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Series Code: CR
Program Code: CR002138S
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00:01 There was a time
00:02 when even some Christians did not celebrate Christmas. 00:05 Some folks today, 00:07 ignore Christ completely on December 25 00:10 replacing Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays. 00:14 The true spirit of the season is in sharing and giving. 00:19 December 25 is a special day. 00:22 Here's Pastor John Carter to help us learn more about 00:26 how shall we keep Christmas? 00:36 The Puritans were America's Founding Fathers. 00:39 Why did they oppose Christmas? 00:45 Welcome back to part two. 00:47 How shall we keep Christmas, 00:49 if we're going to keep it at all? 00:51 And a very special welcome to you, my friend, 00:54 and to Wayne, the host of this program. 00:58 Well, let me give you a little scenario 01:01 about these people who founded America, 01:05 the people who arrived on board 01:07 the Mayflower were devout Christians. 01:13 And they were very, 01:15 very zealous Protestants. 01:19 They were totally opposed to the Roman Catholic Church 01:22 that had been persecuting people for many, 01:25 many years in Europe. 01:28 Now, they had been driven out of England, 01:30 they'd gone over to Holland, 01:32 where they'd found some religious liberty. 01:36 But they were Puritans. 01:38 They believe that the Church of England was not pure enough, 01:43 and was holding on to some of the teachings 01:46 of the Roman Catholic Church. 01:51 They were persecuted by the Church of England, 01:54 as well as the Catholic Church. 01:57 Thus, they fled to the new world 02:00 where they could breathe free. 02:05 They came for two reasons. 02:07 They came so they could have a better standard of living 02:10 and a better life. 02:12 So they could be free from the grinding poverty 02:16 because when they were living in Holland, 02:20 things were very, very difficult for them. 02:24 And they came to worship. 02:26 They came to a place 02:28 where they could be free to worship God. 02:30 So America was built upon the great Protestant principle 02:35 of the separation of church and state, 02:38 and the freedom to worship God. 02:41 And they saw Christmas 02:44 as Christ's mess, 02:47 and totally pagan. 02:50 And thus the New England this wonderful part 02:53 of the United States of America, 02:55 Christmas was banned for 200 years. 03:02 Were the Puritans religious fanatics? 03:08 No, the Puritans were not religious fanatics. 03:12 They were very, very devout Christians. 03:14 They were made of the right stuff, 03:16 but they didn't want to follow the teachings 03:20 of the Roman Catholic Church. 03:23 They believed in keeping only one day, 03:26 and that was the Lord's Day. 03:28 They believed in the keeping of the holy Sabbath. 03:31 Now they may have got it wrong. 03:33 They got a lot of things wrong, 03:35 but they believed in the principle 03:38 of Sola Christus, only Christ, and only Scripture. 03:44 And because they believe that Christmas was a pagan 03:48 invention carried on by the Church of Rome, 03:51 they made a decision we will not celebrate Christmas 03:56 as a holy day. 04:00 So should we keep celebrating Christmas? 04:07 Christmas is not a holy day. 04:11 I don't believe in the keeping of Christmas as a holy day. 04:15 I believe there's only one day that is holy. 04:18 And that is the Sabbath day. 04:20 I believe in the keeping of the Lord's Day. 04:24 I say it again, 04:26 I don't keep Christmas as a holy day. 04:35 How should we spend Christmas? 04:40 I have a little confession to make to you. 04:44 I love the Puritans but I don't share in all the convictions 04:49 of the Puritans. 04:51 You see, 04:53 I believe we should remember Christ's birthday 04:58 every day. 05:01 Hey, think about it, 05:02 the greatest event in the history of the world, 05:04 the greatest event in the history of the universe, 05:07 Almighty God, the great Creator 05:09 actually becomes a human being. 05:13 I think we should remember His birthday 05:17 every day, 05:19 including December 25. 05:25 This, of course, is the time when the whole world remembers 05:29 the birthday of Jesus. 05:31 I believe this is a marvelous opportunity 05:35 when we can share the love of God 05:38 and the truth about the coming of God to this world. 05:42 I believe this is a wonderful opportunity, 05:44 and we can share it on December 25. 05:48 Let me read you a text out of the New Testament, 05:51 Luke 2:10 and onwards. 05:56 This is a wonderful passage. 05:59 "Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, 06:04 for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy 06:07 which will be to all the people. 06:10 For there is born to you this day in the city of David, 06:14 a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 06:19 And this will be a sign to you, this sign to you: 06:22 You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 06:26 lying in a manger.' 