It is hard to believe that December is already upon us, and that Christmas is just around the corner.
Between tying up loose ends at work and attending various year end functions from school to the office, it is easy to get lost in all the activities that traditionally take place this time of year. Not to mention the amount of time that goes into deciding where we will spend the holidays, what we will eat and what we will gift to others. It can be overwhelming even if money is not in short supply.
The truth is, we don’t need to have the most extravagant holiday, or spend a ridiculous amount of money on food and gifts to celebrate this time of the year. The reason we celebrate Christmas is more important than how we celebrate.
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But try telling that to a 6-year-old who has already pored over a few Christmas catalogues (I still don’t know where he found them) marking everything his little heart desires for Christmas!
So, in an effort to bring the focus back to where it belongs while still acknowledging that this is indeed the most wonderful time of the year, filled with hope and such expectation especially for the young (and the young at heart!), I decided to make my own advent calendar for the family, inspired by the letters of the word “C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S”, including Scripture with fun activities and (of course) sweet treats:
C is for the Christ child who was born 2000 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem (Luke 1:31-32)
H is for the hope Jesus brings to all who believe in Him and trust Him for their salvation (1Timothy 4:10)
R is for the resurrection of Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was both man and God, died on the cross for all our sins, and then was raised from the dead and is now sitting at the right hand of God in heaven (1 Peter 1:3)
I is for Immanuel – God with us (Matthew 1:23)
S is for the salvation that Jesus offers to all who believe in Him (Acts 4:12)
T is for the empty tomb on Easter morning (Matthew 28:6)
M is for the mercy God has shown the world by sending His only Son to die for our sins and bridge the gap between man and God (Ephesians 2:4)
A is for our awesome God who loves us all unconditionally (Romans 5:8-9)
S is for the shining light that Jesus brought into the world (John 8:12)
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas celebration filled with the hope that only Jesus can bring!
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Unfortunately, Christmas has been distorted by the World, and even more so by Christians and the Church.
The how of Jesus Christ’s birth is not as important compared to the WHY.
The world is comfortable with Jesus in the manager, and bring him out to promote a water down false interpretation.
One small example, is that the bible never mentions three wise men , but three gifts.
According to the scriptures, the wise men from the East only came to seek Jesus within two years after His birth.
The world is very comfortable with keeping Jesus in the manager, BUT very uncomfortable and awkward, with the fact that He grew up and fulfilled all prophecies about His life , crucifixion and His resurrection. He has established himself and his ” spiritual” Kingdom.