Stones Cry Out
Every year it seems that Christmas becomes more and more commercialized. Even in nations where the majority of people call themselves “Christian,” the season has become more about shopping than worshiping. The pressure to buy gifts and plan elaborate parties makes it increasingly difficult to stay focused on the real meaning of the holiday—the birth of Jesus, God’s only Son, the Savior of the world.
But every holiday I also hear the gospel coming from surprising places —the very places that so commercialize Christmas—shopping malls. When I hear “Joy to the World! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King” ringing from public address systems, I think of the words Jesus said to the Pharisees who told Him to silence the crowds who were praising Him. “If they keep quiet,” Jesus said, “the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40 niv).
At Christmas we hear stones cry out. Even people spiritually dead sing carols written by Christians long dead, reminding us that no matter how hard people try to squelch the real message of Christmas, they will never succeed.
Despite the commercialism that threatens to muddle the message of Christ’s birth, God will make His good news known as “far as the curse is found.”
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found. —Watts
Keeping Christ out of Christmas is as futile as holding back the ocean’s tide.
Insight
Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The salvation Christ brings is what all creation is waiting for (see Rom. 8:19-20) and is a message that cannot be silenced (Luke 19:40).
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praise the lord says:
Hi eternallyhis,
I have noticed you are trying to help Rocky out. Billy Graham has a book on the Holy Spirit which might help him out. Because doing it through the post will take a long time. Just a suggestion.
Thank you for your comments. My nook had updates and I have been having problems getting into this post as well as other apps. I probably should wait till tomorrow to post since it is so late in the day.God bless you.
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sassthez says:
We have supposed CHRISTMAS to be the chief of the Christian holidays. Without asking questions, we have blindly assumed its observance must be one of the principal teachings and commands of the New Testament. We have supposed Jesus was born December 25th, and that the New Testament set this day aside as the chief Christian festival. We have supposed we exchange gifts because the wise men presented gifts to the Christ-child.
But, let’s quit supposing, and look into history and the Bible for the FACTS!
The word “Christmas” means “Mass of Christ” or, as it later became shortened, “Christ-Mass.” It came to us as a Roman Catholic mass. And where did they get it? From the HEATHEN celebration of December 25th, as the birthday of Sol the SUN GOD! It is, actually, an ancient rite of BAALISM, which the Bible condemns as the most abominable of all idolatrous worship!
It is not so much as MENTIONED anywhere in the New Testament. It was never observed by Paul, the apostles, the early true Christian Church!
The idea that Jesus was born December 25th, is one of the FABLES the Apostle Paul prophesied (II Tim. 4:4) would deceive the world in these latter days.
The plain truth is, Christmas is NOT Christ’s birthday at all! And this festival, important as it seems to so many, is not of Christian, but of pagan — Babylonish — origin!
I’m in love with Christ and because of the Love He has giving me I try as possible to stay far from the tradition of men so I don’t irritate thy Father and observe his commendments.
Please let’s go back the the scriptures and not the traditions of men!!!!
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josy says:
Oh dear, I think you’ve missed the point. You are referring to facts of the world around us, but there are other facts that are unseen. If Christ is being honoured,celebrated and lifted high, if others are being shown what the goodness of God is and experience the mini-sermons that Ms.Ackerman Link refers to in the mall carols, then your facts are extremely irrelevant–who cares that the feast started as pagan and who cares what the actual date is? Any reason to share Christ is a good time to celebrate. Let go of the physical and focus on the spiritual benefit. May God bless you all this Christ Mass season.
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We have supposed CHRISTMAS to be the chief of the Christian holidays. Without asking questions, we have blindly assumed its observance must be one of the principal teachings and commands of the New Testament. We have supposed Jesus was born December 25th, and that the New Testament set this day aside as the chief Christian festival. We have supposed we exchange gifts because the wise men presented gifts to the Christ-child.
But, let’s quit supposing, and look into history and the Bible for the FACTS!
The word “Christmas” means “Mass of Christ” or, as it later became shortened, “Christ-Mass.” It came to us as a Roman Catholic mass. And where did they get it? From the HEATHEN celebration of December 25th, as the birthday of Sol the SUN GOD! It is, actually, an ancient rite of BAALISM, which the Bible condemns as the most abominable of all idolatrous worship!
