November - December 2002

Word of Prophecy

NEWSLETTER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

By Bro. Ray Pringle, Sr.

It is a very wonderful tradition I have inherited from my godly ancestors to commemorate the birthday of the greatest man who ever lived _ Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God! Oh, I encounter individuals with hang-ups who can't enjoy Christmas because of erroneous teachings supposedly from the Bible. Did you know, ladies and gentlemen, that the Holy Bible is a book that tells about God Himself, about what He loves, what He hates _ about what He accepts, and what He rejects. And I state forcefully and unequivocally, that in God's Word about Himself, He does not command Christians to observe Christmas as Christ's birthday, but neither does He forbid its observance.

Christmas is neither a scriptural religious festival nor a legitimate pagan holiday. Christmas is not even designated in the Bible as a day for Christians neither to celebrate Christ's birth nor to consider it sacred. The true Church of Jesus Christ has no instructions from their Lord to observe any holy day or holiday. Romans 14:5-6; Colossians 2:16-17. How should a Christian respond to Christmas? It should be observed in a quiet, unobtrusive, reverential manner quite unlike the pagan idolatrous manner that is so fashionable. However, it is not pagan to place a sign in front of our homes or churches that say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS. This is true witnessing, showing the pagans around us the respect and even love we have for the Son of God. Manger scenes and the singing of Christmas carols add grace and honor to our blessed Lord and Saviour. Even in our greetings at this blessed holiday season could be, "Happy Birthday Jesus."

A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE

The Apostle Paul reveals a few liberties we have in Christ where no commandment is given: "For why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?" I Corinthians 10:29. Again the apostle reveals a truth most preachers and dumb Christians won't accept, to wit: "And their conscience being weak is defiled." I Corinthians 8:7. If you are a Christian with a weak conscience, don't get mean-spirited and argumentative and critical because strong Christians can observe Christmas as Christ's birthday, and have lights, give presents, have turkey and dressing _ and maybe even a decorative tree!

"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations." Romans 14:1. Did you understand that verse of scripture: A Christian with a weak conscience and with hang-ups we must accept

in the church, but don't permit him the freedom to argue over his hang-ups! If he has a hang-up over eating certain meats or the keeping of holy days (or holidays), tell him to keep his mouth shut! Great advice _ and I commend you, my beloved Brother Paul! Then the apostle continues: "For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak [has a weak conscience], eateth herbs … who art thou that judgest another man's servant [in these Christian liberties]? … One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Romans 14:2-5. Praise God! Happy Birthday Jesus! Every Christian should put a sign or banner, big and bright, in front of his house, and the church he attends on Christmas Day or even a week or so before.

DECEMBER 25^th?

I don't know when Jesus was born, the exact day nor year _ neither do you! I don't care! What I do know is that we have the Bible record of His birth, His parents' names, His genealogy, and the conditions and environment into which He was born. I don't know if the historical records that claim the Roman Catholic Church initiated Christmas as the celebration of a Christ Mass is true or not _ neither do you! Much ancient history involving many such events and dates are as phony and errant as a three dollar bill! I know for sure that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, in a manger, when Caesar Augustus ruled the Roman Empire. Luke 2. He was born of a virgin named Mary, a descendant of David, of the tribe of Judah. He was born about 2,002 years ago, give or take a few months _ and, He is the Son of God. He is the Creator of this world. He died for my sins and yours, and best of all, He is my Lord and Master _ Jesus is in my heart. There is room for Him in my Inn, which is my heart! Read Matthew 6:1. Is this not enough reason to cry out, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS?

CHRISTMAS TREE?

Weak Christian, you live with your conscience and hang-ups, and grant the liberty in Christ the Holy Scriptures declare is acceptable to a full-grown Christian with a strong conscience. You've heard the controversy about Christmas trees _ now hear the truth: "O house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen … For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not … be not afraid of them." Jeremiah 10:1-5. What's the problem? These people worshiped these trees instead of the True God! Big Deal!

Now hear this revelation: "The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot." Isaiah 40:19-20. The prophet reveals that the idolaters of the church of his day worshiped idols _ the wealthy made them of gold and silver, the poor used trees with decorations to worship. Beloved, I do not have gold or silver and I have never worshiped a Christmas tree or any other type of tree.

NO ROOM IN THE INN

"And she [Mary] brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7. The first Christmas _ A.D. 1 _ NO VACANCY in the inn for Christ!

This is being penned as Christmas draws near. Have conditions improved since Jesus' first advent of over twenty centuries? In this generation of imminent return and Second Advent of Christ can He find a joyous, continuous welcome to the inner inn of your life and mine?

Those who have room for Christ in their inn [their heart] are the only ones who can truly keep a Christmas observance in a God-pleasing manner. I didn't say Christians, for those who have only the love of Christ in their hearts can observe a truly Christ-centered Christmas! Too many worldly Christians abuse the sanctity of its observance by their selfishness or profaneness many times worse than the way unregenerate people do. Do we really love Jesus as we profess and then blaspheme His name by the display of our inordinate affections for pleasure, wild spending, surfeiting, and reveling? The Bible warns: "…If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him … the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of [God] the Father, but is of the world." I John 2:15-16. Also the Holy Ghost warns: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:1-2.

