Do you exchange gifts for Christmas? Many families do.
In a gift exchange you give a present to someone else and they give one to you. Some groups do a “White Elephant” gift exchange with funny or unusual gifts.
As the Christmas season rushes to a close, many people will feel pressured to “keep the Christmas Spirit” and buy gifts. Too often they buy unwanted gifts for people they don’t like.
Well hold on just a minute! Before getting all stressed out, stop and ponder the true meaning of the first Christmas more than 2000 years ago.
That year there was just one gift. There was no Christmas tree, no lights and no candy. Santa Claus and his reindeer hadn’t even been thought of yet.
For the first Christmas, God gave and man received. It was the best gift God could possibly give. There was no pretty wrapping paper or colorful ribbon. Instead God’s gift was wrapped in a blanket and placed in a feeding trough—a manger.
The first Christmas gift was a baby named Jesus.
Strange as it may seem, the gift became even more valuable after he died and rose again. Why? Because the gift was not just a baby. It was someone who became the Savior of the world.
When Jesus died on the cross, the Bible says he paid the full penalty for our sin. As a result, our sins can be forgiven and we can become children of God. Forgiveness is God’s gift to us.
To receive God’s gift we must welcome Jesus Christ into our lives. Through him we can have peace with God and eternal life. When we receive him by faith as our Savior and follow him as our Lord we get the only gift that really keeps on giving. Forever.
That’s why we celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus. Year after year people exchange gifts in memory of that first Christmas gift.
Sadly, many leave God’s gift to them untouched and unopened. How can that be? Have we overlooked Jesus at his own birthday celebration?
There is someone else we often forget when we give gifts: God. And he was the one who started the tradition by giving the first gift!
Even though we try to remember gifts for everyone, have we forgotten God?
I urge you to make this year the Christmas you complete the gift exchange with God. First give him yourself. All he wants is for you to become his child.
Next, give your best to others in need. When we do that we follow God’s example, the first giver of the first Christmas Gift.
Then, find and attend a church where you are welcome. Make sure it’s a place where the Bible, God’s Word is clearly taught. Look for a church where you feel God’s presence.
When Christians join together to serve God and others we become better people. And the world becomes a better place. Together we can help others receive God’s gift also.
The true Christmas spirit comes from our love for God and his love for others through us.
So when you exchange gifts this year, remember the first Giver and his first Christmas gift.
The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he GAVE his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Perfect Gift
If only our lives were as simple as Santa’s.
Ask a child how Santa knows where to go and he or she will tell you. Santa has Rudolph.
You know—as in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In his famous song Santa asks, “Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” The rest, as they say, is history—uh, make-believe history.
While that works in the fantasy world, what about in real life? How can you find your way?
For the real world, a GPS gadget is just the ticket. GPS stands for “Global Positioning System.” It relies on a system of satellites to pinpoint where you are and show you where to go.
We used one on our Thanksgiving trip. It was amazing--our own personal guidance system.
To get to places we’d never been before, it was invaluable. Instead of straining to see tiny print on a map and missing exits due to heavy traffic, we listened to the calm GPS voice. It told us when to turn and where to go. It even knew locations of gas stations and restaurants.
For familiar places we still followed the GPS directions. As a result we found new routes with less traffic and shorter travel times.
It was a little scary because we had to trust an electronic gadget. But it never let us down.
If only there was a GPS for navigating through our personal lives! Wouldn’t that be great?
Well hold on for just a minute—there is one. It’s called the Bible.
Someone said B-I-B-L-E stands for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” I like that.
The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”
Even when life gets scary, God is the Shepherd who guides us. He will never let you down.
Israel’s King David wrote in Psalm 23, “He leads me.” He said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.”
Later the Psalmist adds, “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” Then, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”
In the New Testament Gospel of John, Jesus tells us he is the Good Shepherd who leads his sheep. But here’s the key: you must trust him enough to follow him.
The only way to find out where Jesus will lead you is to follow him. It’s like when we used the GPS. When we followed it, it worked. If we didn’t trust it, we would have been lost.
Skeptical? That’s OK. Try getting to know Jesus first. Read about him in the Gospel of John. Talk to others who have followed him for a while. You’ll find he never lets you down.
Jesus invitation is simple: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” The choice is yours.
But you must find Jesus for yourself. For that you need the Bible. It’s God’s GPS to lead you to the babe in the manger who became the Savior on the cross.
God planned the first Christmas so we wouldn’t miss his Son. God announced through the prophets that Jesus’ birth would be in Bethlehem. That way we’d know where to look. All the prophecies are like flashing arrows pointing to Jesus.
