It's
a Global Thing
An on-the-street reporter for Newsmax
recently went about asking folks what they thought of ‘Christmas’ and
whether it was an expression of ‘Christian Privilege’—a holiday imposed
upon non-Christians whether they like it or not. That question
assumes—and wrongfully so—that the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is a
Christian holiday. A cursory reading of scripture reveals Christmas was
intended by God to be a Global celebration.
There are three words that embody in
theological terms what Christmas is all about—Christ’s incarnation, his
reconciliation of God and man by his death, and his resurrection from
the dead.
His INCARNATION was global in scope:
“For mine [Simeon’s] eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast
prepared before the face of ALL PEOPLE; A light to lighten the
GENTILES, and the glory of thy people ISRAEL” (Luke
3:30-32). In biblical reckoning, there is Israel and everyone
else: Jews + Gentiles = ALL PEOPLE w/o distinction or exception. God
meant for EVERY human being to celebrate the birth of his Son.
His work of RECONCIALTION was global
in scope: “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus
judge, that if one died FOR ALL, then were ALL dead: “And that he died
FOR ALL, that they which live should not henceforth live unto
themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again...To wit,
that God was in Christ, reconciling THE WORLD unto himself, not
imputing THEIR trespasses unto THEM; and hath committed unto us the
word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15,19). God
intended for EVERY human being to celebrate the death of Jesus as the
one and only REMEDY for their sin problem.
His work in the RESURRECTION was
global in scope: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but
now commandeth ALL MEN EVERYWHERE to repent: Because he hath
appointed a day, in the which he will judge THE WORLD in righteousness
by that man [Jesus of Nazareth] whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath
given assurance [of judgment to come] unto ALL MEN, in that he hath
raised [resurrected] him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31). God intended
for EVERY human being to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. His
resurrection, however, sealed the devil’s fate in the Lake of fire as
well as that of EVERY human being that dies in unbelief.
There is NO such thing as ‘Christian
Privilege’ regarding Christmas despite the machinations of wokeism.
It’s a Global thing intended for celebration by EVERY human being. So
Merry Christmas to THE WORLD, especially to those of us whose hope is
firmly anchored in Jesus of Nazareth.
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