As I write this article, Christmas is rapidly approaching
but when it is published it will be gone for the year.
Christmas has long been misrepresented to the world.
Prior to Christianity;
as most know, December 25th was the day the Pagans worshipped Rah,
the sun God. Christianity needed to seduce the pagans to become Christians and
just like the seeker sensitive Churches of today, offered December 25th
as Christmas the worship of the Son of God.
Christmas in itself is not a bad idea. I used to make a
manger scene and place it in the window and we put presents under it. Some
people have trees.
The children rise early to look for their presents. It has
become their very own special day. Not Gods.
Exo 34:14For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous,
is a jealous God:
Many people commit suicide during the Christmas season as
they feel an overbearing responsibility to buy others presents which leaves
them not being able to pay the bills, which causes severe depression and can
lead to suicide.
Eph 2:12That at
that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in
the world:
Without
having Christ, Christmas is meaningless and hopeless, full of tinsel and lights
but no substance.
You might say, What a negative view of such a happy time.
I am not trying to tear down Christmas but perhaps we can
all build it up. On Christmas Eve we used to bake a cake and invite others and
have a Birthday party for Jesus. In this way we can illuminate the fact that
the day we are celebrating is Christmas and Jesus is the reason for that
celebration.
We might give to the poor on that day because that is what
Jesus would have done on His birthday.
I never told my children there was a Santa Claus. I felt
telling them there is Santa and the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny and God;
would, when they discovered the truth, cause them to disbelieve God and include
Him with the mythical beings.
We are not of the world and so why try to go along with
their customs? Lets start our own.
I know if we are creative, we can find many ways to worship
God for this holiday instead of disguising it for an occasion to lavish toys
and presents and frivolities on ourselves. We can do that anytime.
This year and forever, lets put Christ back in Christmas
and keep Him there.
As far as getting gifts, dont worry about that. The God who
became man and died for you gave you the greatest gift of all. Who could beat
that?
Let us remember that is for this cause we celebrate
Christmas.
Notice:
PAYATAS QUEZON CITY BAPTIST CHURCH AND MINISTRIES, INC. This is our true and legal name but we are easily recognized as "Payatas Baptist Church" We are a true Christian Church of Jesus Christ. Payatas Quezon City Baptist Church and Ministries, Inc., is a direct result of the missionary efforts of the Bethel Baptist Church in Harbor City, California Pastor Rudy Abrot and Payatas Mission Outreach, Inc. an American based Corporation which holds a 501(C) 3, non-profit status. These efforts are achieved by the generosity of our supporters. We are located in the area of the infamous Payatas dump site. The dump site has thousands of people who need the help and support of a good Christian Church. Should you decide to support this ministry either by ongoing, one time or occasional support, we would like you to know that all gifts are tax deductible for American donors. To receive a tax deduction you should send your gift to one of three sources which are:
Send a check to:
1- Payatas Mission Outreach, Inc. PO Box 55233 Riverside, CA 92517 2- Go to our website at WWW.PayatasMissionOutreach.ORG and click on the "Donate link". That will take you to paypal where you can donate by using a major credit card. 3- You may also send your check to our sending Church: