“What is truth?” Jn. 18:38 Light & Power, Jn. 3:19-21 Saving, 1 Tim. 2:4 The Word, Jn. 17:17

Need to know the truth about baby Jesus Untruth abounds Know truth to honor God and Jesus Truth not popular

Jesus was born by natural means “Virgin” = young woman Gospel embellishes account

There were definitely three wise men Minor point Attention to detail

Celebrate birth on December 25 Contradicted by historical facts -Mesopotamians  12-day feast to Marduk -Romans  Worship of sun god  Decorated homes with garlands  Hung candles on trees  Visited homes & gave gifts

Celebrate birth on December 25 Contradicted by historical facts -Scandinavians  Winter darkness, no sun  First day of light burned Yule log  Hung apples on trees  Sang songs

Celebrate birth on December 25 Contradicted by historical facts -Constantine  Incorporated pagan celebrations  Draw pagans into “church”

Celebrate birth on December 25 Contradicted by Catholic Encyclopedia -Xmas not among earliest festivals -First evidence dates to AD 200 Egypt -No month in year to which birth not assigned -Gospels give no help for a date

Fact: Jesus’ birth was announced Mary, Lk. 1:26-38 Joseph, Mt. 1:18-25

Fact: Jesus was born Bethlehem, Lk. 2:1-7 Shepherds, Lk. 2:8-20

Fact: Very little else told about baby Jesus Circumcised & dedicated, Lk. 2:21-40 Visited by wise men, Mt. 2:1-12 Endangered, Mt. 2:13-23

No command, example, or inference for religious celebration of Jesus’ birth Where is the passage? May we celebrate -Time in temple? -Feeding of 5,000 or 4,000? One memorial, 1 Cor. 11:23-26

Condemned if we add to the gospel, Rev. 22:18, 19 Presumptive Arrogant “Good intentions”? The road to hell is paved with “good intentions” Mt. 7:21-23

“What is truth?” Jn. 18:38 Light & Power, Jn. 3:19-21 Saving, 1 Tim. 2:4 The Word, Jn. 17:17

“What is truth?” Jn. 18:38 Light & Power, Jn. 3:19-21 Saving, 1 Tim. 2:4 The Word, Jn. 17:17

Need to know the truth about baby Jesus Untruth abounds Know truth to honor God and Jesus Truth not popular