2. Christmas and the Church
Colossians 3:17
Luke 2
December 11, 2016

3. Christmas and the Church
“Christmas” – an annual holiday celebrated by millions. However are you aware that... Christians in the 1st Century did NOT celebrate the birth of Christ as an annual observance.

4. Christmas and the Church
The Birth of Christ

5. The Birth of Christ
In the Bible… New Testament provides NO clues to a date. Many place the year between 4-6 B.C. Luke 2:1-2 Matthew 2:2

6. The Birth of Christ
In History… Sextus Julius Africanus popularized the idea that Jesus was born on December 25 in his Chronographiai, a reference book written in 221 AD. Orthodox churches celebrate it on January 6

7. Christmas and the Church
The Birth of Christ The Celebration of Christmas

8. The Celebration of Christmas
In the Bible… NO Reference in the Bible ONLY event in Christ’s life celebrated is His Death, Burial, and Resurrection Acts 20:7 1 Corinthians 11:20-34

9. Celebration of Christmas
In the Bible… Paul expressed concern in observing days Galatians 4:9-10 Colossians 3:17 1 Corinthians 11:26

10. Celebration of Christmas
In History… Birth of Christ NOT a feast day at 1st Among Protestant churches, especially in U.S. It seems to have been adopted ONLY after great controversy.

11. Christmas and the Church
The Birth of Christ The Celebration of Christmas Christmas Today

12. Christmas Today
Paul gave warning regarding feast days He expressed concern for the churches in Galatia. Galatians 4:8-11 Problems came when they bound where God had not bound Acts 15:1,5

13. Christmas Today
Paul did not hesitate to keep Jewish customs. Acts 16:1-3 Acts 18:18 Acts 18:19-21 Acts 21:17-26

14. Paul’s teaching is clear Romans 14:5-6 Galatians 2:3-5 Galatians 5:4-6
Christmas Today
Paul’s teaching is clear Romans 14:5-6 Galatians 2:3-5 Galatians 5:4-6

15. Christmas Today
Jesus warned of the danger of human tradition. Mark 7:1-13 Mark 7:7 Mark 7:8-9

16. Christmas Today
Traditions of men ARE wrong when: They become doctrine bound on all They displace the commands of God

17. Christmas Today
Making Application Bible is silent concerning celebrating the birth of Christ. As a human tradition we MUST be very careful.

18. Christmas Today
As a church or congregation Celebration of it is UNWISE, if NOT outright WRONG. It interwinds man’s traditions with God’s commands. It forces people to observe what is human, not divine.

19. Christmas Today
As an individual.. There is nothing wrong with it Provided It is NOT bound on others It does not interfere with God’s commands

20. Christmas Today
What about the pagan aspect? What about Thursday? “Thor’s Day” after the Norse God Thor One time religious practices can be practiced today for different reasons. IE - circumcision

21. Christmas and the Church
The Birth of Christ The Celebration of Christmas Christmas Today

22. Christmas and the Church
Idea is NOT found in the New Testament Is Christ being born important? YES!! Thus we should celebrate His birth year- round.

23. Christmas and the Church
Remember it is HIS Death, Burial and Resurrection that saves us. This is what is commanded to be remembered Matthew 26: Corinthians 11:23-26

24. Christmas and the Church
Christ has all authority Matthew 28:18 Colossians 3:17

25. Christmas and the Church
The plea should not be to put “Christ” back into Christmas, but to put Christ in our lives, worshipping and honoring Him as He has directed in the Scriptures. It is then that Christ will be truly honored, and love and benevolence will not be seasonal, but seen in our lives year round.

26. Invitation Christians Repent - Acts 8:22, Revelation 2:5
Confess - James 5:16, 1 John 1:9
Pray - Acts 8:24, James 5:16

27. Invitation Non - Christians Hear – Romans 10:17, Acts 18:8,
Believe – Romans. 10:9-10, Hebrews 11:6
Repent – Luke 13:3,5 Acts 17:30
Confess – Acts 8:37, Matthew 10:32
Be Baptized – Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-5
Be Faithful – Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 10:35