May God help us

Having recently heard a Texas preacher and politician cite the story of Mary and her choice as support for abortion (yes, you read that right), I refer you back to my past post, Politically-Correct-“Christmas”.

Short version. God did not ask Mary, “Would you like to do this?” Through his angel God told Mary the future he had chosen for her and she submitted (“be it unto me according to thy word”). 

The Babe of Bethlehem

Henry Beer wrote the following Christmas hymn. Beer was an elder of the Apostolic Christian Church, and according to the historian Perry A. Klopfenstein, “The Babe of Bethlehem” “is one of the most popular ‘Christmas carols’ in the Apostolic Christian Church.” Of the hymn Klopfenstein wrote, “As a florist, [Henry Beer] noted how worldly people put up nativity displays at Christmas. To them the displays apparently had little meaning, and there was no representation of the Cross of Christ. So he wrote a song about it.” (Marching to Zion: a History of the Apostolic Christian Church of America, 1847-1982, Fort Scott, KS: Sekan Printing Co., 1984, p. 475) “The Babe of Bethlehem” is No. 36 in Hymns of Faith, a Sunday School song book which Beer helped compile. The music is ascribed simply to “M. Y. R.”

1. The blessed story of the Christ,
The babe of Bethlehem,
Is worthy of our song and praise,
And stirs the hearts of men.
The fullness of God’s love divine,
Surrounds the Christ so mild,
Alas! how many only know
The Saviour as a child.

2. Our saving hope is all in vain,
If here our love should cease,
For in the man of Galilee
We find the gift of peace.
’Tis not the babe, but Christ the man,
Who walked in Galilee:
’Tis not the manger, but the cross,
That sets the spirit free.

3. Be not content this babe to know,
Nor stay at Bethlehem,
But go with Christ to Calvary’s brow,
Beyond Jerusalem.
’Tis there men learn to know the Christ,
For there he bore man’s sin;
Then open wide the door of heart
And let the Saviour in. 

Henry Beer was born November 14, 1900 in Richland County, Ohio, the son of Simon Beer and Kathryn Meister. He married Alice Getz in 1924. Henry Beer died June 29, 1983, after over 50 years in ministry. Alice Beer died in 1985. She and Henry are buried at the Milford Cemetery in Milford, Kosciusko County, Indiana.

The Silver Lining, July 1983, Volume 33, No. 7, p. 1

The Birth and Early Days of Jesus

The Birth and Early Days of Jesus: a Chronological and Logical Harmonization of Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, John 1, and Galatians 4:4-5.

John 1:^{1-3, 14} The Word Made Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.

Matthew 1:¹⁸ The Virgin Birth Summary

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Luke 1:^26-38 Annunciation (Angelic Birth Announcement to Mary)

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:^39-56 Mary Lodges with Elisabeth (2 songs and 3 months)

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Matthew 1:^19-25 Annunciation (Angelic Birth Announcement to Joseph)

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:^1-7 The Nativity of Jesus

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:^8-20 Announcement (A Host of Angels and Shepherds Making Haste)

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 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, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:^21-38 Circumcision and a Visit to the Temple (Simeon and Anna)

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
for mine 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.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Matthew 2:^1-12 The Visit of the Wise Men

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Matthew 2:^13-18 The Flight to Egypt and Bloodshed in Bethlehem

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Matthew 2:^19-23 Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Journey to Nazareth

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Luke 2:^39-40  The Growth of the Nazarene

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Galatians 4:^4-5 Fulfillment and Redemption

but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,to redeem them that were under the law...

X-mas or Christmas or both?

There are Christians who spend a great deal of time saying, “Keep Christ in Christmas” or “Put Christ back into Christmas.” (Other Christians would say he was never part of it!) For the first group, “put Christ back into Christmas” is a retort against the use of “X-mas” in the place of “Christmas.”[i] I have heard this most of my life. However...

Chi (Χ or χ) is the twenty-second letter of the Greek alphabet. Used in X-mas, it is not leaving out the name of Christ, but substituting or abbreviating it by using the first letter in the Greek name Christ (χριστός) for Christ. Abbreviations can make communication easier – if you understand the abbreviation. We use them in most aspects of life, especially in writing. In this abbreviation or substitution, X = Christ. X-mas = Christmas.

