Separating Christ From Christmas

Where is Christ in Christmas today? Everywhere we went we heard “Happy Holidays” and we would smile and say “Merry Christmas”. To our surprise mostly everyone said “Merry Christmas” back to us. So why are people conditioning to say “Happy Holidays”?

Well, most have no idea why we even say the words Merry Christmas or what the purpose is behind those words.

What Is Christmas?

In a recent article titled “Nearly 40% of UK millennials can’t identify baby in Bethlehem Christmas story” says:

December 21, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – A few years back, before we were married, my wife worked in the catering business. As the Advent season began, one of her colleagues asked her a question that floored her: “What is Christmas all about?” As it turned out, her colleague had never heard the Christmas story before. She’d never heard the story of the Lord Jesus in the manger, the Saviour born in Bethlehem, the shepherds, the angels—nothing. She had grown up in a once-Christian country without ever hearing one of the foundational stories of Christianity… read more

Many do not know what Christmas is about and have no idea the purpose or meaning behind it. So what is Christmas about?

Question: “What is the true meaning of Christmas?” Answer: The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love… by GotQuestions.org

Christians Being Persecuted For Celebrating Christmas

While many do not know what Christmas is about you have many that do and are paying the price for it. The other reason why people may not be saying the words “Merry Christmas” would be fear of what would happen if they did. These two article below show how Christians are being persecuted for celebrating Christ. The first article titled “A dangerous Christmas for Iran’s Christians” goes on to say:

‘Over 100 Christians have been arrested in Iran in the past week and nearly 150 in the past month, as part of the government’s attempt to ‘warn’ Christians against proselytizing over Christmas…” read more

And the second article is about China where they to are persecuting Christians involved with celebrating Christmas. The article titled “China’s Communist Party in brutal crackdown on Christianity” says:

Chinese police have launched a Christmas crackdown against Christians — arresting a prominent pastor, raiding churches and charging followers with ‘subverting the state’.

It’s all part of an effort to bring the religion under Chinese Communist Party control. While the party itself is officially atheist, it allows believers to attend state-sanctioned places of worship run by approved priests.

There are some 100 million Christians in China. Many worship in ‘home’ churches to avoid state interference… read more

What Is The Meaning Behind The Word Christmas?

Luke 2:10 KJV 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

God, Jesus, came from heaven to earth and Christians celebrate His arrival. The angel says Jesus coming is great joy, peace, and good toward men. There are high expectations during the holiday season but for most this time of year is only a reminder of what they don’t have. The heart is left empty and disappointed because it has become a celebration without a meaningful purpose.

Why Were Those Christians Persecuted?

2 Timothy 3:12 KJV Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

The misunderstanding is in why Jesus was born. Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the Prince of Peace so He did come to bring peace but it is peace with God (Romans 5:11). 2 Timothy 3:1 states that this chapter is describing the end times. The articles fall in line with the Word of God. People love themselves more and more which leads to more and more hatred of God and His morals which leads to action. The time of fake Christianity is quickly coming to a close because godly values will not be tolerated by society.

As a believer I understand there is much heartache and hardships in this world, however, I have received the Prince of Peace. The peace of Christ is not of the world but it is Christ Himself (John 14:27).

Is your heart troubled and in despair? Jesus is the only Person who can still an anxious heart (Luke 4:18).