St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Christmas myths and truths

Christmas has had a lot of myths added to it down the ages, and if we are Christians, we need to be honest enough to admit the fact, so that we can move on and focus on the truths of Christmas as well.

Here are some of the myths:

1. Christmas was in winter.

“Earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone...”

Oh no it wasn’t! It would have been daft for the Romans to get all the people to travel to their towns of origin in the middle of winter, and the sheep wouldn’t have been out in the hills at that time of year. The bible doesn’t tell us when Jesus’ real birthday was, and Christmas is his official birthday, not his real one. (Like the Queen!)

2. Jesus was the perfect baby.

“But little Lord Jesus,
no crying he makes...”

No he wasn’t. He was without sin, but not without human nature. He had to grow in wisdom and stature just like the rest of us.

3. Christmas is about presents.

“Ye who now will bless the poor
shall yourselves find blessing.”

No it isn’t. Christmas is first of all about God’s present to us, his gift of his Son, himself come to live among us. The idea of us giving presents to each other only comes a very poor second to the message that we ought to receive God’s present.

Here are some of the truths:

1.God really did come to earth.

“God of God, light of light,
lo he abhors not the virgin’s womb...”

We can’t really understand how it could happen, but Jesus was God’s complete character and personality, living in a human body. You can see it by reading about his life in the four gospels in the bible. The gospels force us to answer a basic question: who was this man?

2. God can come to each of us.

“where meek souls will receive him still
the dear Christ enters in.”

The fact that shepherds, the dirty and smelly people of their time, were the first to hear the news shows God’s care for each of us, even though we’re nothing special, and even in spite of the dirty bits in our lives. Anyone who opens the door of their heart can have Jesus in as permanent guest.

3. God can make us new inside.

“light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings...”

If we do open the door of our heart to Jesus, then we will discover he can begin to change and correct the things which are going wrong in us, and put his light where there was once darkness.

Did you spot the carols? But more important, have you spotted the challenge?

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. December 2001, Page 1.
Home Page. Index of articles. Vicar's Letters: index, Race & Faith, Twinning, Harvest, Remember, Christmas, New Year. In this issue: (December 2001) Vicar's Letter, Money, Braille & Tapes, Question.	Christmas myths and truths Christmas has had a lot of myths added to it down the ages, and if we are Christians, we need to be honest enough to admit the fact, so that we can move on and focus on the truths of Christmas as well. Here are some of the myths: 1. Christmas was in winter. “Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone...” Oh no it wasn’t! It would have been daft for the Romans to get all the people to travel to their towns of origin in the middle of winter, and the sheep wouldn’t have been out in the hills at that time of year. The bible doesn’t tell us when Jesus’ real birthday was, and Christmas is his official birthday, not his real one. (Like the Queen!) 2. Jesus was the perfect baby. “But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes...” No he wasn’t. He was without sin, but not without human nature. He had to grow in wisdom and stature just like the rest of us. 3. Christmas is about presents. “Ye who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.” No it isn’t. Christmas is first of all about God’s present to us, his gift of his Son, himself come to live among us. The idea of us giving presents to each other only comes a very poor second to the message that we ought to receive God’s present. Here are some of the truths: 1.God really did come to earth. “God of God, light of light, lo he abhors not the virgin’s womb...” We can’t really understand how it could happen, but Jesus was God’s complete character and personality, living in a human body. You can see it by reading about his life in the four gospels in the bible. The gospels force us to answer a basic question: who was this man? 2. God can come to each of us. “where meek souls will receive him still the dear Christ enters in.” The fact that shepherds, the dirty and smelly people of their time, were the first to hear the news shows God’s care for each of us, even though we’re nothing special, and even in spite of the dirty bits in our lives. Anyone who opens the door of their heart can have Jesus in as permanent guest. 3. God can make us new inside. “light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings...” If we do open the door of our heart to Jesus, then we will discover he can begin to change and correct the things which are going wrong in us, and put his light where there was once darkness. Did you spot the carols? But more important, have you spotted the challenge? John Hartley
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