THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS -- Holiday or Holy Day?
THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS - Holiday or Holy Day?
For centuries, society has been slowly drifting down a broad river of change, but speed is picking up, and we have now entered the rapids. Even Christmas is not immune to these changes. It has become just a "holiday" to the world and, sadly, even to some Christians. "Merry Christmas" has been replaced by "Happy Holidays," and carols or "parang" songs about Jesus have been traded for songs celebrating Santa Claus, festive foods, parties, winter, family, and friends.
Finding Christ-centered Christmas cards has become a challenge. Snowmen and sleighs have taken the place of manger scenes, which were once common in both private and public settings. This slide away from Christ is the natural progression of the world, but it is not the direction that believers should go. Drifting is easy: you just relax and follow the path of least resistance. But going against the stream requires constant awareness and diligent effort. We must actively guard against letting the world steal Christ from our celebrations.
Christmas is not just a holiday; it is a holy day... the day God came to earth in the flesh of a tiny baby for the purpose of reconciling sinful mankind to Himself. Holidays are numerous, but there is only one Christmas. The world tries hard to find pleasure in Christ-less holiday observances, but happiness is often elusive when experiences do not match expectations. If you feel a sense of letdown, you may have drifted away from an authentic celebration of Christmas. Allow Jesus back in, and joy will return.
And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 (NLT)
GRACE, COURAGE AND RESOLVE FOR THE NEW YEAR
A new year 2018, is upon us and no surprise our world is in upheaval. As an example, look at the speed at which our society has turned away from a biblical understanding of gender and marriage. No matter how much we as parents and a church community try to absorb the societal conflicts on behalf of our children, there is no way to completely shield them from the realities in which we now live. Nor, should merely shielding our children be our top priority. Rather, let us strive to equip our children. We must equip them to live in a fallen world with a strong and sure hope and defence: the Gospel of Jesus. How can parents, teachers, and the church work toward this end in the coming year? Here are a few New Year resolutions to consider:
By God’s grace, and through His power, we will . . .
Emphasise the absolute, objective, and unchanging truths of Scripture.
Make a serious commitment to teach children a God-centered view of all of life.
Develop an intentional plan to present our children with the whole counsel of God.
Proclaim to our children the whole Gospel, in all its scope, depth, power, and beauty.
Live out the timeless truths of the Gospel so that our children see that Jesus is a treasure more precious than anything this world has to offer.
Impress upon them what it means to deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus.
Model true Christian humility that grieves for the lost, desiring their salvation.• Remind them of and rejoice in the global mission of God to save people from every tribe and tongue.
Pray, pray, and then pray some more.
Depend increasingly upon the One who is faithful.
And one more resolve that is becoming more and more crucial… Demonstrate boldness and courage to speak the truth in love, regardless of the cost.
Why the need for boldness and courage? Consider these following words: Christian courage is the willingness to say and do the right thing regardless of the earthly cost, because God promises to help you and save you on account of Christ. An act takes courage if it will likely be painful. The pain may be physical, as in war and rescue operations. Or the pain may be mental as in confrontation and controversy.
Courage is indispensable for both spreading and preserving the truth of Christ. Jesus promised that spreading the gospel would meet resistance: Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name (Matthew 24:9).
And Paul warned that, even in the church, faithfulness to the truth would be embattled: I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them (Acts 20:29-30; see also 2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Let us all be thanking God for His faithfulness and graces this past year, and with our devout repentance depend on His new mercies in the coming year. . . SHALOM!