…to wish everyone a blessed Christmas as you celebrate the Saviour’s birth and the multitude of gifts which He has bestowed on us all. Merry Christmas!
Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
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Just a quick note…
December 25, 2011 by Hannah Jane
Category The Great Outdoors | Tags: Christmas,Thoughts and Musings | No Comments
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Happy Holidays?
December 7, 2010 by Hannah Jane
I like to go through crafting and home decorating magazines.
Sometime they make me laugh.
Other times I groan. Because some of their “bright ideas” need….a little help nowadays. And because most of them would never work around most peoples homes.
And yet other times I feel sorry for the authors…and for some of the readers.
Christmas time is one of these times.
Because even though it is a celebration of Jesus birthday*, they have no mention of him.
Craft and decorations always include Santa, reindeer, elves, bright colors, elegant tree ornaments, and lavish feast ideas.
But nowhere do they mention Jesus. Or the reason we give gifts.
They tell you to get into the “Christmas spirit”.
But without the promise of salvation, what is the “Christmas spirit” all about?
Jovial santas? Making the kids happy? Buying extravagant gifts just so that we can wince in January? Or maybe eating enough that one of our “new years resolutions” has to include plans for a diet?
They give tips for one to transform your house – both inside and out – to and sparkling, festive, wonderland.
But without the reason behind it all, the glitter of it all is….just meaningless.
And even those who do insert a manger scene somewhere – do they understand either?
Do they realize that we give gifts to show Jesus our thankfulness for His? (Mat. 24:34-40)
I see manger scenes, crowded with magi, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, Baby Jesus, and….elves, Santa Claus, and snowmen?
Do they realize that the ultimate gift was God giving his Son to us – to die?
Unbelievers can not. And so they try to imitate the joy they see Christian experiencing without Jesus.
And for some odd reason, Christians then try to imitate the unbelievers facade.
Rather and diving into the measureless ocean of God’s love, the opt for the shallow puddles of the wicked, only to find that they are only mirages.
Yes, I think it is fine to decorate lavishly for Christmas. And there is nothing wrong with making special foods or giving gifts. But without Jesus at the center, everything is just a bubble, ready to pop at any moment.
Without Jesus, life is worth nothing. He is not just the “reason for the season” – is the reason for life!
As the shorter catechism says,
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”
*I know that December 25 is very likely not the date that our Messiah was actually born. But since we do not know the actual date, I see absolutely no reason not to celebrate it on the 25th of December.
Category The Great Outdoors | Tags: Bible,Christmas | No Comments
