at that precise time of the year, in honour of the birth of the son of the Babylonian queen of heaven; and it may fairly be presumed that, in order to conciliate the heathen, and to swell the number of the nominal adherents of Christianity, the same festival was adopted by the Roman Church, giving it only the name of Christ.  This tendency on the part of Christians to meet paganism halfway was very early developed, and we find Tertullian, even in his day, about the year 230 AD, bitterly lamenting the inconsistency of the disciples of Christ in this respect and contrasting it with the strict fidelity of the pagans to their own superstition.

“… Upright men strive to stem the tide, but in spite of all their efforts, the apostasy went on, until the church, with the exception of a small remnant, was submerged under pagan superstition.  That Christmas was originally a pagan festival is beyond all doubt.  The time of the year, and the ceremonies with which it is still celebrated, prove its origin.

“Also, in Egypt, the son of Isis was born at this very time, ‘about the time of the winter solstice.  The very name by which Christmas is popularly known among ourselves — Yule-day — proves at once its pagan and Babylonian origin.  ‘Yule’ is the Chaldean name for an ‘infant’ or ‘little child’;  and as the 25th of December was called by pagan Anglo-Saxons, ‘Yule-day’, or the ‘Child’s day.’  The night that preceded it became known as ‘Mother-night,’ long before (380–362 BC) they came in contact with Christianity.  This sufficiently proves the real reason December 25 was selected.”

“Christmas is a time for ‘giving up’ sin, bad habits, and selfish pleasures.  Christmas is a time for ‘giving in,’ surrendering to Christ and accepting Him as King.  Christmas is a time for ‘giving out,’ real giving and not swapping.”
Author Unknown

An Opportune Time
Oliver B. Greene

Christmas is a depressing time for many people.  An article written by a director of the California Department of Mental Hygiene warned, “The Christmas season is marked by greater emotional stress and more acts of violence than at any other time of the year.”

Christmas is an excuse to get drunk, have a party, get something, give a little, leave work, get out of school, spend money, overeat, and all other excesses.  But, for the real church, Christmas is an excuse for us to exalt Jesus Christ in the face of a world that is at least tuned into His name.

The message of Christmas is that the visible material world is bound to the invisible, spiritual world.” — Author Unknown


Jesus Came Anyway
Oliver B. Greene

Sherwood Wirt captured the mood of that first Christmas in this description, which he wrote in a Christmas card: “The people of that time were being heavily taxed and faced every prospect of a sharp increase to cover expanding military expenses.  The threat of world domination by a cruel, ungodly, power-intoxicated band of men was ever just below the threshold of consciousness.  Moral deterioration had corrupted the upper levels of society and was moving rapidly into the broad base of the populace.  Intense nationalistic feeling was clashing openly with new and sinister forms of imperialism.  Conformity was the spirit of the age.  Government handouts were being used with increasing lavishness to keep the population from rising up and throwing out the leaders.  Interest rates were spiraling upward in the midst of an inflated economy.  External religious observances were considered a political asset, and abnormal emphasis was placed on sports and athletic competition.  Racial tensions were at the breaking point.”

In such a time, and amid such a people, a child was born to a couple who had just signed up for a fresh round of taxation and were soon to become political exiles.  The child born was called, among other things, Immanuel, God with us.

Selfishness makes Christmas a burden; love makes it a delight.”


The First and Last Time He Comes
Oliver B. Greene

The Lord Jesus Christ, whom we exalt especially at Christmas, is not just a baby in a manger.  He is not a character in a children’s story.  He is far more.

  • The first time He came, He came veiled in the form of a child.  The next time He comes, and we believe it will be soon, He will come unveiled, and it will be abundantly and immediately clear to all the world just who He is.
  • The first time He came, a star marked His arrival.  The next time He comes, the whole heavens will roll up like a scroll, and all the stars will fall out of the sky, and He will light it.
  • The first time He came, wise men and shepherds brought Him gifts.  The next time He comes, He will bring rewards for His own.
  • The first time He came, there was no room for Him.  The next time He comes, the whole world will not be able to contain His glory.
  • The first time He came, only a few attended His arrival — some.  The next time He comes, every eye shall see Him.
  • The first time He came as a baby.  Soon He will come as Sovereign King and Lord.

