Marriage part I

Recently I read that there were reports that illustrated that being married actually can improve your health and can make you live longer. First I thought of unhealthy engaged or married people who never exercised jumping for joy (then being completely out of breathe for exerting too much energy), but also that this makes sense biblically.
The article states that marriage, "...brings better mental and physical health, reducing the chance of premature death by 15 per cent..." Why? Because, "Commitment seems to provide networks of supportive and helpful relationships, beginning with the spouse or partner, leading to more healthy lifestyles and better emotional and physical healing."
**Note these studies are based on marriages that are loving and supportive**

How does Scripture illustrate this?
1. Genesis 2:18-
"The Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
From the very beginning God saw that his creation of man should not be alone. God understood and created the notion of companionship. Pastor Jay Adams, believes that the essence of marriage is companionship. He says, "God did not primarily make Eve as Adam's helper...but as his companion. Adam too as all other husbands since is to provide companionship for her."
Who doesn't want a companion in life? As stated by Gen. 2:18, we were designed for it. Someone to weather storms, hard times, transitions in life but also to enjoy laughter, good times, vacations and transitions in life?
(I also understand that God calls some to singleness but being that this is not relevant to the topic I will not go into it)

2. Genesis 2:24:
"...man will leave...be united to his wife and the two will become one..."

Genesis furthers confirms the statistics of this study, a man will leave his family: with its comforts, finances, food, etc... to unite to his wife, and become one person. Now most think of this in a physical sense but it carries with it something much deeper.
THe word one is the Hebrew word echad, meaning oneness in unity not number. To gain better understanding of this we can look to the oneness of the Trinity. This word echad is used in terms of God (Duet. 6:1-2: Hear O' Israel, the Lord is one.") We know and declare God is one, yet that he expresses himself through the Son and Holy Spirit---their oneness is not questioned. The same with the man and woman---they leave themselves to become one in unity/ in complete oneness. This unity/oneness occurs because God designed marriage. He is the author of it, and his purpose for marriage is to display His glory. He kinda has a right to make marriage whatever he wants since he did create it. He recognized the feeling of Adam not to be alone, He created Eve, He presented her to Adam, and He deemed that a man would leave and unite himself to be one with his wife.

Cohabitation vs. Marriage
Naturally this would bring the topic of cohabitation up. I have had some argue that all the things in marriage can be achieved through cohabitation (defined as two people living together, sleeping together, acting like married couples yet not married). This has become increasingly popular in our nation and is done for various reasons: combined finances, love, afford a house, just feels right, etc. But this study finds that being in a loving and supportive marriage still exceeds the type of commitments made in cohabitation. Why?

Two things the article points out:
1. "...greater commitment confers greater benefit..."
2. "...marriage generally indicates a deeper commitment might explain why marriage is associated with better mental health outcomes than cohabiting. Cohabiting relationships tend to be less enduring. The most widely accepted explanation is that being in a committed relationship means better social support is available."

(with loving and supporting marraige in view)--WHy wouldn't a relationship based on a deep commitment to each and not on just sex, living together, money provide better mental health?

Living together doesn't mean your committed to each other, just as much as sleeping together doesn't mean your committed to each other. I spoke to a man once about his cohabitation, and told him he isn't showing the woman he loves that he wants to commit to her. Most women I know want to be reassured that your in it for good. They need to know that your are committed to protecting them, helping them, guiding them and not going to run away. This is similar for men: they want to know they are cared for, loved, and encouraged. I know for sure that I love knowing that I have someone in my corner, someone who will fight for me, protect me, and love me despite my numerous faults. It hopefully will make me a better husband, servant, and person. Cohabitation just misses the point entirely, and falls so short of the benefits of being in a Christ-centered agape marriage.

We view marriage in light of how Christ love the church:
Ephesians 5:22:
vs. 22: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..."

