Merry Christmas Is Not In The Bible…Or Is It?
Genesis 21:33
If we were asked to read the Christmas story most of us would immediately go to the New Testament and find Matthew or Luke, and begin to read the genealogy that Matthew details up to the birth of Jesus; or Luke as he begins the story with the angel visiting Zacharias in the temple before the Lord sends Gabriel to visit Mary and announce that she would soon conceive a Son in her virgin womb. Yes, these are the divine details of Jesus lineage and birth; but His “conception” began thousands of years before. It was in God’s divine plan from the beginning. It was inscribed in His covenantal promise to mankind.
While we do not read the word Christmas in scripture, we do read the word Christ. While there is no “law or mandate” to celebrate His birth, as there were specific holy days and events that His people were to commemorate yearly; Jesus is the only One that was ever born that the entire world takes note of and celebrate every year. Some will say that we are making a huge commercialization of something sacred…and besides, they say, Jesus was not even born in December. While that is true, why would that stop us from honoring and celebrating the birth of the One called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace?
Some have linked pagan history to the seasonal solstice, foreign gods, and the worship of trees. No doubt that all of the above is true. However, what sacred event or holiday has the devil not counterfeited and made evil? Just because the world has removed Jesus and replaced Him with Santa Claus and little elves, does not mean that we should not celebrate the birth of our Savior. Has the world cashed in and commercialized what God intended to be holy? Yes! Just as the devil replaced the Resurrection of Jesus with eggs and the Easter bunny. Should we stop rejoicing that the sacrificial Lamb of God rose from the dead? The devil would have you think so.
Go all the way back to Genesis when Abraham planted the Tamarisk tree. It is the only tree that Abraham is recorded to have planted. Why? “Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.” He was making a covenant with the LORD, and acknowledged that He was Everlasting….forever, eternity, ancient, forevermore. The tamarisk is an evergreen tree with some amazing properties. First off, it only grows an inch per year, and takes 400 years to reach its full height! Abraham was most certainly planting this tree for his posterity. Also look up what America’s very first flag was….the Appeal to Heaven flag; a large evergreen tree!
The leaves of this tree collect water vapor from the moisture in the night air, and when the sun radiates its heat, the droplets evaporate and produce a cooling system. How amazing that God provides natural cooling in the heat of the desert! It is also drought resistant, and has some medicinal qualities. The bark treats fevers, wounds and digestive issues. The LORD not only provided shade and cooling, He also provided healing. He addresses our spirit, soul, and body.
It is also noteworthy that is was 400 years later that God’s people would pass through that desert area when they were freed from Egypt. That tamarisk tree was now mature. Coincidence? No! There was also another 400 year period between the close of the Old Testament and the beginning of the new….when the angels broke through the heavens, and the stars lit up the night sky to announce that the promised Messiah had been born! The Everlasting covenant was now in the flesh as Immanuel….God with us!
This event will be celebrated for all eternity. While the enemy continues to counterfeit and do his best to take peoples eyes off the Light of the world, with the commercial lights and the empty traditions; we who know and love Him, will continue to celebrate and honor His divine and holy birth; the birth that changed the world!
To me and my family this season will always be worth celebrating. We do not worship a tree, and we do not acknowledge any pagan gods of the winter solstice. We hang ornaments of family memories that we created over the years on our tree; the precious handmade nativity’s from the kindergarten days; the ones with their sweet little smiles from yesteryear. All of these “man made” traditions are about family; about the love and the stories that we have woven together over the years. I want my children to tell their children about the simple joys they tucked away in their hearts over the years that created memories that will go on to become a legacy worth remembering.
“Joy to the world-the Lord has come! Let earth receive her king, let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing!”