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Birth Of Christ Has Ring Of Truth by Alex McFarland
Posted by Ed and Lois
THE Christmas season is accompanied by many things: mistletoe, evergreen trees and Santa Claus. And while most Americans accept the store-bought image of Christmas, there remains an ongoing debate on one of the season’s most sacred symbols—the nativity.
It is hypothesized that Christian doctrines developed through a repackaging of existing legends. The recent Newsweek feature article asserts that the New Testament writers were “confronted with a literary problem that had to be solved,’ and thus created the story of Christ’s birth. The apostle Paul is also frequently cited as a likely reviser and partial “founder’ of Christianity, allegedly having meshed prevalent paganism with teachings about Jesus. The implication is that the core beliefs of classical orthodoxy are inventions of men rather than revelation from God.
But consider the facts revealed upon closer examination: The New Testament deals with actual persons and historical events open to investigation. The mystery religions dealt with mythical figures, having no historical ties whatsoever. In contrast, Jesus’ birth is tied to such things as real people (Herod of Judea), real places (Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth), actual events ("a census by Caesar Augustus’), and is corroborated by verifiable details ("when Quirinius was governor of Syria’).
Full Post http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/Stories/0,1413,206%7E11851%7E2611337,00.html
Maker Of Red Ryder BB Gun Shuns Publicity by Melissa Nelson
Posted by Ed and Lois
The Red Ryder BB gun is “the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts,” according to young Ralphie Parker, who pines for one in the movie A Christmas Story. But Daisy Outdoor Products, which makes the Red Ryder, is shying away from any publicity that represents the gun as a toy.
The gun, named for the comic strip cowboy Red Ryder, remained a favorite among children for decades and was the inspiration for 1983’s A Christmas Story, about a young boy in the 1940s who longs for “an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, Range Model air rifle with a compass on the stock and this thing which tells time.”
In the movie, little Ralphie dubs the gun “the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts” but is admonished by numerous adults (his mother, his teacher, even a department store Santa) that “you’ll shoot your eye out!”
Toy consultant Chris Byrne isn’t surprised that Daisy doesn’t boast about the gun’s popularity.
“They are a classic American brand, but anytime you talk about selling guns to kids in today’s society, they are pariah,” he said.
Full Post http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2004-12-22-red-ryder_x.htm
Real Live Preacher > The Christmas Story Returns
Posted by Mike Boyink
The Christmas Story Returns
In December of 2003, I spent a month writing a 10,000 word dramatization of the Christmas story. I posted it in eight parts between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I left it online during the Christmas season, then removed it from my story archives.
I’m putting it back online now for those who have asked and for new friends who might be interested. Below you will find links to all eight parts. I’ll leave these online until the end of the year.
This will be the last you will hear of me until January. I’ll see you in 2005.
enjoy!
rlp
http://blogs.salon.com/0001772/2004/12/21.html#a435
Why did Jesus come?
Posted by boyd berends
A couple of weeks ago pastor Dave spoke on “Why Jesus Came”. Now I am sure there are more than 6 reasons, but if a couple of the reasons where to ransom us and to give us eternal life, (death) then why did He have to suffer so? After all death is death and does not have to be so painfull.
Or is according to Isaiah 53, there a reason for the suffering Jesus went through? Watch the movie the “Passion” and ask yourself if the suffering was necessarily required as part of Jesus’ death?
Interesting thought isn’t it? If the suffering was not required,( and according to the Word only death was required to redeem us) then why did He have to suffer as He did?
Manna Dates To Remember
Posted by Ed and Lois
Manna will be holding a Christmas Eve service (December 24) at 5:00 PM @ the Park Theatre. It should last one hour.
We will also be having a New Years Eve party at the Park Theatre. We’re planning from 8:00 PM to Midnight. It’s our chance to hold a Matthew Party. Everyone is welcome. Details are forthcoming.