Paul emphasizes that the man should love his wife like Christ loves his bride (the church). The role of the husband imitates Christ' love for his church, even to the point of dying for her. The reason for this is that marriage is meant to display God's glory. What other manner of Christ leaving the Father, to cling to his bride to unite it to himself, dying for her because he loved her so much. Read onto verses 31-32:
Vs. 31-32: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

The point of the article is that a deep commitment illustrated by marriage improves mental health and physical health. Scripture illustrates that these are the numerous benefits of a Christ-centered, agape loving marriage, except that it has spiritual implications and benefits. When a man and a woman love each other, by displaying God's glory in their marriage, benefits will abide. I can only hope and pray that my own marriage will display this so that people will see Christ, and our oneness with him through the oneness of me and my wife.

Be Blessed.

"Till ....I get bored or dont want to be in it... do us part"

I don't believe in coincidences when it comes to God. Recently it seems the topic of marriage has come up several times. I recently taught the origin and purpose of marriage to our youth group, I have been researching passages for the past 2 months about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, I will be counseling a couple on an upcoming marriage, had a member of our church ask me for Scripture passages on marriage and I am currently and newly engaged to my beautiful fiancee. This doesn't seem like just chance, I believe God is motivating me to do something. So I have decided that I am going to take the next few blogs to explain from a biblical position marriage, divorce and remarriage. Now you must understand that I am also severely ADD and could change the subject at any moment, so do not be surprised if there is an article that captures my eye and needs a biblical perspective.

Let me first set some things straight:
1. I do not intend to try to explain marriage from a perspective of experience. I have not been married, nor have I have vast experience in the area of marriage. I do not claim to be a expert. With that said, I don't think you need to be an expert to give you biblical advice, nor properly give you biblical advice using God's word concerning marriage. I'm not an expert of trail biking, but I have read, discussed with others who have been in the sport much much longer that I have, understand its fundamentals, and done it a couple of times, but by far I am no pro.
I will give you resources to read from godly men and women who know more on the subject.

2. The subject of marriage will involve going into other subjects such as: pre-martial sex, homosexual relationships, co-habitation, the picture of Christ and marriage, men's roles as well as women. You simply can't separate marriage from these topics.

3. I am writing this because I am greatly concerned with where marriage is headed in our society (both outside and most importantly inside the church!). Marriage is being grossly mistaken for dating. Be together, sleep together, live together, but never really commit to each other. This is happening in the church as well as outside. Its disturbing to me that the church is supposed to be comprised of transformed people yet our divorce rate is no different than the world.

Here is what I will be covering:

1. What is marriage? Is it about love, companionship, sex? What is its purpose? What was God's design of marriage? What advantages are there to marriage?

2. If that is what marriage looks like then what about: living together (but not sleeping together), living together and sleeping together, pre-martial sex, and other types of relationships outside the bounds of marriage.

3. Once we have a clear idea of what the biblical concept of marriage is, we can proceed to divorce. Where are all the passages that discuss divorce? Is divorce okay? What about abuse?
What are the affects of divorce on children?

4. Finally what about remarriage? Who can be remarried?


Though you may not be in a position of marriage or maybe God has called you to singleness, but I think it is still imperative to have a biblical grounding in marriage. SO that if you do get to this point you will not be deceived by the worlds position (nor your assumed Christian position). I believe that our relationships that we pursue will benefit from knowing what God's position on marriage. Hopefully it will illuminate how wonderful and glorious it really is.

Be Blessed.

"Buffet" Christianity

For those who do not know me, I did not become a Christian until I was 21 years old. I spent the previous 21 years living and doing whatever I felt like. I coasted through life and was a good person. I went to church on occasion, picked a bible a couple times and made attempts at reading it, and I always pray..........before my meals. When I became a Christian, I didn't have the language they use, I didn't (and still don't) know a lot of the "classic" worship songs that every Christian is supposed to know. I have my fair share of pastors that I respect and read, and I try as hard as I can to not do "bad" things. But what is my reasoning, my motivation behind all this? Its because someone changed my heart. Scripture says that our hearts need a change, that its deceitful and all it desires (wants) is evil (Refer to Jer. 17:9, Gen. 6:5, 8:21). I needed a heart transplant that came only through God himself. Jesus gives the details of the transplant in John 3, when talking with Nicodemus about being born again. I did not believe in a religion but a person (Jesus Christ). But the Jesus Christ I believed in, and so desperately want to know comes from the teachings of Him in Scripture.