It is not so much as MENTIONED anywhere in the New Testament. It was never observed by Paul, the apostles, the early true Christian Church!
The idea that Jesus was born December 25th, is one of the FABLES the Apostle Paul prophesied (II Tim. 4:4) would deceive the world in these latter days.
The plain truth is, Christmas is NOT Christ’s birthday at all! And this festival, important as it seems to so many, is not of Christian, but of pagan — Babylonish — origin!
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bernard stephen says:
Yes, stones will cry out loudly the praise of God and His Son Jesus, the Saviour of all humanity! People belong to different culture and creed are enthusiastic in joining in celebrating Christmas world over. Although they may not believe in Jesus the Son of God but, their inner most being find a joy, they cannot discern! They don’t behave contrary to the Spirit of Joy of Christmas world over. It’s another subtle proof that Jesus is the Saviour of all human beings. Because every human being is in need of the Saviour! Christmas-the Joyfull celebration- is the most known in the world! And it’s true to be so!
Thank you for the devotional. It’s really uplifting my spirit in joy in our Saviour! Praise The Lord Jesus! Amen!
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Hi Everyone,
Dr. Perspective I am not sure where in scripture it says Jesus and his followers are wealthy.
Luke 2:22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Leviticus 12:8 ‘But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.”
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John were going to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.
Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene– walk!”
In Luke 6:20-26, is not addressing Jesus’ state of wealthiness it surely addresses wealthiness and poorness. 20 And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21″Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 ” Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23″Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. 24″But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. 25″Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26″Woe to you , when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.
Jesus came as a suffering servant and our redeemer. He is coming back as King. He was born in humble circumstances in a manger. He lived in humble circumstances and died a humiliating death. He arose to give us life and He returned to His kingdom. Should we die before His return we will be with Him. If not, we will see Him return in power, might, and in all glory.God bless you and all the posters of ODB.
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eternallyhis says:
praise the lord,
I don’t know exactly how it happened, but when I read your post I agreed just as wholeheartedly with you as what I do with doctor-perspective.
The only explanation that comes to my mind is that Jesus Christ was both poor and wealthy, and able to empathize with one and with all. Wealthy people suffer just as much and even more in certain ways than the poor. Especially in the area of friends, if I were wealthy I might wonder who really is my friend? Do they love me or just pretending to in an effort to get money etc. from me? Whereas when a person is poor, they usually know who their friends are, as they have no material wealth for people to take.
Anyhow, like I said, I agree whole-heartedly with you and with doctor-perspective. Poor people know He understands their problems and feelings and wealthy people can know He understands their problems and feelings. Jesus Christ is our all in all.-
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praise the lord
p.s. I also wanted to say ‘thank you’ for reminding us of the scriptures you mentioned, as they are a comfort and help to so many people, including my own self many times. It is exciting though, isn’t it, to be the child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? I’m sure you agree it is. “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons (and daughters) of God…” (1John 3:1).
We are children of the One who owns all the cattle on a thousand hills, in fact He owns the whole world (Psalm 50:10-12), and we are His children, and heirs
according to the promise, even joint-heirs with Christ (Galatians 3:29, Romans 8:15-17).Again, thank you for reminding us of the humility of Christ which is every bit as needed, as to be reminded of His glorious and heavenly Kingship and our inheritance through faith in Him. God bless you and yours always
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everglo says:
My own words would pale compared to the journaling of Dr. P this morning and so I would direct you to his journaling. Well said Dr. P.! We need to be like the Muslims and be proud to stand for what we believe. Our Savior lives! Hark The Herald Angels Sing!
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His presence says:
If the rocks, an Inanimate object would cry out to praise him, how much can I (as a person who has benefited infinitely from His everlasting love of the sacrificial lamb of God).
Lord may all that U desire from us 2day b done on earth as it is in heaven!
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carnation1 says:
Amen! Without JESUS I am nothing. The whole world needs to know that without Him they are nothing as well. But with Christ we are children of the King! Praise the Lord always.
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Even Steven 
Amen! To God be the glory!
Thank you Dr. P for such a good post! We should teach our children the real meaning of Christmas.