Just as God led the wise men to Bethlehem and Jesus, he is trying to lead us to Jesus. The point of the Christmas story is not the gifts of the wise men but the gift of God.
The Bible says, “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” It’s the perfect gift that keeps on giving. And it’s for you and everyone who will call on Jesus’ name.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Ask a child how Santa knows where to go and he or she will tell you. Santa has Rudolph.
You know—as in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In his famous song Santa asks, “Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” The rest, as they say, is history—uh, make-believe history.
While that works in the fantasy world, what about in real life? How can you find your way?
For the real world, a GPS gadget is just the ticket. GPS stands for “Global Positioning System.” It relies on a system of satellites to pinpoint where you are and show you where to go.
We used one on our Thanksgiving trip. It was amazing--our own personal guidance system.
To get to places we’d never been before, it was invaluable. Instead of straining to see tiny print on a map and missing exits due to heavy traffic, we listened to the calm GPS voice. It told us when to turn and where to go. It even knew locations of gas stations and restaurants.
For familiar places we still followed the GPS directions. As a result we found new routes with less traffic and shorter travel times.
It was a little scary because we had to trust an electronic gadget. But it never let us down.
If only there was a GPS for navigating through our personal lives! Wouldn’t that be great?
Well hold on for just a minute—there is one. It’s called the Bible.
Someone said B-I-B-L-E stands for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” I like that.
The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”
Even when life gets scary, God is the Shepherd who guides us. He will never let you down.
Israel’s King David wrote in Psalm 23, “He leads me.” He said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.”
Later the Psalmist adds, “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” Then, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”
In the New Testament Gospel of John, Jesus tells us he is the Good Shepherd who leads his sheep. But here’s the key: you must trust him enough to follow him.
The only way to find out where Jesus will lead you is to follow him. It’s like when we used the GPS. When we followed it, it worked. If we didn’t trust it, we would have been lost.
Skeptical? That’s OK. Try getting to know Jesus first. Read about him in the Gospel of John. Talk to others who have followed him for a while. You’ll find he never lets you down.
Jesus invitation is simple: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” The choice is yours.
But you must find Jesus for yourself. For that you need the Bible. It’s God’s GPS to lead you to the babe in the manger who became the Savior on the cross.
God planned the first Christmas so we wouldn’t miss his Son. God announced through the prophets that Jesus’ birth would be in Bethlehem. That way we’d know where to look. All the prophecies are like flashing arrows pointing to Jesus.
Just as God led the wise men to Bethlehem and Jesus, he is trying to lead us to Jesus. The point of the Christmas story is not the gifts of the wise men but the gift of God.
The Bible says, “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” It’s the perfect gift that keeps on giving. And it’s for you and everyone who will call on Jesus’ name.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, December 8, 2008
No Pokies
Children have a way of getting right to the point.
Last week I spoke to my granddaughter on the phone. She will soon be five years old. I told her I loved her and can’t wait to hug her and kiss her. Normal grandpa stuff.
Her response? “I love you too, Grandpa. You can come soon and hug me and kiss me. But no pokies.”
What she meant by “No pokies” was a mystery. Then my daughter got on the phone and explained that her husband shaves once a week. My granddaughter wanted to be sure my beard wasn’t prickly. That way there’d be no “pokies.”
Well, needless to say, I had a good chuckle. I thought, “How precious!” Then I told my wife we need to go visit them soon so I can hold my granddaughter and get those hugs and kisses.
There’s something about the honesty and innocence of children that inspires us. And they can teach us much if we will pay attention.
Well, hold on just a minute. Aren’t we supposed to teach children?
Yes, but there is much we can learn from them. Especially when it comes to faith.
Jesus knew that some of the purest faith in the world belongs to children. The average adult of his day viewed children as unimportant and something of a bother. Even Jesus’ disciples.
One day when parents wanted Jesus to pray for their children, the disciples rebuked them. So Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Another time Jesus added, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
His point? The openness, faith and receptivity of children are an example to us.
The kingdom of God must be received as a gift. It is available to all who are humble and know they are helpless. Human effort is of no avail.
And that’s really the point of Christmas.
Christmas is about God offering us a gift. We did nothing to deserve it. He offers us a Savior who can forgive our sin and give us eternal life—a life of joy and purpose.
It cost God a lot. He gave us his very best. But it’s a free gift to all who receive it with the simple faith and trust of a child. Will you open your heart and accept it by faith?
As adults it’s too easy for us to lose Jesus in the Christmas rush. Don’t let it happen to you.
So when you gather with your family this year, watch the little children. Not only are they cute, they’re special to God. Their faith can point our hearts in the right direction.
