Realities of Christmas: Part Two

I hope you took time to read the scriptures I shared last week. This week, I want to share three realities of Christmas. I will not repeat last week's scriptures; however, I will note new ones.

FAITH

Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Imagine, then, how it pleased God to find a young couple full of faith. Joseph responded obediently to heaven-sent dreams, and Mary responded to an angelic visitor. Though His message seemed impossible, she said, “I’m the Lord’s servant. Let this happen as you have said.”

The shepherds were terrified to see angelic messengers. Yet, once the angels were gone, they encouraged one another to put forth the effort to check the message for themselves.  

By faith, the wisemen made a long journey, bringing gifts to be presented to the newborn king whose star they kept in sight. When they inquired of Herod, he knew to ask the chief priests and scribes where Christ was to be born.  The religious leaders knew the scriptural answer, but put forth no effort to have faith in it.

Simeon and Anna, both devout believers, waited by faith, even into old age, to see the promised Savior and Redeemer.

 GIVING 

True faith results in a positive response. There are many examples beyond the Christmas story. In Hebrews Chapter 11, do you see how faith was expressed as Abel offered God the right sacrifice? How about when Noah built an ark, or when Abraham offered Isaac upon the altar, or Moses refused to be called the son of a king’s daughter?

OBEDIENCE

Joseph and Mary, after eight days, took Jesus to be circumcised and named. They also took Him to Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord, along with the required sacrifice. Scripture says, "When Jesus' parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Nazareth."

Do you have faith in God’s word? Do you show it by your actions? That requires a giving of self, putting forth some effort to obey. 

As James says, here’s the bottom line: I will show you my faith by my deeds (James 2:18).

Pixabay: Poinsettia, Leaves, Beautiful Flowers; Sandid.

Realities of Christmas: Part One

What do you really know about Christmas? I was recently at a Christmas celebration where they played a game of questions about Christmas. I was appalled to learn that some of my answers weren’t from the Bible at all. I had picked up many ideas from stories and movies about Christmas.

I vowed to go back to the Bible for a fresh start. I challenge you to do the same!

Ecclesiastes 3 says there's a time for everything. During the next 7 days, take time to connect with these scriptures. You don’t have to read them all at once!

Make use of your Bible, an app on your phone, or an audio version.

MATTHEW

1.       Matthew 1:18-25: God deals with Joseph, betrothed to Mary, God’s chosen Mother of His Son.  

2.       Matthew 2:1-12: The wisemen came looking for a young child, not a baby in a manger.

3.       Matthew 2:13-23: God warns Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt; after King Herod’s death, they return to Nazareth.

 LUKE

1.       Luke 1:5-25 and 1:57-80: God gives a baby (John) to a godly couple (Zechariah and Elizabeth) well beyond child-bearing years. He would be the one to announce Jesus’ ministry (Luke 3).

2.       Luke 1:26-45: Gabriel’s heavenly announcement to Mary and her visit to Elizabeth.

3.       Luke 1:46-56: Mary’s song of rejoicing in the majesty and wonder of what God is doing!

4.       Luke 2:1-20: Joseph and Mary must go to Bethlehem to register for Caesar Augustus’ census. The shepherds receive an angelic message and make an effort to check it out for themselves.

5.       Luke 2:21-24: Joseph and Mary’s care of Jesus included being faithful to their religious teachings.

6.       Luke 2:25-38: Simeon and Anna, two faithful and elderly believers, rejoiced to see this child who would bring redemption and salvation.

7.       Luke 2:39-40: Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth, having done everything required by the Law of the Lord, and as the Child grew, the grace of God was upon Him.

Movies have their place, and I wouldn’t want to be without them; however, this year, join me in taking time to review God’s own message to us!

Pixabay: Christmas Nativity Scene, Crib Image; garten-gg.   

 

Christmas Hearts and Hands

There are all sizes and shapes of clocks in the world. But they all have one thing in common. It's what's inside that makes the hands go around.

We have a large and lovely decorator clock in our living area. As much as we have enjoyed the outer beauty, its unseen inner workings are the important thing. Thanks to movements in the heart, the clock’s hands go around, treating us to a short melody every hour.

The Apostle James wrote, “I’ll show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:18). Faith is like the inner workings of our spiritual heart that moves our hands to do things. He wanted faith to produce some good deeds, something that would meet needs and bring people joy.

He gave us some practical illustrations (James 2:14-18). It’s not enough to say, “Go in peace, keep warm and be well fed.” If you are aware of a need, activate your faith. Do something!

