The Meaning of Christmas

Christmas is your day in a sense. I've been propagating the notion that it's not about you but Jesus. Of course, the commercialization of Christmas seems to make it all about you if you are a person who asks for gifts, manipulates to get what you want, or insist that things be done your way. Narcissistic people create a milieu where Christmas becomes all about them! That's why I dread Christmas. I prefer to worship Christ, and be with family at Christmas time without the pressure of buying or even receiving things. Personally, I don't like to get because others out there need more than I do. I get my blessings all the year around, and at Christmas, all I want is love!

However, Christmas is partially about us!  It is the day set aside to celebrate the birth of our Savior, if he is indeed our Savior. Because Jesus was born, his death is what is redeeming. The birth of Jesus is a celebration of our hope for without Jesus there is no hope. "Hope" was born that day a couple of thousand years ago! Christ's birth was the presentation of our gift!

Actually, "hope" was the wrapping on the gift. Faith was the actual gift! 

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God...

Ironically, I have said that it is selfish to ask for gifts. However, faith is held in the hands of the Savio; it is yours but you must ask for, and then accept it. He stands there and knocks, but you must answer:

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

The gift arrives at your door by a special Delivery Man. He doesn't leave the gift at the door and hope that you find it. He knocks, you open, then he bestows the gift upon you. This time "selfish you" either grabs the gift of faith, or rejects it, not recognizing the value of it. Oddly enough, the gift Jesus gives to you is to save your own "god of self" from eternal destruction!  In this one case, it is okay to be selfish; take the gift and run, or actually walk the path.

It turns out that Christmas is the birthday of God Himself, but it is also your day. As we celebrate God's birth as a Man, we celebrate a wedding. When the "bridegroom" was born, the Church became betrothed. We are the bride of Jesus and he the groom! His life was the engagement period, preparing the wedding to the Church. Jesus's death on the cross was the actual wedding night, then at his ascension, the wedding party began as he was raised high. The marriage continued on when those who accepted the gift of faith, live with fidelity as his bride. Jesus is still with us in marriage as his Ghost remains with us.

Hence, Jesus's birthday is honoring our marriage to him. His birthday presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were our joint wedding gifts: the gold represents his kingdom - the marriage institution, the incense is us living with him, and the myrrh is our comfort from suffering and being with him unto death.

Thus, let's celebrate appropriately. Let's celebrate his birth as the time we were born-again - betrothed on that day to Jesus. That way Christmas is about Jesus and us - together!

The Full Gospel - All the Truth

1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

The "gospel" is the good news about Jesus Christ. Of course, one should ask, "What is this good news?" It is everything written about the Lord in the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. John spoke first of the "origin" of Jesus. He always existed but only recently became flesh. He states further that "all things were made by him". Hence, if one denies the Creation, then they deny Jesus. No one can serve two Masters. It is either the world or the Word (Luke 16:13).

The gospel then proceeds to the virgin birth of Jesus, John the Baptist's introduction of him, Jesus's baptism, his selection of the apostles, his teaching of Holy Scripture, the miracles, his claim of being God, the Lord's transfiguration, his conviction, crucifixion, and resurrection, and proclaiming the Great Commission. He wrapped up the gospel by saying "he will be with them even until the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). Hence, the gospel of Jesus Christ is that He is "the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 22:13). The Lord Jesus, being the Word, spoke that! Jesus had eternal existence, never having been created, was born a Man through a virgin by the Spirit of God, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and climactically ascended into heaven.

With Jesus's ascension, his "Ghost" came down as of fire, (Acts 2), and like Jesus said: he "is with us even until the end of the world"; not that he will die then, but mankind will.

To be a Christian, one must believe the gospel, and all the gospel. The life of Jesus - the Gospel, has become synonymous with truth. The full gospel is all the truth! One cannot pick and choose truth. One cannot deny truth and be honest. Belief in all the gospel is paramount for eternal life, or one is in denial of the Word; they create a false Jesus - one who is lied about and a liar himself.

As such, Jesus as Creator, God, Gracious, Miracle Worker, Teacher, Savior, Martyr, and Living are necessary to believe in him. One that can Create everything certainly has the Power to Create a place of eternal life. The Creation and Resurrection by and of Jesus are imperative to believe!

