Christes Maesse

"According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the word Christmas originates from the phrase “Cristes Maesse”, first recorded in 1038, which means the Mass of Christ or Christ’s Mass. The word mass is the English version of the Latin word missa, a celebration of the Eucharist, done in memory of Jesus Christ, where Christians eat bread and drink wine. But not all is Latin; in fact, the word Christ comes from the Greek word Khristos, translated from the Hebrew term messiah, which means anointed."      Copied From Stillman Translations

Many differing viewpoints and traditions come out of both mental and physical storage from a variety of people at Christmas time to be dusted off and displayed prominently for the "season" only to be once again carefully tucked away for another year at the "season's" conclusion. I'm finding so many things striking in my own mind in particular this year as I step back and consider Christmas in the current world of men. I make no secret about my own heightened focus and observance in what I celebrate as the date of December 25th draws near, but I must also point out that because of what I hold Christmas to mean to me personally, the "season" of Christmas for me, in truth, lasts 365 days of each year. 

The celebration of the birth of the Son Of God - Jesus Christ, who came to rescue all of humankind (all lost without hope of redemption) that would choose to come forward to place their trust in Him as their savior - their hope of eternal life in God's presence. That is to me a sacred celebration! There are those who argue that Christians pirated the date of December 25th by their choice to celebrate Christ's birth on that day - in an attempt to cover up and take prominence over the pagan celebrations that occur at that same time of year. If so, I thank God for His wisdom because I know He makes no mistakes in His leading. Some may choose to celebrate something different at that time of year - something worldly or pagan, but if so, it's not the celebration of God's Gift to us, and their choice to celebrate something other than what God has done for them will be recorded by Him. 

The actual calendar day of Christ's birth is not so particularly important to me personally because I hold that it should be celebrated every day until the wealth of what that eternal gift truly brought us runs out. In other words, I believe that our celebration of those eternal things that God has done for us should last as long as the effect of those things themselves (eternity). But as it stands now, that particular season and date of December 25th puts the faith of some on trial between themselves and God as they're forced to produce evidence to Him of their choice and focus by what they pick to celebrate. And there is One who will judge them righteously. I'm seeing more things vying strongly for attention other than God's gift so I'm wondering who or what is taking prominence in the hearts and minds of men? Is it Jesus Christ, the Son Of God ... or satan's hollow and cancerous counterfeit occupations? If "Christ's Mass" were to be celebrated at another "season" the hearts and minds of some would not have the opportunity to be tested by being forced to choose between what God has done and the enemy's diversions. With all else put aside, what is the true occupation of our hearts? No matter the rebuttal of any in defense of a choice other than and over Christ, because the truth, having originated far beyond me still stands. 

"As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”"
Romans 9:33 (NKJ)

I make no apology for my convictions, I myself am imperfect and some may view my view as harsh, but there is a time of permanent sorting coming - a sorting of the truly faithful from the truly fakers and the results for some may be eternally far more harsh than my view. The Lord God has well defined those who become His children in the dictation of His Word and those who choose not to fit the definition will have made their own choice. We have NEVER been our own masters and the day is coming when the pride of the arrogant and defiant will be crushed by the true Master as the time of His accounting arrives. 

I point all of this out in deep concern for all people because of what's at stake. The season of the enemy's deception is on us in full as the time of his end draws near. It's his hope to take as many with him as he can and the reward for those who stray to follow his tempting path will be far more than severe. It's my hope to be helpful to my Lord in redirecting or refocusing the hearts of as many as I can with His help toward HIM - The King Of Kings. And please don't miss out on His habitation of your true and righteous celebration of His coming in humility to save us - to truly become "God with us".

This points to what I celebrate at Christ-mas... 

"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.  Luke 1:26-38 (NKJ)

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:9-14 (NKJ)

                           What's in your celebration?

                                           Got Jesus?

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 (NKJ)

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it."  Deuteronomy 10:12-14 (NKJ)