In December, people’s hearts seem more motivated to give. Hands generously drop dollars into red kettles, collect items for food banks and toy drives, and buy gifts to meet needs on Angel Trees.

These donations are important and bless many, but charitable institutions and ministries meet needs all year. That’s why, like the inner workings of a clock, our heartfelt giving should not simply be seasonal!

It’s not necessary to produce good deeds as regularly as the hourly tunes on our anniversary clock, but when it comes to helping others, there's no need to have only Christmas hearts and hands.

Don’t wait to make a New Year’s resolution!

Resolve now to be motivated from heart to hands . . . to meet needs and show your faith. . . all year long!

Pixabay: Hand, Time; geralt. 

The Best Christmas Gift Ever

I admit I’ve always had trouble coming up with a “Santa” list. We kids knew Mom was the one behind our Christmas gifts, so Santa was never an issue. The budget was tight, but I never felt we lacked gifts.

My husband’s family was really into gifts under the tree. They didn’t have to be expensive, but to my dismay, they always wanted a “Santa List.” I was no better at it then, than I am now. I’ve always enjoyed gift cards because I can spread them out over the year. Their reaction was, “What’s the fun in that?” But they gave me grace.

Christmas is a special season. It’s fun to receive, but also to give. My financial circumstances have varied over the years. But I still remember a principle of giving that I learned one Christmas when dollars were hard to come by.

As a lady spoke about giving, she mentioned Paul. While encouraging Corinthian believers' giving to help Christians in Jerusalem, he used the Macedonian Christians as an example. He said their giving would be judged by what they had, not on what they didn’t have. For some reason that set me free. I didn’t have a lot to give, but I could give something! (2 Corinthians 8:1-15. I was reading my NIV at the time).

He followed up with more words about cheerful giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). So, here’s the challenge: How many ways can you give cheerfully this Christmas Season, whether rich or poor?

I’m thankful God didn’t ask, “What do you want for Christmas?” I would never have known to ask for such a wonderful gift as Jesus, even if I was convinced that God is love and has my best interests at heart (1 John 4:7-10).

He took it upon Himself to bless us with the best gift of all time. It’s famously recorded in John 3:16:  For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

He gave to the world . . . to you and me . . . to all countries and cultures . . . and to all generations!

People react differently to this gift. Some fail to respond because they consider themselves unworthy. Some are too proud to ever admit they need a Savior. Others hold off because they’re determined to earn God’s gift.

But wait . . . there’s more  . . Jesus is only one of God’s good gifts! You’ll find others listed in Psalm 103:1-5. Just remember that saying “thank you” is an important part of receiving any gift.

Determine now to create a personal quiet time this Christmas. Enter into God’s presence and thank Him for the best Christmas gift ever (Psalm 100:4-5).

MERRY CHRISTMAS

May it be joyous, lively, entertaining, and satisfying.

It’s up to you . . . act . . . don’t just react!

 SPECIAL NOTE: Look for my next blog on January 05, 2025.    

The Advent of Christmas: Week 4

This week we focus on LOVE. Love is a great motivator, and one of the ways it shows up is in acts of giving. Who would argue with that idea at Christmastime? Let's look at LOVE shown in three different ways.

First, is God’s love. *John 3:16-19 (KJV) explains it in simple terms: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Love is more than a feeling; it’s shown by action - - - God loved - - - God gave.

The word whosoever is very important. Revelation 5:9 (KJV) speaks of a song sung around God’s throne in praise of people redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ, John 1:29) from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation.

We once worked in a large church with a high-peaked entry. Above the doors, the pastor requested the placement of these words: Whosoever Will May Come . . . and come they did! I always said we had a “world-class church” because of the various ages, economic levels, and people groups that worshiped and served the Lord together. It was one of our favorite places of ministry.

Second, is Jesus’ love. In John 14:8-11(KJV), Philip said, “Show us the Father.” Jesus replied, “He that has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus loved the Father and wanted to bring Him glory. In verse thirteen He said, “The Father is glorified in the works of the Son.”

If you are unfamiliar with the ministry of Jesus and His marvelous works, I would suggest you read the book of John. Of course, the first four books of the New Testament all shed light on the works of Jesus.

Third, is Our love. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15, KJV). His commandments are easy to find, especially if you have a Bible with Jesus’ words in red. One of His commands is this: Love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12 KJV).

This week let’s light the candle of LOVE and rejoice that God’s love was an action, not just a feeling. May our responsive love be the same.

