21
Dec
Why Christmas?
If you didn’t know, Jesus Christ was not born on December 25th. So, why celebrate His birth on this day?
By the way, if you would like to read the Christmas story, you can find it in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2. Merry Christmas!
Tags: Christianity, church, culture, evangelizing, faith, holiday
Roger Finch
I agree exactly! We as Christians should use every opportunity to celebrate his birth, death on the cross for our sins and so much the fact that he rose again and conquered “death” for all who believe!
Mike Kailing
Blessings from Hawaii, Pastor Bob!
Thanks for keeping the world informed: Jesus is the real reason for CHRISTmas. Much Aloha in Yeshua. Shalom in HIM.
Jeff Barnes
Great Video! Thanks for sharing!
John Ginzo
Pastor Bob:
Thanks for the wonderful message. It is interesting the way a life can be transformed by Christ. About a year ago, I made the decision to attend Calvary Chapel with my then girlfriend, now wife. I did not know what to expect. A few weeks later I re-dedicated my life to Christ, and have had two chance meetings with you and Pastor Fidel ( I was the guy outside the small chapel about to get married). Christ made 2010 the greatest year of my life, so this xmas is truly special!
Miriam
Totally agree!!! The date Jesus was born is not nearly as important as the fact that He was born! And He was born for the purpose of saving mankind. What a great time of year to share this truth! And Pastor Bob, you do it so well!
Lee McDowell
In 2005, I spent seven months working in Miami, I watched your program as much or as often as I could find it on TV. I’m living back in Arlington, Texas now and just can’t find it. Your program to me (my opinion only) seemed to be real. No screaming and jumping around, no high dollar suits, or a fancy robe. You were always speaking the word of God and trying to give the people a clear understanding of what is expected of us from God.
On the topic of Christmas, celebrate the reason, Christ.
Robert Smart
So pleased you recognized that Christ was not born on December 25 but as you know sometime in October. The point you might want to ponder is why December 25th was picked?
The pagan origins of the Christmas date, as well as pagan origins for many Christmas customs (gift-giving and merrymaking from Roman Saturnalia; greenery, lights, and charity from the Roman New Year; Yule logs and various foods from Teutonic feasts), have always fueled arguments against the holiday. “It’s just paganism wrapped with a Christian bow,” naysayers argue. But while kowtowing to worldliness must always be a concern for Christians, the church has generally viewed efforts to reshape culture—including holidays—positively. As a theologian asserted in 320, “We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it.”
jeff
I used to live in florida four years ago,and now I live in north carolina where my christianty has now slipped up…sorry my point went to calvary chapel since bob and clay had long hair,and they are both awesome. I used to pray with clay all the time,about my sister in law
Megan
Great point! I live in Ft. Myers FL and began to listen to the active word by chance while driving to work one day two years ago. Your ministry has made an impact on myself and my family- for that I am greatful.
God bless and Merry Christmas
Kent and Dena Elwood
Pastor Bob:
Thanks for the great message. We miss you on TV. We live in Iowa and always watched your show after our regular church. We still visit your web site from time to time. We read your daily devotional during our bible reading time with our three boys. God bless everyone this Christmas season.
Agnes
Totally agree with you! The date is not as relevant as the event! Knowing that our Lord sent his only son to earth to save all who would believe and trust in Him, is all that really matters. We as Christians celebrate his birth, which reminds us how much the Father loves us. Jesus becomes the perfect gift for us: a gift of Love from our Father, bringing hope, joy and peace to those who receive Him. That is what we as Christians need to pass on to those who do not know Him.
God Bless You!
Larry & Sue Darland
Thank you Bob… your right on the mark… we need to be sharing more than usual at this time of year…so many people in the dark and so little time.. God Bless you and your family.
Merry Christmas
Wayne Myk
Hi Pastor Bob,
Thank you for this message and for the Festival of Joy on the 21st and 22nd. I help in the Parking Ministry and my reward was all the smiling faces coming onto the property. God bless you and the Ministry.
Wayne Myk
David Durben
That’s the holiday Spirit!
You go, Bob!
Joann Winborn
Merry Christmas Pastor Bob to you and your beautiful family.
Been years since I’ve lived in Ft Lauderdale and attended C.C., but what I learned there will stay with me a lifetime and your teachings have shown me truths that I never understood before.
Those truths and the faith it built in me and my relationship with Jesus has carried me through much.
May you be richly blessed today and always…
Thanks for answering HIS calling.
Through you, HIS WORD has changed my life forever!
Gladys P
I am with Robert Smart regarding Yashua Birth in October..
Why celebrate? Elohim doesnt say in His words(Scriptures) to celebrate It, so why do we belivers in Christ do so..? Could it be we have been deceived so long that when dont reconized the truth in not participating in Paganism practice. We all have been doing it for 500 years that we dont know how to stop.I am not perfect and yes at times it draws me in but I will keep
trying to do what His word says and that is to celebrate the feasts.