06:29 And suddenly there was with the angel, 06:32 a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 06:35 'Glory to God in the highest, 06:38 and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!' 06:43 So it was, 06:45 when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, 06:48 that the shepherds said to one another, 06:52 'Let us go now to Bethlehem 06:54 and see this thing that has come to pass, 06:56 which the Lord has made known to us.' 06:59 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, 07:04 and the Babe 07:06 lying in a manger. 07:10 Now when they had seen Him, 07:13 they made widely known the saying 07:15 which was told them concerning this Child. 07:19 And all those who heard it marveled at those things 07:22 which were told them by the shepherds. 07:26 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 07:31 Then the shepherds returned, 07:33 glorifying and praising God for all the things 07:37 that they had heard and seen, 07:39 as it was told them. 07:43 '"I ask you again the question, 07:44 who is this little boy born in a shed, 07:50 at the back of the inn? 07:55 At the back of... 07:56 We'd say in America, Motel 6. 08:00 Who is this little boy with companions of sheep, 08:05 and goats, and cattle? 08:10 Who is this little boy? 08:13 This little boy was the Son of God. 08:17 The Great I AM. 08:23 What was your happiest Christmas? 08:29 Well, I'm talking now on behalf of Beverley and myself. 08:34 I guess our happiest Christmas is... 08:38 Well, I don't have to think too hard about this one happiest, 08:43 driving from Los Angeles up to San Francisco. 08:47 We did this for 30 years, 08:50 maybe more than 30 years. 08:52 Some years we went twice, especially 08:56 when the grandchildren were born 08:57 we had to be there for those events. 09:02 And just a few days before Christmas, 09:04 we would pack our SUV to the very top. 09:08 We would get lots and lots of gifts for the grandchildren 09:13 and our children and our loved ones. 09:17 You said you believe in giving gifts? 09:18 Absolutely, 09:21 it's more blessed to give than to receive. 09:25 And so we pack our car or the SUV 09:28 whatever we had at the time. 09:31 And we drive up to San Francisco. 09:35 Now San Francisco is great at Christmas time, it is cold. 09:39 San Francisco is cold even in summer. 09:44 Mark Twain said the coldest winter he'd ever spent 09:46 was a summer in San Francisco. 09:49 So imagine what the winters are like, 09:52 but we would have a fire going blazing away 09:56 and we would have good food 10:00 and we would have fun. 10:02 And we would have love. 10:05 And we would give gifts 10:08 to our children and our grandchildren. 10:15 And we would feel the presence of Jesus who said, 10:20 "It is more blessed to give than to receive." 10:28 What do you think of Christmas trees? 10:34 Well, as you know, we had in our church, 10:37 a modern-day prophet, 10:39 and when she was asked the question, 10:41 what about a Christmas tree? 10:42 Is it against your religion? 10:43 She said, "It's not against mine." 10:47 And so Beverley 10:48 and her team in our great church in Los Angeles, 10:52 year after year, 10:54 would organize the putting in of this tremendous 10:57 Christmas tree. 11:00 Dennis and Yunis Fletcher 11:02 were the people who would work 11:04 and they make it look so beautiful. 11:06 And we would put gifts on the tree for little children 11:10 suffering from cancer. 11:12 Yes, I believe in that sort of Christmas tree. 11:18 Jesus said, "It's more blessed to give than to receive." 11:22 And so we're inviting you to bring teddy bears. 11:26 And if you send the teddy bears to us, 11:28 we will take them in Los Angeles, 11:31 to little children suffering from cancer. 11:35 And we will tell them this. 11:37 This is a gift to you from Jesus. 11:45 What message should Christians share? 11:52 What message do you think Christians ought 11:54 to share at Christmas time? 11:58 That God loves you, that God cares for you, 12:03 that we care for you. God understands you 12:08 and He loves you so much 12:10 that His Son came into the world to die for you. 12:15 I think we should talk about His birth, 12:18 His life, His death, 12:19 His resurrection, His coming again. 12:22 I think we should use Christmas 12:25 to share the good news 12:28 that everyone is important, 12:32 that God came to us as a baby 2000 years ago, 12:37 that there are some things 12:39 that are not worth fighting over. 12:42 You know, Christians, 12:43 many Christians have got a name for fighting over stuff. 12:48 We need to have a name for bringing people together, 12:53 and loving people, and giving good things. 12:59 Years and years ago, 13:01 when I first went to Russia... 13:03 No, the second time I went to Russia. 13:06 It was Christmas time. 13:09 In Russia, it was cold. 13:11 I was in Nizhny Novgorod, never been so cold. 13:15 Dr. Graeme Bradford came with me. 13:19 The Russian people were almost starving 13:21 because communism had collapsed. 13:24 All the shops were closed. 