And guys, if you want hugs and kisses—be sure you don’t have any “pokies”!
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Last week I spoke to my granddaughter on the phone. She will soon be five years old. I told her I loved her and can’t wait to hug her and kiss her. Normal grandpa stuff.
Her response? “I love you too, Grandpa. You can come soon and hug me and kiss me. But no pokies.”
What she meant by “No pokies” was a mystery. Then my daughter got on the phone and explained that her husband shaves once a week. My granddaughter wanted to be sure my beard wasn’t prickly. That way there’d be no “pokies.”
Well, needless to say, I had a good chuckle. I thought, “How precious!” Then I told my wife we need to go visit them soon so I can hold my granddaughter and get those hugs and kisses.
There’s something about the honesty and innocence of children that inspires us. And they can teach us much if we will pay attention.
Well, hold on just a minute. Aren’t we supposed to teach children?
Yes, but there is much we can learn from them. Especially when it comes to faith.
Jesus knew that some of the purest faith in the world belongs to children. The average adult of his day viewed children as unimportant and something of a bother. Even Jesus’ disciples.
One day when parents wanted Jesus to pray for their children, the disciples rebuked them. So Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Another time Jesus added, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
His point? The openness, faith and receptivity of children are an example to us.
The kingdom of God must be received as a gift. It is available to all who are humble and know they are helpless. Human effort is of no avail.
And that’s really the point of Christmas.
Christmas is about God offering us a gift. We did nothing to deserve it. He offers us a Savior who can forgive our sin and give us eternal life—a life of joy and purpose.
It cost God a lot. He gave us his very best. But it’s a free gift to all who receive it with the simple faith and trust of a child. Will you open your heart and accept it by faith?
As adults it’s too easy for us to lose Jesus in the Christmas rush. Don’t let it happen to you.
So when you gather with your family this year, watch the little children. Not only are they cute, they’re special to God. Their faith can point our hearts in the right direction.
And guys, if you want hugs and kisses—be sure you don’t have any “pokies”!
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Redefining Christmas
Do modern Christmas celebrations bother you at all? Do you even think about it?
As a Christian (and having worked in retail), to say I’m a little irritated over what’s happened to the celebration of Jesus’ birth would be an understatement. It bothers me a lot!
Often I find myself wondering, “What does Jesus think about all the hoopla and spending on HIS birthday?” After all it is his birthday. We should care what he thinks—right?
A week or so ago I began hearing radio ads suggesting we redefine Christmas. I thought, “What’s up with that?” The ad listed a web site, so I did a little digging.
It turns out the radio ad is part of a $2 million national ad campaign sponsored by Connecticut billionaire, Ray Dalio. His goal? For Americans to give to others in need at Christmas.
Dalio’s idea is simple. He suggests giving to charities in the name of people on your gift list.
Matt Dalio, spokesman for Dalio’s charitable foundation, observed, “The amount of money spent in the holiday season on chocolate alone is greater than the annual budgets of Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association combined!”
So if we would give just a fraction of the money that’s spent on chocolates, charitable work could increase significantly. That’s mind-boggling.
Last Friday I went to Wal-Mart. The crowds were overwhelming. People pushed and shoved to get what they wanted. They argued over who was next in line for a cashier.
To say the least, Christmas spirit was in short supply.
In Valley Stream, New York, a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death as a crowd broke down the doors and stampeded for the bargains.
Hold on just a minute! What have we done to Christmas?
We’ve taken a great idea and changed it into something completely unrecognizable.
The real Saint Nicholas is remembered for his secret charitable giving. That’s right—it was anonymous. He didn’t want the recipients to know he was the one who helped them!
Now don’t get me wrong. Exchanging Christmas gifts is a fun thing to do. But to go deep in debt, be stressed out over it and ignore Jesus sort of misses the whole point--doesn’t it?
I’ve actually had people get mad at me and tell me I was ruining Christmas by talking like that. But I didn’t ruin Christmas. It’s already been done. We are all guilty.
What’s the solution? Take a lesson from Jesus.
When he came to earth for that first Christmas, the Bible says that he “emptied himself.” In other words, he gave up his rights and became a servant. His goal was to help others. He came to die for our sin so we could receive God’s gift of eternal life and become children of God.
And when a rich man asked Jesus what he should do, Jesus said to sell what he had, give to the poor and then follow him. The man’s focus had been on himself instead of God and others.
If we would follow Jesus’ example and his advice, it would do more than redefine Christmas. It would TRANSFORM Christmas! Just imagine the people who’d be helped if we gave ten, twenty or thirty percent of our Christmas budget to charity. Or just what we spend on chocolate.
