World War 3 is at Hand
While we wait for Iran's annihilation and its regime change to start World War 3, let's check our own Christian faith, doctrine and knowledge of Him and His words.
Could Jesus be born in Winter in Bethlehem?
Luke 2:10-11 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
Bethlehem enjoys the Mediterranean climate of the hot and dry summers and the mild and wet winters. Snow is a rarity. Winter enjoys an average temperature of 5°C - 12°C (just like springtime in Europe).
In winter, good and caring shepherds will take their flocks out in the night to feed on the dewy fresh grass, this was the time when suddenly the angels announced the birth of the Saviour Jesus.
Since Christianity was illegal, there was no public celebration of Christmas for almost 300 years until the reign of Constantine, the first Christian emperor.
Humility in Jesus' Birth
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
1. Born in the animal shed
God ensured that all the hotels were full so that Jesus was to be born in an animal shed like any animal. Jesus was born as the Lamb of God.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
2. Covered in swaddling cloths – all newly born lambs meant for sacrifices were wrapped with swaddling cloths to prevent them from blemishes. Jesus was born to be sacrificed for man's sins.
1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
3. Laid in the manger – the manger was used for holding the feed and possibly water for feeding the sheep and also other livestock.
Our Lord Jesus was prepared as food for His sheep. Jesus is the bread of life and the living water and His words is our spiritual food. We only need to believe, read, understand and keep His words.
John 6:48 "I am the bread of life."
Good Shepherds celebrated Jesus' Birth with the angelic hosts.
Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
Word Made Flesh
Luke 22:19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, " This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
When Christians partake of the bread (His body or Word) during the Holy Communion, our Lord Jesus reminded us to remember that He was the Word made flesh at His birth (Christmas).
Thank God that not only Christians but the whole world accepts Christmas as the Christian festival in remembrance of the birth of Jesus.
But unfortunately, unlearned and misled Christians think that winters in Bethlehem are very cold and blanketed with snow (shown on Christmas cards). Having been deceived, they refuse to celebrate Christmas thereby rejecting Jesus the Messiah as the Word made flesh.
God has provided the whole month of December (Christmas-tide) the opportunity for us to evangelise non Christians.
John 1:14 And the Word became 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.
Why was Christmas held on December 25?
Our early fathers - the Councils of bishops, who were imprisoned and tortured for their faith in Jesus, formulated the Nicene Creed in 325AD and later canonised the 27 New Testament books of the Holy bible.
At their advice, Emperor Constantine adopted December 25 as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus so that Christians throughout the whole world can celebrate Christmas together in unity and in harmony.