Being Selfish At Christmas

The true meaning of Christmas is that God unselfishly gave the most wonderful gift to the entire world. And yet, during this very special time of year, we teach our children how to be selfish. Kids are taken to the mall, where they wait in a long line of other kids, so they can sit on Santa's lap and give him a long, long list of what they want to get for Christmas. So, we educate them on the idea that Christmas is a selfish time of year - which brings disappointment when they don't get what is on their list. Wouldn't it be better if we began early to show them the joy of giving rather that getting. Give them the opportunity to share with those who are less fortunate. Allow them the chance to see the excitement on some one's face when, unexpectedly, they receive a gift. Now, there is a little selfishness involved in this as well. It won't be long until they become thrilled with the idea of giving and even though they probably haven't hear of it yet, they understand what Jesus meant when He said that it is better to give than to receive. So, they want the better of the two - giving or receiving - for themselves. But, that is a good kind of selfishness. The kind that touches the heart of another and causes them to want to enjoy it as well. So, go ahead and be a little selfish this year and spread it around.

The Spirit Of Christmas

I really enjoy the Christmas theme shows and movies that come on each year about this time. And a special thank you goes out to that person who invented a way to record them, since I would miss so many if I couldn't. I have to admit, that very few of these shows have anything to do with the real meaning of Christmas, and fewer yet share much about the birth of Jesus, but they do portray the spirit of the season in a good light. In most cases there will be someone that doesn't care about Christmas and wishes it to be over with soon. And there will also be those who are excited about what is taking place and how it has changed the hearts of people - at least for a little while. Why it is that grumpy people become bearable during Christmas? Why is it that tight wads begin to loosen up their purse strings during Christmas? Why is it that people in general seem to have a positive change in their attitudes during Christmas? Maybe it is the Christmas Spirit. Man, by his very nature, is selfish. I know there are exceptions to this, but we would have to admit that generally speaking that is the case. I think that the change that takes place is a result of one of two things. For the Christian, we now have a new nature because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us. That new nature is a Divine nature that allows us and prompts us to do what God would have us to do. The interesting thing is that we also see a change take place in those who are not saved. This would be from outward influence rather that inward indwelling. People are just moved by the generosity of others and it stirs them to become that way as well. So, let's use our indwelling to have an influence on a lost world, so that they may see and feel that wonderful Christmas Spirit.

The Carols Of The Season

As I mentioned before, I really love the Christmas carols and even some of the old classics of the season like "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas", even though for me it would be more of a nightmare than a dream. Most of the good old Christmas Carols were written many, many years ago. It was during a time when the song writers took their message in song from scripture and their desire was to follow in the footsteps of the angels who sang on the first Christmas night.
How it must have pleased the ears and spoke to the heart, as the Heavenly Choir gloriously sang of peace on earth and good will to all men while the shepherds listened in amazement. I am sure you recall that King David was a shepherd as a boy and quite an accomplished musician and song writer in his own right. Because the shepherds had so much time for such as this, it wasn't at all uncommon for them to be musically inclined. My point is that they would be have been equally blessed by the presentation of the great song as well as they were by it's message. That is what I thinks sets the Christmas carols apart from other types of music. They are beautiful to listen to and the message truly speaks to the heart of man and the heart of the matter. So, this year, as you listen to these wonderful old tunes, enjoy their harmonious sounds and take in the wonderment of their message. And, its okay to sing along. Go ahead, help yourself.

