Teach The Children The REAL Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask him.

The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement, TEACH THE CHILDREN! I was puzzled: What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.

As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it on the mantle. Teach the Children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. Teach the Children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of that promise.

He then reached into the bag and pulled out a CANDLE. Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.

Once again he reached into his bag and then removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. Teach the Children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.

He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. Teach the Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.

He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. Teach the Children the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, "Teach the Children that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift. Teach the Children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. Teach the Children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps bring back strayed sheep from the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. Teach the Children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will.'

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. Teach the Children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should bring people to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked at the tree and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the Children the true meaning of Christmas, and not to put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the ONE WHO IS, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God."

Very interesting, commentary, Race. I think that is the way I heard the conception date explained by Pastor Arnold Murray a couple of years ago, but I didn't have a written transcript. Thanks!

Have you ever seen THIS theory of Christ's birthdate being not on Tishri 15, but on Tishri 1 Rosh Hashanaah, THE DAY OF TRUMPETS, (which fell on SEPTEMBER 11, 3 B.C.), from David Chilton's DAYS OF VENGEANCE (an exposition of the book of Revelation). Perhaps the two-week difference can be explained by the fact that Mary was heavy with child http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Luk/Luk002.html#5 . What must have been a grueling trip for a woman in her condition, would most likely have brought the birth to fruition a tad early by our standards, but right on schedule, according to God's plan. For, reading again in Luke 2, if I am interpreting this correctly, it appears that Mary was confined for seven days, according to the law, and the child was circumcised IN BETHLEHEM [which means literally 'house of Bread', fitting for 'The Bread of Life'] on the EIGHTH DAY, and THEN was taken to JERUSALEM to be presented to the LORD during the FEAST OF TABERNACLES, thus fulfilling both the DAY OF TRUMPETS AND the FEAST OF TABERNACLES. I have added links to many of the Bible passages mentioned, and in addition, links to the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, which will show historical precedences and progression of God's word through the ages. For any I missed, find here: http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.html . I would advise that one read the main part of the text through first, then come back and read the links and comments in brackets, [ ]'s, for further understanding. Or maybe you would find it easier to read it first at the source, then come back and read this post. [ Days of Vengeance, Rev. 1-2. See pages 326 through 329 http://freebooks.entrewave.com/freebooks/docs/html/dcdv/dcdv.html ]. It took me a couple of readings before I got all of it. I got goosebumps this morning when I realized what he was saying about even the order of the stars coinciding with the order of the tribes around the tabernacle. Please enjoy.

[ Luk 2:21 And WHEN EIGHT DAYS WERE ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE CIRCUMCISING of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/21.html

Luk 2:22 And WHEN THE DAYS OF HER PURIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF MOSES WERE ACCOMPLISHED, THEY BROUGHT HIM TO JERUSALEM, TO PRESENT [HIM] TO THE LORD;
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/22.html

Luk 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/23.html

Luk 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Luk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Luk 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Luk 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Luk 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Luk 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

Luk 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/30.html

Luk 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

Luk 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/32.html

Luk 2:33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

Luk 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/34.html

Luk 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/35.html

Luk 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Luk 2:37 And she [was] a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served [God] with fastings and prayers night and day. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/37.html

Luk 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/38.html

Luk 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/39.html ]

*** Now, from DAYS OF VENGEANCE, by David Chilton:

THE HOLY WAR Revelation 12:1-3

[ http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Rev/Rev012.html#top ]

p. 326-329

[ Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/12/1.html

Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/12/2.html ]

PART FOUR: THE SEVEN TRUMPETS

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As the pregnant woman approaches the time to give birth, She writhes and cries out in her labor pains, Thus were we before Thee, O LORD. (Isa. 26:17 http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Isa/Isa026.html#17 )

As prophetic revelation progresses in Scripture, it becomes increasingly clear that the Old Covenant Church is laboring to bring forth the Christ (cf. Mic. 4:9-5:9
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mic/Mic004.html#9 and
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mic/4/9.html and
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mic/4/10.html and
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mic/Mic005.html and
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mic/5/9.html ): He was the basic promise of the Abrahamic covenant. This is what Israel was waiting for, being in labor and pain throughout her existence. This is the most essential meaning of Israel’s history, apart from which it has no significance: the bearing of the Manchild (cf. John 16:20-22
[ http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Jhn/Jhn016.html#20 and http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jhn/16/20.html and http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jhn/16/21.html and http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jhn/16/22.html ], the Savior of the world. From the protevangelium to the Flood, from the Abrahamic Covenant through the slavery in Egypt, the Exodus, the settling of Canaan, the Babylonian Captivity, the return from exile, and the suffering under the Greeks and the Remans, Israel was laboring to give birth to the Christ, to bring in the Messianic age.

