Merry Christmas 2021
BY Herschel Smith
2 years, 11 months ago
I want to tell you two stories today. They are both true, factual, and happened in time and space.
First, I recently listened to a sermon which I consider among the top ten worst, most horrid, most theologically inept sermons I’ve ever run across in my life.
The pastor mentioned the advent of the Son of God, Jesus, who is the Christ, once or twice, and then quickly pivoted to the second coming, the thing we truly are here to celebrate, and His reign of peace on earth, lasting 1000 years, in which He will be the supreme political ruler, issuing edicts that everyone will obey. As I said, he mentioned the advent of Christ only in passing to set up his favorite topic, the eschaton according the dispensationalist, premillennial theology.
As I said, I consider it to be one of the worst sermons I’ve ever witnessed, mostly because considered topically, it completely missed the whole point and the reason we were gather together to celebrate Christmas. I wish I hadn’t heard this sermon. It was just that bad.
No, no, no, no, no, no, and a thousand times no! The advent isn’t about the second coming, stupid pastors notwithstanding.
Now to the second story. It occurred in time and space, some 2000 years ago, and it is true and factual. Gab sent out a post on the miracle of Christ’s birth, stating that it is “arguably the single most important event in human history.” No, there is no argument. It is without a single doubt the most significant event in history, human history and redemptive history. My former professor, Dr. C. Gregg Singer, taught repeatedly that in order to understand history, one has to understand the history of the church. Not the institutional church, but the body of believers through history.
Before the idiot pagan historians tried to change it (to BCE and CE), history is dated as BC and AD (Before Christ and Anno Domini), history was seen as revolving around, based on, and centered about one event in history, i.e., the advent of our Lord. Years decreased as the time got closer, and years increased after that momentous event, as if a funnel through which God poured out His blessing.
The Pharisees expected that their savior would come as a king and political appointee, bash the ruling Roman empire, and set himself up on a throne and once again make the Jewish nation grand. Jesus disappointed those expectations. He was born in a stable (literally, a cave), because there wasn’t a home to which He could go to be born. To keep Him from freezing to death, Mary had to wrap him in the rags used to clean the feed troughs and clean the shit out of stalls. The picture of Jesus wrapped in clean, white clothing is a sanitized lie. He was chased literally from the day He was born by wicked rulers who wanted to kill Him.
He was God come in the flesh, abominable to the mind of the Pharisees. The whole thing was a scandal. A miracle yes, but a scandal. This was the beginning of what theologians call the “Humiliation of Christ.” His birth was among common men, his life was one of the carpenter, making things with his hands, He had no respect for the religious leaders, He didn’t come up through their “pipeline,” He carried His cross, and He perished over crimes He didn’t commit (but because He took the since of His people with Him to the cross).
Scandalous. Not robed on gaudy tapestry, not hobnobbing with the religious leaders, but hanging with tax collectors and whores. Scandal. But it was He who would sacrifice His own life to appease the wrath of the Father.
21 She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: 23 “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
In addition to saving His people, that is, all who believe in Him, the point of His birth of lowly means was to demonstrate to the religious leaders of the day that they didn’t understand sin and the fallen nature of man, the law of God, their need for a savior, or the nature of His kingdom.
His kingdom, you see, is in the hearts of men with whom He is well pleased (Luke 2:12-14). The dispensational premillennialists make the same mistake the Pharisees made. They think that God is going to make it all happen in an instant for us all, ruling on a political throne, with us as the bystanders. You are aware, no doubt, that the dispensationalists, heavily Zionistic in emphasis, see this period of history as the great “uh oh” by God. His original plan was to do just that, set up a political throne. When He was rejected by the Jews, God had to revert to another plan (quite the inept God, yes?).
That second plan was to focus on the church, which they name the “Parenthesis.” You and I are living in the “parenthesis” period of history according to them, where God gets a mulligan, a do-over because His first plan screwed up.
In reality, God became man living among us, died for His people, and commissioned them to go about making disciples and taking dominion for His glory. Yes, I am a Christian reconstructionist, and always will be (viz. R. J. Rushdoony). You see, God hasn’t told us He is going to snap His fingers and do this for us. He sent His Holy Spirit as a helper and He has given us all the tools necessary for victory, and even ordained and decreed our eventual victory. But He will watch with joy as His children are gathered to Himself and the world is taken for His glory.
This is no parenthesis in history. It is history, His Story. Everything is as intended, and there are no surprises to Him. He had decreed it all, and it will all redound to the glory of His Son, fully God and fully man. This is the advent, the most important and monumental occurrence in all of history. The angels sang great songs to His praise upon His birth. The heavens couldn’t keep silent. The shock and glory and wonder of the sovereign of the universe taking on bodily form to save His people was too awesome for them. Wise men came and worshipped Him. Rulers wanted Him dead because of the threat He posed.
