Christmas

Remembering What Matters

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December 25 is celebrated by Christians around the world as the day that Christ was born. A diligent student of the Bible knows that it does not tell, anywhere within its pages, the exact day of Christ’s birth. A diligent study of the history of the world will show that the date December 25 is actually celebrated as the birthday of the pagan deity Tammuz, worshiped as a god. He has many names depending on the culture, but the date and the way his birth is celebrated is deeply rooted in paganism. So why do Christians celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Christ?

Likely it is because not many of us are diligent students of history. We don’t believe in paganism and the many varied gods and services and rituals that are worshiped and performed in that religion, and since we don’t believe, we dismiss paganism as a relic religion of the past. The pagan religion involved the worship of many things—trees, bunnies, chicks, stars, the sun, the moon, mountains, rivers, the earth and the sky. As Christians, should we then be concerned about having pictures of trees and mountains and rivers in our homes? Should we be concerned because we are fascinated by the stars in the sky and the things of the earth?

Perhaps our concern should not be so much about how Christmas came to be and more about the Christ who came.

“The 25th of December has long been commemorated as the day of Jesus’ birth, and … it is not my purpose to affirm or question the propriety of celebrating this event on this day, but to dwell upon the childhood and life of our Saviour … the humble manner in which the Redeemer came to the world. All heaven was interested in the great event of Christ’s advent to earth. Heavenly messengers came to make known the birth of the long-promised, long-expected Saviour to the humble shepherds who were watching their flocks by night on the plains of Bethlehem. The first manifestation that attracted the notice of the shepherds at the birth of the Saviour, was a radiant light in the starry heavens, which filled them with wonder and admiration. …

“The astonished shepherds could scarcely comprehend the precious message borne to them by the angels, and when the radiant light had passed away, they said one to another, ‘Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child’ (Luke 2:15–17). …

“What matchless love Jesus has manifested for a fallen world! If angels sang because the Saviour was born in Bethlehem, shall not our hearts echo the glad strain, Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men? Although we do not know the exact day of Christ’s birth, we would honor the sacred event. May the Lord forbid that anyone should be so narrow minded as to overlook the event because there is an uncertainty in regard to the exact time. Let us do what we can to fasten the minds of the children upon those things which are precious to everyone who loves Jesus. Let us teach them how Jesus came into the world to bring hope, comfort, peace, and happiness to all. … Let the hearts of all respond with exceeding joy for the priceless gift of the Son of God.” The Review and Herald, December 17, 1889

(For a more in-depth reading regarding Christmas and its pagan origins, see Marshall Grosboll’s article How to Celebrate Christmas, p. 2, in this issue.)

Story – The Widow’s Christmas

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Mrs. Mulford was a woman who doted on ruins. Nothing in the present was as beautiful as she had enjoyed in the past; and it seemed utterly impossible for her to imagine that there was anything in the future that could compensate her for the trials she had endured.

In her girlhood, Mrs. Mulford had been surrounded with the luxuries of life; and after her marriage her surroundings were but a trifle less magnificent. In such an air of luxury and ease, her children, were being reared when suddenly a great change came.

Mr. Mulford was a rash speculator, and on that memorable “Black Friday,” the idol he had worshiped, the god of gold, proved itself to be nothing but clay, and was as dust in his hands. He could not rally from the shock; pride, ambition, courage, were all annihilated, and Mrs. Mulford, to whom beggary seemed worse than death, could only mingle her tears with his in speechless agony.

The next morning Mrs. Mulford was a widow, and her children fatherless. A trifle the creditors allowed her was all she had to depend upon, the money she had inherited from her father having been swept away by the financial tornado.

She had taken a little place in the country, and with Arthur’s help, and Bridget’s, had really succeeded in making things look quite cozy and attractive.

“Sure ma’am,” says Bridget, in her homely attempts to comfort her mistress, who dragged herself about, “if you’d only smile once in a while ye’d be surprised at the comfort ye’d get!”

“Ah Bridget,” Mrs. Mulford replies, with a long-drawn sigh, “my smiling days are over. I try to be patient, but I cannot be cheerful.”

“Ah, but it’s the cheerful patience that brings the sunshine; and ye really shouldn’t grieve the children so.”

“Do they mind it, Bridget?”

“Sure, an’ they do! Master Arthur, bless the boy! says it’s just like a tomb where ye are; and Miss Minnie and Miss Maud have their little hearts nearly torn out of them.”

But Mrs. Mulford could not be easily beguiled from her sorrow, especially as she was obliged to rely on her needle to eke out the limited allowance, and every stitch she took was but an additional reminder of the depth to which she was reduced.

She had managed to exist through the Thanksgiving season, and Bridget had done her best to make it an occasion worthy to be remembered, by the children at least; and if it hadn’t been for that kitchen queen, I don’t see how the house could have held together.

She had always some amusing story to tell the children, something to excite their wonder or admiration, and every few days would surprise them with some fresh molasses delights.

Minnie and Maud rather enjoyed their poverty, as it allowed them more freedom and exemption from little rules that society enjoined. It was such fun to roll in the snow, and draw each other on the sled, without any caution in regard to the ruffles and frills that used to be such a torment and restraint to them.

Christmas was drawing near, and its approach filled Mrs. Mulford with uncontrollable despondency. It had been a happy season in her young days. Now it was all so changed! Even a moderate expenditure was not to be thought of, when it was so difficult to procure even the necessities of life, and she really wished the day was over, for she dreaded its arrival.

In the kitchen, all was animation and excitement. Minnie and Maud were down in a corner very busy over some mystery, in which Bridget was as much interested as they were themselves. Arthur bustled about from one room to another, always the active, cheery, hopeful boy, who kept everybody informed of what was going on in the outside world, and he, too, evidently had some weighty secret pressing against the buttons of his jacket.

Christmas Eve came. Mrs. Mulford was in the midst of a troubled dream, when shouts of “Merry Christmas!” rang through the house and awakened her to the reality of the day she so long had dreaded.

The children’s cloth bags were fairly bulging with little treasures they had created with their own hands. “Come Mother,” said Arthur, “you first; Bridget can hardly wait.”

“Oh no,” said the mother. “Maud should have the first chance,” and the child eagerly availed herself of the privilege.

It was astonishing what an amount of goodies rolled out of that bag. There was a nice pair of warm gloves to use in drawing the sled, or making snowballs, a new doll, and a book full of pictures. Minnie’s bag was quite as bountifully stocked. Arthur had filled his own bag with all sorts of odds and ends to increase the excitement. Bridget unloaded her collection of treasures, pulling out a potato labeled, “The last of the Murphys! May they always be first in the field!”

When Mrs. Mulford was finally induced to examine the contents of her bag, the children gathered around anxiously watching the proceedings. There was a pair of nice brackets for hanging outside, which Arthur had cut out with a pen knife, and as she took up each article that had been wrought by loving little fingers, the worsted pulse-warmers, the pretty mats and tidies, she felt that it was indeed possible for love to build upon the old ruins a beautiful palace for the heart to dwell in.

“Forgive me my dear children,” she exclaimed, embracing them each in turn. “We will begin the world anew. I have been a weak woman.”

“It’s been a heavy cross ye had, but we’re all going to help carry it.”

“And Mother,” broke in Arthur, “I’ve gotten a job in a grocery store! It isn’t much, but I’ll learn the business, and then I can take care of you.”

What a Christmas breakfast they had! Bridget had made delicious waffles, and everything was super excellent, but it was the guest that sat at the board with them that made it a feast to be remembered. While they were at the table, there was a sudden, sharp knock at the door that startled all the inhabitants.

Arthur admitted the gentleman, so swathed in an immense scarf about the neck and chin as to leave one in doubt as to whether he was friend or foe.

“Well, well,” said the stranger, divesting himself of his wraps. “Where’s Carrie? Where’s Carrie Wharton, my niece? She was Carrie Wharton, married Ned Mulford, and a long tramp I’ve had to find her.” Saying which, he entered the room where Mrs. Mulford and her children were sitting.

“Carrie!” said the stranger in eager tones, advancing toward Mrs. Mulford, who having a bewildered moment, then a flash of recognition.

“Uncle Nathan!”

“Yes, dear child! Would I could have got to you sooner. I felt I was growing old and had a hankering after a home to die in, and always the face of my little niece, Carrie, seemed to give me the heartiest welcome. Why, I had hard work finding out anything about Ned Mulford, or Ned Mulford’s widow.”

“It’s because of our poverty,” sighed the widow.