Some secularists say or use X-mas thinking they deliberately leave Christ out. Some scrupulous Christians substitute the X instead of using “Christ,” thinking they avoid combining the title of Jesus “Christ” with the Roman Catholic “Mass.”[ii] Nevertheless, there is longstanding documented sacred history of Christians using Chi (Χ or χ) to mean, stand for, or symbolize Christ. X-mas does not avoid putting Christ in Christmas, no matter how you slice it.

Here endeth the history lesson.[iii]

---

[i] This objection may have originated in the periodical News and Views, published by the Church League of America. An article in December of 1957 titled “X=The Unknown Quantity” criticized the use of X-mas instead of Christmas. However, it is possible that this has earlier criticisms, and was only widely popularized at this time.
[ii] The etymology of the English word Christmas is Middle English Christemasse, from Old English Cristes mæsse, literally, Christ’s mass (combing the words Christ + Mass, the eucharistic service). Nevertheless, to most Westerners it just means the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus, usually celebrated on December 25. Notice however, for example, Wednesday is “Woden’s Day,” Thursday is “Thor’s Day,” and “Friday is “Frigga’s Day.” We would lose our ability to communicate effectively in our native language if we made up words to replace all words that have offensive root associations.
[iii] This is a history lesson, not an advocacy article. I do not care that much what you choose call it. Nevertheless, I would suggest that using the full “Christmas” is less likely to be misunderstood in our culture, without having to explain which one of at least three ways you might be using “X” (as a non-Christian trying to avoid Christ, as a Christian trying to avoid placing Christ next to Mass, or as a Christian using X to stand for and represent Christ).

The Nativity

Henry Beer, an elder of the Apostolic Christian Church, wrote the following Christmas hymn. It was first printed in his book My Garden of Verse. Titled “The Nativity,” it is No. 35 in Hymns of Faith, a Sunday School song book which Beer helped compile. The music is ascribed simply to “H.G.”

Beer began to minister at the church in Milford, Indiana circa 1931. Prior to this, about 1921, he translated some hymns from the Zion’s Harp hymn book from German into English. Afterward, he received the approval of the church to translate all the remaining hymns into English, which – with the help of several others – he accomplished.

1. God’s plan fulfilled as he had willed,
Then came the Christ on earth;
The star so bright in deepest night
Foretold his blessed birth.
The angel’s throng with joyous song
Appeared to shepherd’s meek;
The angel’s word the shepherds heard
Then went they forth to seek.

2. The blessed Child so meek and mild
At Bethlehem they found;
In manger low, the cattle low
And sheep did gather round.
In swaddling clothes there to repose
And lying on the hay,
What glorious sight in that dark night
Where Christ the Saviour lay!

3. From lands afar led by the star
The wise men came to see
The Saviour King, rich gifts they bring
For Christ’s nativity.
This story sweet I would repeat
And praise him with my voice;
For he who finds Christ’s peace of mind
He cannot but rejoice.

Born in 1900 in Richland County, Ohio, Henry Beer was the son of Simon Beer and Kathryn Meister. He married Alice Getz in 1924. Beer died in 1983. He and his wife are buried at the Milford Cemetery in Milford, Kosciusko County, Indiana.

The Silver Lining, July 1983, Volume 33, No. 7, page 1

Beer wrote his last poem, “Farewell Thoughts,” about two weeks before his death.

Whene’er I think of joys and tears
And blessings of the by-gone years
The Spirit prompts me then to tell
The meaning of this last farewell.

My ship is nearing Jordan’s port
Where I shall cross the rivers,
There I shall leave this behind
And dwell in Canaan’s land forever.

Looking for a King

They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes, and lift them high:
Thou cam’st a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.

From “That Holy Thing” by George MacDonald

Weeping in Ramah

Weeping in Ramah, a Common Meter hymn written December 18, 2012.

1. A petty king whose heart inflamed
Because a child was born;
Deigned many children had to die
Lest they might be that one.

2. The wise men sent by God had told
How God had birthed a king.
Thus Herod doubly troubled was
When he had heard this thing.

3. By guile he thought the wise men would
Be tricked to name the place,
Where the babe was, King of the Jews –
Where Jesus safely lay.