In the midst of the Church’s struggles, therefore, she cried out. This verb (Icrazd) has special significance in Scripture, generally being used for an oath or the solemn proclamation of God’s revelation; it is often used of God’s servants speaking in the face of opposition. 7 Here it has reference to the Church’s official declaration of the Word of God, the prophecy that she uttered as she travailed in birth. This was the essence of all prophetic revelation, to bear witness to the Christ (John 5:39, 45-46; Luke 24:25-27; Acts 3:24; 13:27).

[ http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Jhn/Jhn005.html#39
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jhn/5/39.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jhn/5/45.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jhn/5/46.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Luk/Luk024.html#25
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/24/25.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/24/26.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/24/27.html
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Act/Act003.html#24
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Act/3/24.html

http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Act/Act013.html#27 Read the entire chapter. The desciples fasted and prayed before Paul and Barnabas were sent out on the following mission. Note the sorcerer Barjesus, which means son of Jesus; Elymas was his Arab name. He was evil incarnate:

Act 13:9 Then Saul, (who also [is called] Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

Act 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, [thou] child of the devil, [thou] enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

After Barjesus is restrained, they go on their way to announce the kingdom being taken from the false shepherds and given to the gentiles, to those who would 'bear fruit' for the kingdom of God. After re-capping the history of the Israelites, we read this:

Act 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

Act 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. ]

It is important to recognize the relationship of all this to the very obvious astronomical symbolism in the text. The word St. John uses for sign was the term used in the ancient world to describe the constellations of the Zodiac; St. John’s model for this vision of the Church is the constellation of Virgo, which does have a “crown” of twelve stars. 8 It seems likely that the

p. 327
twelve stars also represent the twelve signs of the Zodiac, from ancient times regarded as symbols of the twelve tribes of Israel; in Joseph’s famous dream his father, mother, and the twelve tribes were symbolized by the sun, the moon, and twelve stars or constellations (Gen. 37:9 http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Gen/Gen037.html#9 Note also the sons of the bondwoman who seek to kill the heir.). 9 We have already seen how the divine arrangement of Israel’s tribes around the Tabernacle (Num. 2 http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Num/Num002.html#top ) corresponded to the zodiacal order of the constellations. 10 The Seventh Trumpet of 11:15 brought us to Rosh Hashanah: the Day of Trumpets, the first day of the seventh month, the first day of the new year, the Day of the enthronement of the King of kings in the New Creation. The statement that Virgo is “crowned” with the twelve constellations, therefore, “means that she is the one among the twelve who reigns at the time,” i.e. during the seventh month, just as “the Scorpion’s claws seem about to catch the Virgin.” 11 In terms of astral symbolism, therefore, the birth of the Messiah takes place on the Day of Trumpets.

It is interesting that by pursuing several lines of very convincing evidence, Prof. Ernest Martin carefully and painstakingly narrows down the probable date of Christ’s birth to sometime in September, 3 B.C. 12 Martin then adds the icing to the cake: “In the period of Christ’s birth, the Sun entered the head-position of the Woman about August 13, and exited from her feet about October 2. But the Apostle John saw the scene when the Sun ‘clothes’ or ‘adorns’ the Woman. This surely indi- cates that the position of the Sun in the vision was located somewhere mid-bodied of the Woman — between the neck and knees. (The sun could hardly be said to ‘clothe’ the Woman if it were situated in her face or near her feet.)

“The only time in the year that the Sun could be in a position to ‘clothe’ this celestial Woman (to be mid-bodied) is when it was

p. 328
located between about 150 and 170 degrees along the ecliptic. This ‘clothing’ of the Woman by the Sun occurs for a 20-day period each year. This 20-degree spread could indicate the general time when Christ was born. In 3 B. C., the Sun would have entered this celestial region about August 27 and exited from it about September 15. If John in the Book of Revelation is associating the birth of Christ with the period when the Sun is mid-bodied to the Woman, then Christ would have had to be born within that 20-day period. From the point of view of the Magi (who were astrologers), this would have been the only logical sign under which the Jewish Messiah might be born — especially if he were to be born of a virgin. Even today, astrologers recognize that the sign of Virgo is the one which has reference to a messianic world ruler to be born of a virgin. . . .

