In Line to See Jesus
December 25th, 2009 by Angela
On this Christmas morn, whether you celebrate the holiday with all its traditions of lights, trees and gifts, or not, we all share in common as followers and believers in Jesus, the Christ, the belief that he was miraculously born by the power of the Spirit of God, and because of this divine, supernatural birth, the second or “last Adam” was born. Jesus was born without a sinful nature (like we are), and was able to live a life of obedience to His God, to the point of giving up his own life to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus became that sacrificial Lamb of God, without stain or blemish or sin, so that through his cleansing blood, we might be forgiven of our sins. With that forgiveness, we have the hope of inheriting eternal life in the kingdom of God, in the age to come. It is indeed something to celebrate and shout from the mountain tops, not only in the month of December, but year round.
This video “Where’s the Line to See Jesus?” reminds us that the Christmas season should be centered on Jesus and the hope that he brings to us. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Many turn Christmas into seeking first “all these things”, and the Kingdom of God and His righteousness takes a back seat. This passion for Jesus and the coming Kingdom should become our passion and purpose everyday of our lives.
The refrain in this song refers to two Scriptures:
1) I Corinthians 15:52 “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
2) Philippians 2:10-11 “that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is lord to the glory of God the Father.”
This song is a wonderful reminder that at the time of Jesus’ second coming, his return to this earth, those who are asleep (dead) in Christ, will be raised at the trumpet sound, and we (those alive in Christ and those who had already died in Christ) will be changed, in the blink of an eye, to our imperishable, indestructible, immortal bodies, to live forever and ever with Jesus from that day onward in the Kingdom. There will come a time, when this Anointed King will “deliver up the kingdom to the God and Father, when he (Jesus) has abolished all rule and all authority and power, for he (Jesus) must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet…then the Son of God (Jesus) will be subjected to the One (God) who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.” I Corinthians 15:24,25,28.
It is prophetic of a time that is in the ‘age to come’ that we are looking forward to with great anticipation. It is why we celebrate Jesus’ birth ~ because he is the Christ, the anointed King of this Kingdom. To believe that Jesus is this Christ, the Son of God (which the Old Testament prophets spoke of and to whom Abraham looked forward to) and to turn from our sins and believe in this good news (Gospel) of the coming Kingdom, is eternal life. To believe in this Gospel is our salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16.
Today, and everyday this coming year, join with me as I celebrate the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, who is coming again and who is our hope and our life. “…God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His son.” I John 5:11. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16. What a gift God has bestowed upon us, if only we receive it. Repent and believe this good news. The gift of salvation. The gift of eternal life. The gift to rule and reign with Jesus in the age to come. Glory!
Angela,
Thanks for this. Christmas has indeed become overrun with paganism and secularism. But I disagree with those that think that is a reason not to observe it at all, because whether they think so or not, there are still many, many Christians who are trying to get back to Jesus being the reason for the season. Many people celebrate many different things this time of year, and like the 4th century Christians who first designated Dec. 25 as the date to celebrate Christ’s birth, I think there’s nothing wrong with offering an alternative. We aren’t practicing idolatry and are trying to bring the focus onto Christ and his gracious gift of life rather than Santa and materialistic gifts.
Angela
I agree with Mark C.
It is a beautiful song and I am glad you took the time to post this.
Mark C.
Jesus was never the “reason for the season” to begin with. And Christmas was never “overrun with paganism” when its a festival that at its core, is pagan to beign with.
We are in danger of being inwardly idolatrous and disobeying the clear commands of YHWH and His Son to not only “flee from all forms of idolatry” [1Cor 10] but not even to “observe customs and traditons” of other nations [cp. Jer 10].
Also, you cannot seperate Santa from Christmas since it is defined by the Santa character and accoutrements [materialism, i.e buying-giving gifts; decorations etc.].
There are and have been many different things that people celebrate at this time of year. Many are pagan, many are secular. But there are some Christians who out of a pure heart choose to observe the birth of Christ instead of the pagan or secular aspects. You have no right to judge them and declare they are committing idolatry when you don’t know what’s in their hearts.
There is no specific command forbidding the celebration of Jesus’ birth, but there ARE specific commands against judging your brothers and being divisive.
I Cor. 10 says not to eat it if you are told that something is offered to idols, but otherwise eat what you’re given. It also says “flee from idolatry.” (The phrase “all forms of” does not appear, incidentally.) What it does NOT say is, flee from something that resembles an idolatrous practice from hundreds of years ago.
I already pointed out that Jer. 10 is talking about making idols out of the trees. It is not talking about Christmas trees which have a completely different origin, from German Christians of hundreds of years later. Also, Jeremiah says not to learn the idolatrous customs of those nations. It doesn’t say not to observe ANY customs or traditions.