Why do I write all this? A disturbing article was written by Martin Thielen at the Huffington post (article here). He wrote what he believed to be the things that a Christian can believe in and shouldn't believe in. The title is "What is the least you can believe in and be a Christian?"
The title itself gives you an idea of where this is going. Please read the article to gain a better perspective before judging it though.
Thielen describes what he believes to be open-minded faith, by describing the 10 things Christians do not need to believe in and later 10 things they do. He incites those who subscribe to anything on the list are a closed-minded faith. His article and I presume his book, describe something that the younger generation gets wrapped up in: that doctrine divides, a biblical mindset excludes therefore we need to be more "open-minded". Anyone who does or thinks this is a right-wing, fundamentalist, conservative nut.

In the article he states,
"...many people in the 21st century hunger for an open-minded expression of Christian faith.

Though his article has merit and the conservative church has erred in some ways of judgment and exhibiting a loving character, I cannot accept his notion of a "open-minded' church faith.

First, Thielen as well as others, believe that biblical doctrine such as hell, exclusivity to God, and the biblical concept of sin is NOT open-minded faith and should be excluded.
This is not healthy nor constructive for the believer nor the purpose of the believer: to glorify God with the gradual transformation of the believer into looking more like Christ and less like themselves. (Sanctification for the theology buffs) (Romans 12:1-2)

If by open-minded he means being loving, and being graceful with sinners (as Christ was to us), then I totally agree. Jesus loved the lowest of the low by hanging out with sinners, eating with tax collectors, and breaking culture barriers with Samaritans. But I take the position a great woman in college told me: "You can be open-minded, but not so much that your brain falls out!"

Though Jesus loved sinners, he also called out their sin: in Luke 13:1-5;(when he told those to repent or perish or Luke 12: 49-53, where Jesus says he did not come to bring peace but division to purify the earth or Mark 10: 17-30, where Jesus excludes the rich man because the sin of money was in his heart; and finally in John 8:1-11, where Jesus doesn't condemn the adulterous woman but leaves her with the most crucial statement; "Neither do I condemn you; go and from now on sin no more."

Jesus not only was around sinners, and loved them, he loved them so much he called out their sin.
Second, exclusivity doesn't always mean its closed-minded.
Jesus tells us in Luke 14:25-33, that if you do "not hate your father, mother, sister and even his own life cannot be a disciple" was he was just kidding? Or maybe when Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the life, no one goes to the Father but through me." (Jn. 14:6) he just was saying it to appease the conservatives of his time? Or did he make an exclusive statement about himself and the method by which one reaches the Father? (Soap box I know) The point is Jesus was exclusive (there is only one God--therefore there are no other Gods (1 Cor. 8:5-6)) yet had an inclusive message.


I don't think people hunger for a form of Christianity with no accountability, no consequence and not realistic. I firmly believe people hunger for an authentic relationship with a God who not only loves, but transforms the very person you think you are, to serve, love, and give all you have!


Anyways, like the article, I decided I would make a list of things Christians DO NOT need to believe in:

1. That pastors never struggle, and are holier than lay people.
2. That God loves straight people and not gay people.
3. That God loves America and blesses only America and not other nations (like China, Sudan, oh dear!).
4. That God is overtly concerned with abortion and homosexuality MORE THAN divorce, adultery, gossip, murder, slander, or a lack of love and faithfulness from His church.
5. That Christians can't believe in science.
6. That it doesn't matter what you believe about God, but that its something.
(Cause something is always better than nothing)
7. That its not okay to doubt.
8. That it is okay to be judgmental, and obnoxious towards unbelievers.
9. That the church is all about you!


His solution for belief and Christianity is,
"Thankfully, a better alternative exists -- vibrant, open-minded, grace-filled, gender-equal, life-giving, centrist, moderate/mainline faith.