13:29 I was out walking on the street one day, 13:32 and I came upon a truck, 13:35 and the truck was filled up with fish. 13:39 Tons of fish 13:41 and people were standing around the truck 13:43 wanting to get some fish. 13:44 They had no money. 13:47 The Spirit of God spoke to me. 13:49 God said, 13:51 "Buy the whole lot, give it away." 13:55 I had the privilege of buying a whole lot tons of fish. 13:58 And I stood up there with my translator and I said, 14:01 we give this to you as a gift in the name of Jesus Christ, 14:06 our Lord. 14:09 That's what Christmas is about. 14:13 When I preached in this little church 14:14 that had been persecuted 14:16 when the people had been thrown into prison that was so poor, 14:21 it was so cold. 14:24 I said today 14:25 we're not going to take up an offering 14:28 and I had gone to the bank. 14:29 I'd gone into this bank. 14:31 Here's a foreigner coming to the city, the first time. 14:33 They never have seen a foreigner before. 14:36 I brought out hundreds and hundreds of US dollars. 14:39 I said, "I want rubles." 14:43 The leaders of the bank came out, 14:46 they stood around. 14:48 They said, "What are you doing through the translator?" 14:50 I said, "I want rubles." 14:53 So they gave me 14:55 almost a truckload of rubles. 14:59 When we went to Church that Sabbath, 15:01 instead of taking up an offering, 15:02 the people were poor, 15:04 they were cold, they were poorly dressed. 15:08 We said to them, and Graeme Bradford was there with me. 15:11 He was weeping at the site, this man of God. 15:15 We said, 15:16 "As the offering basket is passed out, 15:19 we don't want you to put anything in today. 15:22 We want you to take what you need. 15:26 Take what you need. 15:29 And the people reached out to their shivering hands 15:33 and they took rubles. 15:38 So they could have joy and happiness, 15:42 and we did it in the name of Christ. 15:45 That's what we should do at Christmas time. 15:47 That's what we should do every day. 15:50 We should love people. 15:52 We should bring people together and we should say 15:56 we do this in the name of Christ, 16:00 who was born 2000 years ago. 16:02 God became a man. 16:06 And he became a man because you are worth saving 16:10 because He loves you. 16:12 This is the message we preach at Christmas 16:16 and every other day. 16:20 Pastor Carter, 16:22 what message do you have for us this Christmas? 16:29 What message do I have for you at this Christmas time? 16:34 Well, it's been a tough year, hasn't it? 16:36 COVID. 16:37 We've been stuck in Australia. 16:39 We've been unable to get out 16:41 because they sealed the borders. 16:45 We've been unable to go up to San Francisco 16:48 where our family is. 16:52 David, Beverley, and I have stayed here 16:57 and we've continued to work on 16:58 because we believe in Christ. 17:00 But what is the message we'd like to share with you? 17:04 This is a message from Beverley. 17:05 This is a message from David. 17:07 This is a message from the Carter Report team. 17:12 Remember Jesus, God's gift to us. 17:19 Love your families. 17:21 Hold them close. 17:24 We don't know how much time we've got. 17:31 Life is short. 17:33 Death comes when we expect it least. 17:39 Love your families. 17:42 Put aside disagreements. 17:46 Hold your families close. 17:49 Love your children. Show love. 17:51 Be forgiving. 17:55 Be big-hearted, 17:58 don't be niggly. 18:02 Don't argue over things that are not worth 18:07 a hill of beans or a Brass razoo. 18:14 Be big in your heart. 18:16 Be big in your soul 18:20 as God is. 18:22 Be Kind. Be generous. 18:25 Be forgiving 18:27 with the past with his failures, 18:31 be forgotten. 18:34 Remember the Prince of Peace unto us a child is born, 18:38 unto us a Son is given, 18:41 and the government shall be upon His shoulder. 18:44 His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, 18:50 Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 18:54 Prince of Peace. 19:01 Let His love fill you at this time. 19:03 Seek to bless someone 19:04 who is struggling to keep going. 19:08 Think of others. 19:09 Think of the little children with cancer. 19:14 Yes. 19:16 If you send the teddy bears to our address in California, 19:20 or in Australia, 19:22 we will take those teddy bears to a hospital 19:24 where there are children 19:27 and we will give these teddy bears 19:29 in the name of Christ. 19:33 You see Christmas it's not all about 19:38 the best sale, 19:40 the best thing, 19:43 the best deal that I can do. 19:45 It's not all about feasting and drinking. 19:50 It's not all about that. 19:52 It's about giving and loving and sharing. 19:58 And so I say again to you the text. 20:02 I've said it several times today. 20:07 "In the beginning was the Word, 20:11 and the Word was with God, 20:15 and the Word, the Logos became flesh 20:18 and dwelt among us. 20:21 And we beheld His glory, 20:24 the glory of the only begotten of the Father, 20:29 full of grace and truth." 20:34 And if you can 20:38 watch Handel's Messiah, 20:43 I just love it so much. 20:44 I used to sing it at Avondale College year after year. 20:46 I don't think I contributed much 20:48 except a few discordant notes. 