I’ve said it before, but I guess I need to repeat it. What defines an idol is how we think about it and what we do with it. The same object can be an idol for one person and not an idol for another. Especially when many different cultures use some of the same things in different ways. Therefore you cannot say that just because both Christians and pagans use evergreens and lights they are all committing idolatry. Especially in light of the actual origins of the Christmas tree, deriving from the Paradise Tree and Christmas candles.
I certainly can. Christmas was around a long time before the modern version of Santa. Christmas has become associated with Santa and materialism, but it hasn’t always been that way, which is why I think it’s better to get the focus onto Christ. We all know it’s not the actual date, but it’s the date that has long been agreed on as the date on which we OBSERVE his birth. It’s what we choose to observe at this time, rather than pagan idols or greed and materialism.
Mark C.
Whether the Bible commands it or not is not what this debate is about. But the Bible does command us to “exort and rebuke” our fellow brethren [2Tim 4.2; Titus 2.15].
Idolatry is not limited to creating idols and worshipping it, the Bible commands us not to JOIN them either. This is the point of 1Cor 10:
Are you trying to suggest that the Christmas tree is biblically based? If so, its a long shot. But I guess you found your scholar to back it up? Let me guess, Dr. Bucher?
Yes, we all know its the wrong time of the season, that it has pagan elements, that it has become Westernized in a way that should be obscene to any conscientious Christian. Yet, its ok not only to particpate but support it?
We are supposed to “exhort and rebuke” according to what the Scriptures say, not according to what we think is right. That’s why I keep pointing out that the Scriptures neither command nor forbid the celebration of Christ’s birth.
No, not Biblically based. I said it has its origins in Christian traditions rather than pagan. I’m surprised you don’t know that, since you said you finally read the articles. It wasn’t Dr. Bucher who did that research either. The Solstice Evergreen by Sheryl Ann Karas was one of the sources to which he referred. Other sources also speak of the Medieval Mystery Plays with their Paradise Trees, as well as the Christmas Candles, all of which were Christian traditions, though not Biblical. You might want to look into this before you judge all Christmas traditions to be pagan.
Once again I have to repeat myself. There are both Christian and pagan elements, as well as secular elements involved in Christmas celebrations. It is a mix of many different traditions. What Christians who celebrate it do is hold to the Christian traditions and not the pagan. Nothing is evil of itself, it has to do with what a person has in their heart and how they view the thing in question. Again, THAT is what determines what is idolatry.
And what has become obscene to conscientious Christians is how commercialism and greed, as well as Santa Claus, have become the focus, rather than the birth of Christ. That’s why they came up with the slogan “Jesus is the reason for the season.” (In truth, Jesus is the reason for ALL seasons.) But as I said, most know that it wasn’t the actual date of his birth, but it has been the date we OBSERVE his birth for hundreds of years, and that slogan is an attempt to get the focus more on Jesus than on Santa and commercialism and Greed. Nearly every culture has some kind of celebration this time of year. We’re just giving people a better reason to celebrate.
And what of the man who knows nothing about the origin of Christmas day, but uses it to remember Jesus? Must he receive rebuke and give up his day in order for Jesus to be his Lord?
Let’s beware of legalism. Jesus came to restore us to God. Are we not his kingdom, his inheritance, the ones that he shall rule?
Does a pagan have the power over all the calendar of God to ruin any certain day simply because he choses to do so? Isn’t every day the day the Lord has made?
In my above post, the separation between Xavier’s comment and my response didn’t format right. It should have been as follows:
That’s correct. But those Christians who choose to observe the birth of Christ instead of the pagan elements of winter celebrations are not joining them. That’s been my point all along.
Mark C.
Yes, and the scriptural command is TO FLEE FROM ALL FORMS OF IDOLATRY. As it is our duty to correct those brethren with false doctrine, it is equally important to pray for those who may be in danger of sinning:
Well this is where we simply disagree. Most people know that Christmas is pagan to begin with since I also believe that “Church” that instituted it in the 4th century was the same one that gave us the Nicene Creed.
This debate is about Christmas and its institution by an already corrupted “Catholic Church” of the 4th century passing it off as “Christian”. It is not about true Christian traditions and teachings passed down to us by Jesus and his Apostles through the NT scriptures.
I call it as I see it, I am not “judging people’s hearts” [as you previously accuse me of]. If by knowing this you are still willing not only to celebrate it but support it as somehow Christian, that’s your prerogative. Its just a shame that a fellow brethren of the sound doctrine sees it this way. You should know better!