LOVE TAKES AN OBJECT

Love always has a direct object! The world or Jesus _ not both! If the love of the world has filled your heart, there is no room for Him in the inn! Jesus sees a NO VACANCY sign on your heart's door! "Things" are ruining more Christians, stealing their love and faith, and bringing on spiritual bankruptcy more than any other cause! Material things! These objects are not the necessary items in the Christian's lifestyle _ they are just obsessions and vanities that are idolatrous! Check it out by this criterion: Balance your ledger of expenditures for "things" against your tithes and offerings unto Christ and the work of His kingdom. It will shock you! See who you love most _ Christ or mammon. Matthew 6:24. This is a valid, spiritual litmus test!

Jesus said the objects of our love must be: "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength ... [and] Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Mark 12:30-31. The object of the love professed in today's charismatic church society is fun and pleasure. God commands however: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who looked not on his own things [or what he wanted], but on the needs of others. Philippians 2:4-5!

Let's make this Christmas a Christ-centered, God-pleasing observance, beloved, and keep it this way until He comes. Can your heart be filled with love and interest in the following pleasures, and still have room for Christ in the inn? Do you love these "things" and pleasures more than the love you show for Jesus? I hear so many Christians express by word and deed their affection for the following pleasures: "I just love TV" _ "I just love to eat" _ "I just love to go to Disney World" _ "I just love Christmas" _ "I just love to fish, hunt, to travel, football, golf, swimming, racing, water skiing, etc…" What other loves does it take _ or, how much love for these pleasures does it take to fill the inn so that there is no room for Jesus? I leave the answer to you!

The love and desire for "things" will crowd Jesus out of your heart _ He will not live in a crowded room! Just Jesus and you! He warns Christians: "… And all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works." Revelation 2:23. Jesus reprimanded the members of the Laodicean church: You have foolishly let "things" (the increase of goods) fill your hearts, and I have moved out of your hearts. Still Jesus pleaded: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door [to his inn, the heart], I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20. Beloved, don't be a casualty and victim to the love of material things and lose your love and affection for things above _ Christ will move out of your heart and leave your inn vacant of His presence!

Christians have their closets, garages, attics, and utility sheds full of "things" that testify too many times to their idolatry _ to their love for this world! No wonder Jesus commanded His disciples: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not … For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:32-34! Praise God! In your heart, your inn for Jesus is where you determine where your money will be invested! Most Christians' investment in "things" steals their hearts, and diverts their income into such an idolatrous acquisition of those "things" they desire, until they have precious little to give into the work of Christ. How about selling what you have as Jesus commanded _ those things, that is, which you don't really need? Then, invest it into the work of Christ's kingdom. Jesus rewards us according to your/our works. Revelation 22:12.

GIVE GIFTS

Sharing and giving is the true spirit of Christmas, of Christians. God gave us His best as a gift _ His only begotten Son, Jesus. When Christ arose from the dead, "He gave gifts to men." Ephesians 4:7-8. Adults get great joy, and great happiness is made possible, through giving and receiving gifts at Christmas. And the children _ how does any child respond to the anticipation of receiving gifts early Christmas morning? Their lives are made dull and boring without this thrill and excitement come Christmas morning. I've had this joy as long as I can remember as a child, then enjoying my own children's Christmas excitement, and now my grandchildren's. Why do old grouchy adults want to spoil a child's fantasy world of play-like, or pretend, or make-believe one time a year by denying them gifts and bright lights? This world needs some brightening up, and real Christians can do it best in our observance of Christ's birthday. A proper observance of Christmas makes the world conscious of Christ _ that Christmas is His birthday, not a pagan holiday!

REMEMBER WHOSE

BIRTHDAY CHRISTMAS

DAY IS!

In a masterpiece of English literature by Charles Dickens named A Christmas Carol, the main character was named Scrooge, a rich but very stingy man. At Christmas time, all he would cry out, to suggestions of a feast, or giving gifts, was "BAH, HUMBUG." I pray you will be possessed by the Spirit of Jesus, and cry out, Happy Birthday Jesus, or Merry Christmas to those who joyfully greet you.

Please let us hear from you during this Christmas season! Include this Ministry and Fellowship, which is near and dear to the heart of Christ, high on your gift list and in your giving. "… And when they [the wise men] had opened their treasures, they presented unto him [Jesus] gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." Matthew 2:11. Let us be wise men also!

We need your Christmas offerings as a gift to Christ to help us pay bills we have made for His Name's sake. He will make our Christmas more joyous, and you can be assured that your unselfish, Christ centered observance will please Him _ and, there will be room for Him in the inn _ in the bridal suite of your heart! Open the door wide!

Sis. Pringle, myself, and our family, with Sis. June Carpenter and all the saints here in this vital fellowship and ministry who love you, pray that you and your families will experience the very best Christmas ever as you strive to please Him, our Lord and Master, whose birthday we commemorate. Hallelujah! He lives!

The End.