18 December 2005

This week I will not be talking about the Tanakh, but a little about Christmas. If you would like to look at some of the scriptures in the Tanakh which relate to the birth of Yeshua, please go to http://www.freewebs.com/childrenofabraham/ and look at the lessons for the Eve of the Nativity at the bottom of the page.

One comment, you are about as likely to win the lottery as it was for Yeshua to complete the propehcies fortold about him in the Tanakh.

Now at this time of year, many things come up about Christmas being a pagan holiday, and that Christians should not celebrate it. Some of the same links tell us we shouldn't celebrate Easter because Easter was the German Goddess develloped from Babylon. We won't go there today. Let it suffice today that our Christmas tree does not come from German Paganism, nor from Babylonian paganism, but from Mediaeval morality plays. In former times, literacy was low, and besides stained glass windows, the church used dramas to teach the faithful the Bible. The first play on Christmas eve in the Holy Roman Empire was on Adam and Eve and the play would not be complete without the tree of life which was hung with candles (sometimes with apples as well, but these were usually used on the tree of knowledge hence the apple in many paintings, since the apple was the only fruit that could be preserved through the winter). Eventually the faithful moved the tree into their homes where it remains long after the demise of morality plays.

The incarnation of our Lord was originally celebrated on the 6th of January and indeed the Armenians still do not celebrate the 25th of December but only the 6th of January, on which they celebrate several Christmas events. In the Eastern church Christmas is still less important than Epiphany but is celebrated. Apparently the feast was celebrated on the 25th of December because that was nine months after the celebration of the Annunciation which was celebrated back in the 2nd century. The feast of the invincable sun was not placed on December 25th until very late in the third century, and if the truth be known was probably placed there to win Christians back to paganism. (By the way, some people think Jesus was born in the Spring, others in the fall. Few believe he was born in December, but just think of it as being like the Queen's official birthday, which regardless of her real birthday always falls in June.)

Now it is true that some pagan symbols are used by some in celebrating Christmas, such as mistletoe. Truth be known, mistletoe is so poinonous, you probably shouldn't have it in your house. Holly has some pagan associations, but since it is evergreen it does make for a nice wreath. If you are aware of pagan associations and it spoils you celebrating the birth of Jesus, then just kick the mistletoe or whatever out of your house.

The important thing is don't spend too much money on presents. Take time to truly celebrate the birth of our saviour. Remember what Marin Luther said about Jesus's humble place of birth (the stable was located in a cave), that it demonstrated God's utter disregard for those things which we think important). Also remember, that Jesus became man, so that we might have salvation.


+Mar Michael Abportus
Pastor, Congregation Benim Avraham
mjthan@quik.com
http://www.freewebs.com/childrenofabraham/
http://www.christiansynod.org/
1-281-303-3671

Tanakh Portion for 4 December 2005

Genesis 44-46.

The Torah portion for this week is taken from Vayigash. Joseph has tested his brothers to see if they were the same men who left him to be sold to slavery and finds that his brothers have changed. Upon revealing his identity to his brothers, he tells them that what they meant for evil, God has turned to good. Indeed it was necessary that Joseph go to Egypt to prepare the way for his brothers and their descendents to be saved from the famine, which still had five years to run. We see here that all was turned to good. Avram’s favouritism of Joseph, the dreams, the selling of Joseph into slavery, Joseph being cast into prison, all of these worked together to put Joseph where God wanted him to be. I am reminded of a verse from the New Testament, “All things work to the good of those who love the Lord.”

This goodness works in several ways. First we are brought into a state of blessedness, or shalom. Do you love the Lord? Do you accept his will? IF so you have entered the true state of blessedness, for you will accept what the Lord gives you. Joseph among others in the Bible have reached this state where they totally trust God. It is when we learn to say with Job, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” In other words total acceptance of God’s will and total faith in God. Do you have what you want or do you have what you need. Through my fourteen years in Honduras as a missionary, I usually had what I wanted, for I had learned to want what I needed.

As we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of Yeshua, blessed be his name, may we be aware of the awesomeness of the divine plan. Yeshua was the culmination of the blessing made to Avram, that God would bless the whole world through him. That promise continues through us who are true Talmidim (disciples) of the Messiah. When we are salt of the earth, then the world through us is blessed. When we witness to the mission and work of Yeshua, the world is blessed through us. Part of our witness is learning to accept the will of God with grace and thankfulness.

For this and other reasons, it is very important to study the Old Testament. Yeshua truly does fulfil it, and it truly leads us to him, as well as the blessed life.

Shalom and blessings in the Name of Yeshua

+Mar Michael Abportus
mjthan@quik.com