Celebrating Christmas is scriptural:
A Quote from the following article meant to condemn the celebration of Christmas actually helps support
its celebration.
"I am looking at page 537 of the Catholic Encyclopedia, which says, 'In the Christian law, the supreme sacrifice
is that of the Mass.' It goes on to say, 'The supreme act of worship consists essentially in an offering of a worthy victim
to God, the offering made by a proper person, as a priest, the destruction of the victim." (3) End of Quote
Firstly, of course Christians and Catholics recognize and celebrate that Christ died for us.
Jesus Christ was born to die and it pleased the Lord to bruise him and we ought to celebrate and be Merry
about this event. (Isaiah 53)
In fact if we want to call Christ Mass a celebration of his death, then we have scripture
to back it up.
"After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This
cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For
as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. " (1 Corinthians
11)
The Article goes on:
"In essence, the Mass is the ceremonial slaying of Jesus Christ over and over again, followed by the eating
of his flesh and the drinking of his blood. The Mass is the death sacrifice, and the "Host" is the victim. This is official
Roman Catholic doctrine, and "Christmas" is a word that they invented. Again, I ask, what is so merry about the pain, bleeding,
suffering and death of Jesus Christ? Satan has done quite a job of getting millions of so-called 'Christians' to blaspheme.
What a deceiver he is."
This statement is right and wrong. It is accurate in the fact that presently the Catholic Mass is a 'slaying
of Jesus Christ over and over again'. This is condemned in scripture. (Hebrews 10:12)
However, this particular Catholic teaching didn't develop until 1215 A.D. long after the celebration of
Christ mas.
1215 -- Transubstantiation of the Wafer
http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/rc114.htm
So this means that the original meaning of the word Christ Mass probably did NOT include the REPEATED death
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
So those that want to tell you that celebrating the Lord's birth and death is unscriptural let them know
what you now know.
Before the development of many corrupt and unbiblical doctrines in the Catholic church, a council formulated
the doctrine of the Triunity of God. (325 AD)
Note: I said formulated not created.
The Trinity is taught in scripture.
So the Catholics have managed to get it right here.
Over time, the worship of Mary and the diminishing of Christ developed until a man named Mohammed
got so confused as to what the Trinity really was that he thought that Christians believed that the Trinity consisted of the
Father, Son and Mary.
He then formed his own religion.
"So believe in Allah and his apostles and do not say: 'Three.' Forbear, and it shall be better for you.
Allah is but one God." (Surah 4:171)
"And when Allah shall say unto Jesus, at the last day, O Jesus, son of Mary, hast thou said unto men, Take
me and my mother for two gods, beside Allah? He shall answer, Praise be unto thee! it is not for me to say taht which I ought
not; ...I have not spoken to them any other than what thou didst command me; namely, Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord."
(Surah 5:116)
Should we reject the biblical teaching of the Trinity simply because later doctrinal and behavioural developments
of Catholics distorted the nature of Mary and thereby God?
788 -- Worship of Mary and the Saints
Also check out: The Other Jesus of the Catholic church
God forbid!
So at Christmas and anytime for that matter feel free to celebrate God the Word becoming Flesh and his once
and for all sacrifice, because it is scriptural.
Even if one could effectively argue that the Christmas celebration has questionable origins, this does
not discount the fact that the Original Christmas was when God the Word became flesh (John 1) and the day or days we
choose to celebrate that blessed event together is irrelevant.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which
is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude
of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2)
BJ Maxwell 12/03/2005