“Money don’t make a home, I know that well enough, for I’ve seen it tried. It’s the way of the world. But no matter, we’ll begin anew. Arthur, what are your plans?”

“I was going into Mr. Chase’s grocery the first of January.”

“Do you want to?”

“No, sir,” replied Arthur, “but I’d like to help Mother.”

“You’ve done your duty. But my opinion is you’d rather go to college than into a grocery.”

“Oh sir!” hoping the flush on his face was not to be misunderstood.

“College it is, then. Carrie, you are to be my housekeeper; these are my little girls,” clasping the children in a hearty embrace.

The Christmas dinner was a marvel of cookery, and Uncle Nathan enlivened the meal with accounts of his adventures.

“And this was the Christmas I had dreaded,” said Mrs. Mulford, as she retired to her room. Her pride was truly humbled by this manifestation of God’s goodness, and long and earnestly she prayed that henceforth, whatever trials might come upon her, she might bear the burden with cheerful patience, trusting in God to lead her through the shadows into the sunshine of a more perfect day. And in years after, no memory was more precious to her than that of a Christmas morning when the children taught her a lesson of unselfishness and duty.

Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle, Vol. 1, ©1877, 358–372.

Commemorating the Birth of Christ

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The question has been asked many times, “How should a Christian celebrate Christmas?”

Is it right to celebrate Christmas? Does Christmas fit into the life of the Christian?

We hear a lot at this time of year that Christmas is Christ’s birthday. We sing songs about it: The Birthday of the King, Away in a Manager, Silent Night, The First Noel. That’s why Christians celebrate the holiday, isn’t it? Christ was born on December 25. Or was He? There is nothing in the Bible that says when Jesus was born. In fact, God intentionally did not reveal that date to us.

God hid the burial place of Moses because He knew that the Jews would make it a shrine, and would worship there, and teach all their subsequent generations to worship there. You would find all kinds of paraphernalia representing miracles done by the wonderful healing power that would come through Moses. God did not want us to make a sacrilege of the day Christ was born any more than He did Moses’ burial place, so He hid them both.

There are some things we do know that might help us pinpoint when Christ was born or when He wasn’t. The seasons in Palestine are very similar to ours here in the United States. Summers are dry, windy, and hot during the five-month period from May through October, with temperatures ranging between 84 and the mid-90s. Winter occurs from December through March, December and January being the coldest months, characterized by severe cold and humidity, with temperatures ranging between 38 and 50 degrees given the time of day. It rarely snows, but does rain with an average rainfall of 27 inches. So the weather tells us that 2,000 years ago it was very unlikely that there were “shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night” on December 25. [Source: 5 Things to Know About Winter in Palestine – (https://excellencenter.org/5-things-to-know-about-winter-in-palestine/); Summer & Winter in Palestine (https://traveltips.usatoday.com/summer-winter-palestine-104225.html)]

So, where does the Christmas celebration of Christ’s birth on December 25 come from? Christmas comes to us from paganism. In every sun-worshiping religion, in whatever country the religion exists, the people worship a sun god, be it Baal, Nimrod, Isis, or Tammuz, and near the winter solstice was the time that these sun gods are believed to have been born. Tammuz, for example, is said to have been born around the time of the winter solstice, December 21 or 22, the time of year when the sun sinks lowest in the sky, and the days grow shorter. Sun worshipers believe in some special magic that keeps the sun returning every day, otherwise it would sink below the horizon and disappear forever, leaving the world cold and lost in darkness. This led them to believe that their sun god was born on the shortest day of the year and that he gradually gained strength over the subsequent months.

Some will ask that if the winter solstice is December 21 through 22, then how did they come to worship their sun god on December 25? Satan creates a counterfeit for everything that is of God and all that He creates. Satan knew the prophecy of a coming Messiah, so I believe he counterfeited that event before it happened to cause people to disparage Christianity.

For instance, Tammuz was supposedly born by way of virgin birth. Ishtar was his mother and she, it was believed, conceived during the spring equinox (Ishtar/Easter). Nine months later, Tammuz was born. They use the term nativity of the sun god in the same way Christians use the nativity of Christ.

Many things of God’s creation have been drafted by Satan into pagan worship, most commonly, of course, the sun, moon, and stars. Jeremiah 10:2 says, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of the heavens, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them.’ ” This scripture seems to show that paganism and the worship of the things in the heavens (astrology) existed a long time before Christ was born.

What about the trees, decorated with bulbs and flashing lights, that we see everywhere at Christmas time? In northern Europe, the traditional evergreen was used, and that tradition was brought over to America. In other countries it might be a palm tree or an oak.

“For the customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple.” Verses 3, 4

Jeremiah tells us not to learn the way of the Gentiles, so why do Seventh-day Adventists have Christmas trees in their churches and homes, and why do they celebrate December 25? Is it possible, at this time of year, for us as Seventh-day Adventist Christians to recognize that Christ was born as a man to be the Saviour of the world?

Inspiration has quite a bit to say on the subject of Christmas. In The Review and Herald, December 9, 1884, Mrs. White wrote:

“Christmas is coming, May you all have wisdom to make it a precious season.”

Interesting. Didn’t Mrs. White know that Christmas was not Jesus’ birthday? How could she not know it is of pagan origin? Listen to the next statements.

“I entreat you, my brethren and sisters, to make this coming Christmas a blessing to yourselves and others.” Ibid.

How can something pagan be made a blessing? Let’s read a very clear statement proving that Mrs. White did know that December 25 was most certainly not the day of Christ’s birth.

“ ‘Christmas is coming,’ is the note that is sounded throughout our world from east to west and from north to south. … But what is Christmas, that it should demand so much attention? This day has been made much of for centuries. It is accepted by the unbelieving world, and by the Christian world generally, as the day on which Christ was born. …

“The twenty-fifth of December is supposed to be the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, and its observance has become customary and popular. But yet there is no certainty that we are keeping the veritable day of our Saviour’s birth. History gives us no certain assurance of this. The Bible does not give us the precise time.” Ibid.

This statement references back to what we stated above, that being how and why God hid the burial place of Moses and the actual date on which Christ was born, and it clearly shows that Mrs. White did know that December 25 was not the day of Christ’s birth. But associated statements also show that Mrs. White did not condemn certain ways of observing the Christmas season.

“God would be well pleased if on Christmas each church would have a Christmas tree on which shall be hung offerings, great and small, for these houses of worship. …There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen, and placing it in our churches; but the sin lies in the motive which prompts to action, and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree.” Ibid., December 11, 1879

“Let not the parents take the position that an evergreen placed in the church for the amusement of the Sabbath School scholars is a sin.” Ibid., December 9, 1884

The Bible has always been our foundation of faith, so the Spirit of Prophecy must be tested against the Bible. I have studied this subject from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, and I simply do not find that Mrs. White contradicts what the Bible says concerning the birth of Christ.

There are many people who are not willing to accept what the Bible says, and there are just as many more who want to go beyond what it says. As a student of the Bible, I want to challenge you, before going any further, to lay aside any preconceived ideas you may have on this subject, so that we will have a clear mind to see what God says we should or should not do.

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul is not writing about Christmas, but he is writing about pagan customs. Let’s see what he has to say in verses 4–6:

“Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.”

The pagans would offer food to their idols before they would eat it, and after it was blessed by the idol, they believed that the idol had imparted special properties to the food. There were many Christians in Paul’s day who argued that because Paul ate things offered to idols, he was following pagan customs and therefore, was really pagan.

Paul is saying that you don’t need to ask whether the food has been offered to idols. He says to just eat the food because idols can have no effect on it. If you ask, and the food has been offered to idols, and you still eat the food, then you will become a stumbling block for those who believe in the power of their idols. If someone tells you that the food has been offered to idols, then do not eat it.

Interesting counsel, isn’t it? Paul is saying there is only one God, and the gods of paganism have no power over the food, before or afterward. So, can pagan custom desecrate food? No. But we must be sensitive to the beliefs of others.

Now, can paganism desecrate a day or a tree?

Again, Paul doesn’t write regarding Christmas, but we find in Romans 14:4–6 that he does write regarding holidays.

“Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.”

Paul is not talking about the Sabbath, the day of God’s rest, the day that God esteems most. He was referring to man-made holidays, and of course, Jewish holidays that were no longer consecrated by God. While Paul still kept the Passover, he recognized that it no longer had religious significance. He said that Jesus had become our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Passover and the Day of Atonement, called sabbaths in the Jewish economy, were a shadow of things to come, and done away with at the cross.