The Lord must ordain those who preach the gospel (1 Corinthians above). Ordination is God appointing preachers to preach. It's not quite that simple, though. All Christians are called to preach since we are all of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). But what does that mean about the qualifications of a bishop as mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:1. That is a superintendence - one who leads the preachers. That takes a special person to be a leader of the priesthood. The bishopric is an episcopal type of government, not the preaching itself.

How about a deacon? He is one who serves the bishop. He is under the superintendence of the leaders. Deacons are not preachers, but servants or helpers. It takes a special calling to be a master or a servant, and one is no less important than the other. Preachers claim to be bishops. They are not. Deacons claim to be preachers; neither are they. Ministers are both bishops and deacons in a sense because they both lead and serve. However, the leaders of the apostolic churches were bishops. They had under them many others who presented the gospel. Paul was what we would call a "General Superintendent", as were all the apostles.

As royal priests, we are all called to preach the gospel. The Great Commission is for all the priests, not just the apostles and bishops. Even the deacons are royal priests. They can preach as well as the bishops. The episcopate is not about the gospel but about government. All the governors must be called to administer; hence, "ministers".

When anyone presents the gospel, they are preaching. Preaching is from Scripture - the Bible. We really don't need supplemental stories. When the Word was preached after it was recovered, the following was the order of service:

Nehemiah 9:2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God.

Look at the order of worship:

1. Separated themselves from the world in unity (went to "church" so to speak)
2. Stood and confessed their sins, even their inherited sin.
3. Stood and read the book of the law of God (Holy Scripture).
4. After the word, they confessed more sins.
5. They worshipped the Lord with praise (which would include prayer, that being a manner of praise.)

Confession and praise are what we call "testimonies". We are to stand and confess our sins, and at the same time praise God for forgiving them. Of course, praise is done by speaking and singing. My point is that cute little stories and jokes are not required. Neither are bands with their drums and symbols. They did not need to quote Dr. Jeremiah since they had the word first hand, and neither do we! It took only the Word from Scripture to change hearts at that time, and that's all that's needed today. However, most preachers add so much more that preaching that it becomes ineffective.

There was no hint of entertainment. Pleasure was for other times. The reason for church is to entertain God, not us!

It is the gospel which God ordains preachers to preach - the entire gospel without picking and choosing what people can believe or should not - the full gospel! 

In order to preach the gospel, the preachers have to "live the gospel", according to Paul. How does one live the gospel? By being Christ-like:

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Walk the talk as we now say. Those who don't are hypocrites! The most effective means of preaching is by example. In fact, preachers are a stumbling-block if they don't follow the example of Christ. Teaching partial gospel is damning to those who listen. For instance, the teaching of salvation without the creation is claiming a weak God. Tolerance of sin is issuing the proclamation that God is wrong. Get this straight: if God kills someone for carelessly touching the ark, He will punish one for willfully living a life disgusting to Him!

Therefore, preaching the gospel entails living the gospel! There are few who do that.

All gods Are Not God

1 Corinthians 8:4 ...we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Definitions:

idol: The visual and material representation of an invisible  presence being worshiped. This is my own definition based on Merriam-Webster Dictionary's multiple definitions. Essentially, an idol is merely a physical symbol of either existent or non-existent "deities". The idols of pagan's represent no one since their invisible god(s) are non-existent. Hence, pagan gods are fantasy, and idols are just that - idle (lacking worth or a basis; ibid). Those with idols are wasting their time.

Note that idols can be for pretend gods or for the One Invisible God. All other "gods" have an idol, if anything, as a means of worshiping what is unseen. On the other hand, JHVH - the God of the Bible, is represented by Jesus Christ who is also called Emmanuel - God With Us. Hence, Christians and Jews require no idol as a means of worship. We have the real thing, if we choose to worship our God in the Flesh. (Yes, the Jews do believe in Jesus Christ but only fail to recognize that prophecy has been fulfilled.)

god: An existence or perceived existence which resides outside the natural realm with powers beyond the natural, and deserving of human worship. Thus, the god(s) of most people are non-existent, so those philosophers create their own god. Eastern religions have created a God who they credit with creation. They credit the creation to consciousness - awareness. Their "trinity" is Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. Vishnu is the preserver in their trinity of supreme beings. Brahma is their four-faced god and source of  knowledge, and  Shiva is the destroyer of evil and the power which transforms. Their trinity is unseen, and as such must be represented by idols.

