The true meaning of Christmas

Dear Editor,

            As we come to this busy season amidst the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas, I can't help but wonder how many people really know what Christmas is all about. Santa Claus has replaced Christ even among many Christians and many churches have someone dressed like Santa to give out the presents.

            There is nowhere in the Bible that tells the date of Christ's birth. Dec. 25 was set in the western church in the Fourth Century. Bible history tells us the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the oldest church building in Christendom, was built originally by Helena, mother of Constantine, the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire 330 AD. Ruth was the great grandmother of David, beginning the family in which the Messiah would come. Boaz was of Bethlehem. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Church history has it that Boaz took Ruth to be his bride and started the family which was to bring Christ into the world in the very same room in which 1,100 years ago, Christ was born.

            To all that don't know Christ as your personal Savior, there is no better time than now to accept him. Hebrews 2:3: How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. Romans 10:9: That if thou shall confess with thou mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shall be saved v.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. John 8:32: And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free v.36 If the Son therefore shall make you free ye shall be free indeed.

            In Paul's writing to Timothy, II Tim 3:1 Thus know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. v2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy v.3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good v.4 Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God v.5 Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away. Amos 8:11 Behold the days come saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water but of hearing the words of the Lord.

            This is my personal belief. A lot of the Christians don't know what the Bible teaches. John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testifying of me. Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee v.105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

            When Christ was born in a manger in Bethlehem, he came as a savior, the next time he will come as a judge. Rev. 1:7 Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him; and all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because him, even so Amen.

            So let's put Christ back in Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

            Wilma Tipton

            Carrabelle