Skip to main content

CHRIST Celebration

I love Christmas, but sometimes I get a little crazy with it.  My wife would tell you a strange kind of crazy (like Scrooge or someone who is a bit 'AR').  Yet I understand some of the things going on.  I love it!

When I say crazy, let me tell you something that gets me going a bit in an angry direction.  Yesterday I received an email a ministry friend in an Asian country.  They were wishing me a "Merry X-mas".  Let's just say I was a bit put off --- miffed --- ticked off --- sour --- mad --- you name it.  That was me.

Why?  People need to understand, especially Christians, that this holiday has nothing to do with thing or person X.  It has everything to do with Christ.  It is His day, and every day it His day.   Do you agree?  I know you do.  But too often we miss that part with good intentions.  Remember the 'road to hell is paved with good intentions'.  I just want to give us a GENTLE reminder (ok, not so gentle that was in all caps meaning that I am screaming at ya) that Christmas is our CHRIST celebration.

I've even caught myself writing that phrase, CHRIST celebration, in notes to friends and in various places.  And I mean it with all of who I am to the core of me.

So, I want to challenge you to look deep into how you celebrate CHRIST's day.  Answer that.  How do you do your CHRIST celebration?  Are you and I pointing people to CHRIST?  One of my favorite places to point people is to this video: Advent Conspiracy (you can also go to this website to learn more).

Jesus has made a huge difference in my life and my family (and many of you have contributed to what Christ has done in me...thank you).  Think on your CHRIST celebration today.

Matthew 1:23
" BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAMEIMMANUEL," which translated means, " GOD WITH US."

But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."  Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has borne a child Then the remainder of His brethren Will return to the sons of Israel.  And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth. 

Isaiah 9:6
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;And the government will rest on His shoulders;And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:11
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Matthew 1:21
"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

Pray for Katrina and her 3 children.  The bank has allowed her to stay in her home.  We are looking for some people who would help bless this family for Christmas (let me know).  

Popular posts from this blog

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan.  His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God.  Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st.  The book is Forgotten God .   This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into.  All of it is within the Holy Spirit.  Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people.  It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about.   And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts.  We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things.  It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...
Post a Comment
Read more

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share.  For me C.S. Lewis is one of those.  He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class.  It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before.  He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born.  It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian.  He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...
Post a Comment
Read more

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!
10 comments
Read more