This is the same road they Emergent Church movement has drawn themselves into. They have sacrificed doctrine (which the definition is a set of teachings---which would be for Christians derived from Scripture) for the sake of relationships.
Watch John Pipers video on emergent church:



We cannot simply downgrade or dilute biblical teachings simply to not exclude people. If Scripture tells us that if we have given our lives to Christ (through confession as Savior, and acknowledging Him as Lord (master, owner), then our lives CONFORM to His word. We shouldn't be anywhere close to asking the question "how little can I believe or do and still be considered a Christian?"
Its about a loving relationship with the God of the universe, who made you alive in Christ, when you were dead, worthless and hungry for sin (Eph. 2:1-10). He created you, redeemed you, loved you that He was willing to die for you! So that He would transform your heart, so that you live for Him and Him alone. The sins that plagued you, that you so willingly ran to are no longer the priority but crucified because of Your God's act on the cross (Gal. 5:24). The cross is offensive, but that doesn't mean that we have to be. Scripture is clear, and it reveals God most clearly. We must as believers maintain a biblical mindset, not closed minded or open minded or where we pick and choose like a buffet line what we want to believe. We never were given that choice.

Be Blessed

Why I write!

Some people (including myself) probably wonder why in the world do I write this blog? I am sure that you spend your busy day wondering this, so I will give you an answer broken into two parts:

1. To make Christ known!
I believe that technology is a double edge sword. It can do magnificent things and has done awesome things for the Kingdom, and the spread of the gospel in digital format, as well as given people like me easy access to research on biblical texts, lexicons for language, etc... It also can be used for evil: pornography, stalking, gossip and slander.
I have chosen this vehicle to make Christ (who he is, what he has done, how he did it) known to those who read as an encouragment to them, and a light for those who stumble across it looking for something. THis is done mainly through topics God lays on my heart or an article I read that provoked Christ to be known in it.

2. To give clear biblical explanations
We all see the world through a lens. Some lens are fallible, broken and some are motivated by something bigger than themselves. As Christians I firmly believe that we must see the world's issues through Christ' eyes. If Scripture is the clearest vision of Christ, then we must start there. I read articles daily on the brokenness of relationships, experience and read about divorce both in the church and out, teen sex, broken homes, abuse, the poor, and total devastation of poor areas. Scripture gives us aid, and (should) motivate us to action, but most importantly it instructs on how to react, and handle these situations. God said he would teach, instruct, and counsel us..
Psalm 32:8-"
I will teach you and instruct you in the way you should go,
I will counsel you and watch over you."

Plus, there are crazy groups (that claim to be CHristian) who distort Scripture to fit their own opinions, and agendas. If we do not have a biblical viewpoint on topics and issues, then aren't we simply giving our opinion? (which clearly is not relevant in comparison to God's inspired Word)

3. My struggles
Sometimes I use this to illustrate where God is working on me. Sometimes God just says share this so that people can see Christ manifested in reality. Plus I never want to be one of those pastors who simply write all theology and no application in their own life. Seems too pious, and too unrealistic. I always pray that my struggles and successes can illustrate Christ and encourage others.

4. I can expose people to other pastors, leaders and information about Christ!
I love to put links to articles, videos, to help illustrate points 2 and 3. For example, recently there I found a great website that I am now subscribed to that has many resources for Christians, pastors and lay leaders. On it they have a list of things that the late Pastor Martyn Lloyd Jones learned as a pastor, teacher and Christian. Its a wonderful list and I think we can all relate in some way to what he learned and yet still needed to learn.

Here is the link [click here]

I hope and pray that this blog has been helpful for you. If not, maybe something to read or consider from a biblical standpoint.

Be Blessed!

Disconnecting with an Illusion of Connecting

I remember as a kid, I wanted to be an NBA star. I would spend countless hours playing basketball with friends so that I could be like Larry Bird (I know that I am giving my age here), and pretty much anyone on the Boston Celtics 1980's squad. When I got into high school, I spent lots of time socializing with my friends playing sports and hanging on the weekends. We would pull pranks, talk, and just hang out all the time. I built connections and friendships based on face to face interaction, and memories that required work, effort and time.

