The Mystery of Christmas
“Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25 KJV).
Mystery is the Greek word musterion (μυστηριου) and mean to close or shut. It was a common Greek word which in its classic use referred to the secrets imparted only to initiates in the famous ‘mystery cults’ of that day. In our modern vernacular “mystery” continues to imply something hidden, unknown, and even unknowable. In contrast, the New Testament uses musterion to describe truth previously hidden but now divinely revealed.
When Paul uses musterion he does so to describe a spiritual truth which has been long hidden but has been revealed to man by God in His time. The “mystery” Paul is referring to is the fact that God intends to unite both Jews and Gentiles into one body. In Eph. 3:6 we read, “That the gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel.”
Thus the “mystery” of Christmas is that God, in His great love for the world, has condescended to enter the human race. He who was Infinite became an infant. He who was Eternal, was born of a woman. God Almighty came into the world as the divine baby of God the Father and was suckled on the breast of His mother. From the dawn of time He was God and created and supported the universe. Yet, He humbled Himself, stepping down from His glory, power, and majesty to be supported and carried in His mother’s arms. He who is the Heir of all things, willingly endured the hatred of men. He emptied Himself. He became what we are that He might make us what He is.
Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)
Quotation of the Week
“He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute!”
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.)
Philosopher and Theologian
Word Study
Sent forth
In Galatians 4:4 we read, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (NASB).
Sent forth is the Greek word exapostello (εξαποστελλω). It is made up of two words: “ex” which means out, and “apostello” which refers to the act of one who sends another with a commission. Our word apostle comes from this word. In Heb. 3:1, the Lord Jesus is called “the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.” This means that the one sent is to represent the sender. He is his ambassador.
But not only was our Lord sent from the presence of the Father, the prefix ‘ex’ signifies He was sent out from His presence. The Lord Jesus was sent out from the ivory palaces of heaven into a world of sin and woe. Further, He became incarnate (born of a woman) through the virgin birth, and lived under the Mosaic Law. All of this was done to redeem us so that we could become sons of God.
Bible Facts
Luke sets his story of Jesus’ coming in an atmosphere of great rejoicing by the inclusion of some exquisite songs. These songs have come to form part of the church’s worship ever since (Luke 1:46-55, 68-79).
Bible Trivia
What did the innkeeper say to Mary and Joseph?
**Answer to last week’s trivia: How much younger was Jesus than his cousin John the Baptist? Six months (Luke 1:26-31)
That’s in the Bible
“Man of the house”
“And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with My disciples?” (Mark 14:14 KJV).
The expression, ‘man of the house,’ usually refers to the father of a family. However, it is becoming less and less applicable with today’s staggering divorce rate. Thus, in many homes today, there is no man of the house. And in those homes where there is a man, this person does not act like a father.
Jesus spoke of a certain house where He wanted His disciples to eat the Passover supper and called the owner the “goodman of the house.” Jesus implied that this man was the head of the house just as the Bible does in other passages where it calls the man the “master of the house” (Matt. 10:25; Mark 13:35; Luke 13:25). Some people fault the Bible for making gender distinctions. Yet, the Bible indeed state that there are certain roles for a wife and certain ones for a husband. However, we should realize that a husband and a wife are equals in God’s sight.
Did You Know – Christian History
Because they viewed Christmas as a decadent Catholic holiday, the Puritans in America banned all Christmas celebrations from 1659-1681 with a penalty of five shillings for each offense. Some Puritan leaders condemned those who favored Christmas as enemies of the Christian religion. In England, Puritan Oliver Cromwell outlawed Christmas celebrations and carols from 1649-1660. Cromwell thought that Christmas should be a very solemn day so he banned carols and parties. The only celebration was by a sermon and a prayer service.
Stories of Favorite Christmas Carols
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is one of the oldest Christmas carols still sung today. It contains many prophetic references and that is why it is used so often at Advent. The original author is unknown, but “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” was probably written before 800 A.D. It became known as the song of the “Great O’s” and contained seven verses in Latin which were sung or chanted one at a time on the seven days leading up to Christmas. The lyrics give a brief summary of the prophecies surrounding the birth of Christ, Emmanuel.
In the 1800’s, an Anglican priest named John Mason Neale came across this tune referred to as a Latin chant rather than a Christmas carol; he translated it into English. His first translation actually began, “Draw Nigh, Draw Nigh, Emmanuel.” Several years later, two of the seven verses were cut and the song we now sing became popular throughout Europe and America.
A Little Humor
NEWS FLASH! There will be no Christmas celebration in Washington, DC this year. Apparently they could not find three wise men.
Thought Provoking Church Sign
“Jesus: not a law-giver, a life-giver!”