*All scriptures from The Authorized King James Version of the Bible (KJV), The World Publishing Company, Cleveland and New York, Copyright 1945.

Photo by Theo Crazzolara on Pixabay 

The Advent of Christmas: Week 3

This week we focus on JOY! Are joy and happiness the same thing? I would say not, for a couple of reasons. In America, our forefathers made it a point to say we could indulge in “the pursuit of happiness.” That would imply action on our part, and I appreciate that sentiment.

On the other hand, joy is more of a spiritual value, something within us that does not depend on outward circumstances.

Out of curiosity, I took a detailed look at my *Strong’s Concordance. If you have one, you know the print is so small you almost need a magnifying glass to read it, but here’s what I found: Joy had one hundred sixty-five listings. In contrast, happy had only twenty-six.

In the spirit of Advent, let’s now consider JOY. My thesaurus says it's an inner contentment or satisfaction. Perhaps that's why joy is a gift to the poor as well as the rich . . . it does not depend on circumstances.

I keep thinking of Hebrews 12:1-4 NLT. Believers are being encouraged to run their spiritual race with endurance. Paul’s example is Jesus, who because of the joy awaiting him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame.

What better example of JOY as an inner quality? His crucifixion would certainly not be a source of joy or happiness! Jesus trusted His Father completely and had hope beyond the grave.

God sent Jesus into the world as Savior. People who believe in Him (John 3:16-21), receive another gift, the Holy Spirit. He indwells them and produces spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 lists nine, JOY being one of them.

In Creation, natural fruit shows promise as a tiny bud then gradually grows until it becomes obvious which fruit it is. Our spiritual lives grow and mature over time, too.   

Consider this proposal.  **Joy to the World! The Lord is come! Reverend Isaac Watts wrote this song as a hymn of praise in 1719. Then people turned it into a Christmas song, and why not?

It contains an enduring invitation: Let every heart prepare Him room.

Let’s do it! This Christmas let’s open our hearts anew to the Joy of Jesus, a gift from God like no other.

*The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., copyright 1984, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.

**Joy to the World, Author: Isaac Watts (1719), hymnary.org

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 Photo by Theo Crazzolara on Pixabay

The Advent of Christmas: Week 1

The Christmas Season has arrived once again with the advent of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales. This year they seemed extended even more days before and after Thanksgiving.

Advent means something is approaching and will eventually arrive, or make an appearance. We can add meaning to this Season by purposefully giving ourselves a spiritual focus four weeks before celebrating Jesus Christ's arrival as a baby in Bethlehem.

I did not grow up in a church that celebrated Advent. I was in my late twenties when I attended a Greater Los Angeles Sunday School Convention and chose that session out of curiosity. I must say that after learning about it, I felt a little cheated.

It wasn't that our church didn't celebrate Christmas. We always had choir cantatas and children's programs and plays put on by the young people. But our Christmas focus was usually just the week before Christmas, and then it was over.

As I remained in ministry, it was my joy to help churches celebrate Advent whenever I had an opportunity. It seems such a simple thing to do. The Advent wreath holds four candles on the outside ring, and one candle in the middle, The Christ Candle.

How you celebrate Advent is up to you. The types and colors of candles can vary. Some people use a circular wreath. Others set four candles in a row and do not add the Christ candle. I always chose four red plus a white candle in the center. Don't lose your focus! It's not the candles, but Christ's birth that we are celebrating.

One candle is lit each week and there are Advent Devotionals to help guide your thoughts. I checked several devotionals online and this week's word is a favorite of mine . . . every day, not just Christmas.

HOPE! Where would we be without it?

Here's my favorite scripture on HOPE: Lamentations 3:22-24 NKJV*

Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I HOPE in Him." 

Photo by Theo Crazzolara on Pixabay

*NKJV: The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc. 

Christmas Day Is Here

The CHRISTMAS SEASON has come to a close! THE DAY IS HERE!

Often times we do not appreciate the season. We gripe because stores prepare way too early. We sigh and say, “There are just too many expectations” . . .  baking, shopping, programs to attend, decisions to be made like whose family gets who for Christmas dinner, and year-end appeals for many more charities than we can handle, no matter how much we care.