That era is coming to a close. We are now in the new technological era of facebook, twitter, and cellphones in the hands of 8 year olds. You can reconnect with old high school buddies, tweet something you just saw, or call and text to your hearts content. Whether we like it or not it has changed the landscape of relationships and obtaining of new ones: I would argue both positive and negative.

I will be the first as a pastor tell you that I text a lot, I use my phone all the time and it is extremely helpful. I can text youth, young adults and even adults (like my mom) to keep in touch, schedule hang out times, and just catch up (currently I am messaging my sister on facebook). It allows me to be up to date with information and yet at the same time it feels and seems like a lonely world.

The problem I have with it is that it seems to make us lonely and it can create tension within relationships. Even in my life I see where I have my phone in hand staring at it when I have someone sitting right next to me. Or I hear the little jingle of a text message and I really really want to answer it or see who it was.

ANother major problem is that people seem to want to deal with situations that they would normally be face to face and deal with it via twitter, or facebook, or text. Like breaking up with someone, or telling someone off, or even a serious conversation about life. Why? The argument is usually because its easier, but I think the problem is deeper than that. I think that it is a lack of emotional confidence to deal with a situation face to face.

Recently their was an article about this very subject and here is what MIT director and sociologist Sherry Turkle said about relationships and technology:

People would rather text than talk, because they can control how much time it takes. They can control where it fits in their schedule. When you have the amount of velocity and volume [of communication] that we have in our lives, we have to control our communications very dramatically. So controlling relationships becomes a major theme in digital communication. And that's what sometimes makes us feel alone together — because controlled relationships are not necessarily relationships in which you feel kinship.

So there is loneliness as we try to control all the relationships, therefore creating less of a connection or "kinship" with other people.

But what was most interesting to me (I know this is a biblical blog and wondering where the bible was going to come in) was what she said in context of youth but is absolutely applicable to you and I:

"On the one hand, they're so together that all they can do is text. And I identify with these teenagers, because it's the way we're all living our lives: you wake up in the morning, and you have 500 e-mails or 100 messages, and you say, "I don't have time to do anything but respond to this." So your life becomes completely reactive — you don't feel alone, but you don't feel connected.

What you certainly don't have time to do is experience solitude. One of the most important things that we're really losing is the ability to just be alone in a restorative way.

Scripture constantly tells us to take a time to worship God through stillness. Psalm 46:10, tells us to Be still and know that I am God." The meaning behind "Be still", is the notion of being weak and not an inability sort of way but a recognition that God is powerful, and in control of all things. We achieve this better when we spend a time with no distractions, no emails, text messages, tweets, calls, whatever it may be. Spending time in solitude with God is refreshing, restorative, and flat out awesome.

Lately to counter act my digital culture, I have been spending time getting up early to watch the sun rise and praying. Its relaxing and extremely productive in my busy schedule. Its followed by a time in the Psalms, reading, reflecting and praying on the things that God continues to work on me, and praising Him for simply being my God.

The Psalms alone mention meditation or musing over God's work or his law over 16 times!

Here is just two:

Psalm 1:2: "

Blessed is the one....

but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalm 77:12: "

I will consider all your works

and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Psalm 119 has meditation on God's law, work, decrees, precepts, 8 times!

What are you currently doing to experience solitude? Are you able to have a time of stillness, to be restored or filled up in His glory and peace? Feel free to share in the comments section.

Be Blessed.

New Years Resolutions

By now the presents are all open, the wrapping paper a heaping pile of trash. The tree may still be up but it doesn't have the same luster as before. Holiday sales are gone, the rush, the crowds have died down. The anxiety of trying to pick the right kind of gift no longer a problem. Then our second piggy back holiday New Years comes and passes. The confetti, the food, the drinks, the reflection on 2010 all become a distant past as we embark on the new 2011. Right now gyms across America are being bombarded by the swarms of people who are forever trying to sweat out holiday food and fat so they can get into shape for 2011. This is the time of year that people make resolutions for themselves or goals. The problem with New Year resolutions is that we don't really seem to keep them. A resolution is the the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action. So some people are determining that their course of action will be that they will work out, lose weight and be fit this year. Or they will stop smoking, or cursing, being unorganized or annoying. While I don't doubt that some people can achieve something they put their mind to ( I know this sounds like a kids motivational book--gross), these all seem characteristic of a deeper problem. A heart issue if you will.

