BEYOND THE HYPE AT CHRISTMAS

 

Christmas is even more under fire this year - elements are pushing to have it renamed, calling its trees "holiday" trees--but if Christ had not been born in that stable in Bethlehem, we wouldn't even be discussing this holiday today.

I haven't seen any protest over the holy days of other faiths, have you?  

In our family, we say "Merry CHRISTmas" because that's what it is.  What could be more joyous than the fact that the Son of God was born - in order to die in my place - so that I could have the opportunity to receive Him as Savior - and by doing so, obtain eternal life?

Celebrating His birth respectfully is the LEAST I can do.  MERRY CHRISTmas!!

"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.  For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world  through Him."  John 3:16-17 NIV

THE CROSS: THE WAY TO ETERNITY!

This graphic depiction is what the Cross of Christ represents to Christians, and I displayed this poster in my classroom when I taught in Christian schools.  Anyone who saw it stopped and looked at it a second time. 

This painting is such a compelling and wonderful truth that is the heart of my faith!  Yes, the Cross is the only way to heaven, according to the Bible, but praises to God that He rose again the third day.  For without the resurrection, the cross would be just another event, most likely not even remembered.

Happy Easter.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ETC.

Yes, our family had a wonderful Christmas together . . . and I hope yours did as well.  And I can't believe that 2011 is now behind us.  They say that as we get older, time seems to fly faster, and I agree.  A year now seems like six months to me!

Sadly, my elderly mother fell again, requiring stitches in her head, and breaking her leg just above the knee.  She's also exhibiting signs of dementia, and it is so hard to see a once-energetic, busy woman reduced to just lying in bed, trying to remove her leg brace, not understanding what's going on.  She still knows us, thankfully. She is in God's hands . . .

Here are a few pictures of our blessed Christmas:

CHRISTMAS: A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

I wrote the following post last year at the start of the Christmas season.  I feel it is apropos again this year, so I am reposting this entry.
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"Merchants gladly accept customers' money during the Christmas season, but hedge on calling it Christmas--"Holiday Shopping, Winter Shopping," etc. I submit that if certain merchants choose not to call this beloved holiday by its rightful name, then I choose not to patronize them."

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la. That, my dear friends, is not all there is to Christmas! Political correctness notwithstanding, "Jesus IS the REASON for the SEASON."

While this post is bordering on a rant, I stand my ground: Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Period. If folks don't like the fact that it is Christmas, then they should just clam up and get out of the way when we celebrate it! And, why spend lots of money on Christmas presents and decorations, celebrating the secular side of this holiday, but object to its raison d'etre, or its basis for being a holiday in the first place??

Merchants gladly accept customers' money during the Christmas season, but hedge on calling it Christmas--"Holiday Shopping, Winter Shopping," etc. I submit that if certain merchants choose not to call this beloved holiday by its rightful name, then I choose not to patronize them. Raking in the money from customers buying Christmas gifts during the Christmas season, but afraid and/or negative about rightfully calling the season Christmas? Talk about hypocrisy!

The giving of gifts is an admirable and enjoyable exercise; decorating the house with holly, greenery, red bows, candles, a beautiful tree, etc. is also enjoyable, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of that! HOWEVER, I take exception when various entities and individuals want to take the REAL Christmas away from Christians. Seriously, other faiths are allowed to celebrate their holy days unimpeded. So, I believe we should as well.

The birth of my Lord Jesus Christ is the essence of the of my Christian faith. He is the cornerstone--He was born, He lived a sinless life, and He died on that cross for me and for anyone who will accept Him as Savior.

I therefore want to wish all of you a blessed Christmas, and if you do not know Him as your Savior, I invite you to accept Him: Romans 3:23, 3:10, 6:23, 5:8,10:9, 10, 13. What a wonderful and enduring Christmas present that would be: eternal life!

CHRISTMAS: A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la. That, my dear friends, is not all there is to Christmas!  Political correctness notwithstanding, "Jesus IS the REASON for the SEASON." 

While this post is bordering on a rant, I stand my ground:  Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Period.  If folks don't like the fact that it is Christmas, then they should just clam up and get out of the way when we celebrate it!  And, why spend lots of money on Christmas presents and decorations, celebrating the secular side of this holiday, but object to its raison d'etre, or its basis for being a holiday in the first place??