The Myths of Christmas

MYTH # 1:  Angels sing

“Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plain...” - from “Angels We Have Heard on High”

“Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, O sing all ye bright hosts of heaven above...” - from “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

“Peace on the earth, good-will to men, from heav’n’s all-gracious King; The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.” - from “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”

These are all blessed, wonderful songs of celebration of the Lord Jesus’s birth that we can sing.  In contrast, however, nowhere in Scripture did angels SING!  Scripture records angels speaking, proclaiming, sounding trumpets, even shouting, but the Bible never says anything about angels singing.

MYTH # 2:  Three Wise Men

The Bible account in Matthew 2: 1 says that “Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked [of King Herod], ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?’”

Again, nowhere in Scripture does it record exactly how many magi (or “wise men”) there were that traveled to worship the Christ Child.  It is tradition that has claimed there were three, probably based on the three types of gifts that are recorded in Scripture: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Christmas tradition, also, through Nativity scenes and movies, tends to place the magi coming to see the Baby in the manger.  However, Matthew records that they came to “the house [where] they saw the child with his mother, Mary.”  They had apparently come on the scene days or maybe even weeks after Jesus had been born.  Joseph and Mary, by that time, would have found a little better lodging for themselves and the Child in Bethlehem.

Later in His life, Jesus spoke some harsh words to the religious leaders of his day.  He said, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions...thus, you nullify the Word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.”  His warning echoes down to us through the ages: do not let the traditions of men make the Word of God to have no effect in your lives.

The “myths” noted above, even if believed, will probably have no effect on your eternal destiny.  They are interesting things to learn about but are basically spiritually neutral.  In contrast, there are many religious traditions today that are spiritually fatal and will abolish saving faith in your heart.  The truth of the gospel is this:  eternal salvation is a gift received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone!

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the worst.”  --Paul, I Timothy 1: 15