Hinduism seems similar to the worship of JHVH, and just another name, but their God is one of the other gods of whom we are not to worship. Rather than their "trimurte" of three independent gods, JHVH is One God, not with three faces, but three aspects. Philosophers refer to God's Existence in three forms as homeostasis - substances. However, that is not accurate either. Substances are what God Created. He didn't create Himself, and we didn't create Him either. I prefer the word "aspects". Neither is God male nor female. He just Is, and because of His Power, we refer to Him as "Father".

God: One cannot use the secular definition for God. Since English is of the Germanic language, God is German in origin and means "to pour or libate". In the Greek (Wikipedia), "God" is Theos and means "supreme Divinity". In the Hebrew the word is Elohim - meaning "Supreme Being" (both from Strong's Dictionary). Hence, the words "God", "Theos", and "Elohim", are not God's Name but descriptions of his Existence. The Word told Moses "I AM THAT I AM", and in Hebrew is transliterated Yod He Waw He whose first letters in English are either YHWH or JHVH - pronounced Jehovah in English or Yahweh by the Jews. JHVH is the One Supreme God, and therefore, those who worship Him are "monotheistic" in contrast to Hinduism whose worshipers are "polytheistic" - having more than one God.

Commentary:

Since, all other gods were created by mankind, maybe even to explain God JHVH, the understanding of their so-called divinity is different as was explained. The most important difference that JHVH, the same God who is Creator, Preserver, and Transformer, and the source of all Knowledge came in the flesh to reveal Himself to mankind. Hence, Christianity is more than faith because it is based on reality - a real God who Is who He said He Is, and did what He said that He would do!

The Word created the space and all the material and void within it. He said it, and it happened. The Hindu "consciousness" is merely awareness; truly without power because it was manufactured to explain the unexplainable! On the other hand, John 1 identifies "the Word" as Jesus. He Is, Was, and always Will Be! Note that Jesus and God are not different identities, The Word is God Speaking, and the Word is God With Us, and was called "Emmanuel", or more commonly "Jesus".

Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva were not there! Neither are they supreme nor God. They are created powers explained by having the theoretical "power" of only "consciousness". The fact that in English they refer to their divinities as gods, they are not really God. There is no evidence that they exist! Hindus truly have faith that they do, but unlike Christianity which has historical evidence in the form of depositions by reliable followers - and even those who were not, Hindus have no evidence.

All the other religions have false gods as well. That's why it is so important to have the One True God who is called "Jesus". Never be fooled by Vishnu, Allah, Zeus, Lodin or any other created gods. Statues can be made of anything as a means of worship but we worship God who came in the flesh!

The Drama of It All

"Come over here Jehu, I have some news to share." Jehu walks over at a fast pace. Not much happens around here.

"What is it Merriam? "

"You know that girl down the way - the one called Mary? She is growing large, and she claimed to be a Virgin! So much for the truth of which she often spoke!"

"And that Joseph. He is not what he claims to be! How dare him. He goes to synagogue and acts so righteous. Then this happens!" replied Jehu.

Rastus, overhearing the conversation speaks his piece saying, "Don't judge them harshly. Maybe it is not what it seems to be. Perhaps Mary has just gained some weight."

Merriam giggled. "That's a laugh, Rastus. You're always siding with everybody but me."

"I'm just giving Joseph the benefit of the doubt, and Mary seems so pure. She is dedicated to God in all things, and I've never heard of her doing anything wrong."

Jehu said, "... but anyone can fail. We all have passions. Perhaps Satan deceived her."

Gabriel could not contain himself, hearing this conversation in seclusion. He stepped forth, appearing as a man. Let me tell the story:

Luke 1:26-38 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Gabriel reproved them saying, "You know it's wrong to gossip yet you gossip. Mary never did and Jesus never will. You have belittled the Name of God for he will be called Jesus. You have besmirched the reputation of the purest woman ever to live. And as for Joseph, he knows the child is not his but that the unborn baby belongs to God. Even in the womb this child is King. He will have the power to save even you three who gossip so freely today. You take God's Name in vain, and the Law is that you not. Who today is frivolous to you, to him kings will someday bow."

