If you’re addicted to a holiday high that ends with you in the dumps, try these ideas.
Kimberly D. Malkogainnis
Start close to home
Get on your knees with your family, and covenant with God to simplify your life. Determine to glorify and worship your external Lord rather than the holiday myth of overworking yourself into exhaustion for a “perfect” Christmas season.
Ask family members which traditions they most want to continue, and ask them to give something in exchange. If your daughter craves homemade cookies, ask her to do the vacuuming or errands to free your time and energy to help her bake. If your family needs a decorated evergreen to make them feel jolly, ask them to take over; explain that your job will be taking snapshots or video of the activity. If they’re too young to pitch in, you’re fortunate, because you can start them off with simpler traditions.
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by Pastor Dan Tomberlin
The Christian faith in the United States is in the midst of a propaganda war. The new atheist and secularist have launched an attack on religion in general, and Christianity in particular. This is seen in the current debates about the celebration of Christmas. Some businesses have replaced “Merry Christmas” with “Happy Holidays.” I recently saw a news report that branch managers of Wachovia Bank have been told not to decorate with Christmas trees. The American Atheist have initiated a billboard campaign that proclaims “You know its a myth – this season celebrate reason.”
Christian organizations have responded in various ways. Sometimes it seems like a shouting match – there is a lot of noise, but no one is listening. I think that we are missing an opportunity. Maybe we should take an opportunity to tell the story. The next time someone says “Happy Holidays,” instead of retorting “Merry Christmas” take a moment to tell them why you celebrate Christmas. Tell them the story of angels, the Virgin Mary, and the Christ child who is God with us. Tell them your story – of how Jesus brought to you the forgiveness of sin, filled your heart with love and joy, and the promise of eternal life. Sing to them the angel’s song – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Maybe, instead of trying to save the Christmas holiday we should make an extra effort this Christmas season to share Christ with the world.
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by Pastor Dan Tomberlin
Most Christians are familiar with the seasonal motto “Jesus is the reason for the season.” But it seems that with all the holiday events, shopping, and entertaining that we too often forget to take time to worship and celebrate Christ. There are a few things that I like to do during this season that that keep the meaning of Christmas alive in my heart. I would like to share them with you and maybe they will help you and your family keep Jesus as the center of your holiday celebration.
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by Pastor Dan Tomberlin
The greatest event in the history of the world is described by the words of John: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 NKJV). The Incarnation of the Eternal Word – Jesus Christ – is the great redemptive miracle of the Christian faith. The union of humanity and divinity in the person of Jesus means that his crucifixion and resurrection have defeated the power of sin and death and brings the promise of eternal life to all who believe. This redemptive event is most often associated with the celebration of Christmas. However, in the last century the celebration of Christmas has lost its focus on Jesus Christ. So, the challenge before us is to discover, or rediscover, ways by which the church can once again focus its worship on this wonderful event.
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