Now I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I’m just thinking out loud a little bit.
Remember, the Bible says, “It is better to give than to receive.” Think of that next time you walk by the red kettle and the bell ringer. Or drive by the local food bank.
Folks, when it comes to Christmas, I think we could do better. I’m just sayin’ …
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
As a Christian (and having worked in retail), to say I’m a little irritated over what’s happened to the celebration of Jesus’ birth would be an understatement. It bothers me a lot!
Often I find myself wondering, “What does Jesus think about all the hoopla and spending on HIS birthday?” After all it is his birthday. We should care what he thinks—right?
A week or so ago I began hearing radio ads suggesting we redefine Christmas. I thought, “What’s up with that?” The ad listed a web site, so I did a little digging.
It turns out the radio ad is part of a $2 million national ad campaign sponsored by Connecticut billionaire, Ray Dalio. His goal? For Americans to give to others in need at Christmas.
Dalio’s idea is simple. He suggests giving to charities in the name of people on your gift list.
Matt Dalio, spokesman for Dalio’s charitable foundation, observed, “The amount of money spent in the holiday season on chocolate alone is greater than the annual budgets of Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association combined!”
So if we would give just a fraction of the money that’s spent on chocolates, charitable work could increase significantly. That’s mind-boggling.
Last Friday I went to Wal-Mart. The crowds were overwhelming. People pushed and shoved to get what they wanted. They argued over who was next in line for a cashier.
To say the least, Christmas spirit was in short supply.
In Valley Stream, New York, a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death as a crowd broke down the doors and stampeded for the bargains.
Hold on just a minute! What have we done to Christmas?
We’ve taken a great idea and changed it into something completely unrecognizable.
The real Saint Nicholas is remembered for his secret charitable giving. That’s right—it was anonymous. He didn’t want the recipients to know he was the one who helped them!
Now don’t get me wrong. Exchanging Christmas gifts is a fun thing to do. But to go deep in debt, be stressed out over it and ignore Jesus sort of misses the whole point--doesn’t it?
I’ve actually had people get mad at me and tell me I was ruining Christmas by talking like that. But I didn’t ruin Christmas. It’s already been done. We are all guilty.
What’s the solution? Take a lesson from Jesus.
When he came to earth for that first Christmas, the Bible says that he “emptied himself.” In other words, he gave up his rights and became a servant. His goal was to help others. He came to die for our sin so we could receive God’s gift of eternal life and become children of God.
And when a rich man asked Jesus what he should do, Jesus said to sell what he had, give to the poor and then follow him. The man’s focus had been on himself instead of God and others.
If we would follow Jesus’ example and his advice, it would do more than redefine Christmas. It would TRANSFORM Christmas! Just imagine the people who’d be helped if we gave ten, twenty or thirty percent of our Christmas budget to charity. Or just what we spend on chocolate.
Now I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I’m just thinking out loud a little bit.
Remember, the Bible says, “It is better to give than to receive.” Think of that next time you walk by the red kettle and the bell ringer. Or drive by the local food bank.
Folks, when it comes to Christmas, I think we could do better. I’m just sayin’ …
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Holiday Jesus
Well it’s that time of year to put away the winter stuff. Even Jesus.
Along with packing up Easter decorations and winter clothes in the spring, many people store Jesus until the fall. They’re fine without him. Just save Jesus for the holidays.
It’s easy to do. Once spring hits the yard, there’s a lot to be done—mowing, gardening, spring-cleaning, and weekends at the lake. Who’s got time for God?
There’s just one problem with that. Jesus asks, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”
What’s the benefit of having the best yard and garden, the cleanest house or the nicest place on the lake? Is it worth it if you end up losing your life in the process?
Well, hold on for just a minute. How can all that cost you your life?
Good question. Do you really want to know?
Life is about focus. What you focus on consumes your life. You spend your life to get what you want. And you can’t serve two masters at the same time. Jesus said that.
A relationship with God is about more than celebrating Christmas and Easter. It’s about more than worship on weekends. It’s about loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And loving your neighbor as yourself. Jesus said that, too.
God becomes your priority. Not just a pastime for your free time. You can’t fool him. He says, “Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
Hey, if you want to spend your life pursuing power, wealth and pleasure, go for it. Just don’t expect much in the way of inner peace, eternal rewards or a lasting legacy.
Jesus, however, calls us to a different focus in life. He says, “Follow me. Take my yoke upon you. Learn from me.” And the life to which he calls us is a life of service.
Describing himself Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give his life a ransom for many.” And he calls us to follow him boldly.
