By Kerry Knight, Emerald Beach Church of Christ
A certain school, to avoid offending anyone, decided to drop any reference to religion. They instead started singing about the weather. They began to hold a winter festival in February. They developed a list of songs that included:
“Winter Wonderland,” “Frosty the Snowman” AND “Suzy Snowflake.”
I’m not kidding here. What’s funny is the school is located in Miami, Florida.
I suppose if an alien should pay a visit to planet earth, they might conclude that we all attend the church of Meteorology.
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent a financial planner. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us a comedian. But our greatest need was FORGIVENESS, so God sent us a Savior.
Exactly when Jesus was born eludes us. Christians had adopted the date of December 25 around A.D.336. Christ was born when shepherds watched their flocks by night. In other words, most likely in the spring. And no, he wasn’t born in the year 1 A.D. The Bible tells us that Herod the Great ruled in Palestine when Jesus was born. History tells us that Herod died in 4 B.C. We can blame a sixth-century monk, Dionysius Exiguus, for this one. He came up with the idea of separating time into B.C. and A.D. He just chose the wrong date to do so, that’s all.
Let’s not get as concerned about a date for Christ’s birth as to the actuality of it. Any time of the year is a great time to honor and praise the coming of our Savior. If the masses like December 25 to remember Him, I have no problem with it. I will certainly use that season, as minds are focused on Him, to preach the gospel of His arrival.
