I wrote this many years ago. All I can say is, real believers don’t need creche.
A Christmas Essay
By
Louis J. Tonetti
KJV Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
KJV Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
KJV Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord.
The Bible in its original manuscripts is the verbally inspired Word of God. Without changing the personalities of the individual writers, God’s Holy Spirit meticulously guided their efforts, even to the point of selecting the very words which were set forth. As with all literary works, The Bible has a theme, and everything must be related to this central topic: The Bible is all about the coming Kingdom of God. Of course, Jesus Christ is its central character and fills the pages of Scripture, but if its main idea is not realized, the book will most likely remain a garbled compendium of “church stuff,” simply containing principles for living as a “good person.” The one who studies and proclaims the Word without comprehending The Bible’s main idea will be not be presenting an accurate and completely truthful representation of what God is telling us. This is critically important to a “believer,” that is, one who believes on the One whom God has “sent,” and the record God has given us concerning this “sent” one. Why is “sent” in quotation marks? Because the Greek word for “sent” is apostello, which really means: commissioned with authority to do a specific work. Does the Greek word look familiar? Our English word “apostle” comes from it. An apostle is a commissioned one, sent to perform a specific task for a specified time period. The office of an apostle is not indefinite in duration.
No one should ever misrepresent God’s record, which is His Word, which is His Truth. Unfortunately many have done so, especially some of the King James translators. Subsequently, there are many errors and misconceptions regarding exactly what is and what is not contained in The Bible, even in the minds of “believers.” As an example, let’s look at some misconceptions surrounding the birth of a certain babe born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. The commonly-imagined time of year when this blessed event took place is wrong. It wasn’t December 25th. Evidence pointing to the correct time frame involves: the seasonal climatic conditions prevalent in the Land of Palestine; the customs and practices of shepherds at that time; and the time line reckoned from the birth of John the Baptist. Whoever is interested can discover the truth from these clues. The bottom line is that it could not have been in November or December. However, no mention will be made regarding the reasons why the early “Church Fathers” deliberately chose and enforced December 25th as the date on which to celebrate the birth of Jesus (the reasons would greatly upset the one who seeks the truth - can you say, “Saturnalia?”). Okay, I lied. I will mention that I believe the main reason for choosing this date to observe Christmas was to “add some numbers to the flock.” The “Church Fathers” often took pagan holidays and re-branded them as “Church” holidays in order to attract converts. Saturnalia was a popular festival in which celebrants exchanged gifts while they engaged in holiday cheer. This simply demonstrates one way mankind makes void the Word of God by its traditions. Now, let’s take a look at another example, that of the crèche.
A crèche is a representation of the nativity scene portraying the “birth” of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, and usually includes the newborn babe in a manger, a big star shining above, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, various animals and the “Three Wise Men” bearing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It’s too bad we don’t have a time machine in order to go back two thousand years and observe firsthand the events which took place surrounding the birth of the Christ Child, what we commonly call the “first Christmas.” Then we could come back to the future as mighty warriors proclaiming the truth of what actually happened, including who was present, when they were present, why they were present, and where they were present (Sounds like a lot of Christmas presents). Well, we have something better than a time machine. We have the inspired, infallible account as set forth in the early chapters of Matthew and Luke. So, let us go also, even as the shepherds did, and see this wonderful thing that took place.
KJV Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she 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. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 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. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The first discrepancy we notice is that there was no bright star that night. Plus, there was not a Wise Man in sight. So, who was singing, “We Three Kings of Orient Are?” Actually, according to the internal evidence set forth in Scripture, they did not show up until about two years later, guided by the star which appeared to them in the East. Furthermore, when they finally found Him, they presented their gifts to the “toddler” in the “house” (not a stable) in Nazareth. But, why is it the generally accepted belief of most people in the world today that all of this happened at the same time and place, when the events were actually separated by a span of about two years, and which events took place in a different locale? (The birth was in Bethlehem and the Wise Men visited the child two years later in Nazareth). Place a large part of the blame on the Masters who, in their creative zeal, tried to cram too much into their paintings which depicted these things. But, is this really such a big deal? What do you think about that? Remember, it is important to be faithful in the little things, so you can be trusted to be faithful with the greater.
A more important consideration is that many people believe Jesus, God’s “Son,” was born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago, and that this marked His beginning. They look upon Him with the same frame of reference as they do human father-son relationships, and they go to their graves doing so. Also, many look upon Mary as the Mother of God, and the ramifications of this particular belief boggle the mind. This is such a shame, especially since God has revealed a great deal about Himself in His Word, and desires that we should know and seek Him and His Kingdom truthfully and accurately. So, follow this “thread” of thought and see what you think about this babe born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago.
KJV Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
KJV Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
KJV Isaiah 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
KJV Isaiah 43:3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
KJV Isaiah 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
KJV Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
KJV Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
KJV Isaiah 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
KJV Isaiah 45:12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
KJV Isaiah 45:15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
KJV Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
KJV Isaiah 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
KJV John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
KJV John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
KJV Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
KJV Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
KJV Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
KJV Luke 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
If the One who created all things is not God, then who or what is? If this One who is God also calls Himself the Savior, and states that there is none other besides Him, then it must be true that God is our Savior. Mary rejoiced in God her Savior (Luke 1:47), and so should we. But, wasn’t it the Savior who was born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago? Didn’t this same Jesus later on state that He is the Alpha and the Omega, that He is the great I AM, and that He always was and always will be? Isn’t it also written somewhere in New Testament scripture, reflecting what was previously stated in the Old Testament, that every knee shall bow to His name? Re-reading all this information should cause one to rethink and re-regard with awe the things Jesus was claiming about Himself throughout His earthly ministry.
Therefore, submitted for your approval (or rejection): Jehovah of the Old Testament = Jesus Christ of the New Testament. He is the expression of the Living God, a projection of His divine nature, appearing on earth in the form of a man, via the form of a babe born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Acquaint yourself with Him and be at peace. Those who call themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses should pay particular attention to the Isaiah passages, especially 43:10. If you are going to be a witness, be a faithful and accurate and truthful witness. Otherwise, you are a false witness, pure and simple. That’s right! I said it. Jehovah’s Witnesses are indeed false witnesses. They deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
So, if you do approve, whenever people ask what is the hope of your calling, and since you are to be ready in season and out of season with your answer, don’t just hand them a crèche. Tell them exactly who this babe born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago really is. Besides, real believers don’t need crèche.
Louis J. Tonetti
Email: Ltonetti@verizon.net
PS An additional comment:
If Mary truly were the Mother of God, what need would she have of a savior?
KJV Luke 1:47. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
PPS An additional clue:
KJV Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
PPPS Okay, one more clue to go with the one above:
KJV Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
NO MORE CLUES. Use your God-given brain and figure it out for yourself!!!