Archive for the ‘holidays’ Category
Second Sunday of Christmastide-Jan 4
04
Jan
Those who feel forgotten. (1/2/2021) 1/1/2022 Christmas is a time when we remember that Christ came to His people to reveal the nature of God and to show us a better way to live; a way of peace and love. This should be a time when we should draw together as a family and draw together as a church family. We need to bring some light into their life just as Christ brought light into the world for us. We should seek those around us who will not know the joy of Christmas unless we share it with them We need to take time to reach out to those around us who may be alone, whose families are gone or far away, and have no friends close. By visiting, we remind them that we have not forgotten them and God has not forgotten them either. Some may be able to invite them to share Christmas with their family so they do not have to spend Christmas alone. There are also many who are burdened with heavy cares, or who have lost loved ones, are shut-in and cannot get out, and let them know they are not forgotten and are not alone. We need to bring some light into their life just as Christ brought light into the world for us. Some will not share the joy of Christmas because of financial needs and cannot afford special gifts. The church can help brighten their Christmas. A growing number of Christians are deciding that instead of giving each other gifts they don’t need, they will put that money into buying gifts for those that might not otherwise receive gifts, or by supporting Christmas programs by organizations in their local area like The Salvation Army, or abroad like Samaritan’s Purse or simply giving gifts to neighbors they know who might not otherwise know the joy of Christmas. Christmas is also a great time to teach your kids the value of giving and the greatest gift they can give is themselves. Volunteer as a family to help a local church, social service agency, day care, hospital, or nursing home. Many have special programs at Christmas that need volunteers.
First Sunday of Christmastide-Dec 28
27
Dec
Many people are glad that the mad scramble to get ready for Christmas is over. Many were so busy they forgot what Christmas is all about. Most people don’t realize that Christmas isn’t over, it actual runs for twelve days from Dec 25th to Jan 5th (few people think about the words in the song-“Twelve days of Christmas”). This time is called Christmastide. Now that the commercial Christmas is over, we can relax and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas occurs on the shortest day of the year to remind us that when things were darkest and it seemed there was no hope, God came down to us in the form of a baby and dwelt among us. God revealed Himself to His people and He is with us. His presence changed the world forever. He isn’t someone up there in heaven, who is unreachable. He cared enough to come to us in our time of greatest need and is still here when we need Him. However, He didn’t just come to share a meal or something, He came to show us a new way to live. Our ways are selfish and filled with conflict but He came to show us a way to live in peace with one another and help one another. As we start the new year, let us commit ourselves to learning more about how He wants us to live and seek to grow in faith and seek to walk in the way He set before us.
Christmas Day Dec 25
27
Dec
The True Meaning-The color for Christmas is White symbolizing purity and light reminding us of Christ’s coming.-Many people work frantically to get things ready for Christmas Day and then suddenly it is over and past. Often the true meaning of Christmas is buried under the hurried rush to buy gifts. It is a time when we give gifts but we should remember that almost 2000 years ago, God gave us the best gift of all. He sent His Son to die on the Cross and opened the way to fellowship with God and enabled us to find everlasting peace through that fellowship. Christmas Day should be a time to resolve to work this coming year to draw closer to God and work to bring peace to that area that we touch in our daily lives. When you open your gifts this Christmas, open the Bible and reread the story of the Nativity and reflect on the greatest gift of all.
Fourth Sunday of Advent-Dec 21
19
Dec
Hope While we know Christ was not born on December 25th because the shepherds would not have been out on the hillsides with the sheep in the winter, we actually have no idea when He was born because no date is recorded of His birth so one day is as good as another. The early church felt His birth was very important since it changed the world and felt it should be remembered. Dec 25th was chosen because it is the darkest day of the year. After that date, the days begin to get longer again. It is a good time to celebrate Christ who is the Light of the world, because it reminds us that when things were darkest, Jesus came to bring us hope. Like the days, the world isn’t instantly better, but it begins and builds little by little until we can see that things are brighter than they used to be. Many churches continue to provide valuable social services to individuals and Christian social services have a success rate far beyond that of government and even for-profit organizations because they often provide individual attention by individuals who care about their clients They often provide far more comprehensive services than other agencies as well. In addition, they provide hope of individual transformation through the power which comes from God
Third Sunday of Advent Dec 14
13
Dec
-Peace Luke 10:v.13 And suddenly there was with the Angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, v.14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The angels gave glory to God and pronounced peace on the earth, yet we don’t see peace. Our world is constantly at war and our TV screens are filled with images of suffering and destruction. Why don’t we see the peace that was promised? The Bible says that in the last days there will be wars and rumors of wars and men will say “Peace, Peace” but there will be no peace because men have turned their backs on God and seek their own benefit, rather than God’s will. We will not see peace throughout the world until Christ comes, but each one of us can have peace in his/her heart in the midst of the turmoil around us as they put their trust in God. The soul that trusts in God will not be shaken by the storms of life.
Second Sunday of Advent Dec 7
05
Dec
Joy Luke 2:10 “And the Angel said unto them, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”- The Jewish people were straining under the burden of Roman rule because they had turned their backs on God and ignored His Law. They found no joy in the Roman occupation. It seemed that God had abandoned them for there had not been a prophet in Israel in 150 years. Suddenly an angel appeared and announced that she had a pronouncement that would bring joy to everyone, not just the Jews. The Jews did not realize it, but the Messiah was coming, and He would deliver mankind not from Roman rule but from the power of sin and death itself. That is something to celebrate.
First Sunday of Advent-Nov 30
26
Nov
John 3:16 -For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not parish, but have everlasting life. The first Sunday of Advent is the first day of the Christian calendar and if you take it seriously, could be the first day of your eternal life. It begins a journey in which Christ calls us to follow Him and if we are faithful and follow will take us from where we are to the cross and from the cross to the grave and from the grave to heaven. When the world was drowning in sin, God loved us enough that He sent Jesus to open the way for us to receive eternal life. Advent should be a time when we prepare for the journey we will travel in the upcoming year. Please join me on the journey.