“The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.” 
— Ralph W. Stockman

The BIBLE VIEW #872 — Salvation

In This Issue:
There Are Not Different Ways to Be Saved
How Good Are You?
Christ, Our Captain

Volume: 872     August 22, 2022
Theme:  Salvation

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There Are Not Different Ways to Be Saved
Bill Brinkworth

No matter what anyone thinks or says, there is only one way to Heaven. The Word of God says that Jesus is the only Way (John 14:6).
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

We must believe we cannot save ourselves and that our salvation is the gift of God purchased for us by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  He died in our place for our sins! If we accept that and trust in that way only, then we can have God’s promise of an eternity in Heaven.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

However, many will not accept God’s terms of having an eternity with Him. They want to get there their way.  They trust they will get there by doing what they think is right or what their religion has taught them is the way, even though it is contrary to what the Bible teaches.

Before I was saved, I also had my ideas of how to get to Heaven, and they were just as non-biblical as:

  • “I believe I’m going to Heaven because my grandfather was a preacher….” Well, that is wonderful that he was.  Still, nobody’s righteous living or salvation can earn them Heaven for another. We must have a personal relationship with Jesus and trust Him as our Saviour.
  • “I believe I’m going to Heaven because I’m a good person.” Well, I am sure you are by most people’s standards, but going to Heaven is not measured by human standards. It is measured by God’s commandments, and He says that all are sinners (Romans 3:23)!

    It is not the sins one has committed lately that condemn one’s soul; it is a lifetime of transgressions. One must realize all are born with a sinful flesh incapable of pleasing God unless we allow God to create a new creature in us and save us from Hell.

Before I was saved, I thought my good works would get me to Heaven. Then I wondered, “If good works get one to Heaven, how many do you have to do? Is it 50, 100, or 10,000? Have I done enough?”  That haunting question led me to read the Bible.  After 40+ years of reading the Bible, I have never found the answers to that question because God’s Word never says that goodness will get anyone to Heaven. Salvation is God’s gift to you; it cannot be earned.

  • I believe I’m going to Heaven because I’m an American.” That is good. I am American also, but being born in a “Christian” nation does not get anyone any higher than the tombstone. It is only by trusting Christ as Saviour!
  • I believe I’m going to Heaven because my wife saved me.” That may sound funny to some, but some people who have married a spouse whose example helped alter their lives think that because they are better now, they will go to Heaven. Well, maybe you have a wonderful husband, wife, or parents, but again, we are accountable for ourselves (Romans 14:12, Matthew 13:36), and goodness cannot get us to Heaven!
  • I believe I’m going to Heaven because I’m very religious.” Well, you may be. Unfortunately, some “religious” people try to do more to please God than many true Christians do. However, “religion” cannot save anybody; only trusting what Jesus has done for us will!
  • I belong to a very good church.” Your church may teach biblical doctrine, but joining any church will guarantee no one Heaven. Some “religions” claim that only their religion can save. That is a lie! Only trusting Jesus Christ’s finished work on the Cross can get anyone to Heaven (John 3:3, John 3:16).
  • I don’t believe there is a Heaven, Hell, or God, and I’ll just die like a dog, and that’s it!” Although I always handle that remark politely, the truth of the matter that is a foolish belief!
    “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Psalms 14:1

Too many people try to out guess God and do his thinking for Him. It does not matter what you or I think about obtaining Heaven, but what God says! It is God’s Heaven. He will allow us to go there under His conditions. His way is to accept Christ as our Saviour from eternal punishment (Romans 10:9). His way is the only way.