OK. I admit I’ve been The Grinch sometimes, myself. But for some reason this year the season came alive for me. Maybe you enjoyed some of these things, too:

Christmas colors and decorations

Christmas sounds and songs

Christmas programs, live or on TV

Christmas greetings, verbal or written

Christmas goodies, baked or bought

Shopping for gifts to surprise people

The excitement of children

Hearing how people plan to celebrate

This is a special time of year, for other reasons. First of all, God stepped into time and fulfilled the Old Testament promises He made after the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). Galatians 4:4 (NKJV) says, "When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman."

Second, faithful people like Mary and Joseph believed in the coming of the Messiah (God’s Son) and, though surprised to be chosen, were willing participants in God’s plan of deliverance (Luke 1-2).

The third reason may be the most important of all. Christmas is a season of giving because God set the example. John 3:16 (NKJV) says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

Yes, I know the season is filled with Santa Claus, but as britannica.com explains, this gift-giving persona began with St. Nicholas, a Greek bishop known for his generosity and kindness to the poor.  

So, I think our challenge is this: How can we carry the goodwill of Christmas with us and share it throughout the coming year?”

 

How to Say Merry Christmas

The Christmas Season is here once again. I have always enjoyed sending and receiving Christmas greetings, but they seem extra special this year.

Not only is it fun to open my mailbox and find cards inside, but it’s also fun to sit down and read them. It causes me to indulge in some fond memories of the senders.

I was curious about Christmas cards. I googled for information and chose www.whychristmas.com 

In 1843, a British postal worker, Sir Henry Cole, and an artist friend, John Horsley, designed a Christmas card with three panels. The outer two panels showed people caring for the poor, and the center panel showed a family having a large Christmas dinner. The cost back then? 8 cents! This was a limited edition, perhaps 1,000 or less.

Their card even came with an advertising slogan: “Just published, a Christmas Congratulations Card, or picture emblematical of old English festivity to perpetuate kind recollections between dear friends.”   

We are way beyond postage of 8 cents these days! Maybe that’s one reason Christmas cards seem more and more special.

I like the variety of ways God sent out His Christmas message. First, His Son's promised birth was written in the Old Testament. Then, in the New Testament, the prophecies about Jesus were fulfilled.

Angels were also used to get God’s Christmas message down to earth. A single angel, Gabriel, was sent to Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds heard a heavenly host. Once they checked out the angelic message for themselves, they in turn became messengers of Christmas.

God’s message also appeared in the heavens. Wise men, who studied the sky for signs and wonders, committed themselves to faithfully follow its direction.

We also have a variety of ways to send our Christmas message. Cards, text messages, emails, and phone calls are all meaningful connections. Even if you haven’t sent any greetings for years, reach out to someone now. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

  

Christmas Is

Christmas is coming . . . like it or not. Greetings can be heard around the world: “Merry Christmas. . . Feliz Navidad. . . Joyeux Noel. . . Mele Kali-ki-maka. . . Frohliche Weihnachten.” Take your pick.

Christmas is what you make it. Greetings are nice but actions matter. Some people focus totally on family, while others focus on charities. Some move into the season with a spiritual focus. Others dread the season and react like Scrooge or The Grinch.

Christmas is a day AND a season. Holidays add spice to what could otherwise be 365 humdrum days in a year. All holidays have a commercial season leading up to the designated day. Think of Valentine’s Day, Halloween, or Easter. But Christmas, while having a commercial impact, also produces acts of kindness by individuals, groups, and communities for weeks before the day arrives.

Christmas is a season of hope. Who can explain this phenomenon? Children hope they’ll find gifts in their stockings or under the tree. But with age comes a deeper understanding of Christmas. God set the pattern of giving when He gave to the world His only Son (John 3:16). And in Jesus we find hope for life now and beyond the grave (Romans 5:1-2).

Christmas is what you make it. People can sing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” all season long, but words and wishes don’t make it so. The only way to have a “merry, cheerful, jolly, good-spirited Christmas” is to make a personal decision. Whether you are rich or poor, young or old, positive or negative . . . Christmas is personal and will be to you only what you decide to make it.

So . . . MERRY CHRISTMAS (words only) . . . ACTIONS (are up to you)! 

It's a Matter of Time

 

Time is a funny thing. As a child, it seems to take forever to reach a destination or wait for Christmas to arrive. But as you get older you hear people say, “Time is sure flying by!”

So, which is it? Slow or fast? Neither. It’s all based on perception.

Sometimes it seems under our control. For example, on our job, we have work to do and deadlines to meet. We get out a calendar and start making plans, then we follow through. Deadline met . . . job well done!

Unfortunately, we are sometimes faced with problems that can’t be solved by planning on our part.

