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God"--or. as in the Revised Standard Version, "We are FELLOW-
WORKMEN" with God. (I Cor. 3:9.)
Yet, at this season, when the living Christ needs our GIFTS
the more urgently, for HIS WORK which He actively HEADS, DIRECTS,
and BLESSES so abundantly--it is rather disheartening to see so
many FORGETTING Christ, or withholding any gift for Him, taking
money that COULD help REAP AN ABUNDANT SPIRITUAL HARVEST, and
SPENDING LAVISHLY on Christmas gifts, EXCHANGING these gifts with
human friends, acquaintances, family and relatives!
You know, I am sure, that "Christmas"--December 25--is NOT
Jesus' birthday! He was not born anywhere near December 25.
Rather, originally, the PAGANS celebrated this day as the birthday
of the SUN-god! By the calendar then used, December 25 was
regarded as the nativity (BIRTH) of the SUN, because the sun
begins to lengthen, and the power of the sun to increase, (in the
northern hemisphere), from that time of year.
I have heard people, and even ministers, say: "Yes, I know it
was originally a pagan holiday. But WE use it to worship CHRIST."
I wonder if you ever noticed what GOD SAYS about using PAGAN
customs to worship GOD. GOD says: "Take heed of thyself that thou
be not snared by following them (pagan customs) . . . and that thou
enquire NOT after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve
their gods? even so will I do likewise.' THOU SHALT NOT do so unto
the Eternal thy God." (Deut. 12:30-31.)
Co-Workers, REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE! We may give our
gifts to the LIVING Christ. Think a moment! Wouldn't it be rather
ridiculous if people planned a birthday party--everyone brought a
birthday present, and then SNUBBED the one whose birthday it was,
and exchanged the presents back and forth among themselves?
Wouldn't it make more sense IF they think they are giving BIRTHDAY
gifts, to GIVE THOSE GIFTS TO CHRIST, for HIS WORK?
People suppose the custom was started by the wise men from the
East, who brought gifts for the Christ-child. But they did not
bring their gifts until a considerable time AFTER His birth. And
they were NOT birth-day presents, at all! It was CUSTOM, on any
date, when paying a visit to a king or ruler, to present a gift.
People from overseas who visit President Johnson bring with them a
gift to the White House. Actually, the CUSTOM of exchanging gifts
on December 25 started hundreds of years before Jesus' birth!
JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE TODAY! He directs, and blesses this
WORK of His! HE IS REAPING A TREMENDOUS SPIRITUAL HARVEST through
this Work! Yet this great harvest COULD BE SO MUCH BIGGER--if only
there were more laborers HELPING! Jesus said: "The HARVEST truly
is plenteous, but the laborers are few; PRAY YE, therefore, the
Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into the
harvest." (Matt. 9:37-38.) Fellow-laborers, we need TWICE as many
Co-Workers HELPING, with their PRAYERS, as well as their tithes and
offerings, to REAP THE SPIRITUAL HARVEST!
Right now, the HARVEST of THIS WORK is some eight to ten
thousand precious lives every year--being baptized by our own