Subject: Is Christ Really in Christmas?

Scripture Reading: Matthew 1: 18 – 25

Memory Verses: Matthew 1: 23

Objective: To bring awareness to the fact that there is no Christ in Christmas.

Introduction: Let us stop to ponder a few ideas. Will God ever go back on His words seeing that He emphasizes that He is not a man that He should lie. How then can we truly obey Him while being disobedient? Are we really showing obedience and respect to God when we indulge in pagan traditions, idolatry, and customs which He clearly detests? As we look at this lesson, we will see that the bible speaks nothing of the birth of Christ being commemorated with exchange of gifts, trees, lights, carols and Santa Claus.

1. Concerning the birth of Christ, what divine revelation did the prophet Isaiah receive and declare? Isaiah  7: 14 & 9: 6

2. Was this prophecy later confirmed, and to whom was it spoken? Matthew 1: 19 – 23

3. For what purpose did Joseph and Mary journey to Bethlehem, and what wonderful event occurred while they were there? Luke 2: 1 – 7

4. Who received words of Christ’s wonderful birth, and where were they? Luke 2: 8 – 12

Note: According to Luke, Jesus was 30 years old when He began His ministry, after being baptized by John. He then continued for another 3 ½ years in His ministry. According to the scriptures the death of Jesus coincides with the Passover (now Supper) which is celebrated in the month Abib/Nisan. This was where He spent His last moments with His followers. If Christ lived 33 ½ years, then there is definitely no way one can calculate 6 months which marks the ½ year from December, where it is alleged that he was born, when he would’ve turned 30, to March/April where the world acknowledges that He died, using the Jewish or Roman calendar.

Luke 2:8 further explains that at the time of Christ’s birth “in the same country shepherds were in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Ezra 10: 9 - 13 and Songs of Solomon 2: 11, point out that WINTER was the RAINY SEASON hence shepherds would not stay out in the fields especially at night, as it would’ve been very cold.

5. Why is the birth of Christ of importance? Matthew 1:21 & 23; Isaiah 7:14

6. What other special visitors came to see the babe, and what was their rationale? Matthew 2: 1 – 11

Note: Yes, it is true that the wise men came to see the babe. It was clear it wasn’t His birthday as this was some days after His birth. Their mission was to worship Him. They also, as it was their cultural practice, brought gifts BUT never engaged in the exchange of gifts. It was the norm to take gifts to kings.

7. Like some ancient heathen practices that could be considered idolatry, what practices do we see prevalent today? Jeremiah 10: 2 – 4. On the other hand, what practices are we encouraged to keep? 1 Corinthians 11: 24 – 26

Note: The legend of SANTA CLAUSE has been a very subtle lie that has been propagated by parents/loved ones buying gifts and leaving them under trees. Most research settle on the notion of a man named, St. Nicolas, who gave gifts to three needy people with other elements being borrowed from other myths.

Conclusion: The world today is very selective, and deceptive. Throughout the year, the slight mention of the name Jesus brings anger to many, then December approaches, and it is now the season for giving, caroling, and merry making, with the inclusion of commercializing the idea of Christ’s birth. There is no Christ in Christmas.