By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

Deuteronomy 29:29

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

THE BIBLE IS COMPLETELY SILENT ON THE EXACT DAY OF CHRIST’S BIRTH. HOWEVER, IT IS RESOUNDINGLY STATED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT CHRIST WAS TO BE BORN ON EARTH TO SAVE SINNERS. THE NEW TESTAMENT RECORD AFFIRMS THAT THE PROMISED SAVIOR WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM IN FULFILLMENT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY ABOUT HIS BIRTH AND MISSION. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL IN SEEKING TO REFUTE CERTAIN DATES CLAIMED BY SOME TO BE THE BIRTHDAYS OF JESUS THAT WE END UP KNOWING MORE ABOUT PAGAN DEITIES AND FESTIVALS THAN WE KNOW ABOUT WHY CHRIST WAS BORN.

More about Jesus I would know,

More of His grace to others show;

More of His saving fullness see,

Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

Micah‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

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Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

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... – {Adventist Home p. 477.2}

As the twenty-fifth of December is observed to commemorate the birth of Christ, as the children have been instructed by precept and example that this was indeed a day of gladness and rejoicing, you will find it a difficult matter to pass over this period without giving it some attention. It can be made to serve a very good purpose. – {Adventist Home p. 478.1}

The youth should be treated very carefully. They should not be left on Christmas to find their own amusement in vanity and pleasure seeking, in amusements which will be detrimental to their spirituality. Parents can control this matter by turning the minds and the offerings of their children to God and His cause and the salvation of souls. – {Adventist Home p. 478.2}

Isaiah 7:14

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

Matthew 1:21-23

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

2 Samuel 12:13

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

THE REPENTANT KING WHO HAD COMMITTED ADULTERY AND MURDERED URIAH, ACKNOWLEDGES HIS SIN IN TEARS AND IS FORGIVEN BY OUR MERCIFUL GOD.

Psalm 38:18

For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

David’s repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his crime. No desire to escape the judgments threatened, inspired his prayer. But he saw the enormity of his transgression against God; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. David did not in despair give over the struggle. In the promises of God to repentant sinners he saw the evidence of his pardon and acceptance. – {Patriarchs and Prophets p. 725.2}

Psalm 32:1-5

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 3When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 5I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah

1 John 2:1-2

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Psalm 34:18

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 130:3-4

If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

GOD’S FORGIVENESS IS NOT A LICENSE FOR US TO CONTINUALLY PLAY IN THE MAD OF SIN

Psalm 40:2-3

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Romans 6:1-2

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Psalm 85:7-8

Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. 8I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

Hebrews 10:38-39

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.