4. But wise men, being warned by God
Departed another way.
And Joseph, too, a warning had
To Egypt make their stay.

5. While Joseph ran and Herod raged,
To weeping Ramah fell;
Bethlehem’s sons less two in age
Are slain — no longer live.

6. Oh, hush, onlooker, be thou still;
Lament for Ramah’s loss.
Then for yourself, lament again—
See Jesus on the cross!

7. This native child of Bethlehem,
Had come himself to die;
To save his people from their sins
And raise them up on high.

8. Evil and sin obscure our skies,
And mourning comes in view;
But Jesus won the victory—
So there’s rejoicing, too.

God in cradle lies, A Psalm for Christmas Day Morning

“A Psalm for Christmass day morning,” by Thomas Pestel (circa 1585-1659), appeared in his Sermons and Devotions Old and New... in 1659, in nine stanzas. The text below is substantially what appeared at that time, with some updates to modern spelling. The hymn is Common Meter and might be sung with any good common meter tune, or C.M.D. if the 9th stanza is repeated. If sung as the latter, Oxford, a tune already known to Sacred Harp singers with “Christmas text,” will serve quite well!

The author was a chaplain to King Charles I. The title page of his book called him “the meanest amongst his late Majesties Chaplains in ordinary.” Pestel was educated at Queens’ College in Cambridge, graduating in 1609.

1. Fairest of morning Lights appear,
Thou blest and gaudy day,
On whom was born our Saviour dear,
Make haste and come away.

2. See, See, our pensive breasts do pant,
Like gasping land we lie,
Thy holy dews our souls do want.
We faint, we pine, we die.

3. Let from the skies a joyful rain
Like Mel or Manna fall.
Whose searching drops our sins may drain,
And quench our sorrows all.

4. This day prevents his day of doom;
His mercy now is nigh;
The mighty God of love is come,
The day-spring from on high.

5. Behold, the great Creator makes
Himself an house of clay,
A robe of virgin flesh he takes
Which he will wear for aye.

6. Hark, hark, the wise Eternal Word
Like a weak infant cries;
In form of servant is the Lord,
And God in cradle lies.

7. This wonder struck the world amazed,
It shook the starry frame;
Squadrons of spirits stood and gazed,
Then down in troops they came.

8. Glad shepherds ran to view this sight;
A quire of angels sings;
And eastern sages with delight
Adore this King of kings.

9. Join then all hearts that are not stone,
And all our voices prove
To celebrate this holy One,
The God of Peace and Love.

Notes: “Mel” is verse 3 probably means honey. The beginning of verse 9 in the original has the abbreviation “Bis.” This apparently means that verse was to be repeated (as in sung twice). The title page of Sermons and Devotions Old and New in 1659 says Pestel was “now aged 73,” making his birth about 1585.

Jesus is unique

Jesus is unique – existing as the only one or as the sole example; one of a kind; unlike anything else; having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable.

In his birth.
Jesus is pre-existent eternal God, creator of heaven and earth. He was born of a virgin, made flesh and dwelt among us. There is none other birth like it! John 1:1-3; John 1:14; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:30-35; Matthew 1:18-23; Galatians 4:4.

In his life.
Jesus was sent from the Father to seek and save that which was lost. He came not to serve, not to be served. Unlike every other life, his was holy, sinless, and undefiled. There is none other life like it! John 8:18; Mark 10:45; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26.

In his death.
Jesus had complete power or control over his death. Unlike every other death, he could retain the spirit from death, or dismiss the spirit at the moment he was finished. Further, his death was vicarious, that is, he died not for himself, for he had no sin, but he died for others. He died for sin, for sinners, to save. There is none other death like it! Ecclesiastes 8:8; Romans 6:23; John 19:30; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18.

In his resurrection.
Jesus had not only control his own death, but owned victory over death itself. He did not just rise from the dead, but is the resurrection and the life. In death and life, he is Lord of the dead and the living, and ever lives to make intercession. There is none other resurrection like it! Revelation 1:18; John 11:25; Romans 14:9; Mark 16:6; Hebrews 7:25.

The truth of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ finds expression in his eternal Godhead, his virgin birth, his sinless life, his sacrificial death, and his glorious resurrection. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

The Great Creator makes

1. Behold the great Creator makes
Himself a house of clay,
A robe of virgin flesh He takes
Which He will wear for aye.

2. Hark, hark, the wise eternal Word,
Like a weak infant cries!
In form a servant is the Lord,
And God in cradles lies.

3. This wonder struck the world amazed,
It shook the starry frame;
Squadrons of spirits stood and gazed,
Then down in troops they came.