“Human nature’s way of salvation is, “Do, do, do.” But God’s way of salvation is, “Done, done. It is all done.” You have but to rely by faith on the atonement that Christ accomplished on the Cross.”  — Spurgeon


How Good Are You?
Bill Brinkworth

In the Bible, young David’s foe, Goliath, was a giant warrior.  It is recorded he was “six cubits and a span” tall. One immediately wonders, “How big is a cubit and a span?” 

A cubit is from the tip of one’s middle finger to the tip of the elbow.  Most assume it to be 18 inches.

Others say that it may have been measured by the cubit of the king at the time.  King Saul was a large man, so his cubit could have been 20 inches long.

To make it more confusing, other lengths are attributed to this measurement. The Babylonian cubit is 20.65 to 21.26 inches long. The long Hebrew cubit was 18.36 to 18.9 inches.

The exact size of a span is also questionable.  Its length is derived from the distance from an extended hand’s tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger.  Most assume it is nine inches.  One can easily see that this is also an unreliable measurement because it depends on whose hand is measured.

Depending on what standard was used, the giant Goliath may have been 9.75 to 11.5 feet tall. One can easily see that a subjective, comparative measurement is not accurate.  Man’s measuring is not always reliable.

Similar measuring is used when one compares his “goodness” with that of another.  “I am not as bad as that adulterer,” or “I’m not as bad as that liar and murderer.”  Who made you the standard for measuring who is naughty or nice?

Ultimately, it is not man’s standards that are accurate or count.  What one may think is good behavior, another may view as poor. Standards on measuring good conduct can change from one person to another and even change several times a day.   What is acceptable in one country may be abhorrent in another. Some behavior accepted today was frowned upon in previous generations.
“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” II Cor. 10:12

Ignored by most, the origin of what defines righteousness and evil is God’s Word, the Bible.  Within its preserved pages, man can read what God says is right and wrong. His opinion never changes and is the only one that ultimately matters. His measurements of behavior have been steadfast throughout human history.

God cuts quickly to the chase.  He makes it quite clear, by His gauge, none are “good.”  As hard as man may try, he is still a sinner, and his efforts in controlling his conduct are only external, temporary, and fall short of what God deems good. 
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Rom. 3:23
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10  Also: Rom. 3:9, Gal. 3:22.

God’s honest judgment of us certainly should change our judging of others.  We are all sinners!

Except for God’s mercy and giving us a way to have our sins forgiven and forgotten, there would be no hope for us to miss Hell.  Forget your opinionated judgments of others and see yourself as God sees you —  a sinner and not “good.”  Your measuring tool of goodness means little.

However, we can be forgiven of our iniquities.  The only way is by trusting that Jesus’ death on the cross is payment for our wickedness.  Then, once cleared of our sins, we can follow God’s scriptural commandments and please our heavenly Father.  Our obedience and deeds are then “good” in His eyes.

“Don’t judge a man because he sins differently than you.  Some may be forgiven of their iniquities, but we are all sinners.”


Christ, Our Captain
Author Unknown

The Highland chief, McGregor, fell wounded by two bullets. Seeing their leader fall, the clan wavered and gave their enemy an advantage. The chieftain, beholding the effects of the disaster, raised himself upon his elbow, and while the blood gushed in streams from his wounds, he cried, “I am not dead, my children.  I am looking to see you do your duty.”

Those words revived the sinking courage of his clansmen to stem the dreadful tide of battle.  The leader’s presence was worth a thousand men.

The Captain of our salvation, Jesus, though slain, yet lives and looks upon his militant followers with unutterable tenderness of affection.  He desires all of us to continue onward and fight the good fight.  Don’t quit!  Onward you must go!

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 
I Timothy 6:12

The Bible View #761

Articles in this Bible View: “Not Just A Man,” “He’s Alilve,” “I And My Father Are One,” “Jesus, the Door,” “History’s Most Important Event”
Theme: Jesus

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