Giggling Merriam no longer giggled as she reasons: "But this is impossible. For one to conceive there must be pleasure. Surely you are wrong because it just cannot be. The midwives say that there must be pleasure for that to happen, yet you expect me to believe the impossible?"

All to which Gabriel replied, "With God, I repeat... all things are possible. Did not God create the heavens and the world? Did not God form man from clay? If he can work miracles from the world, he can work miracles with His Spirit. This unborn baby is as much Spirit as clay, and he is as much God as Man. It seems that your faith in God is limited to what you see, and soon you shall see the miracle of which you gossip this day."

"I'm almost convinced," said Rastus.

"Nearly so," added Jehu.

Gabriel spoke more: "Nearly convinced is not enough. God always existed without ever being born. Now he is conceived so that He can experience what you have experienced, and then die for being the Son of Man. When you come to accept the Son of God for who He Is, and what He can do, His birth means that you will be born again - the right way - of the Spirit just as Jesus will shortly be. You cannot be nearly reborn. You can only be fully reborn. Hence, nearly convinced is not even partial birth. You must be fully convinced!"

"But," Merrian retorted, to fully believe I need a miracle for I am a Jewess."

Gabriel shook his head and smiled, "The Greatest Miracle in history is in the making today. You must believe in this miracle - that God is in the process of being born of a virgin and of God.  That is the same miracle as Adam experienced since he was born of virgin dust and of the Spirit of God. This upcoming birth is the greatest story ever told, and it's telling starts today."

Jehu finally understood! "With God, indeed all things are possible. I believe what you say, Gabriel."

Merriam, feeling a little more convinced, and embarrassed at her gossip, made her excuses: "But you understand why I accused Mary. She cannot be without sin. Nobody is. So I just thought...."

Gabriel stopped her with a wave of his hand. "Your thoughts are not God's thoughts. He isn't limited to your weak thinking. God is Almighty. He can do His will with power."

Merriam thought to herself, "I'm getting nowhere with logic with Gabriel. He just doesn't understand God's limitations. He can only do what we believe he can do." She walked off still believing the Messiah will come, but denying that He was already on the way.

 - - - - -

Many people in this modern age celebrate the birth of Jesus but fail to accept His Christmas Gift. His conception seems mythological, and they readily celebrate the myth. However, right now they too can be conceived of the Spirit, and reborn with just the thought, Jesus was conceived to bear my sins, he is Christ's gift for me, and God gave His only Son for my sake. Lord God, I accept your gift.

What keeps people from being conceived by the Spirit? Their own confused thinking! They designate more power to their own mind, than to the Mind which Created. They have become as gods! Eternal life is as near as believing what is true for "the truth will set you free". You have your Gift! Quit expecting material things because the Real Gift is already at the Superstore - He knocks at your door; open the door and the Gift is there, all packaged and ready to lift up!

Dress for the Occasion

It seems that people must dress for the occasion. Many preachers and priests wear elaborate costumes or fancy suits. Even fundamentalist preachers believe that for church, we should "wear our best". Like beauty, which is in the eye of the beholder, "our best" is in the values of each person. One of the elderly ladies in my church said, "I believe we should wear our best to church." That was her opinion, but that's all it was.  The "best" of some are blue-jeans and a polo shirt. They are blessed. As a child I was lucky to even have the bare minimum. Poverty keeps some from church because they don't seem to fit in. I intentionally dress down so that others will feel more comfortable in church.

The most famous "emcee" of all times wore a suit made from tent material. In modern times that same material is walked upon as backing for carpet. This emcee wasn't elite himself, but was divinely picked to introduce the most famous Act who ever lived. Ladies and gentlemen, he introduced Jesus Christ to the world! God picked an aesthetic living man to present the "Greatest Show on earth"!

Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan...

John the Baptist, the one whom Baptists claim succession, wore camel-hair clothing. His gown, tied by a leather belt, was the color of soil - light brown, and was roughly woven from the course outer hairs of the Batrian camel. Look at the photo below. That which is hanging was likely what John wore as a garment! It was his best because God directed him to dress that way!