Only God can make something holy. This He did when He instituted the Sabbath day at Creation, and does when a man or woman surrenders their will and life to Him. But man, try as he might, cannot make anything holy that God says is unholy, nor can he make something unholy that God has made holy. Man can use something unholy in a holy way or something holy in an unholy way, but that doesn’t change whether it is holy or unholy according to God.

So Paul is saying that the pagan worship and use of food, a tree or flower, or even a day, does not ruin these things for use in other ways. Why? Because as the Bible tells us, what God says is good, is good. Everything that God created was pronounced good, and the Sabbath day was blessed and sanctified by Him. Nothing man can do will change the fact that God made the seventh-day Sabbath His holy day.

Anything outside of God’s creation, anything that is not expressed in or supported by the Bible, is simply a perverted deception wrought by the devil, who seduces man to use what belongs to God in a distorted and evil way, causing him to break God’s commandments. And these unholy traditions and doctrines are handed down generation after generation in religions and churches all over the world, until the pure truth of God’s word has been all but obliterated. But is it always wrong to have traditions and customs of any kind? Matthew 15:3 says, “Why do you also transgress the commandments of God because of your tradition?”

What did Jesus say in this text is wrong with tradition? Man chooses his own traditions and devisings over God’s law. Tradition too often causes us to break God’s commandments. This is why we say so many traditions are bad—they go directly against God’s word.

Let’s look at an example of an acceptable tradition in driving. Here in the United States, we drive on the right-hand side of the road, but in other places around the world, people drive on the left-hand side. There’s nothing wrong with driving on the right side or the left side of the road.  You must drive on one side or the other. There are many other traditions, some may even be associated with pagan religion, that may not seem bad, but they become bad when they transgress God’s commandments.

The observance of December 25 as Christ’s birthday is clearly rooted in paganism. And what about keeping Sunday as the weekly day of worship? We can see that this, too, is rooted in paganism because the pagans, as sun worshipers, worshiped on Sunday. Over the centuries, as more and more pagan traditions and rituals were adopted into Christianity, the Christian day of worship was changed from the seventh day to the first day. Let’s be clear, God has ever only had one day that He Himself blessed and sanctified as His holy Sabbath. God, who does not change, has never changed—nor has He given man the authority to change—the seventh-day Sabbath to any other day. Yet, man changed the day of worship, on his own assumed authority, to Sunday because, he said, Christ rose from the grave on that day.

It is interesting that many Christians today strongly speak out regarding the pagan origins of December 25 as the birthday of Christ, which comes only once a year, and yet each week they worship on Sunday, the day of the sun in pagan worship, directly contrary to the seventh-day Sabbath of the Bible. You see, the Bible says nothing about Christmas, but it says a lot about sun worship, Sunday worship, and Sabbath worship.

It is important that we are careful in our interpretation of the Scriptures. Our pre-conceived ideas can lead us to incorrectly interpret or even manipulate Bible verses to say what we want them to say or support what we believe, whether it is truth or not.

We must be extremely careful with the way we use Scripture. We must never say, “If I look hard enough, maybe I can find texts that will prove what I believe.” We are to follow the teachings of the Bible as revealed to our submissive minds, not believe something and attempt to use the Bible to prove it. Because the amazing thing is, often if you manipulate the context just so, it can cause people to think that a particular text justifies an erroneous idea.

This has occurred in regard to worshiping on the first day of the week. With a couple of New Testament scriptures taken out of context, you have the basis for the centuries-long support that changed the Sabbath day from the seventh day to the first. We must be careful to follow everything that God says, and be even more careful not to mix in our own human ideas.

As I have studied the subject of Christmas, I have found that Ellen White has the most biblical approach to it. “If Christmas is kept at all, it should be kept in a way that will be in harmony with its significance. Christ should be remembered, His name honored; the old, old story of His love should be recounted. Instead of saying by our actions that we are putting Christ out of our minds and hearts, we should testify to men, to angels, and to God, that we remember our Redeemer, by following His example of self-sacrifice for others’ good.” The Review and Herald, December 9, 1890

More and more these days, the people of the world, including Christians, feel little or no need to think about Jesus or about those who live around them. Our own thoughts should ever be on Him and His marvelous work on our behalf, and then we should take every opportunity to turn the thoughts of others to Him.

The world says that in its observance of Christmas, it is celebrating the birth of Christ, but in the celebration, we see little of the true reason for this season. The world needs to be shown Christ. They need to be encouraged to think about and believe in Him. He must be uplifted in our own thoughts so that we can uplift Him to those around us.

Sadly, the world invokes the name of Jesus, but the Christmas season is celebrated by man for man. We make lists. We talk about what we want. We enjoy the bright lights and beautifully decorated trees. On Christmas morning, the morning supposedly on which Christ was born, instead of offering to Him the gift of our life, we are anxiously opening the beautifully wrapped presents we have given and received.

Our thoughts are not on the Sacrifice that was made to save us from eternal death, or on the pain and humiliation He suffered on our behalf, nor on the great love that compelled Him to come. There are few thoughts for those who are hungry, homeless, sick, and alone, both physically and spiritually. This day instead has become one of gluttony and a waste of God’s money for frivolous worldly things to give to each other.

As God’s people, we must think of others above ourselves. Christmas, pagan though it may be, is the one time in all the year that hearts are most open to receive the truth of Jesus’ birth and life, and ultimately His death, resurrection, and the current work He is doing on our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary. If we would make Christmas a blessing, then we need to know how to do it and prepare to do it.

“There is no divine sanctity resting upon the twenty-fifth of December; and it is not pleasing to God that anything that concerns the salvation of man through the infinite sacrifice made for them, should be so sadly perverted from its professed design. Christ should be the supreme object … .” Ibid., December 9, 1884

It was God’s design for man to worship Christ especially on the Sabbath, but to also give thanks and praise to Him every day. Designating December 25 as the day Christ was born is man’s doing. We must stridently endeavor to make it a time to honor and glorify what heaven has done for us and not taint it with selfishness.

“Christ should be the supreme object; but as Christmas has been observed, the glory has turned from Him to mortal man, whose sinful, defective character made it necessary for Him to come to our world.” Ibid.

“Let those who desire a Christmas tree make its boughs fruitful gifts for the needy, and offerings for the treasury of God.” Ibid., December 26, 1882.

Do you see in this quote anything about gifts for ourselves? Our gifts should be for those living in poverty all around us or sent to help missionaries spread the good news of salvation.

“There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen, and placing it in our churches; but the sin lies in the motive which prompts to action, and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree.” Ibid, December 11, 1879

Are we thinking of self, or are we thinking of others? 

“The tree may be as tall and its branches as wide as shall best suit the occasion; but let its boughs be laden with the golden and silver fruit of your beneficence, and present this to Him as your Christmas gift. Let your donations be sanctified by prayer.” The Adventist Home, 482

 “While urging upon all the duty of first bringing their gifts to God, I would not wholly condemn the practice of making Christmas and New Year’s gifts to our friends. It is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best friend. We should make our gifts such as would prove a real benefit to the receiver.” The Review and Herald, December 26, 1882

We should not waste a single cent on something needless or frivolous. But after making God first in our giving, in our plans and affections, because we are to love Him with all our heart, then we can give gifts that are practical and useful, something that will bring us closer to God and to each other. We need the ties of love and affection with both our family at home and our church family.

To make the Christmas season, even Christmas day, a blessing, we should remember that we have a responsibility to share with the world the gospel, the blessed news of a Messiah, who left heaven and came to this world, born as a man, so that all of mankind, sinful as we are, could be saved. It is our duty under God to remember the poor and God’s work all around the world, and to be willing to sacrifice for them. For this reason Jesus came as a babe and this is what should fill our hearts at this time of the year.

Some people will say that they are tired of giving so much to God’s work. They’ve heard appeal after appeal and have given a lot. Why should they do more?

Well, here is a question for these individuals: If you are tired of giving to God, are you also tired of receiving from Him? We hear a lot of “I’m tired of giving,” but I don’t recall ever hearing anyone say they are tired of God giving them so much—a roof over their head, food on the table, a job, wealth, family, friends, safety—and that they just wish He’d quit giving them things.

Are you tired of receiving from God? By the death of Christ, God gives us life and health and eternal life. If we gain the whole world and lose our own soul, what will it profit us? And God, in His mercy and love for us, calls for our means that we may take our eyes and desire from where we are and place them on where we are going.

