Springs Article 2021-12 (2)

Luke 2:1-7
Luke 2:8-14
Luke 2:15-22

Who is Jesus Christ?

  • The Son of God; the Saviour of the world
  • Jesus is Yeshua (Yehoshua) in Hebrew, which means Salvation (God my Saviour)
  • Matthew 1:21

Who is Santa?

  • An idol!
  • A godless christless mythical figure who performs magic and is regarded by the world as the father of Christmas
  • Magic represents sorcery, lies and deception!, Revelation 21:8
  • Parents lie for Santa and children adore Santa more than Jesus
  • Santa and Jesus are not compatible!

Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem?

  • God chose the little town (village) of Bethlehem for an important reason
  • Micah 5:2, John 1:29
  • The lambs killed for the Jewish Passover at the Jerusalem Temple came from Bethlehem shepherds
  • Jesus is the Lamb of God, born in Bethlehem and killed on Passover day in Jerusalem

Was Jesus born on the way into Bethlehem or right inside Bethlehem?

  • They were already inside Bethlehem for days, Luke 2:6
  • They most likely had already done the census
  • They must have been staying with relatives (as it was their hometown)

What is a manger?

  • A long feeding trough for livestock (farm animals)
  • A manger usually contains fodder (dried hay or straw used as food for animals)

Was Jesus born in a stable or laid in a manger?

  • He was laid in a manger!
  • The Bible does not say that Jesus was born in a stable
  • The Greek word translated as ‘inn’ more literally translates as ‘guest-chamber’ (Luke 2:7, YLT)
  • Jesus most likely was born in the house of His relatives at Bethlehem
  • Jesus was laid in a manger because the house (guest-chamber) was congested
  • They most likely came out to the front yard and laid him in a manger (for fresh air?)

Was Jesus born in the winter?

  • Impossible!
  • Jesus was born during very good weather – otherwise he couldn’t have been laid in a manger in the open yard

Why did God send angels to connect the shepherds with the birth of Jesus Christ?

  • Because Jesus is the Passover Lamb of God! 
  • It was right that the Passover shepherds welcomed him into the world

Why was Jesus wrapped up and laid in a manger?

  • It was a divine sign to the Bethlehem (Passover) shepherds!, Luke 2:12
  • The sign was unique – it made it easy for them to locate him inside the village
  • The sign was a visual connection to Jesus being the Passover Lamb of God

When were the Passover Lambs born?

  • Exodus 12:1-14
  • The Jewish Passover month of Abib (Nissan) is the month of new beginnings
  • The Jewish Passover month is the beginning of the spring season
  • The Jewish month of Passover is March/April
  • The Passover lambs were 1 year old at Passover
  • The Passover lambs were born at spring time!

What is the significance of Jesus being the Lamb of God?

  • He was born to die!
  • His death achieved much more than his birth

When was Jesus born?

  • Jesus is the Passover Lamb of God, John 1:29
  • Jesus is the Word which tabernacled with men, John 1:14
  • The Tabernacle of God was completed in 9 months and dedicated on the first day of the Jewish Passover month (Nissan 1), Exodus 40
  • Jesus was born in the Jewish Passover month, on the 1st day of the 1st month of the Jewish religious year (Nissan 1), which is March/April (spring time)
  • He was born on the day of new beginnings and his birth represents new beginnings

Who invented Christmas?

  • The Roman Catholic Church!
  • Christmas was invented in the 4th century
  • Christmas is a merger of pagan festivals (e.g. the winter solstice festival) with the birth of Jesus Christ
  • The winter solstice festival (December 25) is a celebration of the Sun god!
  • The trees, Yule logs, wreaths, mistletoes and lights are all pagan tradition
  • Santa, elves and flying reindeers all come from myth and magic (e.g. Harry Potter) and have nothing to do with Christ
  • Jesus Christ is not the reason for the season; rather He is the reason for living, the reason for all seasons!

Why do people (including unbelievers) love to celebrate Christmas?

  • It’s party time!
  • Spending, eating, drinking (including alcohol), movies, gifts, playing, chatting, jesting, chilling, fooling, flirting, indulging the flesh, consuming worldliness etc.
  • Christmas is a celebration of idolatry, materialism and carnal indulgence!
  • 1 Corinthians 10:7
  • The flesh loves partying!

What is a Christmas tree?

  • An idol!
  • Jeremiah 10:1-4
  • When you put up a Christmas tree, it’s definitely not about celebrating Jesus or honouring God. Rather, it’s about keeping tradition and pleasing self!
  • The Christmas tree is a pagan tradition of idolatry from the past
  • The Christmas tree and Jesus are not compatible!

How should we celebrate Jesus?

  • Holy Communion,  Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
  • Fellowship with believers
  • Praise Worship
  • Prayer
  • Humility and Obedience
  • Walking in love
  • Generous giving
  • Reaching out to the lost (preaching to unbelievers)
  • Helping the needy
  • Abstinence for idolatry and immorality (worldliness and carnality)

2021: A Year of Sanctification

To find out more, listen to the audio sermon.