The same “[Catholic induced] Christian tradition” of the Incarnation of God the Son? Or God become flesh [“infleshed”, as they like to call it]? You pick the poison I guess.
I repeat, I cannot believe you ignore the historical and scholarly data regarding the institution of a so-called “Christian” holiday by the same Roman Catholic Church that we battle the rest of the year.
Its not even close to the season yet you still have no problem observing it during the Winter Solstice? A season that is wrought with European paganism?
“we OBSERVE”? as in the Roman Catholic-Protestant churches? The birth of Christ is one thing, but the Incarnation that Christmas celebrates is another. If you want to honor your Lord and Messiah at least get the seasonal epoch close to the historical time in which it might have taken place. And take this time to debunk this crazy, pagan induced coma the so-called mainstream Christianity has got the whole world under. A coma that is, unfortunately, even affecting some of our fellow brethren.
Xavier,
You still continue to misrepresent the viewpoint that you are supposedly debating, so all your arguments are simply straw-man arguments as I said before. And you continue to repeat the same uninformed and biased accusations, despite my having repeated the same responses. I’m done. Happy New Year.
Mark C.
This just proves my point.
‘Nuff said!
What about other holidays like Independence Day? That’s not in the Bible, and I don’t see where Jesus used fireworks.
Legalism comes in many ways. There are soft forms of it that do plenty of destruction. It’s like a leaven.
“What about other holidays like Independence Day? That’s not in the Bible, and I don’t see where Jesus used fireworks.”
Ray
I dont know anyone who has put the Name of God on Independence day
True Legalism is where someone forces to obey interpretations of the law which are contrary to God’s Law.
telling someone they must believe in the trinity or observe christmas or easter would be true Legalism.
Jesus and his disciples were dealing with oral interpretations of the law and traditions and commandments of men not Gods laws, biblical supported traditions and the TEN COMMANDMENTS
Actually, that would simply be wrong doctrine, since there is no command in the Bible to believe in the Trinity or observe Christmas or Easter.
Legalism is defined by Merriam-Webster as “strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code.” It’s taking something that actually IS in the Law, but applying it in an excessively strict way that goes beyond the heart of that Law, such as the Pharisees used to do.
Taking the Biblical injunction against idolatry and applying it to something that is not idolatry would be a perfect example of legalism.
What about a rule that if a man buy and use fireworks it is a sin?
Is that a form of legalism? Is it more than just wrong doctrine if a man is disfellowshipped, or thrown out of the church for using fireworks on a holiday if he does not repent of it? Is it only wrong doctrine and nothing more?
I think the two of you missed the one line that might be contested even more. “Jesus was born without a sinful nature.” I thought Christ was born a human and was tempted in all ways just like us. Being born without a sinful nature would have made it useless for Satan to even begin to tempt Him. Perhaps I have misunderstood a certain teaching or tenet of this faith. If so, I am open to further instruction.
Randy,
Most scholars do not agree with the Greek translation of sarx [flesh] as “sinful nature”. James Dunn has this to say regarding its usage in the Pauline letters:
The point being made here is that “nature” [same with “essence” etc.] are alien to the Aramaic-Hebrew mindset of the scriptures and what to what its Jewish writers are trying to communicate. They are terms solely relegated to the Roman-Greek philosophical realm of 1st century Europe. As a result, they fail to capture the Middle Eastern flavour of the text and its meaning.
All we can say from the text is that Christ was born without sin [Heb 7.26; 9.28; 1Pe 2.22] due to his direct generation-creation by the Holy Spirit [cp. Lu 1.35] and as a result, was not susceptible to the same weak “flesh” [if you will] which all other humans inherited from the first Adam [see Rom 5.12f.].
Mark
Jesus himself was against legalism which was doctrines, traditions and commandments of MEN which was the oral laws But he kept ALL GODS LAWS.
Legalism is when GODS LAWS are used in unlawfull ways.
Healing on the Sabbath was only forbidden by oral law not GODS LAW
Plucking grain on the Sabbath was only forbidden by oral law.
Legalism is the unlawfull use of GODS LAWS not the lawfull use of them.
GODS LAWS are forever and for everyone
Randy
I saw that and have agrued that to death but some people have left over things from when the believed the trinity
Robert,
I agree. Like I said, it’s taking something in the Law, but applying it in an excessively strict way that goes beyond the heart of that Law, such as the Pharisees used to do. For example they took the rule that you weren’t to work on the Sabbath and applied it to things like Jesus healing on the Sabbath. Similarly, taking the Biblical injunction against idolatry and applying it to something that is not idolatry would be legalism.
