Baer Necessities 01 December, 2012

So I started off on my first run this morning, arguing with God. Let me clarify—I argued, He kept silent and waited for me to shut up long enough that He could point out to me my stupidity. Again.

“But this is not the actual season Your Son was born. Why do You allow it to be misrepresented?”

“Does it truly matter? Or is it better that they acknowledge His Birth and give Glory to Him?”

“Yeah, but…” I stopped. I know, and He knows, that any time I start a rebuttal with those two words, I’m off track and dead wrong. “All right. Nu?”

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

“Did I put a season on that?”

“Well, no…”

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

“Did I place a season on that?”

“No…but what about Luke, chapter 1, verses 26 and 27?”

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

“That specifies a season that she became with child. That would give us a time frame for His birth.” I hunkered down inside the cab of my truck, waiting for the lightning bolt. It didn’t strike. Instead, another verse entered my mind.

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Yeshua (Jesus) was referring directly to the children, but someone who is new in Christ can also be known as a baby.

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

What I believe to be the true season to celebrate His birth has naught to do with how another celebrates it. Neither way is right. Neither way is wrong. Neither way, when you get right down to it, has any bearing on either of us attaining salvation.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Nothing is written in that verse about believing in His proper date of birth—only that in believing in Him will we get everlasting life.

“Father, forgive me. I was wrong to presume to correct others at this time of year. Let them celebrate as they see fit. It’s not about me. It’s not about them. It’s about believing in Him to gain our salvation in You. I repent.”

Then, another verse came to mind.

Proverbs 21:1 ¶ The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

“Wait—what has this to do with—oh, no! You’re going there about my country’s leader again, aren’t you? You know how I feel about him!”

1 Timothy 2:1-3 ¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour…

“No! I don’t like him! I find his actions detestable! He’s evil! He’s a godless heathen! Smite him! Smite him now! Cast him into the Lake of Fire!”

“When I first called to you, you were a godless heathen. Did I smite you, and cast you into the Lake of Fire?”

“Yeah, but—oh, bother…”