If the Lord's return is a bit different than we thought (flying
out of here in the literal isn't exactly what He meant) we would
be ashamed for Him to return at Christmas; seeing us celebrate
His birth the same way pagans do. Christmas would/should never
be the same again.
When we consider giving gifts of love, do we think of pretty
packages to go under the tree or do we consider what Jesus would
give; things like sharing the gift of salvation, meeting a need
of the heart, reaching lost sheep? And, didn't He say that there
would always be poor among us?
So, if it is Jesus' birth we're celebrating, shouldn't our
gifts be to Jesus or on behalf of Jesus? If such a needed gift
would come in a package, so be it. But, with Jesus present,
there would never be a Christmas gathering to show off ‘our’
service.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received
by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of
Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter
1:18-19
It was God who first showed me how He felt about the way we
celebrate Christmas when I attended a church Christmas program
wherein Santa was welcomed, but there was no mention of Jesus.
My stomach ached and churned, and, soon, I thought I was going
to puke ... feeling literally ill from head to toe.
Symptoms subsided as soon as I got out of that building. But,
the memory has never left. And, for whatever other medical
explanation there could be, I ‘knew’ it was God, as He was
showing me the program the way He saw it.
After hearing every possibly viable explanation there is as to
why it is acceptable to lie to children about Santa Claus, God
led me to the dictionary. Webster’s New World Dictionary says,
“Nick (nik), n. the Devil: usually Old Nick,” as well as others
referring to goblin and demon.
For those who don't credit 'Santa Claus', did our Christmases
ever really change or was it just the names we call him?
However God leads you to spend your Christmas is certainly
between you and Him. Though, inviting Jesus to His own party
would be a good place to start.
© 2002 by Joyce C. Lock
http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/ This writing may
be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit
ministering purposes.
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