This year, this Christmas, let us give God the best gift we can give Him. We can and should give Him our money and time, but what He really wants is our hearts. He loves us and ransomed us, and as we give Him our earthly temporal life, He in turn gives us His eternal one.

Pastor Marshall Grosboll, with his wife Lillian, founded Steps to Life. In July 1991, Pastor Marshall and his family met with tragedy as they were returning home from a camp meeting in Washington state, when the airplane he was piloting went down, killing all on board.

Keys to the Storehouse – Giving and Remembrance

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For Christians, the Christmas season should be about giving and remembering. Remembering God’s ultimate gift—His Son, and Jesus’ ultimate gift—His life; both are necessary that the gift of salvation might be available to the people of the world.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16, 17

“What love, what wonderful love, was displayed by the Son of God! The death we deserved was suffered to come upon Him that immortality might be given to us, who could never merit such a reward. Is not salvation great in its simplicity and wonderful in its comprehensiveness? … The plan of redemption provides for every emergency and for every want of the soul.” In Heavenly Places, 37

As we listen to the beautiful music, gaze at the pretty lights, thrill as we wrap and unwrap gifts in festive paper and bright ribbons and bows, let us not forget the true meaning and reason that we celebrate at this time of year.

We should remember all through the year that Jesus left heaven to be born as a babe, to live His life so that He could bring men and women to the Father, and then to die, to pay a price we could not pay. But most of the world, even those who claim to be Christian, celebrate the birth of Christ in December. That makes this time of year an exceptional opportunity to witness to a world that may be just a little more open to hearing about Jesus and what He has done for us.

“ ‘Christmas is coming,’ is the note that is sounded throughout our world from east to west and from north to south. … But what is Christmas that it should demand so much attention? …

“It is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best Friend. We should make our gifts such as will prove a real benefit to the receiver. …

“Let the presents you shall make be of that order which will shed beams of light upon the pathway to heaven. …

“Brethren and sisters, while you are devising gifts for one another, I would remind you of our heavenly Friend, lest you should be unmindful of His claims. Will He not be pleased if we show that we have not forgotten Him? Jesus, the Prince of life, gave all to bring salvation within our reach.” The Adventist Home, 477–480

“If Christmas is kept at all, it should be kept in a way that will be in harmony with its significance. Christ should be remembered, His name honored; the old, old story of His love should be recounted. Instead of saying by our actions that we are putting Christ out of our minds and hearts, we should testify to men, to angels, and to God, that we remember our Redeemer, by following His example of self-sacrifice for others’ good.” The Review and Herald, December 9, 1890 [Emphasis supplied.]

Lord, at this time especially, may we joyously tell the world of Your blessed birth and willing sacrifice to save mankind. May our lives reflect Your character every day of the year so that men and women can see Your love and mercy for them.

Children’s Story – Three Gifts

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Three beautiful Christmas gifts were given to a baby boy, nearly two thousand years ago. He was just a little baby, and He was in a stable.

I’m sure you think that a stable is an odd place for a little baby to be, so I’ll tell you why this baby was in a stable.

His parents were away from home. They were at a town called Bethlehem. There was no room for them in the hotel, so they had to find lodging somewhere else. They looked here and there, but the only place they could find was a corner in a stable. There they had to stay for several days.

This baby boy’s gifts were carried to Him by some grown-up men. They were wise men. The wise men traveled a long, long way to get to Bethlehem. They had never seen the little Child, and they did not know just where He was; but they were led to Him by a bright star.

And they knew that the baby boy was a king!

As they went along the road, they could not always see the star. Once in a while they would ask somebody where the little King was. They would say:

“Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship Him.”

But for a long time, nobody could tell them where the baby King was located.

After a while they came to a city that is only five or six miles from Bethlehem. There they stopped and asked the question again:

“Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship Him.”

And somebody said, “In Bethlehem.”

Then the wise men set out for Bethlehem; and as soon as they did that, they saw the star again. It showed them just where to go.

When the wise men saw the baby King, they bowed down low before Him, and worshiped Him. Then they gave Him the three gifts that they had brought for Him.

And what do you think those three gifts were?

One was gold. I do not know how much gold there was in the gift, or just what the shape of it was; but it was gold – beautiful, precious, shining gold.

Another gift was frankincense. This is something that has a very sweet odor; it is also very precious – perhaps just as precious as gold.

The third gift was myrrh. Myrrh also has a sweet odor and it is a good medicine. It is good to heal sick people and help make them well.

All these gifts were very precious. They were just the kinds of gifts for a king. The wise men brought them to little King Jesus.

History Stories for Children, John W. Wayland, ©1991, 95–97.

The Perfect Gift

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“The holiday season is fast approaching with its interchange of gifts, and old and young are intently studying what they can bestow upon their friends as a token of affectionate remembrance. It is pleasant to receive a gift, however small, from those we love. It is an assurance that we are not forgotten, and seems to bind us to them a little closer. . . . It is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance . . . .” The Adventist Home, 478.

“Do you have all your shopping done yet?” This question is often used as a greeting to our friends during the holiday time of the year. Even strangers ask strangers this question as they endure long cashier checkout lines. More often than not the answer is an agonized No!

There are some people for whom it is very hard to make the right gift selection. You have no idea what they need or want. You have no clue what their size or color preference might be. Perhaps the recipient is picky, or when you have decided, after days of struggle, on just the right present, you discover they have purchased the item for themselves. The biggest challenge in gift buying is purchasing for the person who seems to be in need of nothing; they have every necessity and imaginable gadget anyone could desire. But God knows exactly what each person needs.

Gift of the Saviour

If ever there was a gift where “everybody needs one,” “one size fits all,” or “you cannot do without it,” this is it! This Promised Gift became a need when, in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve chose to believe the smooth enticements of the serpent rather than the life-giving instructions of their Father.

“Plain and specific prophecies had been given regarding the appearance of the Promised One. To Adam was given an assurance of the coming of the Redeemer. The sentence pronounced on Satan, ‘I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel’ (Genesis 3:15), was to our first parents a promise of the redemption to be wrought out through Christ.” The Acts of the Apostles, 222.

God did not hold the human race in suspense as to when the Promised Gift would be given. He revealed the time: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Galations 4:4. “When the fullness of time was come, He sent forth His Son. The One appointed in the councils of heaven came to this earth as man’s instructor. The rich benevolence of God gave Him to our world, and to meet the necessities of human nature He took humanity upon Himself. To the astonishment of the heavenly host the eternal Word came to this world as a helpless babe. Fully prepared, He left the royal courts and mysteriously allied Himself with fallen human beings. ‘The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.’ John 1:14.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 259.

Can any of you who are parents comprehend giving your only son to people who, for the most part, do not have an interest in him? That is exactly what God did for us: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son . . . .” John 3:16. Imagine giving to someone an item that is very precious to you, that you have sacrificed greatly to give, and they put it away on a closet shelf and forget about it! “The priests . . . of Israel had been given the privilege of receiving Christ as their Saviour, without money and without price. But they refused the precious gift offered them in the most tender spirit of constraining love.” The Desire of Ages, 564.

“It is your Creator who has poured out to you all heaven in one wondrous gift,—His only-begotten Son. . . .” Counsels on Stewardship, 46.

You may have heard the phrase, “The gift that goes on giving.” That definitely describes what happens when the gift of the Saviour is given and accepted!

Gift of Salvation

After telling of the incomprehensible gift God gave, John 3:16 continues: “. . . that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

It is the desire of God’s heart to continue to give, especially to those individuals who accept the gift of His Son. Even to those who do not at first appreciate and accept the gift of His Son, He continues to offer the Gift—just as human parents desire to give special things to their children and continue to sacrificially offer gifts, even when their offerings are scorned and rejected. “The great gift of salvation has been placed within our reach at an infinite cost to the Father and the Son. To neglect salvation, is to neglect the knowledge of the Father and of the Son whom God hath sent in order that man might become a partaker of the divine nature, and thus, with Christ, an heir of all things. A neglect to lay hold of the priceless treasure of salvation, means the eternal ruin of your soul. The peril of indifference to God and neglect of his gift, is measured by the greatness of salvation. God has done to the uttermost of his almighty power. The resources of infinite love have been exhausted in devising and executing the plan of redemption for man. God has revealed his character in the goodness, the mercy, compassion, and love manifested to save a race of guilty rebels.” Review and Herald, March 10, 1891.

