December 2017 Anno Domini
CHRISTMAS LETTER FROM the Presiding Bishop
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matt 2:1-3 (KJV)
When I was a very young and rambunctious Sunday school scholar, I often wondered “Why was the King, and all of Jerusalem with him, troubled over the news of the coming birth of the prophesied King of the Jews?” Now I am beginning to understand as I see those in academia, politics, and society attempting to expunge every vestige of the word, Christmas. You do not hear such outrage over Halloween, Ramadan, or even Hanukkah. What is so offensive regarding Christmas to the new so-called elite among us?
Man has been attempting to replace the meaning of Christmas with secular personalities and music for many decades. Ask any child, or most any, what is the important thing about Christmas, and they will respond brightly, “Santa Claus!” It took about a century for Santa to replace the central figure of Christmas – our Lord Jesus Christ; but, to many, this occurred without argument over those decades. If Santa were denied, a loud outcry would result in the denier being scathed and ostracized from polite company. Today, the world has upped its game in demanding that even the name of the Christmas Season be renamed ‘Winter Break.’
The hostility towards Christmas results from the sinful heart of man seeking to assuage a conscience full of guilt toward God. Oh yes, those who hate the mention of the word Christmas are not truly atheist for such do not exist. Every soul born into this world has a primitive, at least, knowledge of God. But if they admit to His existence, they must change their errant ways by admitting that there is an Authority that rules in the affairs of man. The superstitions of the pygmies, or other uncivilized beliefs, do not bother the P.C. police in the slightest. They know these are merely figments of imagination; but God is real, and they KNOW it! You may be amazed at the dichotomy of these two views toward the spiritual, but it is a fact. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19 (KJV) I am pretty certain that if the devils know and tremble, the same is true of the devil’s followers.
Let us resolve to follow the lead of our American President in returning Christmas to its rightful place in America; and not just ‘A’ Christmas title, but a Christmas Season based on “spirit and truth” with our Lord Jesus Christ as the reason for the season.
Merry Christmas to one and all. May Christ be the Light you follow to Bethlehem.
JERRY L. OGLES, D.D.
Presiding Bishop
“Prenez en Gré”
In Christ Alone
in ADVENT
,
† Jerry L. Ogles , D.D.
Presiding Bishop
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide & Chancellor, Faith Theological Seminary
“Metus improbo compescit, non clementia.” – Syrus, MAXIMS: Fear, not kindness, restrains the wicked!
Archbishop Thomas Cranmer – HOLY SCRIPTURE:
“If there were any word of God beside the Scripture, we could never be certain of God’s Word; and if we be uncertain of God’s Word, the devil might bring in among us a new word, a new doctrine, a new faith, a new church, a new god, yea himself to be a god. If the Church and the Christian faith did not stay itself upon the Word of God certain, as upon a sure and strong foundation, no man could know whether he had a right faith, and whether he were in the true Church of Christ, or a synagogue of Satan.”