It was revealed to Simeon that he would not pass until he had seen the advent of the Lord’s Christ. He did so, and could then pass away a joyful man (Luke 2:25f). Celebrate this momentous event with your heart and soul. This isn’t about Santa Claus. This isn’t about the second coming. This is about the most important event in all of history. God is with us.
Enjoy this by Diane Bish and The King’s Brass. Little known to most people, I once played trombone on an amateur basis, and got a chance to play along with The King’s Brass when they rolled through my city.
On December 25, 2021 at 8:02 am, George said:
Amen and amen. Well said, Herschel. May God bless you and yours.
On December 25, 2021 at 8:35 am, Longbow said:
When I was young, I never understood the expression, “He died for our sins…” or “He died for us…”.
When I finally understood it this way, “He offered himself in Sacrifice…” then what John the Baptist said made perfect sense,
“Behold, the Lamb of God!”
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Longbow
On December 25, 2021 at 10:32 am, Fred said:
Today we celebrate the birth of Christ. But the Ancient of Days promised this long long ago, even before He created the world. The church isn’t some whoops by God.
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” Titus 1:2
Holy God promised eternal life through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” 1 Peter 1:19-20
God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1). After the earth was created sin and death by sin (Romans 5:12) entered into the world in Genesis 3.
“And 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
At the fall of man, several curses were pronounced by God, one of which (cited in part in Gen 3:15) was against satan. Within the curse against satan is the promise of the seed of the woman, which is Christ the Lord.
Later in Genesis 17, we learn that the seed, which is Christ the Lord, is promised to Abram, that out of Him would come the Christ God.
“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” Genesis 17:7
In Psalm 110 we see that Holy Father God will put Christ at His right hand with power to defeat all of God’s enemies.
“The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Psalm 110:1
In Galatians 3 (see also Hebrews 2:16) we find the fulfillment of that promise, the seed which is Christ, made to Abram. Christ is the heir of the promise, head of the church. This is not an accident or a parenthetical aside in history.
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Galatians 3:16
So we see that in the apocalypse of early Genesis, God promised a seed, a Son. Later in Genesis 17, God promised that the seed of the woman from Genesis 3 would come out of Abram.
In 1 Corinthians 15 (see also Hebrews 10:12-13) we see the fulfillment of the prophecy by David in Psalm 110. Christ is now made heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2) having defeated satan, sin, hell, and lastly death.
“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:25-26
Jesus, having been raised from the dead, now reigns at the right hand of Power and is putting all enemies under His feet. It is the task of every Christian to take the kingdom of God by effectively wielding the sword of God which is His word. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation. Every new believer is born again into the kingdom of God (John 3:3) with a distinct purpose, to do the work of Christ (Ephesians 2:10).
This is the conquering by Christ in history (in time and space), which is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We are not merely to await His return but the Holy Spirit with us, to be His foot soldiers by proclaiming our King and His kingdom everywhere we go. How to be a Christian witness is literally on every page of the New Testament. God has equipped you through the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures. You are supposed to tell people about the advent of Christ and the sinless life only He could have led, but more importantly and very specifically; we are to tell everyone about the atoning death, burial, and eternal life through the resurrection and be happy to do it!!!
25 “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32
Simeon is one of my favorite people in the New Testament. He got it! Having seen the Christ of God, Jesus, he no longer feared death. He served all his life while waiting for Jesus. We, having now received the promise of the seed which is Christ for the taking away of the curse of the fall and sin with it, have a great promise indeed.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Death now having no more hold on us, having entered into eternal life, we are to serve God all our lives by building His kingdom while we eagerly anticipate the day, the last day (John 6:40, 54), when Christ shall return.
The New Testament is quite literally the instruction manual for conquering the world in the name of Jesus, that at His name every knee should bow and every tongue confess Him as Lord. (Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10)
If you truly believe in Jesus why are you afraid to die for Him? This Christmas it is evident that we have lost our country and western civilization hangs in the balance. Steven wasn’t afraid. Paul wasn’t afraid. Peter wasn’t afraid. Philip wasn’t afraid. The great early reformers of Europe were burned alive, boiled in oil, beheaded, and etc! Millions have died for Christ. If you’re saved, have the Holy Spirit of promise, and a Holy Bible why are you afraid to simply show somebody How they can be saved? The first job of the Christian is to make more Christians, not that we do it; but God gives all He would to the Son by the conviction of the Holy Spirit open their conscience, when (this is your part!!! pay attention!!!) they hear the Gospel from a witness.
