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Herod killed the children, and seemingly did so mostly to eliminate Jesus, but also out of spite. God did not kill the children. Unless you want to ascribe to God the fault of every human death ever, because he theoretically could have intervened to stop all of them, at least at a practical level. You can argue that if you want, but it doesn't leave you much ground to stand on as a theist if you do.
Unfortunately, you're adding to the text as well. Yes, the angel spoke to Joseph, not the magi. But, the text merely says that God warned the Magi not to return to Herod. There is no ambiguity, no hint that the Magi were at all in any doubt that God was speaking to them. Indeed, there is similarly no suggestion they did not return because they feared for their own well being - the word that 'warn' comes from is a word that gets used in wider Greek literature to refer to taking instruction from various divine oracles - there is no intrinsic suggestion that they did not return because of fear of physical harm, or out of any fear in general - rather they were simply told not to return.
We won't know what was in the vision, but there's no particular reason to read anything into it other than what the text suggest - they were given a message in a dream not to return to Herod. Having heard such instruction they did not go back to Herod. It's reasonable to assume they obeyed the instruction because they deemed it of divine origin - obviously, Matthew himself believed it was from God. You are adding to the text by suggesting they were fearful, that God threatened them, or that they had any kind of future 'glimpse' of what could happen if they returned (or for that matter, if they didn't). There is simply nothing in the text that suggests that.
Unfortunately, you're adding to the text as well. Yes, the angel spoke to Joseph, not the magi. But, the text merely says that God warned the Magi not to return to Herod. There is no ambiguity, no hint that the Magi were at all in any doubt that God was speaking to them. Indeed, there is similarly no suggestion they did not return because they feared for their own well being - the word that 'warn' comes from is a word that gets used in wider Greek literature to refer to taking instruction from various divine oracles - there is no intrinsic suggestion that they did not return because of fear of physical harm, or out of any fear in general - rather they were simply told not to return.
We won't know what was in the vision, but there's no particular reason to read anything into it other than what the text suggest - they were given a message in a dream not to return to Herod. Having heard such instruction they did not go back to Herod. It's reasonable to assume they obeyed the instruction because they deemed it of divine origin - obviously, Matthew himself believed it was from God. You are adding to the text by suggesting they were fearful, that God threatened them, or that they had any kind of future 'glimpse' of what could happen if they returned (or for that matter, if they didn't). There is simply nothing in the text that suggests that.
Go back under the law and you forfeit grace.
Guess who the passover lamb is? It is Christ. It is finished. You don't need to celebrate passover because the lamb has already been slain. The final sacrifice for man's sins. It is finished.
There is nothing pagan about celebrating the birth of Christ. Unless you are a legalist or part of some fringe cult group.
Guess who the passover lamb is? It is Christ. It is finished. You don't need to celebrate passover because the lamb has already been slain. The final sacrifice for man's sins. It is finished.
There is nothing pagan about celebrating the birth of Christ. Unless you are a legalist or part of some fringe cult group.
I don't know of anyone who worships a Christmas tree as an idol. The charge is based on eisegesis (inserting an opinion) of a single verse by biblical illiterates). Martin Luther decorated the first Christmas tree to celebrate the glory of God's creation, it had nothing to do with idolatry. The charge is plain stupid.
Christmas is both a secular and a Christian holiday, which leaves room for abuse. But the charge that celebrating Christmas has pagan roots is simply wrong. The Roman emperor Aurelian made Dec. 25 the official date celebrating Sol Invictus to detract from the Christians who were celebrating Christmas on that date, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. Before 274 A.D., none of the sun cults had a fixed date. The charge of pagan roots doesn't work.
Christmas is both a secular and a Christian holiday, which leaves room for abuse. But the charge that celebrating Christmas has pagan roots is simply wrong. The Roman emperor Aurelian made Dec. 25 the official date celebrating Sol Invictus to detract from the Christians who were celebrating Christmas on that date, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. Before 274 A.D., none of the sun cults had a fixed date. The charge of pagan roots doesn't work.
As we know the star was prophesied. The Magi went back by a different route so they wouldn't get caught and have to reveal where the boy Jesus was living at the time. They were very wise men. LOL There might arise a question as to how non-Hebrews/Jews were privy to the scriptures concerning this thing.
Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
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the birth of jesus probably was in the spring. it is celebrated on the winter solstice because after the days becoming shorter and shorter it turns around at the winter solstice and the days get longer. it is celebrating the birth of jesus on the day light begins to come back after the darkness of winter. this year (for christmas) im going to the catholic church on christmas eve (midnight mass) and the large christmas day and sit by one of the beggars and play carols on my harmonica.
I personally do not celebrate Christmas because of the many Pagan roots in its celebration, but that is my personal conviction. I have no problems with others who do so to celebrate the Light of World's victory over Sol Invictis. May Father of Lights lead us into the Light of His Son's Everlasting glory.
