The older I get, the less and less I want to do in the 'merry making' department at Christmas. Don't get me wrong. I still enjoy Christmas. I still put up a tree and bake cookies. I still have children at home. But, I've come to a place in life that gives me permission to pull back and examine exactly what Christmas means. Christmas, as in December 25, is most likely not Christ's true birthday. One could go on and on about how Christian's converted pagan feasts into Christian 'holy days' as a way to convert pagans. This being said, Christmas has become so foggy of an idea that it's now both secular (Santa) and religious (Christ). Whatever His true birthday is, Christians need to live each day as if it's a special day from God. The Christmas 'industry' (commercialism) is driven by a year end frenzy to buy, buy, buy. In reality, God gave the perfect Gift in a humble setting without all the glitter, garland, paper and bows. Take time this season to examine your motives of this celebration. Christ's birth was simple. Are you up to making Christmas more simple?
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2-8:12 (NIV)
7 comments:
Yes I am...Jesus is the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas and I want to make sure that is the legacy I leave.
We started last year making Christmas more simple and it's even simpler this year. This may sound scrooge-ish, but we're not buying gifts for the grown-ups and we've asked our kids not to buy for us. We don't need anything. Instead of a tree, I put up a small manger scene in our front room. I like Trish's idea of a Happy Birthday Jesus Cake ... our grandgirls would enjoy that I think.
Thanks for this great post ... we need to hear it more often.
p.s. And I stopped sending out cards!
great post! I am making Christmas simpler!
Yes, yes, yes! When we look up into the starry sky at night, can any artificial lights we have compare with God's wondrous creation. "Oh come let us adore Him!" A Saviour is born! Thats so interesting that the shepherds were the ones the angels came too. Perhaps they, like the virgins who had oil in their lamps...were waiting for their Redeemer...holding on to faith in God, just as we wait for Christ to catch us away in the rapture or by death. To think of death is scary, but to be with God, 'in' Him, is more coveted and thrilling ...and far outweighs the apprehension of death. I think. Just thinking out loud here...lol. Hope you are having a great week. How much snow did you get last night? We got 1 or 2 inchs. Son drove home from the airport about 2am. and said the roads were nasty. Cars sliding all over the place. It took him twice as long to get home as usual. They are still very slippy this morning, and if I don't get myself downstairs and feed the woodburner.....bye for now.... p.s. the snow is coating everything gorgeously though.
I heard Delilah on the radio last night say that Jesus was born in a dung-filled stable. Talk about humble beginnings minus the glitz and glitter...
He left the splendor of heaven to become our Savior.
What a reason to celebrate!!!
Yes I am though my inner-self has been putting up a fight. The difference being that the outer self is too old and tired! I used about half the usual amount of ornaments on the tress this year and declared "it is good".
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