When you follow Jesus, the rewards are much greater than the sacrifices. You will know the joy that your life is making an eternal difference. You will have peace that transcends all understanding. And you will feel so blessed you won’t know what to do!
True, the way of Jesus is not the way of wealth, pleasure or power. It’s the path of denying self. It may be the path of suffering and hardship. And it doesn’t appeal to everyone.
To follow Jesus, you must give up your rights in order to serve God and others.
Think Mother Theresa and not Martha Stewart. Billy Graham and not Donald Trump.
If your Jesus is a Holiday Jesus (or even a Weekend Jesus), don’t kid yourself that you’re a true Christ follower. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross DAILY and follow me.”
We can’t have it both ways. Jesus didn’t promise reward for a part-time commitment.
Take a good honest look at your life. What’s your focus? Is it all about you?
Ask God to show you a better way. Ask him to make your life count. If you’re serious, pick up a Bible and read the New Testament. Begin with the Gospel of John and keep going.
The purpose of the Bible is summed up in these words from its pages: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Along with packing up Easter decorations and winter clothes in the spring, many people store Jesus until the fall. They’re fine without him. Just save Jesus for the holidays.
It’s easy to do. Once spring hits the yard, there’s a lot to be done—mowing, gardening, spring-cleaning, and weekends at the lake. Who’s got time for God?
There’s just one problem with that. Jesus asks, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”
What’s the benefit of having the best yard and garden, the cleanest house or the nicest place on the lake? Is it worth it if you end up losing your life in the process?
Well, hold on for just a minute. How can all that cost you your life?
Good question. Do you really want to know?
Life is about focus. What you focus on consumes your life. You spend your life to get what you want. And you can’t serve two masters at the same time. Jesus said that.
A relationship with God is about more than celebrating Christmas and Easter. It’s about more than worship on weekends. It’s about loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And loving your neighbor as yourself. Jesus said that, too.
God becomes your priority. Not just a pastime for your free time. You can’t fool him. He says, “Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
Hey, if you want to spend your life pursuing power, wealth and pleasure, go for it. Just don’t expect much in the way of inner peace, eternal rewards or a lasting legacy.
Jesus, however, calls us to a different focus in life. He says, “Follow me. Take my yoke upon you. Learn from me.” And the life to which he calls us is a life of service.
Describing himself Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give his life a ransom for many.” And he calls us to follow him boldly.
When you follow Jesus, the rewards are much greater than the sacrifices. You will know the joy that your life is making an eternal difference. You will have peace that transcends all understanding. And you will feel so blessed you won’t know what to do!
True, the way of Jesus is not the way of wealth, pleasure or power. It’s the path of denying self. It may be the path of suffering and hardship. And it doesn’t appeal to everyone.
To follow Jesus, you must give up your rights in order to serve God and others.
Think Mother Theresa and not Martha Stewart. Billy Graham and not Donald Trump.
If your Jesus is a Holiday Jesus (or even a Weekend Jesus), don’t kid yourself that you’re a true Christ follower. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross DAILY and follow me.”
We can’t have it both ways. Jesus didn’t promise reward for a part-time commitment.
Take a good honest look at your life. What’s your focus? Is it all about you?
Ask God to show you a better way. Ask him to make your life count. If you’re serious, pick up a Bible and read the New Testament. Begin with the Gospel of John and keep going.
The purpose of the Bible is summed up in these words from its pages: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas Explained
If an alien from another planet showed up today and asked you to explain what you celebrated yesterday for Christmas, what would you tell him?
Would you say that Christmas is about Santa Claus, sleigh rides, silver bells, lights, presents, going to grandma’s house and getting what you want under the tree? --NOT!
Now hold on just a minute! Isn’t that what everybody gets excited about?
Yes, but those things are just traditions that were somehow attached to the celebration. Now that all the hoopla is over, this favorite holiday deserves a closer look. To understand what really happened on the first Christmas, think with me for a moment about a man who liked ants.
A naturalist once studied an ant colony. He was amazed by the way the ants worked together. Over the days and weeks the anthill grew along with the man’s fascination.
Soon the man developed a concern and then a love for the little creatures. He was impressed with the way they cared for each other. He respected their industry and unity.
One day a survey team arrived to work in the area. The man asked what they were doing and he learned that a new road was being constructed. To his horror he discovered that the ant colony was directly in the path of the new road. What could he do?
He tried moving a group of the ants some distance away hoping they would establish a new anthill. But they just returned to the colony.
He shouted at them but they couldn’t understand his warning.