Instead of focusing on your outside I hope and pray that you take a hard look at the inside: the condition and state of your heart. This can be done through evaluation of one's relationship with Christ through prayer and Scripture. (FYI this is not a works righteousness litmus test---your ability to want to be closer, and pursue avenues that will bring you closer is simply enabled by God's work and grace. See Philippians 2:12-13). Here is one that I pray for daily and not because it is the New Year.

1. I want to be more consistent in my time in the Word, and in prayer.
Psalm 119:10-11: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart.....do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
Psalm 119:14: I rejoice in following your statutes...

Here in one of the greatest Psalms we see a joy, a seeking, and longing for God's Word, decree, law, or statutes. It has been said by John Piper that, "God's Word most clearly reveals WHO God is." God displays his power and glory through nature (Psalm 19:1-5, Romans 1:19-20--i.e. General Revelation), but He is most clearly revealed in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ in which is revealed in Scripture (i.e. Special Revelation). Who says you can't learn a little theology?
The problem is we know (esp. as believers) who Jesus is, we have heard all the stories, the problem is we aren't consistent in areas such as worship, prayer, and word time. We tend to get too busy to fit in a time where we are not distracted by cell phones, TV, football, friends, family, that we tend to do the same with God (I will fit Him into to my schedule). If you ever read your Bible, you realize God doesn't just fit in to Your little schedule book??!!!
Yes you should have a time with God, but that requires 3 things:

1. Sacrifice: of your time-(getting up early, staying up late, changing your day around to do this) , of your energy (prayer, and pursuit of consistency requires an active mind, heart) , and of

2. Be organized: Meaning when you do spend time go in with a plan: what time, what place, what method (meaning memorizing Scripture, reading a particular book, etc... (John Pipers When I Don't Desire God book goes into great detail)

3. Shut up and Listen: We are always constantly trying to talk at God. It makes sense, we do with everyone else in our lives. We are talking about our jobs, our relationships, how hard life is, mix it with some complaining about how tired we are and our prayers and word time become complaint sessions. Now biblically, Jeremiah was a major whiner and complained several times, (hence he is called the Lament Prophet--basically a whiny baby), David also whines a lot in the Psalms, but these complaints were of a righteous nature. They cried out to God about the injustice and when He would kick everyone's butt, or take care of a situation. We don't get a well I work a lot God, and my schedule is booked, or I hate my job, or I wish I had more friends.

Instead, stop for just a second. In our busy world to be still is almost a miracle. We are in fast paced world, and being still is becoming extinct. You can give God your requests but stop talking at him, talk to Him. Tell Him what is on your heart. Being still can reveal quite a bit of what is going on in our lives, including the course we are currently on.

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God."

John Piper, reflecting on the importance of being still and in relation to his life, describes what the stillness before God while on a flight to Massachusetts did:

"What came clear in the stillness was at least this much: I want to leave behind four God-centered sons; I want to leave behind a loved and honored and cherished wife; I want to leave behind a strong, biblically grounded, Christ-exalting, radically obedient, God-enjoying church; and I want to leave behind a written testimony to the truth of God, and the supremacy of God, and the beauty of God, and the worth of God in all of life. And to that end I want to keep my life free from the love of money, and the praise of men, and the power of position, and any impurity that would dull my delight in God.

If you let yourself be still this morning and know that God is God, that he will be exalted among the nations, that his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, that your life here is very short, then you will see what your life is supposed to be. God will make your unique significance plain.

