Intro: What would have happened if it had been three wise WOMEN instead of men? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable diapers as gifts!
Let's read Isaiah 1:10-18: "10 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11 "The multitude of your sacrifices—what are they to me?" says the Lord. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? 13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. 14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! 16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. 17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. 18 "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
A birthday has a special meaning for many people, so they like to celebrate it. We are glad and thankful when our families and friends celebrate our birthday because it means that they care for us. Every December, hundreds of millions of people and even billions of people worldwide celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus. By the way, was Jesus born on December 25th?
Based on his study on the records of early fathers' writings (from the first to fourth century) and the Bible, Dr. Bambang Norseno claimed that Jesus was born on December 25th. Here is what he found. A document known as the Coptic Didaskalia Apostolorum, from 189, mentioned celebrating the birth of our Lord on the 29th of the fourth Egyptian month, or the month of Kiyah, or the 25th of the ninth Hebrew month. The ninth Hebrew month is the month of Kislev or December on the Gregorian calendar. In Luke 1, it is said that Zechariah was burning incense; at that time, he got the mark of mute. At that time, Zakaria was in Abiya's group. Abijah's company, according to 1 Chronicles 24:7-19, was the eighth group. Zakaria represents the Abiya group burning incense at the Yom Kippur celebration around September.
Then, in Luke 1:26, six months after the Angel, Gabriel, met Zechariah at the Yom Kippur celebration, he met Mary in Nazareth. Six months after the month of Tisri is the month of Nisan, and the month of Nisan is roughly March. The writings of Irenaeus, Hippolytus, and the Church Fathers from the third generation also said that the celebration of Mary receiving the Good News from the Angel was on the 15th of Nisan or March 25th. Nine months after Mary gave birth to Angel's announcement on March 25th was December 25th. So the claim that Christmas is a celebration of the sun god is not valid.
But with so many people celebrating His birthday, is Jesus happy with it? Not necessarily. I'm afraid that instead of being happy, He is sad and disappointed. Why? Christmas is celebrated by believers who receive Christ as their Lord and Savior and by those who don't know anything about Jesus. And these people celebrate Christmas just for fun or for their business's sake.
Today, Christmas is identical to parties, shopping, Santa Claus, and holidays. Therefore, even at nightclubs or casinos, you will see Christmas trees and hear Christmas songs. W.C. Fields says, "Christmas at my house is always at least six or seven times more pleasant than anywhere else. We start drinking early. And while everyone else is seeing only one Santa Claus, we'll be seeing six or seven."
Here's another tragic Santa headline: a new ad for the Norwegian postal service depicts a man falling in love with Santa Claus. Yahoo Entertainment reports that the ad is called "When Harry Met Santa" and shows Santa falling for "a man who looks forward to seeing him every year." Harry, in turn, is "heartbroken that he must wait such long in-between visits." At the end of the ad, Santa tells Harry, "Well, I arranged some help this year so that I can be with you," and then the two men kiss. Yahoo Entertainment calls the ad "heartwarming."
We read from Isaiah 1 how God was upset with Israel and refused their offering and celebrations even though they prayed three times a day, fasted twice a week, and faithfully celebrated the festivals and feasts. Why? Because they lived a sinful life, didn't do justice, neglected the poor, and the leaders were corrupt. Therefore, God called them to repent. How they lived every day is more important than the rituals they did.
Sadly, many Christians today think like those in the Book of Isaiah. In December, they suddenly become holy men/women, care for the needy, join in church activities, enjoy fellowship with others, and worship the Lord. While from January to November, they live like unbelievers. They don't involve God in their lives, don't care about God's will for them, and live like those who do not know Christ. Christmas should not be a 'spiritual laundry' for us! We should live every day doing what God desires from us. Pastor A. Rogers said what God desires is that we would know Him. Not just know about Him, in the same way, we know about science or mathematics. God wants us to know Him personally and intimately. God also wants us to worship and love Him. When we deeply love God and are committed to worshiping Him above everything else, we naturally put Him first. God desires us to obey His commandments.
We demonstrate our love for God and commitment to putting Him first by obeying His commandments. In John 14:15, Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." In John 14:23-24, "Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
In addition to loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength, God desires that we would love others as we love ourselves. Jesus says that all of God's commands can be summed up in loving God and loving others. Matthew 22:37-39 says, "Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'."
So, the true meaning of Christmas is dedicating our whole lives to love God and others, accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, walk with Him daily and do His commands. Let's ask ourselves, do our lives show those things that God desires from us?
If we want to celebrate Christmas, it should glorify God and focus on Jesus—All activities, messages, songs, decorations should talk about Jesus, why He came and what He did for humans. It is Jesus whom we celebrate during this season. Celebrating Christmas without Jesus is like hosting a birthday party where the birthday person may not come in. And that happens today in many places. And this saddens Jesus' heart.
Let's celebrate Christmas next Sunday by glorifying God and focusing on Jesus. And may God help us love Him and others every day. And may the peace of Jesus and His love fill our hearts throughout the year.