4. Glad shepherds ran to view this sight;
A choir of angels sings,
And eastern sages with delight
Adore this King of kings.

5. Join then, all hearts that are not stone,
And all our voices prove,
To celebrate this holy One
The God of peace and love.

These words were written by Thomas Pestell (circa 1584-1659). Pestel was a chaplain to King Charles. This Endris Night seems to be the tune with which the hymn most commonly appears.

What a lovely scene

“It is not enough to peek in the manger and say, ‘Oh, how nice. What a lovely scene. It gives me such good feelings.’ The truth is, even if Christ were born in Bethlehem a thousand times but not within you, you would be eternally lost. The Christ who was born into the world must be born in your heart. Religious sentiment, even at Christmastime, without the living Christ is a yellow brick road to darkness.”

R. Kent Hughes, in Luke: That You May Know the Truth

Star of the east

[1. Hail the blest morn, when the great Mediator,

Down from the regions of glory descend!

Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger,

Lo, for his guard the bright angels attend.]

2. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning!

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid!

Star of the east, the horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid!

3. Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining;

Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall,

Angels adore him in slumber reclining,

Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all!

4. Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,

Odors of Edom and offerings divine?

Gems from the mountain, and pearls from the ocean,

Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?

5. Vainly we offer each ample oblation;

Vainly with gifts would his favour secure:

Richer by far is the heart’s adoration;

Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

[6. Low at his feet we in humble prostration,

Lose all our sorrow and trouble and strife;

There we receive his divine consolation,

Flowing afresh from the fountain of life.]

[7. He is our friend in the midst of temptation,

Faithful supporter, whose love cannot fail;

Rock of our refuge, and hope of salvation,

Light to direct us through death’s gloomy vale.]

[8. Star of the morning, thy brightness, declining,

Shortly must fade when the sun doth arise:

Beaming refulgent, his glory eternal

Shines on the children of love in the skies.]

Written, mostly, by Reginald Heber. This appears as “EPIPHANY.—No. II. R. H.” in Hymns, Written and Adapted to the Weekly Church Service of the Year by  Reginald Heber (London: John Murray, 1827, pp. 25-26). It has 5 stanzas – the ones above labeled 2, 3, 4, & 5, with the “brightest and best” stanza repeated. The Shepherd’s Star in Southern Harmony has 7 stanzas, but not “brightest and best.” It is used, however, in Star in the East, where it serves as a repeating chorus. B. F. White has five stanzas in The Sacred Harp with Star in the East – which is the same song as The Shepherd’s Star in Southern Harmony.

Politically-Correct-“Christmas” version

Luke 1:26-35 in the PCCV (Politically-Correct-“Christmas” version of the Bible)

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel went to the city of Nazareth in Galilee,

27 To see a young girl who was engaged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of King David. The girl’s name was Mary.

28 And the angel appeared to her saying, “Hi, there. I hope I didn’t frighten you. The Lord has a proposition he’d like for you to consider.”

29 And Mary wondered just what might be going on.

30 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. God likes you very much.”

31 “Please think about it and then let us know whether you agree; God is hoping that you would be the one to give birth to the Messiah, his son who will be named Jesus, if that’s okay with you.”

32 “This would be really good if you are willing to do this, for Jesus is going to be great and called the Son of God.”

33 “And he will reign over the house of Jacob (if they are willing, of course), and his kingdom will last forever (if no one objects).

34 Then Mary said, “If I agree to this, how will it happen?”

35 And the angel answered and said to Mary, “Well, if you are willing to be a participant who agrees to all this, then (and only then) the Holy Spirit’s power will cause you to become pregnant. Therefore the child you give birth to will be called God’s son.”

Why did God choose Mary to be the mother of Jesus? Was it something in Mary or something she did? “She was a young Jewish virgin.” “She was holy.” “She was receptive.” And on it goes. Of all the women who have ever lived, was she the only receptive holy young virgin? Of all the young unmarried Jewish women in her day, was she the only receptive holy young virgin? Why did God choose Mary? The Bible does not say! The wrong answers have made Mary the object of worship and special adoration.

The birth of Jesus Christ happened as much according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God as did his crucifixion. He came in the fullness of time – God’s time – to the right people in the right place. He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of his first advent.