Ray,
As for a rule about fireworks, it would depend on what Scriptural Law they used as their reasoning for forbidding fireworks. If they based it on some law that really doesn’t apply then it would be legalism in the same way as what I said above.
“Similarly, taking the Biblical injunction against idolatry and applying it to something that is not idolatry would be legalism.”
idolatry is very easy to define which is any unsanctioned or uncommanded worship of GOD or worship of false gods like the trinity and anything connected .
so i find your statement totally false
Randy – good catch! I apologize if my terminology was sloppy in that regard. Xavier did an excellent job clarifying this for me.
I always like to point out that Jesus was born as the “second or last Adam” because Trinitarians like to only provide us two options – either we accept Jesus as God, or that he was a ‘mere man’ and could therefore have not led a sinless life.
I Corinthians 15:20-23 are some of my favorite texts to clarify that Jesus was a unique man, like Adam was, (because of his unique generation)… however, unlike Adam who disobeyed and sinned, Jesus was able to get it right.
The Christmas season is a marvelous time to point out to people, that God has given us the gift of salvation THROUGH Jesus and the sacrifice of his life on the cross. Not because God had to come to the earth to be born as a baby and live a sinless life as a “God-man” as Trinitarians teach, but rather according to Scripture, God provided a way for us to be saved through the miraculous conception and birth of a baby. God is our ultimate Savior, saving us THROUGH a man, our mediator, and lord messiah, Jesus, Immanuel.
To understand that by a MAN came death, and by a MAN came the resurrection of the dead, I believe is the missing link for us to continue to point out to people. Christmas for trinitarians is a time to teach that God came to save the world by being born as a baby. As a Bible believing Unitarian, I believe it is an awesome opportunity to point people to the fact that Jesus was miraculously begotten or created by God, and he is God’s gift of salvation to us, if we only believe this wonderful Gospel message of grace.
Angela
No apology needed. I have read most of your articles and find them enriching.
Angela
Yes, this is what I personally do, take the opportunity to teach the sound doctrine to anyone who is willing. With it, we must also point out the fallacy and insidous nature of Christmas. Its pagan roots and so-called “Christian” tradition, which is Incarnational.
Also, to believe Jesus is to understand and accept his Gospel message of the coming Kingdom of God [cp. parable of the sower, Mark 4:1-20, Matthew 13:1-23, and Luke 8:1-15]. And by repenting of our former sinful lives, we may be found worthy to become Kingdom people.
We must inform people of the incompleteness of the traditional view of “the Gospel”, which is one that teaches “believe in Jesus” and that’s it [whatever that may mean].
PLEASE, could you post the words and or words and music to this most awe inspiring song? Would love to share it with those I know who do not have a PC.
In God’s Love
& Jesus’ Care
Mrs. Linda Foster
Christmastime was approaching,
Snow was starting to fall.
Shoppers choosing their presents,
People filling the mall.
Children waiting for Santa
With excitement and glee.
A little boy tugged my sweater,
Looked up and asked me,
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
Is he here at the store?
If Christmas time is his birthday,
Why don’t we see him more?
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
He was born for me
Santa Claus brought me presents
But Christ gave his life for me.
As I stood in amazement
At this message profound,
I looked down to thank him;
He was nowhere around.
The little boy at the mall
Might as well have had wings.
As the tears filled my eyes
I thought I heard him sing,
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
Is he here at the store?
If Christmas time is his birthday,
Why don’t we see him more?
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
He was born for me
Santa Claus brought me presents
But Christ gave his life for me.
In the blink of an eye, at the sound of his trump,
We’ll all stand in line at his throne.
Every knee shall bow down, every tongue will confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
Is he here at the store?
If Christmas time is his birthday,
Why don’t we see him more?
Where’s the line to see Jesus?
He was born for me
Santa Claus brought me presents
But Christ gave his life for me.
Randy, it seems to me that Jesus was born without the corruption of sin. Sin causes a bend. It has an effect. Jesus was born without
that tendancy. Jesus was never a servant of sin and so he was never in bondage to it as all other men born in this world were.
He didn’t fall short of the glory of God. He kept his sinless nature.
That makes him unique among men. One mystery about all this is the connection God made with us and Jesus, a connection by blood.
It’s been said that blood is thicker than water. Family ties can be strong, yet the followers of Jesus forsook family ties just as Abraham did when he left the place of his fathers to see the land of promise.
Sin abounded when Jesus was crucified but God’s grace much more
abounded. What men did for evil, God turned around for good.
It’s been said that misery loves company. Men suffering sometimes seek someone who will comfort them in some way. Sometimes they want someone to hear their story, someone who has suffered and knows what it’s like.
I suppose that’s why we come to the cross.