Introduction: Many of the kings of Judea were rotters! Hezekiah followed a rotten king from a relationship to God point of view. His father had led his people into idolatry, much as is happening in many nations, including our own, these days! Obviously they didn’t keep Christmas in those days but they were supposed to keep the Passover Feast to commemorate their being led out of Egyptian slavery by Moses. Christmas is supposed to celebrate Jesus having come into the world to save people from their slavery (both its power and results) and subjection to anything and everything apart from God! I think we can learn a few things from what Hezekiah instituted!
1 Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel. 2 For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the Passover in the second month……. 5 So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the Passover to the LORD, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed. 6 So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his princes, as the king had commanded, saying, “O people of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7 Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were faithless to the LORD God of their fathers, so that he made them a desolation, as you see. 8 Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the LORD your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. 9 For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”
…….13 And many people came together in Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very great assembly. …… so that they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. ….. they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good LORD pardon everyone 19 who sets his heart to seek God, the LORD, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.” 20 And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 21 And the people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness, and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with all their might to the LORD. 22 And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the LORD. So they ate the food of the festival for seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
Comment: Firstly. Hezekiah called people to come ‘to the house of the LORD’! Lots of people used to use Christmas and Easter to show their relationship to God. Of course it is much better to do it weekly if possible, but these days both Christmas and Easter pass without people ‘wasting their time’ acknowledging what the holidays that they enjoy mean! Secondly. They wrote letters and made a proclamation. If you think Christmas is important, have you used letters, your voice, email to encourage people not to just appreciate the holiday but to realize what it is all about? Thirdly. They assembled and as a community of Jews worshipped the God of their Fathers. We cannot order others to come to church (except maybe our children whilst they still live with us) but we can certainly be there ourselves. There are very few things that would stop me from going ! Fourthly. The Jews used it as an opportunity to recommit themselves to God and for sincere worship and sacrificial giving – not to their family but to God’s work! Fifthly: They enjoyed a hearty celebration! What are you going to do this Christmas? Send me a note if you wish, but may we all answer to God honestly!
Psalm 95: 1-2 – Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Prayer: I would worship You this Christmas in a way that brings You joy, Lord Jesus.
As I read it! 