Batrian Camel (Wikipedia)

 Now, some of the more fundamental Baptists preach that Christians wear their best to church. I often laugh as our layman, when invited to preach, put on their "preacher suits". They spit-shine their shoes, get a fresh hair-cut, and wear their best and fanciest suits. One young preacher was admonished by his mentor: I never want to see you ever preach without a suit and tie! That is legalism to do so because men ask, but obedience if one is convicted to do so. The Pharisees and Sadducees were noted for their priestly looks, whereas the Essenes,which John surely was, was noted for their simplicity in modest living and dress.

Of course, "dressing for church" means modesty which includes appropriate covering and things not self-indulgent. John dressed meekly and modestly. The focus was to be on the King not the servant, and Jesus was the King!

Jesus dressed simply himself, likely wearing the attire of the common man. Standing beside the well-dressed Sanhedrin, Jesus would have looked like no one of importance. He was noted for that. Imagine if you will, Jesus standing in the midst of Cardinal Law or even Joel Osteen! Need I make a stronger point?

The Price is Right

Modern thought is that things come easy if not free.  As a hard-working man who never got things for free, my pet peeve is the existence of self-indulgent people who seek free things. Why so? "Free things" are not free. Everything costs, and costs have their price. When a "free thing" is obtained, it's because someone paid the price.

At Christmastime, as anytime, I love to be charitable. It gives me joy to help some needy person whether I know them or not! Their color, belief, or social status has no bearing on my charity. I like to give to wealthy people as well as those in poverty. Of course, the gifts are different; the former it is support or acknowledgement, but to the latter it may be monetary. I have a single criteria: that the person to whom I give does not expect a gift. Expectation comes with the thought, I deserve this! There is only one thing on earth that everyone deserves:

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 6:23 For the wages of sin is death...

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

If you miss the point, since all are sinners, everyone - even you, deserves death! You see, this is what Scripture is all about: we all deserve to die and because we have a way out, God has grace upon us. Grace is receiving something which we don't deserve.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God...

Let's reword this: even though you deserve death, because you trust Jesus, and not yourself,  God's gift to you is eternal life. Being born again, is when this is recognized, which is the sinner comes to enlightenment. 

John 3:15 ...the Son of man be lifted up: 16 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already... 21 he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest.

These passages say much: Those who do not trust Jesus are condemned already since they deserve to die - forever (verse 18).  That is the truth (verse 21), and one who sees that truth, is enlightened ("cometh to the light"; verse 21). Basically, without belief in Jesus, people will have everlasting death because that is all they deserve. Verse 16 is the most often quoted. It is how to escape the punishment we deserve. God wants that none should perish - eternal death.  How do we escape that? By "lifting up the Son of Man", i.e., Jesus Christ (verse 15). How does lifting up Jesus save us from the death which we deserve?

1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 

Jesus paid the price. He redeemed us from sin-guilt by taking on all the sins of everybody in the world, and dying on our place.

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

That passage describes the payment - the price Jesus paid so that we without the currency get the price paid for us.  Jesus's propitiation was by the blood unto His own death, as a sacrifice, once and for all, for all my sins and everybody's! His own blood was the currency which paid the price, and not us - "saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" from Ephesians above. That is part of the enlightenment which leads to rebirth: you deserve death, you have no payment for life, and Jesus already has paid His own life in exchange for us guilty ones.

When we lift up Jesus for what He did, then we are born-again. We sell ourselves to Jesus because we were costly. Jesus bought us with a great price - His own death instead of us. We become servants of him because we are his! 

Most people, as they are born-again, get stuck half-way through the birth canal. They see the light at the end of the tunnel but their head (mind) gets stuck at the gateway to life - the spiritual cervix as they become stiff-necked.  In the rebirth process they see the light but fail to lift Jesus up by changing. Within the womb, they are the old person, and as people get stuck in the rebirth, they don't like what they see in the light at the end of the spiritual canal - that is the new creature with a new nature; not one of the flesh but one of the spirit. Most people seem to have been stuck halfway reborn because they prefer being served to serving. Rebirth is all about themselves, and not lifting up Jesus!