“But there is a way to arrive at a much closer time for Christ’s birth than a simple 20-day period. The position of the Moon in John’s vision could pinpoint the nativity to within a day – perhaps to an hour period or less. This may seem absurd, but it is entirely possible. “The key is the Moon.

The apostle said it was located ‘under her feet.’ What does the word ‘under’ signify in this case? Does it mean the Woman of the vision was standing on the Moon when John observed it or does it mean her feet were positioned slightly above the Moon? John does not tell us. This, however, is not of major consequence in using the Moon to answer our question because it would only involve the difference of a degree or two. Since the feet of Virgo the Virgin represent the last 7 degrees of the constellation (in the time of Christ this would have been be- tween about 180 and 187 degrees along the ecliptic), the Moon has to be positioned somewhere under that 7-degree arc. But the Moon also has to be in that exact location when the Sun is mid- bodied to Virgo. *** In the year 3 B. C., these two factors came to precise agreement for less than two hours, as observed from Palestine or Patmos, on September 11. The relationship began about 6:15 P.M. (sunset), and lasted until around 7:45 P.M. (moonset). This is the only day in the whole year that this could have taken place.”lJ

p. 329
***An added bonus: SUNDOWN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 3 B. C., WAS THE BEGINNING OF TISHRI 1 in the Jewish calendar – ROSH HASHANASH, THE DAY OF TRUMPETS! 14 Martin summarizes: “THE CENTRAL THEME OF THE DAY OF TRUMPETS IS CLEARLY THAT OF ENTHRONEMENT OF THE GREAT KING OF KINGS. This was the general understanding of the day in early Judaism – and it certainly is that of the New Testament. In Revelation 11:15 ( http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Rev/Rev011.html#15 and http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/11/15.html ) the seventh angel sounds his ‘LAST TRUMP’ and THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD BECOME [BECAME] THOSE OF CHRIST. This happens at a time when a woman is seen in heaven with twelve stars around her head and the Sun mid-bodied to her, with the Moon under her feet. This is clearly a New Moon scene for the Day of Trumpets.” 15......
___________________________________________________________
Footnotes:

7. See, e.g., Matt. 27:50; Mark 3:11; 5:7; 9:24; 10:48; 15:13; John 1:15; 7:28; 12:13, 44; Acts 19:28, 32, 34; Rem. 9:27; Gal. 4:6; James 5:4; and see its use especially in Revelation: 6:10; 7:2, 10; 10:3; 14:15; 18:2,18-19; 19:17. 8. The twelve stars are: “(l) Pi, (2) Nu, (3) Beta (near the ecliptic), (4) Sigma, (5) Chi, (6) Iota – these six stars form the southern hemisphere around the head of Virgo. Then there are (7) Theta, (8) Star 60, (9) Delta, (10) Star 93, (11) Beta (the second magnitude star), (12) Omicron – these last six form the northern hemisphere around the head of Virgo. All these stars are visible ones that could have been seen by observers.” Ernest L. Martin, The Birth of Christ Recalculated (Pasadena, CA: Foundation for Biblical Research, 2nd cd., 1980), p. 159.

9. See Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, iii.vii.7, where he explains the twelve stones in the high priest’s breastplate, representing the twelve tribes of Israel (Ex. 28:17-21 http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Exd/Exd028.html#17 ), in terms of the Zodiac. 10. See comments on Revelation 4:7; cf. Ernest L. Martin, The Birth of Christ Recahdated, pp. 168f. 11. Farrer, The Revelation of St. John the Divine (Oxford: At the Claren- don Press, 1964), p. 141. 12. It is generally held that Herod the Great died in 4 B. C., and therefore that Christ was born in 6 or 7 B.C. Martin, however, presents a detailed and persuasive case for Herod’s death occurring in 1 B.C. See his Birth of Christ Recalculated, pp. 26-131.

13. Ibid., pp. 146f. What about December 25, the traditional date of the Nativity? As Martin demonstrates, there were numerous startling astronomical phenomena taking place during the years 3-2 B.C. Chief among these celestial events was the fact that Jupiter, recognized by Jews and Gentiles alike as the “Planet of the Messiah:’ was located in Virgo’s womb and standing still, directly over Bethlehem, on December 25, 2 B. C., when the Child was a little over a year old. (Matthew states that the holy family was settled in a house, not in a stable, by the time the Magi visited [Matt. 2:11 http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat002.html#11 and http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mat/2/11.html ]. Moreover, Herod ordered the slaughter of the innocents “from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the Magi” [Matt. 2:16 http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat002.html#16 and
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mat/2/16.html ], indicating that the Child was no longer a newborn.) For a full account of the astronomical events of 3-2 B.c., see Martin, pp. 4-25, 144-77.
14. Ibid., pp. 152ff.
15. Ibid., p. 158.