“The paternal character of God is revealed in his holy law, proving him to be full of mercy, goodness, and truth. God has manifested unparalleled love in giving his beloved Son to die for fallen man; but men have not appreciated this love, and have refused the gift of salvation. How patiently God has borne with sinners, and will still bear with them till the measure of ingratitude and iniquity is full, and the world is ripe for judgment and wrath.” Ibid., September 3, 1889.

He does not, however, want the action of acceptance to be based purely on the desire of future reward. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9.

“The sinner views the spirituality of the law of God and its eternal obligations. He sees the love of God in providing a substitute and surety for guilty man, and that substitute is One equal with God. This display of grace in the gift of salvation to the world fills the sinner with amazement. This love of God to man breaks every barrier down. He comes to the cross, which has been placed midway between divinity and humanity, and repents of his sins of transgression, because Christ has been drawing him to Himself. He does not expect the law to cleanse him from sin, for there is no pardoning quality in the law to save the transgressors of the law. He looks to the atoning Sacrifice as his only hope, through repentance toward God—because the laws of His government have been broken—and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ as the One who can save and cleanse the sinner from every transgression.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 194.

“The gift of God is eternal life. The Lord desires all who receive His grace to trust entirely in Him. He calls upon us to exercise pure, simple faith, trusting in Him, without a question as to what recompense we shall receive. We are to work heartily in His service, showing that we have perfect confidence that He will judge righteously.” Lift Him Up, 343.

“The faith in Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. ‘Believe, believe,’ is their cry; ‘only believe in Christ, and you will be saved. It is all you have to do.’ While true faith trusts wholly in Christ for salvation, it will lead to perfect conformity to the law of God. Faith is manifested by works. And the apostle John declares, ‘He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.’ [1 John 2:4.]” Review and Herald, October 5, 1886.

Gift of the Holy Spirit

As we accept the gift of the Saviour and, subsequently, the gift of salvation, our loving Father has promised yet another gift: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” “But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:16–18, 26.

God desires to give this Gift to us that we, like Christ, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, may be prepared for the coming conflict. (See Counsels on Diet and Foods, 153.) Instruction is given to us from the pen of inspiration on how we are to prepare for this Gift. We “should uplift the standard of temperance from a Christian point of view, showing that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and bringing to the minds of the people the responsibility resting upon them as God’s purchased possession to make mind and body a holy temple, fit for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 75. We are to control our appetites and passions so we “have a sound physical constitution, and mental and spiritual strength,” ready to accept the indwelling Spirit. Conflict and Courage, 271.

Other character weaknesses must be overcome as well. “The Holy Spirit does not abide in the heart of him who is peevish if others do not agree with his ideas and plans. From the lips of such a man there come scathing remarks, which grieve the Spirit away, and develop attributes that are satanic rather than divine. The Lord desires those connected with His work to speak at all times with the meekness of Christ. If you are provoked, do not become impatient. Manifest the gentleness of which Christ has given us an example in His life. . . .” Counsels on Stewardship, 115.

“Every individual must realize his own necessity. The heart must be emptied of every defilement, and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit. It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now. . . .” The Faith I Live By, 333.

As the Holy Spirit dwells within, additional gifts will be shared: “To hearts that have become purified through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, all is changed. These can know God.” Reflecting Christ, 378.

“We do not see Christ and speak to Him, but His Holy Spirit is just as near us in one place as in another. It works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of the Spirit reveal the fruits [gifts] of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” The Faith I Live By, 57.

“The talents that Christ entrusts to His church represent especially the gifts and blessings imparted by the Holy Spirit. ‘To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.’ 1 Corinthians 12:8–11. All men do not receive the same gifts, but to every servant of the Master some gift of the Spirit is promised.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 327.

Gift of Grace

The last precious gift God gives to us that we will address in this article is the gift of grace. ” ‘Unto every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ,’ the Spirit ‘dividing to every man severally as He will.’ Ephesians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 12:11. The gifts are already ours in Christ, but their actual possession depends upon our reception of the Spirit of God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 327.

“The Lord saw our fallen condition; He saw our need of grace, and because He loved our souls, He has given us grace and peace. Grace means favor to one who is undeserving, to one who is lost. The fact that we are sinners, instead of shutting us away from the mercy and love of God, makes the exercise of His love to us a positive necessity in order that we may be saved.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 347.

“In the matchless gift of His son, God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live, and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.” God’s Amazing Grace, 238.

What do You do with a Gift?

Every parent has had the experience of searching for some special gift for their child and then, after all their effort, seeing the child spend more time playing with the box the gift came in than with the gift itself. The feeling you have at that time approximates the feeling God must have about the attitudes some of His children display towards the gifts He gives. What should our attitude be to God?

Express Gratitude

We should first express our gratitude. “Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15. How we appreciate receiving a note of thanks for a gift we have given! Our feelings toward the gift recipient become more tender, and we look forward to the pleasure of bestowing more gifts upon them. But, how disappointed we become when we do not receive an acknowledgement of our carefully selected gift. Since we are created in the image of God, it would seem feasible that He experiences the same feelings from our reactions to His gifts.

“The thought that Christ died to obtain for us the gift of everlasting life, is enough to call forth from our hearts the most sincere and fervent gratitude, and from our lips the most enthusiastic praise.” Sons and Daughters of God, 238.

“Before angels and men we should reveal our gratitude for what he has done for us.” Review and Herald, September 12, 1899.

Use It

It is a pleasure to us to see a gift we have given being utilized. It makes us happy to know that it is benefiting the receiver. It gives God pleasure when we use His gifts.

“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” 1 Timothy 4:14.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 1:12–14.

“As stewards of the grace of God, . . . It means much, very much to us to be strengthened by His rich grace day by day, to be enabled to understand His will, to be found faithful in that which is least as well as in that which is great. When this is our experience, the service of Christ will be a reality to us. God demands this of us, and before angels and men we should reveal our gratitude for what he has done for us.” Counsels on Stewardship, 111.

“The work of labor for the salvation of souls does not rest alone upon the delegated minister, but that to every man God had given his work. The Lord’s work is to be carried forward by the living members of Christ’s body, and in the great divine appointment of God each one is to be educated to act a part in the conversion of souls. He has enlisted in the army of the Lord, not for ease, not to study his own amusement, but to endure hardships as a faithful soldier of the cross of Christ. Every private must act his part, be vigilant, be courageous, be true.” This Day With God, 368.

Share It

A gift brings even more enjoyment and fulfillment when it is shared. “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:6, 7.

“There are some who are liberal with their gifts, and these gifts call forth the grateful praise of those who through them are given a knowledge of the gospel. The givers become the subject of the prayers of those who receive the benefit of the offerings made.” Pacific Union Recorder, November 14, 1907.

“As the plan of redemption begins and ends with a gift, so it is to be carried forward. The same spirit of sacrifice which purchased salvation for us will dwell in the hearts of all who become partakers of the heavenly gift. Says the apostle Peter: ‘As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.’ Said Jesus to His disciples as He sent them forth: ‘Freely ye have received, freely give.’ In him who is fully in sympathy with Christ there can be nothing selfish or exclusive. He who drinks of the living water will find that it is ‘in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ [John 4:14.] The Spirit of Christ within him is like a spring welling up in the desert, flowing to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish, eager to drink of the water of life.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 730.

As you review your gift list this holiday season, consider sharing the Perfect Gift. Ellen White advises that “We should make our gifts such as will prove a real benefit to the receiver. I would recommend such books as will be an aid in understanding the word of God or that will increase our love for its precepts. Provide something to be read during these long winter evenings.” The Adventist Home, 479. What greater gift can be given than the knowledge of the Saviour who longs to give, through His grace, salvation? The recipient who receives and accepts this Perfect Gift will be offering praise and thanks throughout eternity.

Children’s Story – How Grandma Came for Christmas

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At last the day had come to open the money boxes! How long it had taken to fill them! What hard work it had meant, what careful saving, what giving up of candy and nice ribbons and special treats! To Hilda and Mona it had seemed as though they would never be allowed to open them, and sometimes they had even said it wasn’t worthwhile putting the money in.

But at last the day had come! It was a week before Christmas, and of course everybody was wanting all the money he could find for presents and new dresses and things. How glad the children were that they had heeded their mother and had kept the boxes unopened till now! Mother was right, after all.

Click! went the key in Mona’s little cash box, and there inside she saw the pile of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and one half dollar. What joy! She counted it all up, and Hilda counted it afterward, just to make sure it was right. Four dollars and fifty-one cents! What a lot of money for a little girl!