Finally in desperation he exclaimed, “If I could just become an ant, then I could warn them of the danger and save them from destruction!” The words were no sooner out of his mouth than he realized what he had said.
For the first time in his life he understood the meaning of the Christmas story he heard as a child. Suddenly he realized that God had to become a man to communicate with us in a way we could understand. Only then could God tell us how he loves us and warn us about the consequences of our sin. Only then could he show us how to escape destruction and live.
I like what author C.S. Lewis said about Christmas in his book “Mere Christianity.” He said, “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”
And here’s the best part: You don’t have to work yourself to death keeping religious laws and ordinances hoping to be good enough to attain godhood or sainthood.
The Bible says salvation is “not by works of righteousness which we have done.” The best part of the gospel is that Jesus did it all for you. Salvation and adoption into God’s family is a free gift from God to you. It is the Christmas gift that keeps on giving. And it’s yours by faith.
Faith means that you trust God to do what he says he will do. To do for you what you cannot do for yourself. He saves you from the penalty for your sin (death) and gives you a new life. It’s a new beginning; a clean slate that starts the day you put your trust in him.
To become a son of God is very simple. Speaking of Jesus, the Bible says, “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
It goes on to say, “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons…. and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” All you need to do is trust him and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Would you say that Christmas is about Santa Claus, sleigh rides, silver bells, lights, presents, going to grandma’s house and getting what you want under the tree? --NOT!
Now hold on just a minute! Isn’t that what everybody gets excited about?
Yes, but those things are just traditions that were somehow attached to the celebration. Now that all the hoopla is over, this favorite holiday deserves a closer look. To understand what really happened on the first Christmas, think with me for a moment about a man who liked ants.
A naturalist once studied an ant colony. He was amazed by the way the ants worked together. Over the days and weeks the anthill grew along with the man’s fascination.
Soon the man developed a concern and then a love for the little creatures. He was impressed with the way they cared for each other. He respected their industry and unity.
One day a survey team arrived to work in the area. The man asked what they were doing and he learned that a new road was being constructed. To his horror he discovered that the ant colony was directly in the path of the new road. What could he do?
He tried moving a group of the ants some distance away hoping they would establish a new anthill. But they just returned to the colony.
He shouted at them but they couldn’t understand his warning.
Finally in desperation he exclaimed, “If I could just become an ant, then I could warn them of the danger and save them from destruction!” The words were no sooner out of his mouth than he realized what he had said.
For the first time in his life he understood the meaning of the Christmas story he heard as a child. Suddenly he realized that God had to become a man to communicate with us in a way we could understand. Only then could God tell us how he loves us and warn us about the consequences of our sin. Only then could he show us how to escape destruction and live.
I like what author C.S. Lewis said about Christmas in his book “Mere Christianity.” He said, “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”
And here’s the best part: You don’t have to work yourself to death keeping religious laws and ordinances hoping to be good enough to attain godhood or sainthood.
The Bible says salvation is “not by works of righteousness which we have done.” The best part of the gospel is that Jesus did it all for you. Salvation and adoption into God’s family is a free gift from God to you. It is the Christmas gift that keeps on giving. And it’s yours by faith.
Faith means that you trust God to do what he says he will do. To do for you what you cannot do for yourself. He saves you from the penalty for your sin (death) and gives you a new life. It’s a new beginning; a clean slate that starts the day you put your trust in him.
To become a son of God is very simple. Speaking of Jesus, the Bible says, “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
It goes on to say, “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons…. and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” All you need to do is trust him and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas Crazy
Are you Christmas crazy yet?
The craziness has been going on for weeks now: special sales, shoppers packing the malls, parades, school plays and concerts, presents to buy—and the list goes on.
Soon last minute panic will set in and some will feel like they really are going crazy.
To make matters worse, some family members even ASK for specific gifts. Then they let it be known they won’t be happy if they don’t receive exactly what they want!
What happened to the joy of giving? Somehow it’s been turned around to the joy of getting. So we stress out trying to get everybody on our list something they will like. We even ask our children, “What do you want for Christmas?”
We do it because we want to be good parents and give them the desires of their heart.
Then we drive ourselves crazy and bust the budget trying to get them everything on their list. We hope for a big smile on Christmas day and an excited, “Thank you, thank you! It’s what I always wanted!” --As if Christmas was just about exchanging gifts.
Well take a break from the stress and think about what you do for just a minute. Why not try something different? Consider the plan one dad came up with for his family.
This father still wanted to celebrate the tradition of gift giving that honors God’s gift of his Son, Jesus. But he also wanted to save the budget and stop the Christmas craziness.