Why did God choose Mary? The Bible does not say! But this we do know. The angel announced to Mary, “thou hast found favour with God.” The Greek word for favour is “charis,” which is translated “grace” well over 100 times in the Bible. Mary became the mother of Jesus by GOD’s grace, his unmerited favour, his eternal choice, and his unlimited power. It was nothing that Mary did. It was nothing that she was. God extended grace. Oh, how the natural man recoils from this being an unconditional choice on God’s part. But God did not ask Mary if she, a young unmarried Jewish virgin girl who had never known a man, wanted to be the mother of the Saviour. He chose her. He called her. The Holy Ghost came upon her, she conceived and brought forth a Son and called his name Jesus – “for he shall save his people from their sins.”

How like God’s choice of Mary is his choice to save poor undeserving sinners. It is nothing we do. It is nothing we are. God extended grace. Thank God for his grace.

The man before time

“He, through whom time was made, was made in time and He, older by eternity that the world itself, was younger in age than many of His servants in the world. He, who made man, was made man, He was given existence by a mother whom He brought into existence.” -- Augustine of Hippo

Choose Your Miracle

Going around the internet, credited to Glen Scrivener (don't know who that is):

"Christians believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. Materialists believe in the virgin birth of the cosmos. Choose your miracle."

Confusion

Andy Stanley: “I stand firmly within the orthodox Christian tradition regarding the incarnation of Jesus — including the birth narratives as presented in Matthew and Luke.”

Matthew: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Luke: “To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.”

Andy Stanley: “A lot of people just don’t believe [the virgin birth]. And I understand that. Maybe the thought is, ‘Hey, maybe they had to come up with some myth about Jesus to give him street cred, you know, later on.’ Maybe that’s where that came from.”

Christ Mass on December 25

Following is a brief statement of opinion why December 25 was set as the celebration of the birth of Jesus, by Elder Grady Dearman. For more detail on when Elder Dearman believes Jesus was born, see his article The Star of Bethlehem.

The Christ Mass originally became pronounced as one word and the final “S” was dropped to remove future objections. But how in the world did the thing turn out to be adopted erroneously as the birth day of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Below is strictly my opinion, and mine alone. If you agree, “Well.” If you disagree that is also “Well.” Everyone has the right to their own opinions. My opinion has been formed over many years and is based on what others have written on the subject, what I have heard in innumerable conversations, etc.

From my understanding of the Gospels, I see where the family of Jesus – his mother, Mary’s husband, his brothers and sisters – must have known to the very day when their son, and brother, was born. You know when you were born and so do your parents, and probably your siblings.

The Jews of that time kept meticulous records. However, when the Romans burned the Temple, the records burned also. The Romans made a wasteland of the entire country, from North to South, and the Jews that weren’t killed were driven out of the land, or sold into the slave markets of the world. Josephus and historians of that time chronicled it well.

However, the writers of the Gospels knew when he was born. There were direct statements to that effect. And I feel certain there were disciples who companied with him who knew how old he was when he began his ministry. There was no A.D. or B.C. at that early date, but they had a much sense as we do. By the time of the large population of Christians and “Christians” in Rome – about the year of Emperor Constantine around 325 A.D., Constantine decreed Christianity was to be recognized as a state-approved religion. In fact, there was the major council of Nicea in 326 A.D., at which many facets of the faith, such as the approval of the 66 books of the canon of Scripture [occurred], and there may have been discussion of the possible date of the Lord’s birth.        I believe Christ was born 6 days before the end of the Jewish Year 3759 on Elul 23. Someone may have said, “He was born 6 days before the end of the year” – meaning the end of the Jewish Year. And since the 25th of December was already the date of sun worship, Constantine, for political expediency, ordered the day be observed as Christ’s birthday, because it was also 6 days to the end of the year.

By Grady E. Dearman, Sr., of Laurel, Mississippi, March 6, 2016 – as posted by Hoyt D. F. Sparks, December 25, 2016

Tracing the genealogy of Jesus, 2

Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Tracing a genealogy through the mother is unusual. I do not know of any biblical instance of it, other than in Luke Chapter 3.[i] In Matthew’s Gospel, the genealogy of Jesus is traced from Abraham to Jesus, through his legal representative Joseph. Matthew’s wording in verse 16 is clear that Jesus is born of Mary and not Joseph – he goes on to explain that in Matthew 1:18-25. The circumstance of Jesus’s birth – born of a virgin – was unique, designed by God to fulfill his promise.

