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Separating Fact
From Fiction
By Steve Higginbotham
December 4,
2005 |
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Personally, I relish Christmas as one of
my favorite holidays. The children, presents, decorations,
excitement...they all combine to make Christmas a special time
for my family and me. However, in the midst of all the fun, I
can't help but be a bit disturbed by all the biblical
ignorance or inaccuracies associated with Christmas. Many
cannot separate fact from fiction when it comes to the
biblical account of the birth of Jesus. For example, the
following statements are thought to be fact by many people,
but are in reality, fiction. (Check your own Bible and see
for yourself!)
FICTION: The angel Gabriel appeared to
Joseph to inform him concerning Jesus.
FACT: While the angel Gabriel did appear to
Mary, and an angel did appear to Joseph, but the Bible does
not say it was the angel, Gabriel.
FICTION: There were three wise men who
came to see Jesus.
FACT: The Bible doesn't tell us how many wise
men came to see Jesus. It tells us that three gifts were
presented, but it doesn't necessarily follow that there must
have also been three wise men.
FICTION: The three wise men were three
kings from the orient.
FACT: The Bible doesn't say the wise men were
kings.
FICTION: A bright star appeared in the sky
and led the wise men to the manger.
FACT: The Bible says the star appeared above
the house where Jesus was, not the manger Matthew 2:9-11.
FICTION: The wise men visited Jesus at the
manger.
FACT: The Bible says that the wise men
visited Jesus when he was in a house Matthew 2:11. At the time
of their visit, Jesus is called a "child" rather than a "baby"
Matthew 2:11. In fact, he may have been as old as two Matthew
2:7,16.
FICTION: A bright star
appeared to the shepherds in the field and led them to the
manger.
FACT: The Bible does not say anything about a
star leading the shepherds to the manger.
FICTION: Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth
to Bethlehem.
FACT: The Bible makes no mention of a donkey
and doesn't say how Mary made her way to Bethlehem.
It's surprisingly easy for us to believe as fact, what is
in reality fiction. Furthermore, this "fiction" is sometimes
propagated by religion. How many church lawns and "Christmas
re-enactments" will portray a nativity scene which
inaccurately portrays the biblical account?
Now here's my point: If we can be misinformed by religious
leaders, concerning the events surrounding something as
fundamental as the birth of Jesus, what's to make us think we
can't be misled regarding other religious matters?
Friends, make sure your faith is not based on what others
have told you is true, but rather make sure your faith is
based on what you know to be true from your own personal
study. Let the fiction you see perpetuated on church lawn's
and in church "pageants" this holiday season be a reminder and
a warning to you to do your own Bible study and not be content
with what others say.
"Prove all things; Hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians
5:21).
Copyright © 2005,
South Green Street Church of Christ, Glasgow, Kentucky
Permission is granted to copy these articles. |
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