In Deuteronomy 11:18-21 God encouraged the Israelites to remind their children of the wonderful things He had done for them. Remembering God's benefits is important for adults as well, and holidays are one way we can do it.
It's not important to know the actual day of Christ's birth, but it's critically important to remember how His birth changed the world and how it changed our lives specifically.
Jesus "who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:5-8).
That's a truth worth celebrating.
So let's use our Christmas celebrations to "tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for [His people], according to his compassion and many kindnesses" (Isaiah 63:7).
I encourage you to do a short study on Deuteronomy 11:18-21 at Bite Size Bible Study. And see 5 Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas.
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Note: Some Christians choose not to celebrate Christmas. We should respect their choice, not accusing them of legalism. Most Christians do celebrate Christmas, and those who don't should respect our choice, not calling us pagan or ungodly. This kind of name-calling is rebuked in Romans 14, especially Romans 14:5, and Colossians 2:16.
I have thoroughly studied the pagan claims about Christmas and have written about it here: Christmas Confusion. I've specifically addressed the false claim that Christmas trees are a pagan practice here: 6 Ways to Determine if a Scripture Is Used Correctly.
I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE.
You can sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.
BLN
I am a regular reader of your blog and thank you for it. Here are my thoughts on this, which are offered in love... Deut 11 opens by equating loving God with obeying Him. John 14:15 also tells us that if we love God, we will keep His commandments. What are His commandments? There are 10 that underpin the whole Judeo-Christian ethic. The 4th is to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. God has given us, not an annual day to remember His story of redemption and love, but a weekly reminder! Are we showing Him love by ignoring the day He has set apart for us and creating our own celebration (even if we devote it to Him), or do we show Him love by obeying His commandments?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that no annual celebration is enough, nor is a weekly, or daily celebration of His love and truth. Our goal would be to remember his love and truth continually and obey His commands out of love for Him minute by minute, second by second. The Christian has entered a 24/7 Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4).
DeleteThanks for pointing out this truth.
Gail
Just sayin' .... Romans 14 .... One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind. Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord. Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, yet he thanks God. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and came to life for this: that He might rule over both the dead and the living. But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God......
DeleteSo glad He knows our hearts and that we are no longer under the law!
ReplyDeleteI say this in love and honesty. The Sabbath is a topic in Scripture that I have been wrestling through for the last year, From Genesis to Revelation, and there are many more verses other then this one:
ReplyDeleteWhy did Jesus say to His disciples (Believers) in Matthew 24 regarding their question about the sign of His coming and the end of the age:
“And pray that YOUR flight may not be in winter, or on the SABBATH...” VS 20
I have read this chapter thoroughly so many times.
Also, as I stood in church a few months back staring at our big plaque of the Ten Commandments on our wall my eyes could not escape the 4th commandment. I stared at it for the longest time, wondering this next question:
Why out of all the 10 commandments is it only the 4th: to REMEMBER the Sabbath day and keep it Holy, that is overlooked, explained away, and targeted as “being under the law” or “legalism” by us. It is so frowned upon yet God hallowed and sanctified the 7th day in the beginning!!!
Do we not hold in respect the other 9 commandments as good for godly living? Do we not value and try to put into practice those other 9 commandments because we love God?
If we are using our critical thinking skills and reasoning, how do we in our minds accept this?
I am not trying to belittle anyone. It is an honest question that I first had to ask myself.
But may we not read into scripture what we have been taught and told is the interpretation. Instead let us search out all Scripture for ourselves and ask God for the understanding!
We rely too heavily on teachers, pastors, commentaries, and books which many of them all have different interpretations.
God wants each of us to love Him with our own minds.
We desire to love Him with ALL of our heart, soul, and mind.
Hi Sara,
ReplyDeleteIf you believe that Matthew 24:20 is saying that you need to observe the Sabbath, then you should follow your conscience.
The Sabbath command is the only one of the 10 Commandments not restated in the New Testament. It's mentioned several places (as in Matthew 24:20), but never as a command.
My conscience says that I have entered my Sabbath rest when I accepted Christ's payment for my sins and everyday from that day is a Sabbath day to me (a day dedicated to God). Hebrews 4 is a good summation of my beliefs about the Sabbath.
I still believe there is a benefit in weekly worship and fellowship, and fellowship is clearly commanded in Scripture (Hebrews 10:25), but I believe there is no New Testament command regarding observance of the Sabbath.
Having said that, I believe each person must follow their conscience in this area and these two passages offer the balanced perspective we each should have, me not judging those who feel led to observe the Sabbath in a particular way, and those people not judging me because I feel I am free from a Sabbath law.
Colossians 2:16-17: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Romans 14:5,10: One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind....You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
I respect your view even though I don't agree with it.
God bless you!