Why is the Church dying out? Because half-born creatures stalk the aisles, and sit comfortably in the pews, being served but not serving! The price paid for your life is Jesus's death. In gratitude, the price you pay is your old life for a new one; from served to serving. Just like Paul, we are to be a servant set apart for the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:1).

When we are not set apart as a servant, then we take for granted the cost of our salvation, and that Jesus paid the price. Ungrateful babies are only nourished because they are loved. Sometimes fretful parents deny their own children because of their demands. They think: Whose baby is this? He can't be mine! We know the answer: the baby is ours. Jesus knows the answer: he's not mine!

When we're born-again, we are of aware of the cost of our salvation and Who paid the price.  Since salvation is free, the price is right! We just need to reject the idea that things are free. They all come with a price.

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Meant to Be: Holy Matrimony

Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

You should be thinking: what's this got to do with marriage? Stop and think! It has much to do with Holy Matrimony! This occasion was when the bridegroom was presented to the groom with all the pomp of precious metal and ointments.

In some societies, even in Christendom, there have been pre-arranged marriages. My friend, Suresh Nair, was promised as a child to be the wife of she who became his wife. Even Eve was promised to Adam at his own creation. Thus, holy wedlock with the soon-to-be spouse is meant to be!

I was married before. The marriage was, but was not meant to be, because it was not holy. There were lies told at the counseling sessions, and neither of us at age eighteen paid much attention to the wedding vows. We tried to make it work anyway, and we both worked hard. That is what love is - working hard to make it work. Although our world's collided, for me, the collision did not reduce the friendship. I still pray for my ex-wife, and that she will be happy, in spite of the stress of legal dissolution. I failed, she failed - we failed. However, I do not believe in divorce, never did, and that is my greatest sin in life. Sinful? Yes, for there are no loop-holes outside of infidelity. However, I arranged for her future material comfort and education. That, to be honest, was done out of guilt.

This is my first time ever to anyone speaking of my worst failure. Of course, maybe my worst failure was the marriage from the beginning because as weak Christians, it was not Holy Matrimony. It was surely not meant to be, but we made it be. We got married without the realizing the seriousness of the marriage bond, and it a picture of our relationship to Christ.

Some treat divorce as the unpardonable sin. In my own denomination, I can't be a bishop nor a deacon unless I murder (sic) my wife! Why? The statement of their association is that a bishop or deacon "be the husband of one living wife".  With that statement, the actuality of divorce is denied although even Jesus at the well, recognized divorce. Effectually, this legalism makes divorce the only unpardonable sin. Since the statement is worded the way it is, technically, if I killed my wife, then I would be eligible to become a deacon!

There are consequences to divorce... and many! For instance, hurt feelings, loneliness, and the messiness of blended families trying to share special times with divided allegiances. From a practical standpoint, when children are involved, there is never ever complete separation. I write this to perturb those who are even considering divorce; it is not a good thing, and more pain will come with it than pleasure!

Also, I write these things so others can take the matter of marriage more seriously. I would suggest that anyone entering into marriage enter it in Holy Matrimony. That is the topic of my commentary today because Holy Matrimony is what is meant to be.

1 Adam and Eve is not canon but provides great insight into the institution of marriage. God brought to Adam and Eve golden rods, incense, and myrrh to comfort them in the wilderness. At their wedding angels brought them as a present to Adam and Eve.

1 Adam and Eve 31:1 "AFTER these things God said unto Adam, 'Thou didst ask of Me something from the garden, to be comforted therewith, and I have given thee these three tokens as a consolation to thee; that thou trust in Me and in My covenant with thee. For I will come and save thee; and kings shall bring me when in the flesh, gold, incense and myrrh; gold as a token of My kingdom; incense as a token of My divinity; and myrrh as a token of My suffering and of My death. 3 But, O Adam, put these by thee in the cave; the gold that it may shed light over thee by night; the incense, that thou smell its sweet savour; and the myrrh, to comfort thee in thy sorrow.'"

First off, God made a Covenant with Adam. That Covenant was to provide a bridegroom for Adam and Eve. Don't think perversion but symbolism.  Jesus was promised to mankind, and this is the pre-arranged marriage of old! At Adams's creation, his groom was planned, as was Eve's.

