CHRISTMAS
CONFESSION – Expressing or Suppressing the Truth of Christmas
Isaiah 52:7-8 How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who
brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion,
"Your God reigns." The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their
voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the
LORD to Zion.
Luke 9:26 [Jesus explained] For whoever is
ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he
comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Romans 1:16-19 [Paul exclaimed] For I am not
ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness
of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous
shall live by faith." For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against
all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness
suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because
God has shown it to them. [Especially note verse 20]
Arguing for “Merry Christmas” and against politically
acceptable ecumenical generic “Happy Holidays” is one thing, confessing
Christmas (i.e. Christ-worship) is quite another.
God’s Word tells us that a characteristic
mark of a believer (i.e. Christian: follower of Christ) is verbal public
confession: "The Word is near you, even in your mouth and in your
heart"; that is, the Word of Faith which we proclaim; Because if you
confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto
righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation. For the
Scripture says, "Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to
shame." For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same
Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone, "whoever shall
call on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then shall they call on
Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom
they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching? And how shall
they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the
feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good
things!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says,
"Lord, who has believed our report?" Then faith is of hearing, and
hearing by the Word of God. (Rom.10:8-17)
How easy it is to speak His name in Sunday
School, Bible study group, church congregation, Christmas carols, or in writing
devotional thought.
Ah, but what of place outside of comfortable
religious settings?
Apart from cozy pious zones . . . will we
outlier speak of baby or adult Lord Jesus Christ on even so much as during the
time celebrated as His birthday?
Let us
say “Merry Christmas”-- good, but to what end? Does such well wishing speak of
my confession of salvation through and by Jesus?
Believing in our heart, let us stand on
beautiful feet (Rom.10:15) saying “Jesus is Lord” … someone just may believe the
report and receive Jehovah God’s Christmas gift of present and everlasting
redemption through trusting in God’s only begotten Son. (Jn.3:16)
EBB4
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