VIEW: 17-51: Final Christmas Preparations

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By Bob McDowell (Born Neil Carson) Number 17-51
FINAL CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS Week of 2017/12/18
Yes, the final days before most of the Christian World stops(?) to commemorate
the birth over two millenniums ago of the Christ Child in a little town in Israel called
Bethlehem. Tradition, Scriptures, and the archives remaining of the World then have
told us that it happened there because the betrothed future husband of his Mother,
Mary, was of the lineage of the great king, David, who was from that town. A short
time later the Roman Caesar Augustus had ordered a census of the Roman empire to
be taken and every male was required to travel to the home town of his ancestry to be
enrolled. Joseph was a direct descendent of the great King of Israel, David. So it
was necessary that he go with, his 'betrothed wife', Mary to be counted.
Mary, although a virgin, was expecting a child she was told by the Angel, Gabriel,
that the Holy Spirit "would come upon her" and that the child was to be given the name
Jesus (Luke 1:35-37). Thus is the actual claim that the child would be the Son of GOD!!
After arrival there it came time for Mary to deliver, but the town was full of others there
for the same reason, so it became necessary for the couple to take shelter 'in a stable'.
Biblical and historical scholars have said that houses in those days had the animals in a
separate room in the house and some clergy have stated that the place might, and
probably was, actually have been in just such a place in a house of David's kin. If the
weather was cold at night, the animals would have made the room relatively warm.
The principal of Jesus coming to Earth in that manner, his spirit being in a human body
we are told, is so that GOD could thus relate to and save the human race, which had
become thoroughly infused with sin.
In any event that 'miraculous' event has now been celebrated, or observed, for
nearly 2000 years, since the current "Gregorian" calender was assembled by an early
Roman Catholic Pope, Gregory. Some historians have claimed from studies of the
Roman archives that the actual date of the birth of Jesus was in Summer, perhaps early
August and as much as seven years earlier. Those researches have not been widely
published, nor is it common knowledge whether there is more than one source arriving
at the same conclusion.
Thus the 'reason for the Season' as currently observed throughout the Christian
World, and by some of the Jewish faith, referred to as "Messianic" Jews who still
practice the ancient rules contained in the "Decalogue" or first five "Mosaic" books
of the Bible. It was comforting to me the last time I saw a Jewish friend, and fraternity
brother, alive he proudly proclaimed to me that he was convinced that Jesus is the
Son of GOD. By doing so, it is my firm belief that we shall meet again when my turn
comes, I don't know when that will be.
Despite the real reason for the observance, it is somewhat distressing to me to
see just how far into commercialization our human nature has taken us. This is
particularly true given the heavy push, by certain opposition groups, to remove any
reference to the words GOD, JESUS, CHRIST, or even GOD bless you from being
displayed. Those of that mind set demand that their "freedom of speech" be protected
so that they can demean our faith while at the same time demanding that we be
censored and not allowed to speak our feelings, beliefs, and principles. One of the
worst, in my opinion, is the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) which
aggressively files law suits against even the display of Biblical passages, such as the
ten commandments, on any 'public property'. All this while, illegally in my opinion,
receiving funds from the Federal Government.
Thankfully, there are still corporations, mostly privately owned, who continue to
close on Sunday, the day most Christians choose for Sabbath. It would not bother me
for businesses owned by those of the Jewish or 'Seventh Day Advent' faiths to be
closed on Saturday, since that is their Sabbath. Or, owners could have employees
of the other faith to work on the owner's Sabbath, which would be my practice as a
shop owner.
In any case, the observance of Christmas is celebrated, even by non-Christians,
and is an important part of each and every year. I never have a problem remembering
which day of the week it occurres, since the same day of the week is also my birthday
as well as those of my No. 2 Son and Daughter and New Year's Day.
So, I wish each and every one who reads this, and the rest of the World, a most
Merry Christmas in this the 'Year Of Our LORD 2017". May the GOD I worship,
and his Son, JESUS, be with you from now through the coming year, 2018, and keep
you safe, healthy, and happily comforted into the future
END
Composed November 27, 2017
Robert W. McDowell, Jr. © 2017 841 Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken Arrow OK 74011-8608
Email: abdmdfpi@localnet.com