The Darkest Day
As the shortest day of each year is now behind us, we expect the day light increase day by day. But is December 20 really the darkest day of the year? Among church folks?
Too often folks us Romans 14 and other scriptures in order to attempt to find peace and validation with non-biblical activities and "traditions" introduced as spiritual burden over the past 2000 years, and beyond, BC.
Safeguarding our purity and holiness is to keep watch, for our own security and that of our loved ones in HIS body.
Institutional Christianity is a failed system of religion that ends in destruction. You can't reform it. The leaven must be swept out completely and entirely, to obtain the spiritual health, purity, and growth I know we all desire.
So much discussion here on FB about how to fix this sinking ship of polluted dogma and somehow make it work for HIS glory. That will never be. Neither will Xmas be a part of HIS domain.
Consider this. During the "season", that they say "Jesus is the reason", many will suffer from depression. Why? Lost loved ones, separation from folks we deeply care about. Sadly, even some will suffer despair and choose to end their life because their experience during this time falls extremely below times past experiences as children or adults during this time of year. Loneliness. Tragic. How many celebrate this time of year by focusing on these folks that suffer such torment? Where is the gift of love, for those who can't pay us back?
Too much money spent to "celebrate" this event, very little of which honors the "reason". 99% of it is flesh and self appeasing. So folks are depressed long after the occasion about their lack of wisdom and the dept incurred trying to buy sufficiently as to convey a token of love to people we do sincerely care about on what they perceive as a adequate gift .
Then there is all the expenses of decorations, food, etc that profits nothing in HIS kingdom. Not to overlook all the money spent of booze. But the real tragedy to me, is that our SAVIOR is pushed to the side as a spectator instead of HIS rightful place as LORD of all and GLORY of glory.
Man made directions and guidance without Biblical foundations, cannot and will not appease the LORD.
Esteem whatever day you like, any way you like. But just because you love it, does not mean that YAHWEH is pleased with your gold calf faith. Nor is HE bound to accept your "sacrifice. What you do each day is indeed, between you and the LORD. But it is my duty to HIM, that reminds folks that Xmas (the holy sacrifice of the mass, as the catholics call it) is not a celebration of HIS birth, as should be obvious.
In the Gospels, HIS birth is centerpiece. YAHWEH with us, has finally come. But no where does it say that anyone had any type of pageantry to celebrate HIS birth on any particular day of the year. More, the gifts mentioned from the "wise men" (ever how many there were) have no scriptural connection with HIS day of birth. Rather it was the wisdom of men to travel a long way to visit this "KING" and honor HIM with gifts, which is standard proticol for an audience with any king. Nothing to do with a "birthday celebration".
It is not a great chore, to research this foul day and season lamely called a "holiday". Read it for yourself. The very first time I realized I had been deceived by the well intended loving people I trusted the most, was at Xmas time. I'll never forget it. I was about 4 years old, and I figured out for myself, that "Santa" was a load of deception. A costly load, in so many ways.
So many people here support Xmas because it is such a strong influence in the FAILED system and enterprise called "church". So be it. When i pastored an English speaking Church in Mexico, my resignation was over Xmas. I refused to allow Xmas decor inside the meeting house. The president of the 'church', stood up on the last Sun Day before Xmas and declared that this was the worst day of his life, and the first time ever for him, that the "church"(building) was not properly decorated. From the pulpit I took the church keys off the ring, packed up and went and stood in front of him. I told him "what you need today sir, is a new pastor. I resign", and I walked out. So be it.
So the reality is not really a "celebration". There is much turmoil and debauchery associated with 'proper celebration' of HIS BIRTHDAY, a date on the calendar no man or historical record can validate. And this date is the premier event of each years 'liturgical cycle" (invented by early church and catholic leaders) among so called "christians", pick a denomination.
This is not an effort to discourage anyone from celebrating or not celebrating a particular day. Here's why.
Jer 23:21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
Jer 23:22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
If anyone's "celebration of a day" is rooted in deception, and celebrated with 99.999% carnal activity blended with a generous does of gluttony, pride, and intoxication, it is obviously not of HAYAH, then it is my duty to preach HIS words, that only HE can give, that vividly establishes HIS will that stands the test of time and social stratus. What you do with this, is between you and the LORD. My hands are clean. My heart is hopeful, that some may read, ponder, and respond to action by abandoning this annual catholic invented day of personal clergical greed.
Jon 2:8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Whom the SON sets free, is free indeed. Are you free?- Lahry Sibley