From DAYS OF VENGEANCE, by David Chilton
http://freebooks.entrewave.com/freebooks/docs/html/dcdv/dcdv.html

We've gone round and round at our house about whether to celebrate Christmas or not. Don't do as I do, but we decided that WE aren't celebrating the Pagan aspects; we are celebrating that the TRUE LIGHT came into the world even when He entered Mary's womb. John the Baptist was only 6 months in the womb, and even he leapt for joy! It was an earth-shaking event. As Pastor Murray has said, if it weren't for Christmas, a lot of kids would never hear about Jesus. It's also a time for people to get together with families and friends, and to make memories to hold on to when the inevitable separations come, and also to think of and care for the less fortunate. A lot of us get so caught up in the day-to-day struggle, that the important things in life often get shuttled to the back burner. Christmas forces many of us to stop and reflect. It also makes a lot of people nicer than they are the rest of the year. If this only happens once a year, it's unfortunate, but it's better than nothing, and helps set a better tone for the new year. God says that what the devil intends for evil, He will turn to His glory. If we are wrong to celebrate His birth, I hope He will forgive us. We will put more study and prayer into it, and hope He will guide us toward the right choice in the future.

[And we will pray for the kill-joys who thought it would be a good time to put a damper on the day by conjuring up terrorism.]

Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Psa/2/12.html and

Deu 10:14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens [is] the LORD'S thy God, the earth [also], with all that therein [is].
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Deu/10/14.html

Oba 1:4 Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Oba/1/4.html

Psa 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Psa/2/6.html

+++ JESUS IS GOD [ I ran across this recently, and am going to spend this year giving it out to friends and strangers.] http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pentecostal/One-Ch4.htm#t4

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Isa/9/6.html

Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Luk/2/14.html

Kids want me off-line now so they can try out their new computer.

"Indeed His birth wasn't in December but observing the Tabernacle and Passover is ridiculous since the celebrating the birth of Jesus is a more important event. Their priorities are misguided. It makes more sense to celebrate His birth, smbolically than a celebrate Jewish Old Testament events when He changed everything for us by being born."

I was thinking yesterday, after I got off the computer, about the fact, or at least my understanding of the reading of Luke 2:21 to 2:22, that if my interpretation is correct, the reason Jesus was circumcised in Bethlehem may be that Jesus was fulfilling the old law ( Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mat/5/17.html ), yet setting up the "new" one in Jerusalem, His EARTHLY Mt. Zion
[ which was not to remain 'Jerusalem" or Mt. Zion for long: see Galations 4:19-31 http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Gal/Gal004.html#19 ). This "new" law, however, was not really new, but was given them from the beginning, and circumcision of the flesh was symbolic and a shadow of the circumcision of the heart God was striving for:

Deu 30:6 And the LORD thy God will CIRCUMCISE THINE HEART, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
*** http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Deu/30/6.html

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Gal/5/14.html

1Jo 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/1Jo/2/7.html (Note in particular Lev 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD. and Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. )

As Jesus, Himself said:

Mar 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.

Mar 12:31 And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Mar 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

***** Mar 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. **** http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mar/12/33.html

Mar 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him [any question].

It appears He was setting the stage for the New Covenant's fulfillment right from His birth:

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jer/31/31.html

Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jer/31/32.html

Jer 31:33 But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, *** I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jer/31/33.html

Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: *** for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jer/31/34.html

It is done, for all who believe on His name (c'mon world!):

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/21/2.html

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, BEHOLD, THE TABERNACLE OF GOD [IS] WITH MEN, [as it was in the beginning with Adam and Eve- "I AM with you alway"; "You are the Temple of the Living God"] and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/21/3.html

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/21/6.html

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/21/7.html

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Rev/21/8.html

Since I don't want to let it end on that last note, lest those who don't quite understand should turn away:

Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT YE, AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Mar/1/15.html

Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. http://www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Jhn/3/16.html

Jhn 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Jhn 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Jhn 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Jhn 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Jhn 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

I pray in my naivete, that this next year be the year that men come back to God.

Peace on earth.

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