His plan was simple: to buy his children four gifts for Christmas each year. That’s right—FOUR gifts. They were “Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read.”
If the children complained, he asked them, “Whose birthday are we celebrating?”
Once he started buying just four gifts for each child, the children began to appreciate every gift they received. They insisted he label them. There was no more comparing who got the most gifts. No more whining amidst the piles of torn paper and boxes--“Is that all there is?”
It also helped focus on the true meaning of the Christmas gift giving: That we give gifts, like the Wise Men, to honor the Christ Child. And we do it to remember God’s gift of love to us.
Remember what the Bible says: “For God so LOVED the world that he GAVE his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Teach your children that one of the reasons you give them gifts is because you love them. And because God loves us, he gave us his greatest gift at Christmas: a Savior who is Christ, the Lord. Don’t let Jesus get lost under the tree. He is the reason for the season.
The four gifts are just a suggestion. But I’ll bet if you tried it, it just might get rid of the craziness trying to find and buy gifts you can’t afford. And trying to make everyone happy.
Then don’t forget that the real Saint Nicholas is remembered for giving gifts--not to those who had more than they needed but to those who were poor and had almost nothing. Maybe you could get your family excited about finding a family in need and making Christmas about giving instead of getting.
Remember the words the Lord Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Do your children and grandchildren know that?
The choice is yours: Christmas craziness or bring back the joy of giving. If you’re the parent, why not take the lead? You might just restore some sanity to your Christmas.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
The craziness has been going on for weeks now: special sales, shoppers packing the malls, parades, school plays and concerts, presents to buy—and the list goes on.
Soon last minute panic will set in and some will feel like they really are going crazy.
To make matters worse, some family members even ASK for specific gifts. Then they let it be known they won’t be happy if they don’t receive exactly what they want!
What happened to the joy of giving? Somehow it’s been turned around to the joy of getting. So we stress out trying to get everybody on our list something they will like. We even ask our children, “What do you want for Christmas?”
We do it because we want to be good parents and give them the desires of their heart.
Then we drive ourselves crazy and bust the budget trying to get them everything on their list. We hope for a big smile on Christmas day and an excited, “Thank you, thank you! It’s what I always wanted!” --As if Christmas was just about exchanging gifts.
Well take a break from the stress and think about what you do for just a minute. Why not try something different? Consider the plan one dad came up with for his family.
This father still wanted to celebrate the tradition of gift giving that honors God’s gift of his Son, Jesus. But he also wanted to save the budget and stop the Christmas craziness.
His plan was simple: to buy his children four gifts for Christmas each year. That’s right—FOUR gifts. They were “Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read.”
If the children complained, he asked them, “Whose birthday are we celebrating?”
Once he started buying just four gifts for each child, the children began to appreciate every gift they received. They insisted he label them. There was no more comparing who got the most gifts. No more whining amidst the piles of torn paper and boxes--“Is that all there is?”
It also helped focus on the true meaning of the Christmas gift giving: That we give gifts, like the Wise Men, to honor the Christ Child. And we do it to remember God’s gift of love to us.
Remember what the Bible says: “For God so LOVED the world that he GAVE his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Teach your children that one of the reasons you give them gifts is because you love them. And because God loves us, he gave us his greatest gift at Christmas: a Savior who is Christ, the Lord. Don’t let Jesus get lost under the tree. He is the reason for the season.
The four gifts are just a suggestion. But I’ll bet if you tried it, it just might get rid of the craziness trying to find and buy gifts you can’t afford. And trying to make everyone happy.
Then don’t forget that the real Saint Nicholas is remembered for giving gifts--not to those who had more than they needed but to those who were poor and had almost nothing. Maybe you could get your family excited about finding a family in need and making Christmas about giving instead of getting.
Remember the words the Lord Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Do your children and grandchildren know that?
The choice is yours: Christmas craziness or bring back the joy of giving. If you’re the parent, why not take the lead? You might just restore some sanity to your Christmas.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Real Christmas Present
Frosty the Snowman’s first words when he came to life were “Happy Birthday!”
The TV show is an annual favorite for many during the Christmas season. I guess the writers thought that Frosty’s first day of life was naturally his birthday. And it makes sense in the world of cartoons.
In a video I watched the other day a small child was asked why we celebrate Christmas. Her answer? “Because it’s Santa’s Birthday!”
At least the TV show and the little girl got it half right. Christmas is about a birthday, but not Frosty’s or Santa’s! The fact that some children may think so shows that we need to do a better job teaching them about Christmas.
No doubt some kids even think Christmas is about them since they get all the presents. Many children receive more presents at Christmas than they do for their own birthday!
