Very nice post, Lisa. Thanks for this one. I feel exactly the same way you do. In fact, this year I actually put it in action…..gifts we normally would give to our friends/family were changed. Instead we gave a larger donation to our Compassion International children’s families….in their name. That represents true need. Our lifestyle does not.

Have a blessed Christmas season remembering Christ our Lord, sacrificed on our behalf for our sin.

Peter, I’m not sure I follow what you are getting at in relation to this article.

Bethyada and Jason, yes I will agree that there have been exceptions and proselytes. I especially note Ruth and her inclusion into not only the inherited promises but more substantially, her designation through Boaz in the lineage of Jesus. I think its such an incredible picture of God’s heart towards Gentiles way before Jesus ever came on the scene.

Jesus’ own condemnation of the Pharisees showed that they practised evangelism when he condemned them saying that they crossed sea and land to make one convert, then made them twice as deserving of hell as themselves.

Cornelius was a God-fearer, a Gentile who believed in Yahweh but wasn’t circumcised.

Although many modern Jews deny it, Judaism was an evangelical religion.

I have been reading Ephesians recently and noted Paul’s comment to the Gentiles. That their inclusion was God’s plan all along, but that is was formally a mystery (ie. not fully known), but is now revealed that the Messiah has come.

You are right in that the Jews had it better than the Gentiles, they had more revelation of God. I am not certain the Gentiles were excluded as much as you suggest. Yes the Jews were to avoid them, but because of their idolatry. The law clearly allows Gentiles to join the Jews if they desire to follow Yahweh; it prescribes how they are to be treated and included (save the Moabites etc. entering into worship for several generations).

Note Solomon says: “Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when he comes and prays toward this house, hear from heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name.” (2 Chronicles 6). Suggesting that conversion to belief in the true God was seen as acceptable and desirable.

Traditionally with Church feasts, all celebration happens on or after the feast day. There is no lead up celebration.