Tis the Season

I don't know about you but this happens to me almost every year:  I get so caught up with the stress of what needs to be done between the office, ministry, and home before Christmas.  Do you know what I mean?

I played the part in the Choir presentation "Bethlehem Morning" this year of a Youth Minister who was extremely stressed over all he needed to do before Christmas.  This was not a hard part to play, cause reality is, it was how I felt.

Then this past Wednesday happened.  I have been going to Flesher's of Fairview assisted living for over 10 years to hang out with the residents and have a Bible study.  I used to go twice a month until now my schedule is just too congested to keep that up, so I go once a month, the third Wednesday of the month.  I love going out there, the residents love me and I love spending time with them.

I played some Christmas carols on guitar and we sang, yes my singing is HORRIBLE but they love it.  We where doing a study out of Philippians 2, talking about maintaining the Christmas Joy.  Specifically vs. 15:

"So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation In which you shine like stars" (NIV)

Shine like stars

I realized something at that moment, I can't shine like a star when I am struggling with stress.

So, I am working through this realization as I am trying to teach this Bible study at Fleshers.

Then I began to think about why Christmas is so special, not just for everyone, but why it was special to me.  I began to share about how I gave my heart to Christ on November 30 1997 and how I was baptized Christmas eve that same year.  The meaning of Christmas what transpired not only through the birth of Christ but through my "new birth".

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creation; the old is gone, and the new is come..." (NIV)

I was made new.  I had a new life, a new purpose, a new hope, a new destination for eternity.  All because Jesus was born in a manger to become Savior of the world.

"For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life"  (John 3:16) NIV

To me Christmas is so much more than what I had been making out of it.  It's a time to reflect, a time to remember, and a time to be thankful.

I love Christmas for so many reasons.  I have Always loved Christmas.  I hope I always do.

yes Tis the season

to celebrate the birth of Christ

and to celebrate the birth of Chris to Christ.

Merry Christmas