Today I want to discuss one of my pet peeves about the
celebration and the hoopla of Christmas. First let me deal with the Manger. It
is a beautiful sentiment and it pains me that not one Christmas pageant tells
the story correctly. Again, the world has dominated a biblical event and
distorted the truth and the complacence of Christians have allowed this lie to
be told year after year.
The images of the birth of Jesus are of Mary and Joseph in
an open manger and gifts being presented by three kings. Well if you’ve ever
read Matthew chapter 2 and Luke chapter 2, it would be obvious how off these
images are.
Luke chapter 2 tells of the birth of Jesus and the first to
come to the manger were shepherds. They brought no gifts other than their
praise and gave glory to God. There is no mention anywhere in this chapter that
says they followed the star, they were told of the birth by Angels.
Matthew chapter 2 tells the story of the wise men and how
Harod brought these men and requested they return once they found this young
child so he could worship. When the wise men saw Jesus they went to the house
of Mary and Joseph where they presented three specific gifts.
These two stories have been intertwined and distorted to
what is now a mainstay in the Christmas pageantry of today. Then to top it off,
this story has been linked with the practices of Paganism. What Christians don’t
realize is the history of how Christians got mixed in with the Pagans.
History tells us that in the attempts to convert the Pagans
to Christianity they incorporated some of the traditions as a way of giving
comfort and show their willingness to combine the Pagan practices and
traditions. The integration of the tree
comes from 17th century German traditions.
These practices are so readily accepted because the beliefs
are considered similar, but in truth Christianity has invited Paganism/Witchcraft
into a day which should be holy and set aside to give thanks for the birth of
Christ.
I must admit when my children were young I enjoyed doing all
the hoopla and presenting gifts to glean the laughter, joy and fun for my
children. To see the excitement in their eyes and receiving all the hugs and thanks
made me feel good. What I never thought
about was the truth.
The tree is acceptable because somewhere the cross is
sometimes referred to as the tree Jesus was hung on. My question today is when are Christians going
to stop conforming and start transforming the world to the truth of God and his
goodness?
Because I have not yet shaken off these traditions and am going
to spend time with friends in celebrating. If you are really wanting to worship
God in spirit and in truth; I admonish you to take the time to do some research
and soul searching for yourself. Wrecking myths Wednesday. SMOOCHES~~
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