Though Matthew 1:1-17 does not trace the genealogy through the mother, it testifies that Jesus was born of one named Mary. Besides Mary, Matthew references four other women: Thamar/Tamar, Rachab/Rahab[ii], Ruth, and her that had been the wife of Urias/Bathsheba. Each of these four adds interesting flavor to the earthly ancestry of the Jesus the Christ.[iii] Tamar bore children by her father-in-law Judah by posing as a wayside harlot – after he had failed to fulfill the custom of giving her another of his sons to marry. Rahab was the harlot in Jericho who hid the Israelite spies and cast her lot with the people of God. Ruth was a foreigner, a Moabite woman, whose second marriage to Boaz yielded the grandfather of David the future king. Bathsheba was an adulteress who married the king David after he connived to have her soldier husband (his loyal subject) killed in battle. If one of us were telling the story, we might had left out some of the references to unpleasant details!

On the surface the genealogies of the Bible – including the New Testament genealogy of Jesus – may seem boring, but they are included with skillful purpose.

Jesus’s genealogy integrally links the Old and New Covenants. In the first verse of the New Testament, introducing Jesus the Christ, Matthew immediately ties him to the covenants of Abraham and David and begins to narrate his descent. As one compares to the Old Testament the genealogies – providing the physical descent and legal succession – demonstrate that the Christ Jesus is of the nation, tribe and family out of which the Messiah was promised (e.g. Abraham, Judah, David). The genealogy apprises us that the Christ Jesus took on our human nature (the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us). Jesus completely identified with our fallen condition, as seen in the fallen condition of his human forebears. Matthew Henry notes that when “we read the names in his genealogy, we should not forget how low the Lord of glory stooped to save the human race.” His human ancestors were fallen; he identified with them, yet Jesus was completely without sin (Cf. Romans 8:3). And, though much of the Old Testament deals with God’s promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Matthew’s inclusion of the Gentile women emphasizes that God is not God of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles and that his covenant of salvation reaches the end of the earth.

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[i] And even then it traces through the male ancestors.

[ii] It is generally believed, but not beyond controversy, that this was Rahab the harlot of Jericho. The events in the book of Ruth occur in the times of the Judges (and Ruth 1:1 may suggest that the earliest times are meant).

[iii] And the fifth is exceptional from all the rest.

Tracing the genealogy of Jesus, 1

Those willing to admit it might tell us that they hasten through certain parts of the Bible because they are “boring.” The genealogies of the Bible often receive that label.[i] They are full of hard to pronounce names that go on and on. But these genealogies are included for a reason. God made a promise, beginning in Genesis 3:15, about a descendant of Eve (Abraham, Judah, David, and so on). The Bible focuses on this descendant. So, by tracing a part of the human family from Adam and Eve forward, the Bible funnels us down to the one descendant who fulfills the prophecies about that one.

The New Testament provides two accounts of the lineage of Jesus – one in Matthew 1:1-17 and the other in Luke 3:23-38.[ii] Matthew starts with Abraham. Luke begins (chronologically) with Adam.[iii] The lists are identical between Abraham and David,[iv] but differ from that point moving to Jesus. Matthew traces the lineage through David’s son Solomon (Matthew 1:6-7), while Luke traces the lineage through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31).

Are these errors in the Bible and the genealogy of Jesus? Those who reject the inspiration and preservation of the biblical record are quick to say so,[v] but the differences are easily explained.[vi] Matthew records Jesus’s legal line, through Joseph (though not his biological father, Joseph was recognized as Jesus’s legal father). This line descends from David through his son Solomon. Luke records Jesus’s biological (or blood) line through his mother Mary. This line descends from David through his son Nathan. Both legally and biologically, Jesus is a son of David. Luke called Joseph the “son of Heli” due to his marriage to Mary, who was Heli’s daughter.[vii] Tracing a genealogy through the mother is unusual. I do not know of any other biblical instance of it. But the circumstance of Jesus’s birth – born of a virgin – was unique. There is none other like it! We are clued to the difference in this genealogy through Luke’s explanation is that Jesus being “(as was supposed)” the son of Joseph, (Luke 3:23).

This will not satisfy those who reject the authority of the Bible, but simple Christians have no problem with this explanation.