Bad eschatology aside and even if a so-called pre-tribulation rapture were real, does this change the commission upon your life to walk in the works of God by converting the lost as you go? Don’t show up before the throne of Holy God empty-handed. We are to bear fruit; much fruit, good fruit, and fruit that remains.
Many will read Luke 2 yesterday or today. It includes verse 14 here:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14
If you’re born again you should be full of all joy having the peace of God in your heart. But until all is finally put under His feet, peace in the world is fleeting. Sadly Americans can’t look back in satisfaction this year or in recent memory about what we’ve accomplished for the Lord. It’s inaccurate to say that we’ve earned the peace we enjoy. The peace and goodwill of God is the gift of the Son. This is the gift we acknowledge, not of the Magi, not of Saint Nicholas, but of God’s offering of His only begotten Son, born of a virgin, to die for you. True peace only comes by the Prince of peace and that not without the labor and sacrifice of His sons and servants to make peace on earth. Get to work for your King! God is longsuffering but it does run out.
On December 25, 2021 at 11:21 am, Ned said:
Merry Christmas Herschel. Your thoughtful insights are always much appreciated.
On December 25, 2021 at 11:37 am, Frank Clarke said:
Even Dorothy Parker, an atheist by all accounts, was moved by the season to put aside, if only temporarily, her kvetching over lost love and unreliable suitors to pen what I think is the sweetest tribute she could possibly have given:
The Maid-Servant at the Inn
“It’s queer,” she said; “I see the light
As plain as I beheld it then,
All silver-like and calm and bright
We’ve not had stars like that again!
“And she was such a gentle thing
To birth a baby in the cold.
The barn was dark and frightening
This new one’s better than the old.
“I mind my eyes were full of tears,
For I was young, and quick distressed
But she was less than me in years
That held a son against her breast.
“I never saw a sweeter child
The little one, the darling one!
I mind I told her, when he smiled
You’d know he was his mother’s son.
“It’s queer that I should see them so
The time they came to Bethlehem
Was more than thirty years ago;
I’ve prayed that all is well with them.”
On December 25, 2021 at 12:23 pm, Paul B said:
Merry Christmas.
Have a wonderful new year.
On December 25, 2021 at 12:33 pm, =TW= said:
@ Frank Clarke-
Thanks for that bit of verse.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
On December 25, 2021 at 8:01 pm, Bradlley A Graham said:
The Captain’s Journal is a perfect example of God’s work .
Merry Christmas to one and all.
On December 26, 2021 at 1:06 am, Jimmy the Saint said:
“the second coming, the thing we truly are here to celebrate, and His reign of peace on earth, lasting 1000 years, in which He will be the supreme political ruler, issuing edicts that everyone will obey.”
Interesting. So instead of Jesus, the First Socialist, we now get The Kingdom of Heaver – The Fourth Reich. Not sure that’s quite the way to pitch it, but hey…
On December 27, 2021 at 2:27 am, BRVTVS said:
Herschel, are there actual Christian Reconstructionist churches to be found? The Chalcedon Foundation website fails to list any affiliated churches or denominations as far as I can tell.
On December 27, 2021 at 8:29 am, Fred said:
@brtvs, here is a list of postmil reformed churches. They have the optimistic view on the power of the gospel to prevail in converting the world (mostly) before His return.
https://postmillennialworldview.com/postmill-churches/
On December 27, 2021 at 11:25 am, Fred said:
@JTS, I fear it’s worse than that. In the mind of the premillennial, from what I can gather, they understand the gospel of Jesus Christ to be the power of God unto salvation. But, they believe in the power of Satan to bring in his global reign. So in the hearts of many of them they worship Satan and his coming dominion. Then, they say, Jesus will come back, rapture them out of here, and setup a literal throne in Jerusalem to rule the world and, hold on tight, the blood descendants of Jacob will rule the world with Him to do His bidding. This is strongly predicated on the Daniel 70 weeks gap theory. In their hearts they believe the gospel will be defeated by the devil before Christ’s return.
There is a lot we could say about this. I’m old enough to know better than to climb into a box of another man’s creation because then I’m forced to defend another man’s position. That is critically stupid. All eschatological systems have there abusers, ALL of them. But I will say that premillennial dispensationalism is just wrong.
On December 27, 2021 at 11:32 am, BRVTVS said:
Thanks Fred! I see one in the area where I’ve been trying to relocate.
On December 27, 2021 at 4:38 pm, john jay said:
herschel:
thank you for you exposition of the birth of the christ child, and its significance in western history, in world history, for that matter. for all the reasons you put forth, the birth of christ is “the reason for the season.” may you enjoy your blessings, herschel, and may god bless.
john jay
On December 27, 2021 at 4:39 pm, john jay said:
p.s. and, especially good to hear from you, good friend.