“Now you open yours,” said Mona. “I wonder how much you have saved.”

Hilda’s was a strange looking money box, and it certainly held money tightly. It was such a job to get it out. She had to use a knife, but as she poked it in, out came the pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and two half dollars. It was a lovely sight.

“Oh,” said Mona, “you have more than I!”

“It looks like it,” said Hilda. “Let’s count it up. One, two, three. Why, I believe there’s more than five dollars!”

And so there was. It came to $5.28. How happy they were! Never had they had so much money to spend all at once.

Then came the big question. What should they spend it on? Soon they realized how little they had really saved.

There were so many things they wanted to buy, and most of them cost more than they had saved.

Mona thought she would like to get a pretty dress, but how far would $4.51 go? Hilda’s first thought was for a beautiful handbag, the kind with two pockets in the middle and a mirror. But again, how far would $5.28 go? Then they talked of other things they would like—so many things—but try as they would they could not stretch their money nearly far enough to cover all their desires.

“I’m getting tired of trying to decide,” said Hilda. “This money is a bother.”

“Do you know,” said Mona, “I wonder whether the trouble is that we are trying to spend it all on ourselves?”

Hilda sat very quiet and still. “Perhaps it is,” she said.

“Just for fun,” said Mona, “let’s try to think how we could spend it on some other people.”

“Mom, for instance,” said Hilda.

“Yes, or Grandma,” said Mona.

“All right. You write down what you would buy for them and I’ll do the same.”

So they both found pencil and paper and began to write. Hilda soon made a long list—long enough to use up her $5.28 many times over.

“You don’t seem to have put down much, Mona,” she said, looking at her paper.

“No,” said Mona, “but I’ve got an idea! I’ve thought of something that would be a beautiful present for both Mom and Grandma.”

“Oh, tell me,” said Hilda.

“Well,” said Mona, “you know how Mom has been longing to have Grandma come down here to stay with her for a while? Well, the only reason Grandma doesn’t come is that she can’t afford the fare and Mom can’t afford to send it to her. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were to send Grandma her fare ourselves, and invite her down to surprise Mom?”

“Mona, you are a genius!” said Hilda. “I should enjoy that much more than a new handbag. Let’s do it right now.”

“Isn’t it just lovely?” said Mona. “I’m so glad you like the idea. I’d much rather see Mom happy than have a new dress. Let’s get a pen and some writing paper. You’ll write the letter, won’t you?”

“All right,” said Hilda. “You tell me what to say.”

So together they wrote to Grandma:

“Our dear Grandma,

“We all want you very much to come down here for Christmas. Mona and I have been saving up for a long time, and we want to pay your fare. You will find it in this letter. Please be sure to come soon. We shall expect you next week.

“With lots of love from Hilda and Mona.”

“Oh, Mona,” said Hilda when she had finished writing; “whatever will Mom say when Grandma comes?”

“Oh, that’s part of the joy. She’ll be so pleased and surprised she won’t know what to do with herself.”

Picking up their money and putting on their coats, the two went down to the post office, bought a postal money order for $9, and mailed it to Grandma. Chuckling all over and enjoying their secret immensely, they returned home to await the big surprise.

For the next few days the girls could not settle down to anything. Every footstep made them jump, and every creak of the front gate gave them a start. They felt inside themselves that they had done something big and beautiful, and they just couldn’t keep still.

Every now and then they would burst out laughing, for no apparent reason whatever. Mother wondered what could have gone wrong with them. They often had innocent little secrets they tried to keep from her, but this was rather mysterious.

Then at last came a different knock at the door.

“Hilda, there’s someone at the door,” called Mother. “Please go and see who it is.”

But Hilda guessed that the great moment had come, and she wanted Mother to have the surprise they had planned so long. “Do please go yourself, Mom,” she said.

So Mother hurried to the door, thinking it was the postman or the milkman. She opened the door—and there stood Grandma, with her handbags and trunk, as though she had come to stay a month.

“Mother!” cried Mom. “Whoever—whatever! Isn’t this wonderful! But how did you come? Who could have dreamed you would be here for Christmas!”

“Why, didn’t you expect me?” said Grandma, equally surprised.

There was a loud giggle in the background.

“Those girls!” said Grandma. “I guess they are at the bottom of this.”

Then came the explanations, and everyone was happy.

After the excitement had died down, Grandma called the girls to her and, slowly and mysteriously, opened her trunk.

“I’m not too old to use my fingers yet,” she said, pulling out a couple of packages. “Here’s a little dress I’ve been making for you, Mona, and for you, Hilda, I’ve got a wee handbag.”

“Oh, no!” cried the girls together, looking at each other in amazement.

“Why, don’t you want them?” asked Grandma.

“Want them! They are just perfect,” said Hilda. “But how did you know? They are the very things we were going to buy for ourselves with the money we had saved in our boxes.”

“Were you!” exclaimed Grandma. “Do you know, girls,” she said, “I believe the Bible is right when it says, ‘He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again’ ” (Proverbs 19:17).

 

The Storybook, Character Building Stories for Children, R & H Publishing Association, ©1989, 72–78.

The Pen of Inspiration – Christmas is Coming

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Christmas is coming,” is the note that is sounded throughout our world from East to West and from North to South. With youth, those of mature age, and even the aged, it is a period of general rejoicing, of great gladness. But what is Christmas, that it should demand so much attention? This day has been made much of for centuries. It is accepted by the unbelieving world, and by the Christian world generally, as the day on which Christ was born. When the world at large celebrate the day, they show no honor to Christ. They refuse to acknowledge him as their Saviour, to honor him by willing obedience to his service. They show preference to the day, but none to the one for whom the day is celebrated, Jesus Christ.

The twenty-fifth of December is supposed to be the day of the birth of Jesus Christ, and its observance has become customary and popular. But yet there is no certainty that we are keeping the veritable day of our Saviour’s birth. History gives us no certain assurance of this. The Bible does not give us the precise time. Had the Lord deemed this knowledge essential to our salvation, he would have spoken through his prophets and apostles, that we might know all about the matter. But the silence of the Scriptures upon this point evidences to us that it is hidden from us for the wisest purposes. . . . He has concealed the precise day of Christ’s birth; that the day should not receive the honor that should be given to Christ as the Redeemer of the world,—one to be received, to be trusted, to be relied on as he who could save to the uttermost all who come unto him. The soul’s adoration should be given to Jesus as the Son of the infinite God.

There is no divine sanctity resting upon the twenty-fifth of December; and it is not pleasing to God that anything that concerns the salvation of man through the infinite sacrifice made for them, should be so sadly perverted from its professed design. Christ should be the supreme object; but as Christmas has been observed, the glory is turned from him to mortal man, whose sinful, defective character made it necessary for him to come to our world. Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, the royal King of heaven, laid aside his royalty, left his throne of glory, his high command, and came into our world to bring to fallen man, weakened in moral power, and corrupted by sin, aid divine. He clothed his divinity with humanity, that he might reach to the very depths of human woe and misery, to lift up fallen man. By taking upon himself man’s nature, he raised humanity in the scale of moral value with God. These great themes are almost too high, too deep, too infinite, for the comprehension of finite minds.

Parents should keep these things before their children, and instruct them, line upon line, precept upon precept, in their obligation to God,—not their obligation to each other, to honor and glorify one another by gifts and offerings. But they should be taught that Jesus is the world’s Redeemer, the object of thought, of painstaking effort; that his work is the grand theme which should engage their attention; that they should bring to him their gifts and offerings. Thus did the wise men and the shepherds. . . .

Christmas is coming. May you all have wisdom to make it a precious season. Let the older church members unite, heart and soul, with their children in this innocent amusement and recreation, in devising ways and means to show true respect to Jesus by bringing to him gifts and offerings. Let every one remember the claims of God. His cause cannot go forward without your aid. Let the gifts you have usually bestowed upon one another be placed in the Lord’s treasury. . . . If all, both old and young, will forego giving presents to one another, and forego the selfish outlay of means in these coming holidays, there would be in heaven a most precious record of self-denial for Christ’s sake. . . .

