The Importance of Truth

I have a pet peeve.  It may seem like a small thing, and perhaps it is - I know at least that most people probably do not take this as seriously as I do, but my peeve is with Christmas carols.  You read correctly - Christmas carols.  I am as joyous about the holidays as the next guy, but my difficulty comes when carols seem to be for some people a source of truth about the coming of the our Savior.  For instance, when Jesus was born, did he cry?  "Away in a Manger" tells us no, but if Jesus does not cry when he is born, he was not born human, for that first cry is what allows a newborn to draw breath.  How many wise men were there?  The Scriptures do not say, but the song does, and some long forgotten tradition does.  People remember what they sing. 

I am not fighting against sentiment.  Please do not misunderstand - I have no problem with singing these Christmas songs, even the ones that have things in them that may not be true.  I love watching my children sing these songs during Christmas plays and programs.  I even enjoy singing the songs, particularly while caroling and encouraging people who may not be able to get out.  I am NOT anti-carols.  I am however against every instance where people develop their understanding of anything apart from the authority of Scripture. 

There seems to me to be no better time to remind us of the importance of the Scriptures than the time when we celebrate the coming of the central figure of the Scriptures.  There is no tradition, no song, no historical understanding that should inform us above the Scriptures.   Truth is important, and Truth has been given to us in not only the person of Christ, but in every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God - which is the Bible.  What a privilege we have to be able to have such a glorious gift from God.  May we be careful not to squander it.  May we be urgently engaged in reading and studying it.  And may we be sure not to neglect it. 

So may I remind us all this Christmas time to be discerning about what we hear, and see, and think and understand.  May we run every single element of truth through the purifying filter of the Word of God and determine what is Truth and must be obediently followed and believed.  The rest we may need to reconsider our response to, and realize that songs, or the opinions of myself or other, are not gospel truth and pale in comparison to the Gospel Truth that we have - our Bibles.  Hold tightly to Truth.  Be willing to let the rest go!