Health issues, for example, seem to make time drag by. We’d like to be well already! It’s hard to wait while others work to solve our problems or advise us on further care.

“It will all work out.” How many times did Dad say that in my lifetime? In a gift shop, I once saw a magnet with that saying. It’s on my refrigerator now, a reminder that answers to prayer take time.

King Solomon wrote about "time" in Ecclesiastes 3. He opened with this: To everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun. What follows are eight poetic verses pointing out life’s contrasts, things like life/death, mourning/dancing, gaining/losing, and war/peace. All are part of our time on this earth.

Further down, in verse 11, Solomon declares that God has made everything beautiful in its time.

I can tell you from experience that God hears our prayers. In fact, I keep a notebook of answered prayers. 

Philippians 4:6 tells us not to be anxious but to pray about everything. I do, but there’s a basic problem . . . my timing and God’s rarely agree.

I try to remember my husband’s advice about prayer: “Slow down so you can keep up with God.”

As I said, God answers prayer. It’s just a matter of time . . . His time!

 

Increase Your Christmas Joy

 

Christmas comes one day a year. When I was growing up, the big draw was two weeks out of school. Where I lived, that definitely meant lots of snow.

It also meant participation in the annual Sunday School program. Recitations and songs were followed by goodie bags for the kids. That was one Christmas tradition I was glad to outgrow---hard (unwrapped) Christmas candy sold in bulk!

I was an adult before I learned of a tradition called Advent. Advent means coming. My more liturgical friends had been celebrating Christmas with devotionals and candles starting the first Sunday after Thanksgiving.

I actually felt like I’d been cheated of something special; however, as an adult, I could change my ways.

Have you seen an Advent wreath? It’s a circle holding four candles around the outside edge, one for each Sunday of Advent. In the center is the Jesus candle. Traditional colors are four pink and one purple; however, any color can be used.

Still being in a non-liturgical church, I introduced Advent in Wednesday night services. The response was very positive. I chose four white candles for the outside, and a larger red one for the Jesus candle in the middle. I circled the candles with evergreens.

Each week celebrated a one-word theme. Words like Love or Hope or Light. Our ceremony had four simple steps: (1) A member read a scripture, (2) lit the candle of the week, (3) the congregation sang a song, and (4) a member closed with a devotional prayer.

Suggestions were available for those who wished to continue the theme in their daily devotionals.

Advent is personal and does not require a group setting. At home, I no longer light the candles but remain loyal to devotionals. 

This year I’m reading Why the Nativity? by Dr. David Jeremiah (Tyndale House Publ., 2006). It’s from my collection of Christmas books, many of which I have given away over the years.

I mentioned Advent to my sister-in-law this year. She asked what it was so I sent her a devotional. She said, “I found an Advent wreath at Hobby Lobby and we’re enjoying Advent devotionals for the first time ever.”

It’s never too late to increase your Christmas joy!

A Choice in Time

A CHOICE IN TIME

December---Last Month of the Year

End-of-year holidays have arrived, ready or not. Perhaps you are thinking we just completed Thanksgiving---give me a break!

The calendar just keeps turning its pages and the holidays get closer and closer. It’s time to make some choices. Will this be a year of holiday blahs, or blessings?

I once attended a Christmas holiday workshop. The topic was How to Reduce Holiday Stress. I attended as a skeptic, but came away with some helpful ideas.

One main idea---it’s OK to share. That means, as adults, we must be willing to let others know we would like some help. That’s not always easy, for a couple of reasons: 1) You have always enjoyed doing it all, and 2) people have enjoyed letting you do it.

But it’s a change for the better---pursue it!

Every Family Has Their Own Traditions

Holidays put undue stress on family dynamics. Children may have grown up and moved away, or perhaps there’s a new child to celebrate. Newly married couples try to decide which in-laws get them for which holidays. A loved one may be seriously ill or in the hospital.

Life’s losses also create new challenges. A loved one may have died, or someone decided to divorce or separate. No matter how it comes, changes in life are inevitable. Anyone choosing not to be flexible only makes life harder for themselves.

Do you make Christmas, or does it make you? How many cultural traditions, family expectations or community events can you handle? How many gifts do you need to keep giving? How many favorites do you need to keep baking? How many ways can you simplify Christmas cheer?

From You to You

Christmas is a time of giving. God started it by giving His Son, a baby full of promise and hope for the world (John 3:16). The wise men also exemplified giving by honoring Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).

This choice in time is positive and personal. Just remember---while giving to others, gift some time to yourself.