Lance Schwartz
I think as we mature in our faith and realize the time is short, reaching out to people with the gospel becomes urgent and this is the time of year to share God’s love and let people see that others have a burden for them.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Luis Alvarado
Thank you Pastor Bob for your ministry and for your heart in presenting the “whole counsel of God”, the Christmas Season presents a huge opportunity for disciples of Christ, believers (Christians) to spread the good news of the “Ultimate Gift”, “for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” we need to bridge that what the world does as tradition, He did for reconciliation and love. I pray that the Lord gives us boldness in speech to speak truth in love this Holyday season >
Nicole
So yes we know that Jesus wasn’t born on the 25th, so shouldn’t we worship Him in spirit and in truth?(John 4:23) and celebrate his actual birthday which is Feast of tabernacles. Why don’t we as christians celebrate the Feasts of the Lord which he commands all of his children to do instead of mixing with these wordly pagan holidays(christmas and easter) which he clearly tells us to abstain from. (Christmas and Easter are Baal and Ashtaroth worship and he warns us to have nothing to do with it
Christina Kapua
Mele Kalikimaka from Hawaii, Pastor Bob !!
Great message…what matters is Jesus came and it
should be celebrated everyday.
Thomas
Thanks Pastor Bob for sharing your inspirations with us. I think most educated Christians realize that Yeshua was not born on the 25th of DEC but it is the day that the world does celebrate commercism with that said the twist is to make us believe that it is in the nature of doing good for others as in giving them something for the year. As we all know G-D gave us his only S-N and we should give this to all everyday of the year.
Olivia
Amen!!! Coming from a Jehovah’s witnesses background where Christmas is totally forbidden and looking as evilish. I enjoy the open-minding approach of Pastor Bob. Make every Holiday an opportunity to spread the word of God and share the “Agape” Love that only the Holy Spirit could give us.
God bless you guys and Merry Christmas
Rob
Nicole, Gladys
God commanded the children of Israel to observe His feasts, but this is not a requirement for born-again New Testament believers. In fact, in Colossians 2:16-17 we are told, “Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days], which are a shadow of things to come; but the substance is Christ.”
Romans 14:5 actually takes it further, specifying the individual liberty we have as to whether or not to celebrate.
andy
Christmas is not an event or a day, but a heart attitude. Of course it’s not commanded to celebrate. Of course we don’t know the day. However, we do know the Creator, and His gracious love. Christ probably isn’t concerned about us having the right day–but we as Christians should use the MAS of Christ (Christ mass) as an evangelism tool for nonbelievers and a tool of encouragement for believers. God’s blessing this new year. Merry Christmas on the day and the whole year.
JR
Dear Pastor Bob,thank you for all the hard work and dedication to God and this community. You do acknowledge that Christ was not born Dec. 25 and perhaps you’re familiar with the origins of Christmass and its former name Saturnalia. We christians are called out of the world to become a holy nation. a royal priesthood. Both kings and priest were commanded by God to write the law and learn to discern between the holy and the profane.
Maria Silvio
Thank you Pastor Bob for sharing. I also agree with you 100%……… As Christians we need to celebrate the fact that Jesus was born, the reason he was born was ………. Gods’ gift to us, for our salvation !!! We should celebrate it every day of the year …….:)
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family. Also I praise God for you, and your ministry !
Steve Hornsby
Pastor Bob: Thank you for sharing the message of God with all us. This is my FB Post: The ONLY Reason the World Celebrates CHRISTMAS is because of One Baby Boy who grew up to be the “One” Man of God; who was born, who lived among Us on Earth, Died, Rose again to Defeat Death & the “One” who Lives Today! Yes, the those in the world who in any way Celebrate CHRISTMAS do so becaus…e of Jesus CHRIST! “Jesus, please give My Angel Danielle a Hug for me Tonight” Merry CHRISTMAS to ALL! Keep LOOKING
lillian
I agree that the day of Jesus’ birth is not as significant as his actual birth but, to celebrate his birth on a pagan holiday is sacreligious, especially when there are 364 other days of the year to chose from.
janet zapata
Gracias Bob, is true why not celebrate Chrismas. This does who not know Jesus will know Him and learn about His birth after that will degge it MORE about God! Is beautiful to celebrate Christmas is unique
)
Angela
I agree, but still, would think it would make more sense to know the day and/or month He was born, seems strange that the 1st most important day of the year for us goes by without our knowledge. Just sayin.
JR
Dear Pastor Bob, why not celebrate the festivals given by the Lord God to His holy nation Israel!? They outline a blue print of God’s magnificent master plan of salvation starting with Passover which so vividly with all its rituals and ceremonies pictures Christ the true lamb of God. Seven holy feast days tell a beautiful love story. God’s love for us. We can only learn it’s meaning when we obey and keep them as God commands for as Christ said in Matt 5:18 Heaven and earth have not pass away.
JR
It’s trully sad that most christian churches believe that these festivals are Jewish therefore no longer important for NT christians. Christ kept them, so did His disciples long after Christ had ascended to heaven. As a matter of fact if His disciples were not together to celebrate the feast of Pentecost in Acts 2 as they were commanded to do, they would not have received the Holy Spirit, the next step in God’s plan of salvation. Check them out, it’s trully amazing all you can learn from them.
Don Caruso
In the old testament,i forget which book,it says, Do not learn the ways of the pagans and learn how they worship there gods and apply it to me.( paraphrased) and yet we take a Babylonian festival and put Jesus`s name to it and GOD told us not to do that.The only thing Jesus asked us to remember was his death,that is why he gave us comunion,to remember.
Then you have Romans 14:6 He who observes the day,observes it for the LOrd,and he who eats,does so for the Lord,for if he gives thanks to God;