STARBUCKS...BUCKs THE STAR OF CHRISTMAS...

I heard that Starbucks has recently come out saying they are removing all instances of Merry Christ-mas from their products and their stores. This has some church folks wanting to boycott Starbucks... But I say,

Wake up and smell the coffee...

I do understand that we as a nation have: 

1. Divorced ourselves from a belief in God, 
2. Removed ourselves from honoring His ways. 
3. Denied our origins as a "Christian nation under God". 
4. Re-writin our history to remove God from its pages distorting our story as a nation, and I find that alarming! 

I know, that it appears, ON THE SURFACE that companies like Starbucks seem to be "taking Christ out of Christmas" which we see is an affront to God, however, lets return to this statement in 2 Corinthians... 

"For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth."

2 Corinthians 13:8

The truth is: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Mary, was not born on December 25th, I think we all know that deep down, if not, perhaps this is a chance for you to do some research to discover the truth and if you embrace the truth and it may just set you free. 

WHAT WE KNOW FROM SCRIPTURE.

He was born in Bethlehem, and that He was wrapped in swaddling cloths placed in a manger for His bed but it must have been early in the Spring. "When shepherds would watch their flocks by night in the field"  because the ewes were casting their young (new born lambs) in the early spring and complications could arise during the birthing. 

So where did CHRIST - MASS on December 25 come from? 

I know this sounds bizarre but lets ask the Pagans. 

"Festival days of the ancient sun gods Mithras (Persian) and Sol Invictus (Roman) were held on December 25th, celebrating the renewal of light and birth of the sun.  Of course there are other pagan feasts, such as New Years and Feb 2, which is now called Ground Hog Day."  -excerpt taken from the New Pagan blog-

Why is Christmas getting so commercialized you ask? 

"The Root, Determines the Fruit" (source unknown)

If I plant the roots of a thorn brush, do I get figs? If the seed is pagan idolatry what will the fruit be? What is sown in pagan superstition and idolatry cannot bear the sincere fruit of faith, love joy, and peace in the Kingdom of God. I know this sounds like a hard word, but I am just trying to level the playing field so we can discuss these things and hopefully discern the truth.  

Sentiment and man made traditions can nullify the word of God, Jesus even said so.

Many scholars believe Jesus was born on the (Biblical) New Years Day, in the spring on the first new moon after the spring equinox. 

The bottom line is, that while Bible scholars may not agree on which day was Jesus was born, They all agree on this... it was not during the winter solstice in December! 

So then ...On what day should we celebrate His birth?

Stay with me, don't leave yet, this is important to hear...

Nowhere in Scripture, are we told to proclaim His birthday...  

regardless of the day He was born,  

Selah...  pause think about it. I will say it again so it can sink in ...

Nowhere in the Bible are we encouraged to proclaim His birthday! 

If you research the origins (the root) of birthday parties, as we often do them, are also rooted in pagan worship protocols and superstition. Gifts were given to appease the evil spirits so they would not possess the child on their Birthday. 

We are however, instructed by Jesus to proclaim His death.  

His Death on the cross legally launched the New Covenant by which we are saved, sealed and adopted into the family of God.  

He instructed us to observe this remembrance during the "Passover meal" with his disciples. 

and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”  2 Corinthians 11:24-25

Let's get back to the question of Christmas

Like you, I grew up with all the Christmas trimmings, the familiar icons of the season. They conjure up warm memories, anticipation, excitement, expectation of the good things to eat and presents wrapped up in beautiful paper, placed under the tree.  

But those warm memories do not aid in my jouney of growing, moving, increasing love relationship with my King and my Bridegroom Jesus.

In any ongoing active love relationship, the lovers continually rename themselves and each other as the relationship matures...

1. At first he or she is 'just a friend' 
2. then a boyfriend or girlfriend, if it progresses 
3. they become "my fiance' ", 
4. Eventually my 'bride' or my 'groom', 
5. After the wedding they become my husband or my wife. 

ONCE ESTABLISHED IN THE MARRIAGE, do we take the time or make the effort, to GO back to celebrating our first day as friends? 

Do we celebrate or even remeber the day we discovered we were more than friends? 

Do you invite all of your friends over for a celebration to remember the day you started going steady?  Do you celebrate your engagement anniversary? 

As powerful as each of  these events were while you were experiencing them, they have been swallowed up by your life as a married couple. As we go forward we celebrate ONLY the day we became one.

Perhaps we were first introduced to Jesus in the story telling of the miracle of His arrival. 

With angels and shepherds, and wise men from the east. 

But as we mature in our understanding, we see Jesus as the boy at the temple discussing the word of God, growing in favor with God and man, 

Later we see Him as the Teacher, as the Healer, as the one who walks on water, the one who calms the storm. Eventually we see Him as the suffering servant, as the Lamb of God, as our High Priest.

We may have first been introduced to Jesus as the Christ on the cross, or as the Jesus dead and buried in the grave, even resurrected and standing in the garden, 

But I have news for you he is longer in any of those places, therefore we should not celebrate the past places where Jesus has been. 

He is now seated in Heavnely places. He is our High Priest, our Bridegroom, who is currently preparing a place for us to join him. 

The only thing He instructed us to remember during this time of His absence was his death which bought us as his betrothed (promised bride) All other stages of His earthly life were swallowed up in his death, in His burial, in His resurrection and in His ascension to the throne of His Father, and in His promise to return soon!

Did I mention that every sun god of every ancient culture was said to be born on December 25th. Who do suppose is trying to make Jesus on par with all the ancient sun gods, which aren't gods at all?  

Come to think of it maybe Starbucks should remove the Holi from Happy Holi-days since it gives a nod to Holy Days of which December 25th is certainly not.

Then we are left only with Happy HoliDays! And I think they named a TV show after that.

         Happy HoliDays! are here again.