Concerning Christmas, I thought you all might like reading what a man named
Michael who lives in Jerusalm wrote on another list that I am on. I found
it interesting, and I related to it in that in my trips to Israel,
Christians always seem to warn us to be careful not to tell people that we
are Christians. Yet, my experience is that there was more paranoia about it
than was warranted. Most Jews and Arabs were not offended to learn we were
Christians. In this post, Michael indicates that Messianics are more
concerned about not observing Christmas than Jews are.
Peace be with you.
David Miller.
Keith S. wrote:
> I guess that on this list there are a
> mixture of folk who like Christmas
> and others that are heartily sick of it
> .... Whats everybody elses experience?
My wife and I were married in 1986 and we have three kids. We never
had a tree together during our "gentiled-down" Christmas celebrations in the
U.S. We wanted to maintain a good witness with the Jews to whom we were
witnessing. But they really didn't care that much, we came to discover.
However, since moving to Israel in 1998, we have experienced something
else. Messianic Jews (Jews who follow Jesus) here in general are against
the celebration of Christmas at all. Definitely against the tree! So,
since we've been here, each year ... my wife and I have gotten a Christmas
tree. Just 'cause we can. It doesn't hurt that the Israeli government
gives FREE Christmas trees to all Christians in Israel every year! Greater
incentive to teach new covenant freedom in our sphere(s) of influence.
Messianic Jews tend to view Church history as one big "fiasco" ...
once the center of Christianity left Jerusalem, that is. While I advocate
on behalf of the Jewish people when around non-Jews (you all know that), I
also advocate for gentile Christians when around critical Messianic Jews who
forget that the Holy Spirit has not left the gentile dominated EKKLESIA
these 1900 or so years-- despite our many mistakes.
I always get to share the gospel with Jews and gentiles (Arabs,
Germans, Russians, Chinese, others) around the Christmas holidays. We have
three Christmases in Israel: the western Church (Roman Catholic,
Protestant), the eastern Church (Syrian, Greek, Russian Orhodox groups), and
the Armenians-- which prolongs the celebration ... though you wouldn't know
it in downtown Jerusalem, where we live. To most Israelis, Christmas is
just another workday. Kind of like Chinese New Year is to most of you.
This Thursday, God willing, a couple of believers and I will meet with
a larger group of rabbinic students (8 to 10) at the Jerusalem branch of
Hebrew Union College. Please pray for us as we share with them out of Isa.
53, the "Suffering Servant Song". Should be an interesting time together,
and somehow the topic of Christmas will come up in the conversation! It
usually does this time of year.
-- MICHAEL
Jerusalem
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"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you
ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org
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