Christmas is a date surrounded by myths, legends and falsehoods. Worst of all, it’s a date into which the birth of Christ was inserted out of sequence. It’s certain that Jesus was not born during this time of year. Yet ironically, the fact of His birth is what is most true, out of all the things that people think about during Christmas. The myths could be easily resolved with a light reading of the New Testament, actually, of the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which contain the story of Jesus on earth. What is most worrisome is what the yuletide myths say about religion.
Faith in Man
The faith of many today is nothing more than a human production. Their beliefs do not have their origin, as they should, in Holy Scripture, but people get their religious data for their faith from others. A secondhand faith. A faith that depends upon a priest, pope, pastor, preacher, religious Authority with a capital A for its content and exercise. However, the warning is ancient: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord’” (Jeremiah 17.5 NLT). Whenever one deposits in man one’s dependence of faith, that confidence will be betrayed.
Good, But Short Sentiments
Christmas is a moment for the expression of positive sentiments, endearing terms, family gatherings and fraternal greetings. Any occasion that cultivates the finer attitudes of humanity is welcome. When these, however, are based upon a weak or insufficient base, the house falls and the sentiments soon pass. Artificial climates cannot permanently sustain human goodness. The yuletide and New Year greetings soon give way to the frantic pace of business, school, money and materialism, if they were ever far removed.
Deep Analysis
The myths of Christmas invite us to perform a deep analysis of our faith. The hope of eternal life depends upon the truth of the Gospel. If our truth is a lie, if our light is darkness, our hope will be in vain. As Jesus said, “But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!” (Matthew 6:23). If we permit myths and falsehoods to invade a story as simple and straightforward as the birth of Jesus, the risk increases that they have also permeated other parts of the message of salvation.
The Solution: To Know Scripture
For one who desires to draw near to God, there is no substitute for the knowledge of the Scriptures, for they testify about Christ (John 5:39). By the Scriptures one reaches the conclusion that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 18:28). In Scripture God’s message is accessible, “near,” in one’s mouth and heart (Romans 10:8). In Scripture we find what cannot be discovered elsewhere. “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled” (Romans 15:4). It is they which give “the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). We must learn the great religious principle: “Nothing beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6 NRSV). This is why the Scriptures must be read in the public meetings of the church (1 Timothy 4:13), but not only in public. Read the Bible constantly.
Inspired Scripture provides for every need. With it, and only with it, are we complete as Christians and laborers in his field (2 Timothy 2:16-17). The Christian breathes the Word of God. He lives with an open Bible. The Bible is not a mere symbol, but life itself. In the New Year, let us read the sacred Scriptures. Let us leave aside the myths of Christmas, the falsehood of religion. Let us live the true faith that depends solely on God our Father. True faith hears the voice of the Lord Jesus. With true faith, Christians travel confidently toward the eternal home.
