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26 IMPORTANCE OF THE BIRTHDAY Luke 1:26-38 Much earlier in my life I tended to agree with those staunch fundamentalists who frown on the celebration of Christmas, condemning it as a practice borrowed from paganism. It is true that we don't know the exact time our Savior was born. And it is also true that long centuries ago December 25th was selected by church officials because it was a high point in religious festivities. So I understand why in 17th-century Massachusetts the observance of Christmas on December 25th was legally forbidden for twenty-two years. I likewise understand why in 1982 the Truth Tabernacle in South Carolina hanged an effigy of Santa Claus. But now I for one couldn't care less why and how that par ticular date was chosen. Let me explain my indifference. The pivot of all time was the Event which took place at Bethlehem as God's Messiah entered our world through the body of a virgin. That bir th, the very hinge of history, ought to be celebrated at least annually and even repeatedly during the year. We rightly deplore the commercialism which makes that day a Christ-ignoring holiday instead of a Christian holy day. Yet, let's prayerfully use it as an oppor tunity to remember that blessed Bir th, praise God for His saving grace, and bear witness to the stupendous truth of the Incarnation. Let's joyfully sing with Charles Wesley: Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the ever-lasting Lord: Late in time, behold him come, Offspring of a virgin's womb. Veiled flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. -VCG, 2002 DECEMBER 19