20:52 But watch it again. 20:54 Watch it, especially listen to the Hallelujah chorus, 20:58 King of kings, Lord of lords forever and ever. 21:05 Then listen to the great chorus, 21:09 unto us a Child is born, 21:13 unto us a Son is given, 21:18 and the government shall be upon His shoulder, 21:22 and His name shall be called 21:26 Wonderful, 21:29 Counselor, 21:32 Mighty God, 21:35 Everlasting Father, 21:38 Prince of Peace. 21:42 Remember him who said, 21:47 "It is more blessed 21:49 to give than to receive." 21:55 And so from us, in our house here in Australia, 22:00 so far from our loved ones, 22:03 but feeling the presence of God from our team in America, 22:08 our team in Australia, 22:12 from all of us. 22:13 We say, may this be a blessed 22:18 happy time for you. 22:22 The Lord bless you and keep you. 22:27 The Lord make His face to shine upon you 22:30 and be gracious unto you. 22:35 The Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you 22:39 and give you peace this day, 22:44 and forevermore in Jesus' name. 22:53 Amen. 22:59 Many people no matter what their age 23:02 still have their first teddy bear. 23:05 It's hard to let them go. 23:07 Their stitches might be loose, 23:09 the stuffing flat, one ear a little lopsided, 23:13 but they were always there for us. 23:16 Imagine giving a child their very first teddy bear, 23:20 especially when they are sick and lonely. 23:23 They will always remember 23:25 that someone they didn't even know cared 23:27 enough to bring them a new friend 23:30 when they needed it most. 23:32 Will you help the Carter Report bring cheer to these children? 23:36 You can mail a bear or send a donation 23:39 and we will buy the bears for you. 23:41 Please send your bears or donation 23:43 to the address on the screen. 23:47 For COVID protection, 23:48 please send the bears in their original packaging. 23:51 Thank you for your kindness and giving cheer and comfort 23:55 to children in need. 24:03 Jesus said, 24:04 "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 24:09 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, 24:13 baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, 24:17 and of the Holy Spirit." 24:21 John Carter reports, "We have seen God's power 24:24 as the Gospel of Christ has been proclaimed in Africa, 24:30 India, 24:32 Russia, 24:35 Ukraine, 24:37 Cuba, 24:40 El Salvador, and many other places. 24:44 We invite you to partner with us 24:47 in proclaiming Jesus Christ." 24:53 To God be the glory, 24:56 great things He has done. 25:01 Write today to the Carter Report, 25:04 P.O. Box 1900, Thousand Oaks, 25:07 California 91358. 25:11 That's the Carter Report, P.O. Box 1900, 25:15 Thousand Oaks, California 91358. 25:20 In Australia, 25:22 write to the Carter Report, P.O. Box 861, 25:26 Terrigal, New South Wales 2260. 25:31 That's the Carter Report, P.O. Box 861, 25:35 Terrigal, New South Wales 2260. 25:40 Thank you for your generous support. 25:42 We look forward to hearing from you soon. 25:45 May God richly bless you. 26:02 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 26:04 Hallelujah! 26:11 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 26:13 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 26:15 Hallelujah! 26:17 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 26:19 For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth 26:24 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 26:26 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 26:31 For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth 26:35 The kingdom of this world 26:37 Is become The kingdom of our Lord 26:44 And of His Christ, and of His Christ 26:49 And He shall reign forever And ever 26:55 And He shall reign Forever and ever 26:59 And He shall reign forever And ever 27:05 Forever and ever, Forever and ever 27:12 King of kings 27:14 Forever and ever 27:16 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 27:18 And Lord of lords 27:21 Forever and ever 27:23 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 27:26 King of kings 27:28 Forever and ever 27:30 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 27:32 And Lord of lords 27:35 Forever and ever 27:37 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 27:40 King of kings 27:42 Forever and ever 27:44 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 27:46 And Lord of lords 27:49 King of kings and Lord of lords 27:54 And He shall reign And He shall reign 27:56 And He shall reign 27:58 And He shall reign 28:00 And He shall reign forever And ever 28:04 King of kings 28:06 Forever and ever 28:09 And He shall reign 28:11 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 28:13 And He shall reign forever And ever 28:20 King of kings and Lord of lords 28:24 King of kings and Lord of lords 28:29 And He shall reign forever And ever 28:35 Forever and ever 28:37 Forever and ever 28:40 Hallelujah! 28:41 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 28:43 Hallelujah! 28:45 Hallelujah! |
Revised 2021-12-16