Christmas vs. the real story of Jesus

Cont'd from page 3

Bells, and many more were written by Jewish composers. And the beloved Christmas classic story, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was written by a Jewish Chicago copywriter named Robert May. He had started the book and then his wife died of cancer. He continued to work on it, saying, “I needed Rudolph now more than ever.” Remembering his daughter’s love for the deer at the Lincoln Park Zoo, May thought up a little reindeer with a shiny nose. He felt this creature might become a symbol for lighting up happier times ahead. He was right. It sold millions of copies in 1939 when it came out and continued to be a best-seller after WWII. How ironic is it that many of today’s modern Christmas songs were written by Jews? You’ll notice that their songs don’t mention Jesus. It’s about the most wonderful time of the year, and snow, and silver bells and a red nose reindeer. Surprisingly secular.

All of that is delightful and can be fun. But what’s the real story of the birth and life of Jesus? Well, we know absolutely from the Quran.

[3:42] The angels said, “O Mary, GOD has chosen you and purified you. He has chosen you from all the women.

[3:43] “O Mary, you shall submit to your Lord, and prostrate and bow down with those who bow down.” [3:44] This is news from the past that we reveal to you. You were not there when they drew their raffles to select Mary’s guardian. You were not present when they argued with one another. [3:45] The angels said, “O Mary, GOD gives you good news: a Word from Him whose name is ‘The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary.’ He will be prominent in this life and in the Hereafter, and one of those closest to Me.   [3:46] “He will speak to the people from the crib, as well as an adult; he will be one of the righteous.”   [3:47] She said, “My Lord, how can I have a son, when no man has touched me?” He said, “GOD thus creates whatever He wills. To have anything done, He simply says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.   [3:48] “He will teach him the scripture, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel.” [3:49] As a messenger to the Children of Israel: “I come to you with a sign from your Lord―I create for you from clay the shape of a bird, then I blow into it, and it becomes a live bird by GOD’s leave. I restore vision to the blind, heal the leprous, and I revive the dead by GOD’s leave. I can tell you what you eat, and what you store in your homes. This should be a proof for you, if you are believers.  [3:50] “I confirm previous scripture―the Torah―and I revoke certain prohibitions imposed upon you. I come to you with sufficient proof from your Lord. Therefore, you shall observe GOD, and obey me.  [3:51] “GOD is my Lord and your Lord; you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path.”

[3:52] When Jesus sensed their disbelief, he said, “Who are my supporters towards GOD?” The disciples said, “We are GOD’s supporters; we believe in GOD, and bear witness that we are submitters. [3:53] “Our Lord, we have believed in what You have sent down, and we have followed the messenger; count us among the witnesses.”

[19:24] (The infant) called her from beneath her, saying, “Do not grieve. Your Lord has provided you with a stream. [19:25] “If you shake the trunk of this palm tree, it will drop ripe dates for you.*

*19:25 Thus, Jesus was born in late September or early October. This is when dates ripen in the Middle East to the point of falling off the tree.

[4:171] O people of the scripture, do not transgress the limits of your religion, and do not say about GOD except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was a messenger of GOD, and His word that He had sent to Mary, and a revelation from Him. Therefore, you shall believe in GOD and His messengers. You shall not say, “Trinity.” You shall refrain from this for your own good. GOD is only one god. Be He glorified; He is much too glorious to have a son. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. GOD suffices as Lord and Master.

And that’s the real story of Jesus. Praise God.

Bob