Christmas Hero & Druid Carols

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Gramster Rant: The Truth About Christmas Carols

Despite claims attempting to credit pagans and Druids for the origin of Christmas carols, the reality traces back much further - to Genesis 4:21. Here we find Jubal, credited as "the father of all who play the harp, lyre and pipe." This biblical account predates the alleged Mesopotamian musical discoveries by a century.

As Christianity spread across Europe between the 4th and 14th centuries, carols gained popularity among both Christians and non-Christians. The Franciscan friars were the first to formally document these songs, creating communal dances where people would gather in circles to sing and celebrate. While the year-round caroling traditions eventually faded, the Christmas-specific songs endured.

England's oldest surviving Christmas carol is "While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night" - with the tune written in the 1500s, lyrics in the 1600s, and the two combined in the 1800s. The oldest complete carol still sung today is "O Come All Ye Faithful," dating to the 1700s. These enduring hymns emerged from authentic Christian worship, not pagan rituals.

The Forgotten Hero of Christmas

In the cultural context of Jesus's time, one of the worst things that could happen to someone was to suffer immense shame. When Joseph discovered Mary was pregnant, knowing he wasn't the father, he had several options that could have destroyed her life - public shame, even death by stoning. Instead, his first recorded thought was to protect the woman he loved by divorcing her quietly to minimize her suffering.

This righteousness in Joseph's heart was so significant that God sent an angel to reveal the divine nature of Mary's pregnancy. As a father figure to the Son of God, Joseph embraced a mission that would bring shame upon himself. His obedience in naming Jesus as instructed demonstrated his willingness to put God's will and Mary's wellbeing above his own reputation.

Joseph and Mary both carried the weight of social stigma most of their lives. Just as Joseph leaned into that shame, his adopted son would later lean into the ultimate shame on the cross. Their story reveals the kind of faith required of those chosen to raise the Son of God.

Right On or Way Off?

"Everyone wants to be clothed with power but no one wants to be stripped of self" RIGHT ON! This captures the ongoing spiritual battle between our desire for power and the necessity of surrendering our self-will to God's purposes.

"Jesus did not only have to die for your sins, he had to live for your righteousness" RIGHT ON! As RC Sproul explains, Christ's perfect life of obedience was as necessary as His atoning death - providing both the removal of our guilt and the positive righteousness we need.

"No woman should be identified by her relationship with a man" WAY OFF! This modern objection to a child being cast as an "innkeeper's wife" in a Christmas play reveals a misunderstanding of healthy relationships and identity. Our connections to others, including family roles, can be part of who we are without diminishing individual worth.

Bible Reading Project Update

Mike Shaw shared progress on his upcoming Bible reading program, adapted from Tom Leing's method. The plan enables readers to complete the New Testament twice in a year, the Old Testament once, Proverbs monthly, and Psalms quarterly. Taking about 30 minutes daily, this disciplined approach to Scripture reading, combined with prayer and sound teaching, has proven transformative in many lives.

The team emphasized that whether reading silently, aloud, or hearing it read, God's Word carries life-changing power. As we celebrate Christ's birth, may we embrace both the Christmas spirit and commit to staying grounded in Scripture throughout the year.