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

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.  One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.  When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.  Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns.  Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.  Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"  Beverly said, "Why yes I do."  Edith said, "Well, what do you
Post a Comment
Read more

why is it Good Friday?

  Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation.  We come to Friday.  The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me   Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good?   Jesus was treated as a criminal.  He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him.  His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure.  That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the  Passion of the Christ .   Yet it is a good day.  It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart.  What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me:   He is Redemption and Redeemer   He too our Pain and Punishment   He is our Righteousness and Reality   He is the Savior and Life   All of those happened from the cross.  It was meant for the worst lawbreakers.  It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law.  It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus.   Look
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba.  Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve.   Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba.  There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met.  No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more.  These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana.  On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours.  We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours.  We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good.  We visited two partner churches.  In the morning we were with one church that
Post a Comment
Read more