The engagement gift was gold, incense, and myrrh, representing God's Kingdom, His Divinity, and His Suffering and Death, respectively. For Adam's comfort, the gifts were to provide Light, Sweetness or contentment, and comfort in times of sorrow. However, before Adam and Eve were united in Holy Matrimony in the presence of God, this sacred writing says that Satan tried to counterfeit their marriage by deception - thus just matrimony with nothing holy about it. In fact, it was to be unholy matrimony because of the presence of dark angels.

You see, marriage was meant to be, but more importantly, it was meant to be holy! Why are there so many divorces? Because Satan deceives. Even in church weddings, the marriage can be unholy because the hearts of the two are more focused on the pleasure than the divine!

Satan and his devils came under the pretense of being God and angels offering gold, incense, and myrrh. He tried to bond Adam and Eve together with smooth-talk and presents. For a moment, Adam had his mind on the treasures and the promised happiness. Then the Word spoke to him, he came to his senses, rejected false matrimony, and felt guilty for being deceived again. Many marriages are consummated with the same deception. Satan said it was meant to be, and it is, but by God's ordination, not Satan's!

When God ordained marriage, it was not the treasures which he bestowed but His Kingdom - Holy Matrimony, His Divinity - marriage under God, and His Suffering and Death - 'til death do them part.

Adam and Eve, representing the world were betrothed to Jesus for 5500 years. They were patient for their marriage to the bridegroom, and had quite a long engagement with the groom. Then, when Jesus was born, mankind's bridegroom was presented to the world.

The old Russian monarchs at one time had brideshows. All the most noble and fair women were selected to parade before the emperor. From the fairest of them all, the emperor selected one to be his bride and empress. Well, with us, God selected us all as his brides, and like the maidens in Russia, Jesus was the emperor. The Russian beauties had no choice in whom their groom was to be, and neither do we! Jesus is the only bridegroom who can provide safety, and die for His bride! All we can do is accept the groom, knowing there will be no other!

Hence, at the wedding, three kings again brought gifts for the engagement ceremony. This event was the groomshow, and the show was lit with a shining star. God picked the groom, and it was Himself!  Thus, the world was betrothed to the bridegroom. Our fidelity to our bride here on earth, in Holy Matrimony, is the same fidelity we are to show our Groom. If we are fickle with our earthly marriage, fornication with other grooms is the outcome. Fidelity in Holy Matrimony is as important as fidelity with Jesus Christ!

Isaiah prophesied this Marriage between man and God and compared it to our own marriage with God:

Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

Isaiah wrote often of the coming wedding hundreds of years before the betrothed came. As Jesus birth was betrothal ( a promise to be married) to mankind, our own rebirth is betrothal to the Bridegroom - Jesus by name!

Jesus often referred to Himself as "the bridegroom". For instance, the following:

Mark 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

The position of the Christian is engagement to Christ. Christ is at the right hand of God right now waiting on the bride. He is faithful to us, and all that He ask is that we not fornicate with other gods, even ourselves. Before the wedding, Jesus will meet us in the sky, cleanse us thoroughly and present his bride - the Church to the Father, and the marriage will be blessed! The faithful bride of the world will be presented to the groom in Holy Matrimony, and will rule with Him!

Jesus's covenant with Adam was never ending. Jesus has waited thousands of years to walk with his creatures again in front of God without shame. The trumpets shall sound as the blushing bride is presented to the Father. God will say, "Well done, bride, Here is my Son. He is now your husband." Whereas, earthly marriage is separation from the parents, divine marriage is unification with God. It's going back to the way things were before mankind fornicated. Jesus cleansed his bride with His own blood so that the marriage could be pure! He took his Mary Magdalene - us, cleansed her, and will make her pure in Heaven to be His bride. (No, Jesus and Mary Magdalene were not married, but like us, she will be in heaven.)

That, my friends, is why matrimony must not be counterfeit. It must be Holy Matrimony. If it's not, Satan can and will tear it asunder if he can find away. We must be vigilant that the deceiver doesn't have a false wedding or a false marriage. A Satan-ordained marriage is infidelity to God, whereas God's ordains our marriage to have fidelity to Him!