Have a Merry Pagan Christmas

Slides:

Leviticus 20:23 

'Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I will drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them.

Jeremiah 9:25-26

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "that I will punish all who are circumcised and yet uncircumcised-- 26 Egypt and Judah, and Edom and the sons of Ammon, and Moab and all those inhabiting the desert who clip the hair on their temples; for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised of heart."

Leviticus 19:27 

'You shall not round off the side-growth of your heads nor harm the edges of your beard.

Psalm 115:4-7

Their idols are silver and gold, The work of man's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they cannot speak; They have eyes, but they cannot see; 6 They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; 7 They have hands, but they cannot feel; They have feet, but they cannot walk; They cannot make a sound with their throat.

A test for idolatry: Are we worshipping the created or the Creator?

Colossians 1:16-17 

For by Him all things were created, [both] in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Psalm 139:7-8 

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

Some final Christmas thoughts:

• No one is sure of the details!

• Everything is pagan if you look hard enough.

• Stand in your convictions, but don’t let your conviction lead to judgement of others.

Romans 14:2, 5, 10, 14, 22

One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables [only.] ... 5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day [alike.] Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. ... 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. ...14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. ... 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

Some final Christmas thoughts:

• Then real problem is when the day, practice, or object becomes an idol.

• The birth of Christ seems worthy of celebration.

• Be intentional: build your celebration around the Gospel (contd…)

Some Gospel focused ideas and themes for Christmas:

• Fight against the consumeristic idolatry of Christmas.

• Consider an Advent reading.

• Connect the traditions of Christmas to the Scriptures: the star of Bethlehem, the gifts of the magi, Jesus as the light of the world.

• Find ways to be generous to others.