B.I.B.L.E- Day after Christmas

...BASIC-INSTRUCTION-BEFORE-LEAVING-EARTH

It's the DAY AFTER Christmas...

...Still, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?

Does the spirit of Christmas...

only show up in your life on one day of the year?

What is Christmas to you anyway? Better yet...

what does it mean to you that THE CHRIST WAS BORN?

Do you believe in impossibilities?

Because Christmas means different things to many people, your answers may vary. While it was the catholic Church many thousands of years ago, that adopted December 25Th as the day the church would celebrate Jesus' birth, many people often celebrate "THE SEASON"

more so than they specifically are celebrating the holy birth! And No! Many people do not choose this time of year to celebrate The Christ's birth, considering certain history!

In early America, farmers would celebrate the bounty of the harvest.

For many, the colder season brought such special treats as fresh meat. It was because the colder season was better for butchering, giving the meat more time to remain fresh, other wise, meat was smoked or salted! The farmers also took advantage of the leisure time that the colder season provided. There was time to relax! Plenty of visitation was being done as the ground, being cold and hard, was better for traveling by horse and buggy and wagons.

The winter season was also a time they could catch up on textiles and handcrafts. So you see, back in the day, for many, many years, this season for so many was more about the fruits of the season rather than anything spiritual. So, that tradition continues now for many people still! You don't have to be a farmer to take advantage of the bounty of the season! Schools and businesses close, more people tend to travel as well. More food, snacks, and drinks are sold around this season than any other holiday, including Halloween!

Although Man (human kind) does NOT know the exact date of the birth of the Christ (It is not even found in the holy bible, though the season he was born in Bethlehem, is best described speaks more on either late Spring or the fall time there. Try searching under the Gospel of Luke.) The actual date of the 'Holy birth' was placed somewhere, during the time of Quirinius as Governor. It was also during the reign of Caesar Augustus when he gave a decree for the FIRST census of the entire Roman World, as opposed to the second census years later! Well, that's a good place for you to star, Dear Reader!

Although man does NOT KNOW THE EXACT DATE...many Christians

and Followers of God, use this season to recognize God in a mighty, outwardly way! Though, historians and other knowledgeable people know that December 25Th is ACTUALLY a pagan celebration time, involving the Solstice and worshiping SATURN or Saturnalia (The god of Agriculture). Here is a question! Knowing what you are starting to know now, about the

"TRUE" spirit or meaning behind the day and season,...

Should Christians acknowledge December 25Th as a "HOLY DAY"?

WHY or Why NOT?

Especially considering that God, creator of Heaven and earth, gave the command that "Thou shall have no other gods before me!"

Still, celebrations for the Christ at this time of year include, candle vigils, and songs of worship. These celebrations take place all over the world, all at the same time! This is maybe the only time of year that even in countries where other religions are highly exalted, when 'Christmas' and 'Christians' are tolerated! Now, THAT'S A MIRACLE!

But the Bible says about Jesus that, "Every Knee shall bow at the mention of his name."

Let me tell you a story, that will perhaps help you find your focus, even after 'Christmas'!

LUKE: Chapter 2 verses 26-38

I use the Life Application Study Bible, N.I.V.

(New International Version)

'AN ANGEL Promises The Birth OF JESUS TO MARY'

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town of Galilee to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said,

"Greetings, you who are highly favored! The LORD IS WITH YOU."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him

the name of Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High.

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.

For nothing is impossible with God."

I am the Lord's servant." Mary answered. " May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Comment:

Let me leave you with this: You need to understand the importance of Mary accepting the task presented to her by the Angel, Gabriel. Back then, great limitations and harshness would be put upon a young woman who ended up pregnant without being married! In our day though, unmarried moms have more opportunities! Unwed mothers, still are unfortunately, much more tolerated and accepted causing serious problems in the breakdown of family and in society. But such tolerance is the same for dead-beat Dads in our day, taking no responsibility for those children! THAT is also more acceptable and is MUCH MORE rampant!

Still, BACK THEN, it was a really huge deal! And...

(Latter Commentary):

..."A young unmarried girl who became pregnant risked disaster. Unless the father of the child agreed to marry he, she would probably remain unmarried for life. If her own father rejected her, she would be forced into begging or prostitution in order to earn her living.

And Mary, with her story about being made pregnant by the Holy Spirit, risked being considered crazy as well. Still Mary said, "despite the possible risks, "May it be to me as you have said. "When Mary said that, she didn't know about the tremendous opportunity she would have! She only knew that God was asking her to serve him, and she willingly obeyed. Don't wait to see the bottom line before offering your life to God! Offer yourself willingly, even when the outcome seems disastrous.

Comment:

Trust God that he knows what he's asking of you.

Comments: by Meetta, as her own opinion.

Latter commentary is from the Life Application Study Bible, N.I.V. footnotes on;

Luke: Chapter 1 verse 38

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Wheaton , Illinois

See you next time!