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[i] The genealogies of the Bible fall into two styles, ascending and descending. Descending genealogies begin in the present and trace backward to some person (as in Luke 3; Cf. Ezra 7:1-5). Ascending genealogies start with a particular person in the past and move forward to the present (as in Matthew 1; Cf. Genesis 5:1-32; Ruth 4:18-22). Biblical ascending genealogies are more likely to include extra information, while descending genealogies tend to be linked lists of names.

[ii] The gospels of Mark and John begin with Jesus as an adult, while Matthew and Luke begin with his birth. It is logical those two would recite the lineage and the other two would not.

[iii] Since Luke starts at the present and works backward, he technically ends with Adam.

[iv] The male ancestors are identical; Matthew includes some details not in Luke.

[v] Even if one rejects Holy Spirit inspiration and providential preservation, it is strange to believe that both those who wrote and those who compiled the books of the New Testament overlooked what would have been such a blatant contradiction in the genealogies – suggesting they understood the differences. Thomas Paine, in The Age of Reason, claimed Matthew’s and Luke’s genealogies “contradict each other in every particular” (they do not) and that this “proves falsehood absolutely.” Yet, if the disciples of Jesus fabricated a genealogy of Jesus to prove the point of his being David’s son, it is inexplicable that they would have deliberately included two contradictory accounts!

[vi] The church historian Eusebius, referring to Julius Africanus in his epistle to Aristides, gives a different harmony of the genealogies – according to nature and according to the law.  Evidently he believed that Matthew was tracing the biological line and that Luke was taking into account what we call “levirate marriage”. In The Virgin Birth of Christ, J. Gresham Machen argues that Joseph is the legal heir of Jacob, who died without issue, and that Joseph is the son of Jacob’s brother Heli. So, according to Machen, Matthew gives the legal descent and Luke the physical one. “…the Lucan genealogy traces the actual physical ancestors of Joseph back to David, while the Matthæan genealogy enumerates the successive heirs to the Davidic throne.” (p. 207) Under this explanation, Matthan and Matthat would be different spellings for the same person – Joseph’s grandfather.

[vii] I have been taught that there was no Greek word for “son-in-law,” but have made no personal investigation of the subject. God’s promise was made to David. Jesus was a legal heir of Joseph (a descendant of David), but was not the son of Joseph. Therefore, it is important to show that his mother Mary was also a descendant of David.

Christmas and the Birth of Jesus, 2

In his December 3rd message “Who Needs Christmas,” mega-church multi-site pastor Andy Stanley said, “Christianity doesn’t hinge on the truth or even the stories around the birth of Jesus. It really hinges on the resurrection of Jesus.” Stanley has previously worked to destroy the credibility of Scripture, advising preachers should “get the spotlight off the Bible and back on the resurrection” – following up in a few days saying “It is next to impossible to defend the entire Bible.”  Stanley is wrong.

What the birth of Jesus means, according to the Scriptures
According to the Scriptures the birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of centuries of God’s promises through prophecy, as well as the commencement of God’s earthly phase of redemption. It is also:

3. The underpinning of God’s message of the gospel
The gospel is how that Christ died according to the Scriptures, that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Without the virgin birth of Jesus, God made flesh and dwelling among, living a holy and sinless life in the flesh and dying for sin, the underpinning is stripped out from under the gospel. Eternal God was born of a virgin, died on a cross, rose from the grave and is alive! It is clear that the apostles turned the world upside down carrying a message of the living Christ and his resurrection. But this message did not dismiss “the stories around the birth of Jesus.” Rather the resurrection was founded on and required the truth of God becoming flesh.

• The early church called him “God’s holy child.” Acts 4:27,30 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together… by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
• God manifest in the flesh is an integral part of his being “just in the spirit” and “received up into glory” (the resurrection and ascension). 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
• John went so far to say that those who do no confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh are “antichrist.” 1 John 4:2-3 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
• The Bible description of how he came in the flesh is through the virgin birth, testified by the apostles. Luke 1:26-27 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

If Jesus had not been born of woman, he could not have been human. If he had not been born of a virgin, he could not have been holy. If he had not been holy, he could not have died for our sins. If he had not died, he would not have been resurrected. Christianity hinges on believing God. God gave us “the stories around the birth of Jesus.” Now go and preach the resurrection of Jesus!