Know Your Bible
VOL. 6                           December 16, 2007                           NO. 47

The Christmas Story And

The Wise Men

 

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the land

Not a Bible was open in anyone's hand.

The story of Jesus is told again and again

But the truth of His birth is confused among men.

 

They tell of His birth in a place called a stable

His mother and father were not even able

To find a room at a place for him at an inn

So they settled for a manger to place the Lord in.

 

With shepherds around him and wise men there

The story of Jesus is told with small care

A star is above the stable so high

As the scene of His birth is told in a lie.

 

We read of a story much changed from this

From the words of men who tell it amiss.

They celebrate Christmas as if Christ is there

But never see what the scriptures lay bare.

 

The Lord was laid in a manger so soft

And the shepherds saw angels singing praises aloft

They came and found Mary and the child in that place

And gave praises to God for His wonderful grace.

 

But the wise men were not there nor ever would be

They saw the star in the East and made haste to see

The one who was born King of the Jews

The one who would bring such wonderful news.

 

They found the young child secure in a home

With Mary His mother and Joseph alone.

There were no shepherds as told by men

There was no manger nor ever had been.

 

They gave Him their gifts and they parted away

Warned by God to go home another way.

Herod came and killed all the males

In his anger and wrath he made Rachel wail.

 

The story is told in the Bible for all

To heed the true words and the gospel call.

It matters much what the story will say,

We must obey all of He who is the Way.

 

The apostle John wrote down in his book

That every man must take time to look

At what he may add to the words of this story

Or what he may take from the divine glory.

 

The story of His birth is one story alone

And man must not change one word or one tone.

God's word is true and will always stand

Through the passing of time and the shifting of sand.

 

Speak truth my friend and you will find

No other story and no other kind.

So wonderful and glorious as this story told

As the story of Jesus from the pages of old.

---Kent Heaton

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 A Christmas Story

    On December 25 a little boy was born in a stable in Bethlehem. Jesus was the little baby born that day. Jack Frost caused a blizzard that day and all the wise men, a few shepherds, Joseph, Mary, and Round John Virgin, along with the animals were gathered snugly into that same stable. A little drummer boy was tapping on his drum while his mother was cracking pecans with a nutcracker. The smell of cinnamon and eggnog filled the air. The sound of bells jingled as someone was putting some bells on a single horse and sleigh, getting ready to give the kids a fun ride in the snow. A reindeer was sniffing the little baby Jesus, and Jesus touched the reindeer's nose with his small, infant hand, and the reindeer's nose started glowing red.

    The three wise men (who were identified as Kris Kringle, Santa Claus, and Saint Nicholas) wondered how they would get back to the north pole, when suddenly Frosty the Snowman came in and announced that the reindeer could lead a team of reindeer into the air. Santa Claus hurriedly built a sled from some of the wood of Jesus' manger, gathered some of the toys they had brought to baby Jesus, and decided to share the toys with other children around the world.

    Every year on Jesus' birthday we continue to celebrate Jesus' birthday, the three wise men, Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and we dream of a white Christmas, even though it rarely snows in the south this time of year.

    Each year Santa Claus continues to ride his sleigh, lead by Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, and brings gifts to every good boy and girl. All the children are thankful that Jesus was born on Christmas day because they get lots of gifts. All the businesses are thankful for all the sales generated by Jesus' birth.

    Even to this day churches will display the manger scene of Jesus, his mother and so-called father, the three wise men, and some shepherds, and will sing that Jesus was born on Christmas day.

    If anything in the above story is wrong or inaccurate, there is no need to concern yourself with the facts. The main fact is that Jesus was born on December the 25th, and we should join with all the denominations in making this fact known at this time of year.

    So what if it is not entirely accurate! Who cares? If we can sing this to the world as "fact", then all the other "facts" mentioned above can be equally taken as "fact". If we are free to treat one thing as fact when it is really error, then we can treat all the other things as fact.

    So, if my brethren can sing that "Jesus was born on Christmas day", then we can tell the story just as it is told above. So, don't be a Scrooge. Tell the story just like it is above. Or, tell the world the truth that Jesus' birth has nothing to do with Dec.25, nothing to do with fantasy, and everything to do with reality in another time of the year.

    Separate truth from fiction, reality from fantasy. Enjoy the season of fantasy and family fun and sharing, but don't pretend that Jesus' birth has anything to do with this specific time of year. His birth, life, death, and resurrection are not things to celebrate in one season above another. He is a daily celebration. But, if we are free to promote the myth of Jesus' birth in December, then we can make up any story we would like. If not, why not? What would be wrong with telling the story just as it is told above?

---Terry W. Benton

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