So Far A Rather Unusual Christmas This Year

It seems that for the last several years, we have fought the "politically correct" battle at Christmas time. You know, where you say happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas. In recent years some of the major retailers have actually forbidden their employees from saying Merry Christmas and this really stirred up a lot of people. This year, most of these stores are allowing their associates to say what they please, but for some reason I haven't heard very many people say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. It is as though the holiday season has slipped up on us this year and we don't know what to do. Or, maybe, because the economy seems to be in such bad shape that for most people the holidays are not happy and Christmas isn't very Merry. People just seem to be passing the time, waiting for the season to be over with. So, what is the problem? I am sure that if you asked a dozen people you would probably get a dozen opinions, so here is mine. I think we have put our focus on the wrong thing again this year and because of our economic situation, it makes things look that much more bleak. It appears that the we are looking at the things that we can't have rather than what we do have. We are upset about what we can't give and not happy about what has been given to us. So, let's start making things better by voicing our desire for others to be blessed during this wonderful time of year. And I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

What Is Christmas? It's Just Another Holiday!

Several years ago, we were involved in a Cantata that had a rather unusual song in it. It simply repeated the same phrase over and over - "Christmas, what is Christmas, Christmas, what is Christmas", etc.. It was towards the end, so it may have been there to wake up some people so they could hear the final song. It did get your attention. So, what is Christmas? Besides a phrase in a Christmas song, what is it to you? For some people it is just a time of year, without much fanfare or excitement. And though we know it is far more than just that, let's take that thought and pursue it for a moment. It is a time of year! A time near the end of the calendar year, so it is a time to reflect on the past. Just what have we accomplished this year? It is a time of celebration. Whether you get into the Christmas spirit or not, there are going to be those around you, who are very much aware of it's meaning and purpose, that will be having a wonderful time.
It is a time recognize the Grace and Goodness of God. He is so Gracious in sending His only begotten Son to earth, because we certainly do not deserve it. It is a time to realize just how good our God is to us. He wants to bless us and show His Love toward us. You see what I mean. It is really up to us. It can be just another holiday or it can be another holiday - just for Him.

The Greatest Gift Ever

There is a cute commercial running this year about a child, several years prior, sitting under the Christmas tree unwrapping his gift. When he realizes just what it is, he begins to explain with great detail that this is not only the best gift that he has ever received, but that nothing in the future could even begin to match it. It is the ultimate Christmas present. Then, just as he is about to utter the last word of his proclamation, it switches to the present time and he is looking at a new car sitting in his drive way and making the same statement from his childhood. Okay, I have to make a confession here, because I am not a very good shopper for Christmas - or any other time for that matter. I am entirely too practical. I have a difficult time buying something that won't last or won't be used. Everyone can use a new pair of socks, right? Just kidding! I guess that is the reason that the Tonka truck was so popular several years ago, because it was indestructible - until you gave it to a 3 year old. So, what is the greatest gift ever? I am glad you asked. It comes from the greatest giver ever and will last forever. It doesn't need batteries nor do you have to put it together. Of course you know that I am referring to God's great Gift of Salvation through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. As you think about those special people on your list this year, make sure that they have received God's gift before you decide what you are going to give them. If they have, then your gift will pale in comparison, but then that is a good thing.

So, Just When Was Jesus Born Anyway?

There are a lot of things in Scripture that we don't understand and won't ever be able to as long as we are in this finite body with it's limitations. There are also a lot of things that we would like to know, but we just simply are not told. God, in His infinite wisdom knew that we didn't need to know them at this time. One of the often debated subjects this time of year is just when was it that Jesus was born? I will be honest with you, I haven't done a great lot of study on this issue, because, to me it just doesn't matter. There are those who hold to a winter time date, such as we celebrate now, while others say that because the shepherds were out in the open tending to the sheep, it must have been more of an early Spring time date. In some reading that I have done, I recall that even as the Church began to celebrate Christ's birth there was much disagreement and they had a couple of dates that they chose from. The fact that we don't know for sure has give a semblance of an argument to those who don't believe in Christ, saying that there are contradiction in tradition as well as God's Word. Of course, we know that is not the case and I think the one thing that we need to remember is not that we do not celebrate His "birth day", but His "birth". It is the fact that He came and not the facts about His coming that is important. If His actual birthday was really that important, don't you think that Almighty God would have preserved it for man to know? We just need to know that He came and why He came.