I entreat you, my brethren and sisters, to make this coming Christmas a blessing to yourselves and others. The birth of Jesus was unhallowed by the great men of earth. He was the Majesty of heaven; yet this royal subject had no attendants. His birth was unhonored by the very men he came to our world to save. But his advent was celebrated by the heavenly host. Angels of God, in the appearance of a star, conducted the wise men on their mission in search of Jesus. They came with gifts and costly offerings of frankincense and myrrh, to pay their oblation to the infant king foretold in prophecy. They followed the brilliant messengers with assurance and great joy. The angels passed by the school of the prophets, the palaces of kings, and appeared to the humble shepherds, guarding their flocks by night, upon Bethlehem’s plains. One angel first appeared, clothed with the panoply of heaven; and so surprised and so terrified were the shepherds that they could only gaze upon the wondrous glory of the heavenly visitant with unutterable amazement. The angel of the Lord came to them, and said, “Fear not, for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” [Luke 2:10–12.] No sooner had their eyes become accustomed to the glorious presence of the one angel, than, lo! the whole plain was lighted up with the wondrous glory of the multitude of angels that peopled the plains of Bethlehem. The angel quieted the fears of the shepherds before opening their eyes to behold the multitude of the heavenly host, all praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest; and on earth, peace, good will to men.” [Luke 2:14.]

Then was the melody of heaven heard by mortal ears, and the heavenly choir swept back to heaven as they closed their ever memorable anthem. The light faded away and the shadows of the night once more fell on the hills and plains of Bethlehem; but there remained in the hearts of the shepherds the brightest picture mortal man had ever looked upon, and the blessed promise and assurance of the advent to our world of the Saviour of men, which filled their hearts with joy and gladness, mingled with faith and wondrous love to God. In simple trust, the shepherds hastened to follow the direction of the heavenly messengers, to find the royal babe, not in a palace, not in even a common inn, but in a stable. They bowed in reverence to the infant king, committing no idolatry. But how certain is it that idolatry is committed by those who profess to be lovers of Jesus! Their attention, thought, and powers are devoted to poor, finite mortals. Relatives and friends come in for the worship which belongs to God alone. . . .

Let us on Christmas make special efforts to come before the Lord with gifts and grateful offerings for the gift of Jesus Christ as a Redeemer to the world. Let . . . us turn the current heavenward instead of earthward. Let us show by our offerings that we appreciate the self-denial and sacrifice of Christ in our behalf. Let God be brought to remembrance by every child and parent; and let the offerings, both small and large, be brought to the store-house of God.

You that have means, who have been in the habit of making donations to your relatives and friends until you are at a loss to know what to invent that will be new and interesting to them, seek to put your ingenuity to the test, as well as your influence, to see how much means you may gather to advance the work of the Lord. Let your skill and your capacities be employed to make the coming Christmas one of intense interest, paying your addresses to the God of heaven in willing, grateful offerings. Follow no longer the world’s customs. Make a break here, and see if this Christmas cannot show thousands of dollars flowing into the treasury, that God’s store-house may not be empty. You may not be recompensed on earth, but you will be rewarded in the future life, and that abundantly.

Review and Herald, December 9, 1884.

Ellen G. White (1827–1915) wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books during her lifetime. Today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world’s attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ’s second advent.

How Does Christmas Change Your World?

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How does Christmas change your world? Think about that for just a moment. How will your world be different on December 26, January 18, February 12, or March 23 because of Christmas? Will you be happier? Will you have more peace in your life? Will you be a better person? Or will you simply have more things and owe more money and have to work more hours to help eliminate the additional strain that debt puts on your budget? If we are completely honest, this holiday does not really change our world all that much. Even for Christians who believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and the Saviour of the world, Christmas does not change our lives that much.

There are those who ignore any commemoration of December 25, citing its origin as a pagan holiday and reminding everyone that we really do not know when Christ was born. Then there are, in this day and age, the politically correct who pass this time of the year off as a winter holiday season, refusing to acknowledge any religious significance of it, as they fight to have manger scenes removed from public property.

But Ellen White wrote: “Christmas is coming. May you all have wisdom to make it a precious season.” Review and Herald, December 9, 1884.

What We Do

Largely, we celebrate this day as a great American holiday—snow, holly and mistletoe, family and friends gathered around the fireplace remembering what this special day was like when we were kids. The shopping, the parties, and all of the busy activities that we cram into the season are a part of how it goes. But when everything is said and done, the only real change Christmas brings to our world is that it makes us a little bit poorer and a lot more tired; and all of this for an event that God never called us to commemorate.

We are never once asked to remember the birth of Christ. Our celebration of His birth is a purely human endeavor. He commanded us to remember His death, which we do through the act of communion. (See 1 Corinthians 11:25, 26; John 13:4–16.) But He never asked us to celebrate His birth. It is not necessarily a bad thing to remember Christ’s birth, but does it change our lives?

The purpose of the birth of Christ was to bring a change to our world. I do not mean just “the world” in general, but I mean He came to bring a change to each and every one of our personal worlds. Where we carry out life on a day to day basis—our job, our relationships, our families, our spirituality—should all be radically transformed by the remembrance of Christ’s birth; not transformed by our celebration of Christmas, but transformed by the event itself.

Christmas Should Be

When the angel announced the birth of Christ, it said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:10–14.

The angels tell us that the arrival of Christ in our world, Christmas as we now know it, is to be joyful. It should be something that helps quell our fears, and it should be something that brings us peace. Yet most of us today would not say that this day quells our fears, brings us true joy, or that it truly brings us peace. No, I would guess that most of us would be hard pressed to see just how Christmas changes our world, but it should and it can. Let us explore how Christmas, not just the celebration of a holiday, but the contemplation of Christ’s birth itself will change our world if we will allow it to happen.

Show the Way

At Christmas we celebrate God becoming flesh, becoming a man so that He could free all men from the power and penalty of sin. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 14.

God became a man because He loves us. He became a man so that He could show us the way to salvation.

The story is told of a farmer who, one snowy, wintry evening, just before dark, heard something hit the window in his dining room. He went to investigate and saw a small bird repeatedly flying into the window glass. Farther out in the yard he saw a whole flock of little songbirds. He realized that these were birds migrating south, and they had been caught by the early snowfall. They were cold and scratching through the thin snow in search of food. The one bird had seen the light shining through the window and had tried to get into the house where it was warm.

The farmer had an idea. He had a large barn where the birds would be safe and warm, and there was plenty of hay on the floor so they could find seed. Without hesitating, he put on his coat to go out and open the barn doors. But when he had done so, the birds did not come in. He turned on a light, hoping that would attract them, but to no avail. He sprinkled seed on the ground to make a path for them to follow. They gratefully ate some of the seed, but they would not come close to the barn entrance.

Fearing for their safety, the farmer decided to take more drastic measures. He planned to circle around behind the flock and chase them into the barn. That certainly was unsuccessful! After running himself ragged, he dropped to his knees on the snow, and a thought came to him: “If only I were a bird! I could then tell them about the warm barn and the seed. I could save their lives!”

That is what Christmas is: Jesus becoming one of us so that we can understand God’s plan; Jesus becoming one of us so He can tell us how and where to find safety; Jesus becoming one of us so He can save us.

Genuine Love

Remembering Christ’s birth will change your world by allowing you to experience genuine love. “God is love.” 1 John 4:8, 16. We have all heard that said many, many times. The apostle John wrote those words in his first letter to the believers in the Mediterranean world: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” Verses 7–9.

In Christmas, God becoming man, we get to experience genuine love.

“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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16, 17.

God loves us so much that He gave His Son, not to condemn us but to save us! What an amazing love! So how does knowing about the love that God has for you change your world? It does not! Knowing about God’s love is not enough to change your world. You have to experience that love, but you will never experience the love of God in Christmas unless you truly believe in that love.

Peace with God

The second way that your world may change is through providing you with lasting peace.

Peace is something that all of us need but most of us do not have. Most of us spend a great deal of time and energy pursuing peace, but very little time experiencing it.

Decisions we have made and the actions we have taken in the past often haunt us. Our desire to have better, more fulfilling lives keeps us awake at night. Questions about what could have been or what should have been often plague our minds. We want to be fulfilled and satisfied. We want to be complete, but we lack that completeness and, as a result, we lack peace. Rather than days filled with peace and confidence, we find our days filled with stress and worry. Often that sensation is heightened at Christmas, because we hear all about peace on earth, but we cannot find peace in our own lives.

One of the great things about Christmas is that if we truly accept in faith what God has given us, His Son, then we can experience peace—peace with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.

Jesus, that baby born in a barn and laid to rest in a manger, came to earth so that we could have peace with God. Sin separates us from God. Sin puts us at odds with God, but Jesus came to pay for our sins. He came to bring us forgiveness. His death upon the cross paid the penalty for our sins. Therefore, if we will accept His sacrifice and the forgiveness it provides, we are made right with God. When the relationship between man and God is fixed, we then experience peace with God.

