Merry Christmas!!
“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.””
Luke 2:8-14 NLT
http://bible.com/116/luk.2.8-14.nlt
What I like about Christmas:
Sound of children laughing
Christmas lights, especially the kind that dance to the music of your car radio as you drive by!
Ugly Christmas sweaters, I don’t think they’re so ugly!
Christmas music! I can listen to it all year round!!
Baking Christmas cookies and candy, and fudge.
Icing Christmas cookies.
Christmas Caroling.
Christmas plays, skits, musicals.
Christmas movies.
The excitement in the air.
Playing games with family and friends.
Getting together with family and friends.
Christmas cards.
Christmas letters.
All the memories of Christmas.
The sound of Christmas in the stores and offices.
Christmas gift exchanges.
Nativity sets, live, miniature, any type.
Christmas stories and books.
Christmas ornaments.
Snow.
Snowmen.
Snow angels.
Sledding.
Ice skating.
Playing with toys all day.
Green bean casserole.
Sweet potato casserole.
Jellied cranberries.
Mashed potatoes and gravy.
Five cup salad.
Gingerbread Houses.
Of course the birth of our Savior Jesus!
Yes Jesus is the reason for the season, yet it gets and gives all kinds of messages.
My memories and favorite things about Christmas doesn’t dilute the meaning, and isn’t demeaning or compromising. This list (with many more not even listed) uses all my senses to give God all the honor and glory!
Christmas is a very popular Holiday, yet the basic meaning behind this Holiday is not popular at all. In fact, there are so many “distractions” with the Christmas season, (and most of them are good) that the true meaning of Christmas almost disappears. Most public places aren’t allowed to say “Merry Christmas”, and some don’t even say “Happy Holidays”. But, I’m very happy to say that nativity scenes have made their way back into the stores!
Most of all, and what really matters, is how we, each one of us as individuals, treat Christmas and the Christmas season. We can be judgmental or cynical about how businesses and other people celebrate, but what if we look within ourself and ask God what He wants us to do? And not even that, but realize that Christmas is one day, what about the rest of the year? When we celebrate our own birthday we have a celebration and look back at our past, and then to our future. We think of how we can make the next year of our life better than the last. What if we do the same with Christ’s Birthday? Celebrate, and look at the past year to learn and grow, and then look towards the future year on how we can be better? With Christ as our savior and focus, through prayer, we can be about Gods work everyday of the year!
My Challenge to you? As you end this wonderful day of Christmas celebrations with family and friends, remember who’s birthday we are celebrating and ask Jesus into your heart to guide you each day. Remember the light? The Love? Our Heavenly King!
Merry Christmas!