ONLY BELIEVE!

 

 

We are again in a season of celebrations, parties, shopping and “j-oy”; it is a time when our hearts are softened and we are nicer people, for the most part.  But it is also a time of stress, frustration and worry.

People feel the pressure of a list of people they want to bless at this one time of the year, and many are concerned about their jobs, what the next year will bring and yet, the credit cards are swiped and the closets are filled with precious things to give with a hope for a financial Christmas miracle.

As Messianics, we generally don't keep Christmas.  We are more inclined to observe Chanukah.  It isn’t a Jewish replacement for Christmas; it is becasue of the messianic desire to be scriptural in all things. 

Most Christian believers who know even a little church history know that Yeshua was not born on December 25.  The Bible likes to give clues to those who are willing to take the time and search it out.  In fact it does show us the time of Messiah’s birth; beginning with Zechariah who was serving his priestly rotation in the  Course of Abijah which would place him at the temple either before or after Pentecost.  Each priest served twice a year for one week plus at each pilgrim feast.  So, his course fell in line with Pentecost, therefore he would have been there for two weeks. 

He is given the message about the birth of John the Baptist, who would be the voice preparing God’s people for the coming of the messiah.  Pentecost usually falls around the end of May to the early part of June. Do the math, Elizabeth was in her 6^th month at the time of the announcement to Mary. 

Messianics believe that Mary conceived at the time of Chanukah and gave birth at the feast of tabernacles; Fulfilling many scriptures. However, my intent is not to cover all of this in depth at this time.

Even we who celebrate the Lord, Yeshua/Jesus are caught up in festivities and gifts.  Living in America, you cannot go untouched by the Holiday fervor, whether it is muzac in the mall or holiday treats and decorations all around, it gets to you.  There are seasonal movies, all heartwarming and emotional.  But here in lies the problem.  The world becomes mushy this time of year; we hear real life stories of heroes that rescue abandon families and load them up with food and gifts, people being extraordinarily generous and loving and everywhere you go, there are signs on towels, table décor, door signs etc… that say “Believe”.

But what does that mean?  Well, to Christians, it means turn and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  But the world is not promoting the gospel.  We look at those signs and breathe a comforted sigh and expect the world to be saved because it’s Christmas. 

But in reality, it is a very great counterfeit.  Believe to the world, means believe in miracles; you don’t need God or Jesus for miracles.  The world is content to explain it as dear Aunt Tilly who has gone on is watching over us…   others see Karma; still others believe its God but don’t accept Jesus.

“Believe” can mean, don’t give up on Santa, father Christmas, the spirit of Christmas; it can even mean believe in yourself.  I want to share and experience I had that really made me think.  I reluctantly sat through the movie, the Santa clause with Tim Allen.  Now if you know anything about this movie, it is just for fun and rather silly.  Tim Allen, who is a divorced man accidentally cause the real Santa to fall off the roof and he dies.  In his pocket are instructions for just such an occasion.  Long story short, time Allen becomes the new Santa; reluctantly at first, but his little son helps him to accept his new occupation and identification and he finally believes it himself! 

The mom and her new husband of course don’t believe this nonsense, until the reality of it becomes so overwhelming they both believe it! They reminisce about childhood disappointments that made them stop believing in Santa, each wanted something badly and didn’t receive it.  But now, in the end, as adults their childhood wishes come true.

The problem with this scenario is that it evokes genuine emotion with it.  It pulls on your heart as you look into the mother’s eyes as she realizes her ex is the new Santa!  Her feelings about him instantly change, as though he had just been canonized.

The atmosphere that most feel around them at this time of year is not faith, but a false emotion.  It takes the place of true faith that brings conviction about the truth of the gospel story and replaces it with an emotional “awwww” that warms the heart but leaves it cold as ashes on December 26.  

There is nothing eternal here; it does not save, it does not heal, it does not change anyone for more than a few days.  Lest we too be deceived, I plead for discernment.  May we be ready with a right response and not come into agreement with a lie.

Is it hard?  Yes! It is hard.  People will hate the truth, and those that resist it until the end will hate it even more, believing it is God’s fault they are lost.  Stop telling the grandkids Santa’s coming…    don’t watch every family movie but the ones that tell the gospel story!  Read the bible account to your children, answer their questions. 

Don’t let people walk away seeing only a Nativity scene with a helpless baby, tell them the rest of the story…   pray as you walk through the mall and the stores for the deceived that God will send the truth to them.  Time is short beloved, are you not convinced yet?...only believe!