Pondering Christmas

Only a couple more days until we celebrate the most cherished holiday of the year! I've just come back from a trip down South, and I have to say how pleased I was to notice how many businesses did not take the "PC" way and shirk from offending by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. As we passed a big Pepsi-Cola plant, emblazoned on the front of the building was a huge Merry Christmas!. Along with the warmer temps and the sun, it was such a breath of fresh air. Christmas is typically a holiday of merriment and, when we think about it, of holy awe. As we prepare for the birth of our Savior, let us ponder on the significance of God's gift to us.

Migdal Edar*

When you picture the birth of Jesus Christ, what comes to mind? A cave converted into a stable? A manger, with Mary and Joseph looking at Jesus? Or maybe you imagine barnyard animals looking at the newborn baby? The Bible gives us some details concerning the birth of Jesus, but there are many things that we do not know, such as the location of the birth of Jesus. In this newsletter we would like to explore a possible location for the birth of Christ that we think you will find very interesting.

In our recent research we have identified Migdal Edar as a possible location for the place of Jesus' birth. Migdal Edar is located about two miles south of Jerusalem on the road to Bethlehem. The Bible clearly states that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but Bethlehem at the time of Jesus was larger and more spread out than modern day Bethlehem. Today Jerusalem and Bethlehem are separated by only six miles.

Migdal Edar means "tower of the flock".

You might ask, "What flock?" The answer would be the flock that produced the lambs for sacrifice in the Temple at Jerusalem. In light of Jewish Law, under which Jesus was born (Galatians 4:4-5), this place would have been considered a "clean" location in which to give birth to the Messiah.

It is also interesting to note that the shepherds were told to go to Bethlehem and there they would find the Messiah. The shepherds did not need to ask where in Bethlehem they would find the Child, for they knew about Migdal Edar (Luke 2:11). The "sign" given by the angels was that He would be lying in a manger and dressed in swaddling cloths (Luke 2:12).

During this time of year, we often ponder the events surrounding the coming of our Savior. Migdal Edar was dedicated to producing perfect lambs for the temple sacrifices. It is our reminder that Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, came to be the final sacrifice for our sins.

Wow. Even Jesus' birth heralded his death. As we celebrate Jesus' birthday this week, let us remember why He came. Our children are born because we love, and they are the result of that love. Jesus was born because we hate, and His death was the result of that hate. May His abundant love cover you in this year and the next. Merry Christmas!


*Taken from the most recent Grapevine Studies e-newsletter.

In the Grip of Grace or In the Hands of an Angry God?

We have been quick to label our America as a Christian nation. I'm not here to debate whether our founding fathers purposefully set out to create a Christian nation or not, but it seems we still like to think of ourselves as Christian. A Christian nation? Now? Really? Is it because statistically the majority of Americans claim to be Christians? Do we really believe our America is full of Christ-followers? Do you believe you are that different than those whose Christianity we question? I've been hearing a lot of negative things against the American church recently. Is it warranted? Do you feel we need a revival, a Christian awakening?

A friend of mine posted a sermon on her facebook page. After taking the time to listen to the audio/video message of Reverend Paul David Washer, I'm blown away by his accusations and his unforgiving proclamation of hard-hitting truth. After reading The Bravehearted Gospel with my book study group, I have come to recognize the bravehearted path. This man, I feel, has chosen the bravehearted path. Like a baton runner, he has taken the whip out of Jesus' hands and sprinted forward. In his "sinners-in-the-hands-of-an-angry-God"-style message, he delivers such a lashing to the American youth of our churches (as well as their leaders), one can only assume they walked away from this conference stunned...and supposedly he was never invited back to speak. It's a message I've heard teachers/preachers skirt around, one that's been posted on conservative Christian blogs, and one that rears its head every once in awhile among my circle of friends. BUT I have never heard it quite like this before. Listen to it now (be forewarned - it is long but worth the thought-provoking mental energy) and let me know your thoughts. Do you agree with him? Is he too alarmist? Do you believe his theology is accurate? What points do you disagree with?




Found at SermonAudio.com where you can read the transcript, listen to the audio or watch the video.