Well hold on just a minute. Whose birthday is in anyway? And why all the presents?
The Encarta World English Dictionary defines Christmas as “an annual Christian festival on December 25, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.” It says that it’s also become a secular holiday when people traditionally exchange presents and greetings.
We practice many of our Christmas traditions without ever giving thought as to why we do them. Exchanging presents is a good example. Why do we do that?
One reason we give gifts is to help us remember that the birth of the Savior was God’s great gift to the world. Talk about a surprise gift! Most people don’t think they need a savior. They don’t feel like they’re drowning or trapped and need to be rescued. Why a savior?
Two thousand years ago Israel was hoping for a savior to deliver them from the rule of the Roman Empire and Caesar. What they got was One who offered spiritual salvation instead of political deliverance. And the nation’s leaders rejected it.
But God turned the rejection and death of Christ into an offer of salvation for the whole world. The Bible says that faith in Christ brings deliverance from sin and judgment to come.
What a gift! Salvation that doesn’t depend on being born into the right family or belonging to the “right” religion. Salvation that is free. What a Christmas present!
Today many people are drowning in failure and the consequences of bad decisions. In the Bible God gave us standards to live by. Those who break his rules often suffer the consequences in their health and in their relationships. The Bible calls that “sin.”
Unable to fix our broken relationship with God, we need someone to save us. And that’s where God’s great gift comes into the picture. God’s purpose in sending Christ was for him to become the Savior of the world. To save us from sin and its consequences that lead to death.
The angel told the shepherds, “Today in the town of David [Bethlehem] a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). People who heard Jesus and personally experienced his ministry recognized that he was “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).
So this Christmas, before you put down your credit card to buy those presents, pick up a Bible and turn to the Gospel of Luke. Read about the first Christmas in chapter two. Join in the wonder the Shepherds felt when they saw Jesus, the Savior. Worship him with the wise men.
When a person recognizes who Jesus is and puts their trust in him to save them, God gives them the ultimate gift, eternal life. That’s the real present of Christmas.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
The TV show is an annual favorite for many during the Christmas season. I guess the writers thought that Frosty’s first day of life was naturally his birthday. And it makes sense in the world of cartoons.
In a video I watched the other day a small child was asked why we celebrate Christmas. Her answer? “Because it’s Santa’s Birthday!”
At least the TV show and the little girl got it half right. Christmas is about a birthday, but not Frosty’s or Santa’s! The fact that some children may think so shows that we need to do a better job teaching them about Christmas.
No doubt some kids even think Christmas is about them since they get all the presents. Many children receive more presents at Christmas than they do for their own birthday!
Well hold on just a minute. Whose birthday is in anyway? And why all the presents?
The Encarta World English Dictionary defines Christmas as “an annual Christian festival on December 25, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.” It says that it’s also become a secular holiday when people traditionally exchange presents and greetings.
We practice many of our Christmas traditions without ever giving thought as to why we do them. Exchanging presents is a good example. Why do we do that?
One reason we give gifts is to help us remember that the birth of the Savior was God’s great gift to the world. Talk about a surprise gift! Most people don’t think they need a savior. They don’t feel like they’re drowning or trapped and need to be rescued. Why a savior?
Two thousand years ago Israel was hoping for a savior to deliver them from the rule of the Roman Empire and Caesar. What they got was One who offered spiritual salvation instead of political deliverance. And the nation’s leaders rejected it.
But God turned the rejection and death of Christ into an offer of salvation for the whole world. The Bible says that faith in Christ brings deliverance from sin and judgment to come.
What a gift! Salvation that doesn’t depend on being born into the right family or belonging to the “right” religion. Salvation that is free. What a Christmas present!
Today many people are drowning in failure and the consequences of bad decisions. In the Bible God gave us standards to live by. Those who break his rules often suffer the consequences in their health and in their relationships. The Bible calls that “sin.”
Unable to fix our broken relationship with God, we need someone to save us. And that’s where God’s great gift comes into the picture. God’s purpose in sending Christ was for him to become the Savior of the world. To save us from sin and its consequences that lead to death.
The angel told the shepherds, “Today in the town of David [Bethlehem] a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). People who heard Jesus and personally experienced his ministry recognized that he was “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).
So this Christmas, before you put down your credit card to buy those presents, pick up a Bible and turn to the Gospel of Luke. Read about the first Christmas in chapter two. Join in the wonder the Shepherds felt when they saw Jesus, the Savior. Worship him with the wise men.
When a person recognizes who Jesus is and puts their trust in him to save them, God gives them the ultimate gift, eternal life. That’s the real present of Christmas.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
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