Much of the lack of peace we experience is because we know that we have messed up. We know we have done things that are wrong, and we worry that God cannot love us and will not accept us because of our past.

Now, imagine the peace you can have in knowing that God has no record of your past. Imagine the peace of knowing that God has erased your past sins from His memory book. Imagine the peace of knowing that God is not looking to punish you, but that He is seeking to love you and embrace you.

When you believe the Christmas story—the whole story, not just the part about the baby in the manger, but also the part about that baby growing up and dying on a cross to pay for your sins, the part about that baby-turned-man rising from the grave and defeating sin and death—and accept God’s forgiveness, you will experience peace with God.

Peace with Others

Face it; we often do not live at peace with others. We find that other people have a way of disturbing our peace, and we never stop to consider that we tend to disturb the peace of others. Living at peace with others is hard work, but Christ calls us to do so nonetheless. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 12:18; 14:19.

So how does Christmas help you to experience peace with others? When you understand what Christmas is all about—God providing a way for you to be at peace with Him—then you can choose to experience peace in your relationships.

If God can forgive you and restore you to a right relationship with Him, after all you have done to violate His trust and love, if you can choose to be at peace with God, then you can choose to be at peace with others. You can learn to forgive them. You can learn to tolerate what it is about them that disturbs you. And when you choose to live at peace with others, you will be less inclined to disturb their peace as well.

Peace with Yourself

One of the great aspects of peace that you get to experience because of Christmas is peace with yourself. In your more honest moments, you probably do not like yourself much. You are too aware of your failings and your sins. But, because of Christ’s birth, you can have peace with yourself. Not because what you have done does not matter, but because you are a new person in Christ. “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 11 Corinthians 5:17. The New Living Translation of this text is especially interesting: “Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!”

You can be at peace with yourself, not because you are such a great guy or terrific gal, but because in Christ you are a new creation. You are not the same old mean, evil, hurtful, self-centered person you once were. In Christ, you are forgiven, and you are a new creation. That does not mean you do not have moments when you fail. But it does mean that, in Christ, those moments become the exception and not the rule. You are growing and becoming more than that which you are today. You can be at peace with yourself because Christ is now working in you and renewing you daily.

Purpose of Life

Christmas changes your world by allowing you to experience genuine love and by providing you with a lasting peace. It also changes your world by giving your life purpose.

Too many people are not living their lives; too many people are just existing. Too many people are moving day to day without any sense of purpose in their lives. This lack of purpose leads to depression and self-destructive behavior. This lack of purpose leads to a sense of hopelessness that is heightened during the holiday season for many people. However, Christmas is about hope and purpose, and rather than feeling defeated and lost during the holidays, you can have a sense of true hope, because Christ’s birth gives purpose to your life.

Christmas brings hope because it drives home the fact that you were made for a purpose. You were made to have fellowship with God. You were created to have a relationship with God, and that relationship is so important to God that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to repair that relationship when it was broken.

Your life has purpose, and your purpose is to love God and to serve your fellow man. William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, put it like this: We are to serve with “A heart to God and a hand to man.”

Christmas, the coming of the Christ child, gives our lives purpose. Jesus came, becoming one of us, so that we could fulfill our purpose, that of having a love relationship with God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” “He came unto His own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 2; 11–14.

Jesus, full of grace and truth, came from the Father; He became one of us so that He could pay for our sins and restore the relationship we were created to have with God. His birth, His death, and His resurrection give us purpose in our lives.

Imagine living life every day with a clear sense of purpose—that of knowing God and pleasing Him. Everything else fades away when you make this your focus. You have hope and purpose every day when you understand that in everything, big or small, you can grow to know God more, and you can live to please Him. “If you would secure the grand aim and purpose of life without mistake in your choice or fear of failure, you must make God first and last and best in every plan and work and thought.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 167.

Change Comes By . . .

All of these things—genuine love, peace with God, with others, with yourself, and purpose of life—come to us in the birth of Christ. Through Jesus we have the opportunity to know God; thus we are given hope and purpose.

How does Christmas change your world? It is not through the gifts or the memories made. It is not through the time spent with family. It is not through any of the trappings of the holiday. Christmas, as most people celebrate it, will not change your world. But Christmas, as the birth of Christ, the Son of God made flesh, the birth of Jesus—Immanuel—God with us, can change your world by allowing you to experience genuine love, by providing you with lasting peace, and by giving you a purpose in life. Those are major changes! Allow Christ to be the reason for and the center of your Christmas, and just see what transformation He will bring to your life.

A member of the LandMarks staff, Anna writes from her home which is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Denver, Colorado. 

Pen of Inspiration – Christmas

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Christmas—a Time to Honor God—By the world the holidays are spent in frivolity and extravagance, gluttony and display. … Thousands of dollars will be worse than thrown away upon the coming Christmas and New Year’s in needless indulgences. But it is our privilege to depart from the customs and practices of this degenerate age; and instead of expending means merely for the gratification of the appetite or for needless ornaments or articles of clothing, we may make the coming holidays an occasion in which to honor and glorify God.

Christ should be the supreme object; but as Christmas has been observed, the glory is turned from Him to mortal man, whose sinful, defective character made it necessary for Him to come to our world.

Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, the royal King of heaven, laid aside His royalty, left His throne of glory, His high command, and came into our world to bring to fallen man, weakened in moral power and corrupted by sin, aid divine. …

Parents should keep these things before their children and instruct them, line upon line, precept upon precept, in their obligation to God—not their obligation to each other, to honor and glorify one another by gifts and offerings.

Turn Thoughts of the Children Into a New Channel—There are many things which can be devised with taste and cost far less than the unnecessary presents that are so frequently bestowed upon our children and relatives, and thus courtesy can be shown and happiness brought into the home.

You can teach your children a lesson while you explain to them the reason why you have made a change in the value of their presents, telling them that you are convinced that you have hitherto considered their pleasure more than the glory of God. Tell them that you have thought more of your own pleasure and of their gratification and of keeping in harmony with the customs and traditions of the world, in making presents to those who did not need them, than you have of advancing the cause of God. Like the wise men of old, you may offer to God your best gifts and show by your offerings to Him that you appreciate His Gift to a sinful world. Set your children’s thoughts running in a new, unselfish channel by inciting them to present offerings to God for the gift of His only-begotten Son.

“Shall We Have a Christmas Tree?”—God would be well pleased if on Christmas each church would have a Christmas tree on which shall be hung offerings, great and small, for these houses of worship. [Note: Reference is made in this article to current building projects. As the principles set forth in this connection are applicable today, these specific references are left in the article.] Letters of inquiry have come to us asking, Shall we have a Christmas tree? Will it not be like the world? We answer, You can make it like the world if you have a disposition to do so, or you can make it as unlike the world as possible. There is no particular sin in selecting a fragrant evergreen and placing it in our churches, but the sin lies in the motive which prompts to action and the use which is made of the gifts placed upon the tree.

The tree may be as tall and its branches as wide as shall best suit the occasion; but let its boughs be laden with the golden and silver fruit of your beneficence, and present this to Him as your Christmas gift. Let your donations be sanctified by prayer.

Christmas and New Year celebrations can and should be held in behalf of those who are helpless. God is glorified when we give to help those who have large families to support.

A Tree Laden With Offerings Is Not Sinful—Let not the parents take the position that an evergreen placed in the church for the amusement of the Sabbath school scholars is a sin, for it may be made a great blessing. Keep before their minds benevolent objects. In no case should mere amusement be the object of these gatherings. While there may be some who will turn these occasions into seasons of careless levity, and whose minds will not receive the divine impress, to other minds and characters these seasons will be highly beneficial. I am fully satisfied that innocent substitutes can be devised for many gatherings that demoralize.

Provide Innocent Enjoyment for the Day—Will you not arise, my Christian brethren and sisters, and gird yourselves for duty in the fear of God, so arranging this matter that it shall not be dry and uninteresting, but full of innocent enjoyment that shall bear the signet of Heaven? I know the poorer class will respond to these suggestions. The most wealthy should also show an interest and bestow their gifts and offerings proportionate to the means with which God has entrusted them. Let there be recorded in the heavenly books such a Christmas as has never yet been seen because of the donations which shall be given for the sustaining of the work of God and the upbuilding of His kingdom.

The Adventist Home, 480–483.