Be Blessed

Tis the Season to be Jolly

In my last blog I talked about the aspects of Thanksgiving, and how we rush to get past it to get to X-mas. Well Christmas time is here, and this season tends to have the same kind of characteristics each year:

1. Traffic

2. Masses of people shopping for the perfect Christmas gift

3. Kindness in select moments (due to the seasons magic)

4. Rudeness during the same season (from people we assume to be Grinches)

Lights, trees, presents, tinsel, stockings, lots of sugar cookies, candy, chocolate are the fuel for the Christmas season. All of these things I love and can't wait to participate in, but as a believer I tend to step back and wonder if we have missed the point. Or rather we have combined the reason for the season (please excuse this horrible phrase--reminds me of the seatbelt slogan in my area: Arrive alive!) with the secular madness of Christmas. There are some interesting facts about Christmas that I knew but the more I thought about it made me appreciate more of what Christmas truly represents.

1. Jesus' birthday wasn't necessarily on Dec. 25th

Sorry if I have ruined Christmas for you (by the way Santa isn't real either), but Jesus probably wasn't born in Dec. Schlars have debated this but newer scholarship has shown that he more than likely was born in the end of March or the first week in April. This comes from the fact that th shepherds would not have been abiding in the field with their sheep out during the coldest part of the year. They mainly kept the sheep in from winter to the beginning of Spring. Also Mary traveled great distances (Matthew) in the coldest part of the year. Now by far this isn't impossible, but unlikely. Plus December 25th was originally a pagan holiday. It was a festival celebrating the longer length of daylight which was shorten from the Winter Solastice (which was one of the shortest daylight days of the year). The Catholic Church through some of the early church father's like Hippolytus and Chrystostm, both around the time of the 4th Century, decided to begin celebrating Jesus' birth on this day as they believed it to be. Again it doesn't say that it is impossible, but He more than likely wasnt.

2. The early church did not celebrate Christ birth

No where in Acts do we see a celebration with lights, trees or even a food festival (they were pretty good at throwing big food parties)! The early church did not celebrate Jesus' birth. We have no written record, no festival laid out. Why? Well the early church wasn't concerned with his birth but rather His death and ressurrection. If the birth would have meant something important to the early church they would have recorded it. Even Jesus didn't mention it. Yet within the first 4 chapters of Acts (Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15; 4:10) four times Jesus' death and ressurrection was mentioned to the masses of people. Not that His birth wasn't important but His death and resurrrection was the central focus of the early church, Paul, and the church today.

3. The Christmas story comes mainly from Matthew, Luke.

The Christmas story is a combination of Matthew story (which follows the model of Jesus being the "new Moses"--baby being taken to Egypt, then fleeing Egypt..etc) and Luke's story to Theolphilus.

Often the Christmas story seems like 1 fluid story, but in reality it is the combination of Matthew and Luke stories together. Example: Luke has no record of Magi, Matthew does. Mark, nor John have any birth narratives in their books. Now they were writing to different communities, and Mark and John not having them doesn't negate Jesus' birth, but just making sure that we understand where the stories come from.

Okay so now in some eyes they would say that I have ruined Christmas. This is not my intention. I never said that we as Christians should NOT celebrate Christmas. What I wanted to do was make sure you understood that we just take all of this holiday information and believe that it must be true. Why should we celebrate how great God is on ONE day?? (not Sunday either) Christmas represents a view of the church, not necessarily a biblical view. For me Christmas seems to symbolize something that we should be doing year round. I think that is why it is so hard to see people being nice, or having an extra pep in their step, or churches flooded once a year. Christmas' meaning is celebrating Christ, as Lord and Savior.....this done by his people living, acting like him YEAR ROUND. Its that kind reminder that "Hey your living for me. You want to celebrate me, then live like it everyday of your life".

I just dont want people to get a distorted unbiblical picture of Christmas, you need to know why these things are in place in our soceity. They are not as religious as some politicans and religious activists want.

Scripture is clear, we celebrate and glorify God daily (or we should) as his people. Christmas symbolizes family, both Christian and physical. Celebrating His greatness and holiness with family members, and sharing the message of the gospel to all we come encountered with. That's the reason to be jolly, not cause of snowmen, and overweight, 60 year old men in red track suits, but because of the glorious death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I hope that you have a Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year.

Be Blessed