[ SHOWGSD-L ] The story of Christmas
- From: Susan Madlung <stormygsd@xxxxxxx>
- To: ShowGSD-l <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 06:58:23 -0800
Merry Christmas.
Hope everyone is having a good time and celebrating together. I wanted to write
a little about the history of Christmas. This is what I have been able to find
out. I hope everyone can sort through the commercialism and the hustle and
bustle and contemplate, meditate on the true meaning and reason for Christmas.
Jesus is the reason for the season.
Most Historians think that Christ was probably born in the fall ( September or
October ) in a cave in Bethlehem between 4-6 BC. Most Theologians believe that
Jesus was born between the Jewish feasts of The Feast of Trumpets, Sept 22, and
The Feast of Tabernacles, Oct 20, between 4-6 BC. The word mass comes from a
Latin word meaning "to send" Thus Christmas means "Christ sent" The early
church celebrated a Michaelmas on September 29, to celebrate the time that the
Angel Michael was sent to announce the birth of Christ to the shepherds. SO
September 29 could have been the actual birth date of Jesus. In keeping with
the teaching of the Bible that life begins at conception, DEC 25 was believed
to be Christmas, the day Jesus was sent (conceived). This 9 months before his
birth on September 29. Coincidentally, or divine plan, to coincide with the
celebration of the birth of the sun, the light of the world. God sent His son,
the true light of the world.
About the year 330 AD the Church and State of Rome assigned the date December
25 to be celebrated as Christ's birth. This was the date that the birth of the
sun god, the light of the world, the winter solstice. It was decided to
celebrate the birth of the Son on this date. The true Light of the World.
Before this few Christians celebrated the birth of Christ. The main event and
celebrations of the church was Easter and the Lord's Supper.
Christmas was first spelt "Christes Missa" then "Christes Masse" then "Christ's
Mass", then today's spelling in the 16th century Christmas.
A common misconception about Christmas and the nativity is the 3 wise men. In
Matthew 2:1-18 tells the story. The bible doesn't say that there were 3 wise
men, just that the wise men brought 3 types of gifts. Also the wise men were
not at the Nativity scene. They came up to 2 years after the birth of Jesus.
When they came to Jesus, He was a young child living with his family in a
house. This is why King Herod had all the males under 2 years old put to death.
Only the shepherds were there at the nativity when Jesus was born.
Many of the present Christmas traditions originated with pagan religions and
cultures. When these people converted to Christianity they kept their
traditions and assigned new meaning to them. The Christmas tree, an evergreen
decorated with lights, symbolizing the Garden of Eden, was first use in the
early 17th century in Strasbourg Germany. the evergreen symbolized eternal life
from the pagan Celtic and Teutonic cultures. The light symbolized Christ.
The candy cane, turned upside down is the letter "J" for Jesus and joy. The
White color symbolizes His purity, and red symbolizes His sacrifice. The mint
symbolizes the regal gift of spice. The cane is because Jesus was the Good
Shepherd, it is a shepherds staff.
The Mistle Toe is from the pagan Druid culture and had special magic healing
power.
Yule log is from the Scandinavian culture it was burnt to welcome the good
spirits and scare away the evil ones.
Holly wreaths, there was a legend that Christ's crown of thorns was made from a
Holly wreath with white berries and when Christ's blood touched the berries
they turned red. So the prickly Holly symbolized Jesus crown of thorns and the
berries his blood.
The singing of Christmas carols was started in 13th century Italy, by St.
Francis of Assisi, He also made the first Manger Nativity seen.
Santa Claus ( St. Nicholas ) was modeled after St. Nicholas a 4th century
Bishop in Asia Minor known for his generosity and good works.St Nicholas was a
tall, slender man, it was not until 1931 that Coca Cola invented the short, fat
jolly, rosy cheeked Santa that we know today. The red suit Santa Claus wears
today originated by Thomas Nast in 1863 in an American cartoon.
You can find the story of the birth of Jesus in the Bible in the following
passages: Matthew 1:18-2:23; Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-51; John 1:1-34; Revelation
12:1-5 I encourage you to read all the accounts, it won't take very long, and
compare them with each other.
God Bless and have fun wherever you are.
If you have any other or different information please let me know, Thank-you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Christmas time, many of us delight in holding a present to our ear and
giving it a shake to guess its contents. Sometimes we guess right, but more
often we are left puzzled and have to wait until Christmas Day to unwrap and
enjoy our gift.
The Old Testament prophets also had wrapped gifts to shake. The gifts they
joggled were the prophecies of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior. First
Peter 1:10-12 says the prophets investigated Scripture with a desire to know
more about Him and His coming:
As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come
to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time
the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings
of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not
serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to
you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from
heaven-things into which angels long to look (1 Peter 1:10-12).
The Old Testament prophets wrote about salvation in Christ and studied closely
what God revealed to them. They saw the birth and sufferings of the Messiah,
and also the glory that would follow. But they could not fully understand the
timing or connection between the two-in some of the prophecies the Messiah's
sufferings and glory are blended in one verse or paragraph. For the prophets,
the gift remained wrapped in mystery.
And what are those passages that intrigued them so much? There are many,
encompassing the whole Person and work of Jesus the Christ. During this time of
year, we specially celebrate the fulfillment of prophecies concerning His
birth. As you celebrate this year, take time to explore these key Old Testament
prophecies that were opened-fulfilled-at Christmas:
· The Lord raised up a great Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 7:40)
· A star and a scepter came out of Israel (Numbers 24:17; Matthew 2:1-2)
· Messiah was a descendent of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-3; Matthew
1:1-17; 3:16)
· He was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 2:1-7)
· Jesus was born of a virgin and called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew
1:18-25)
Sue Madlung - Shadowacre Reg'd German Shepherds
http://www.shadowacre.com
Give your dogs the Ultimate in Nutritional Support with BiologicVet Nx
http://www.biologicnr.com/biologicvetnx/
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