Keep Christ in Christmas.

Thanksgiving feasts are over. Football games played out for us who watched from our recliners! Our families are thinking about going home. And today ... is 'Black Friday,' the day when American consumers spend $Billions! It is called "Black Friday" because retailers count on the burst of spending to put their annual revenue in the black. Today and tomorrow will likely be the most profitable days in retail sales for the entire year. So begins the Christmas Season, but hopefully, But, hopefully Believer, you will walk through the Advent Season differently than the wider culture.I want to encourage you to make this a holy time of great joy.

Advent is the time when Christians prepare themselves for the coming of the King. In various ways- fasting and feasting, with special songs, exchange of gifts, meditations on Scripture, readings, and worship - we celebrate the fact that God entered the world as a baby boy, or as John's Gospel tells us: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, NIV)

Without attacking the rituals that are very much a part of an American Christmas, may I plead with you to make it a Christ-centered Christmas this year?

By that I do not mean that we play into the hype about the 'X-mas' ads or the failure of public school programs to include Christmas in their 'holiday' concerts. Yes, let's just acknowledge that in many ways America is a secular country that is increasingly losing touch with her Christian roots, then let's go beyond symbols and rhetoric, to truly celebrate a Christian Christmas! Instead of coming to January 1, 2007 with credit cards maxed out and an extra 10 pounds packed onto our waistline, why not come into the New Year with a full heart and the joy of knowing that you touched someone with the same kind of love that God showed us in the Gift of His Son? Like Peter and John, who realized the source of True wealth, let's give away the best and richest gifts in the Name of Jesus. Those two men were presented with an opportunity when a beggar asked them for money as they went to worship. Peter's reply makes me smile.... "Peter said, “I don’t have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!”" (Acts 3:6, The Message) That beggar received a grace gift that day and his life was changed. Wouldn't it be great to be used of God this Christmas Season to give away grace gifts of love and healing?

Let me make some suggestions for a sane and Christ-honoring celebration:

Set an affordable budget for all your gift-giving BEFORE you venture to the store. If you find it too hard to discipline yourself to the spending limits, then leave your credit cards home and shop with cash only.

Keep yourself from exhaustion by wisely choosing which activities you will attend. When we try to fill our schedule too full with many good things, we become cranky and miserable, and end up making the Season something to endure rather than days to celebrate.

Include regular times of spiritual renewal. Move church attendance UP on the list, not down. Step out of your comfort zone and go to church with other members of your family that attend a church that worships differently. (Believe it or not, some of the most meaningful Christmas services this life-long Pentecostal Believer has attended were at an Episcopal church where the priest was a close personal friend. Those ancient liturgies, reading, and prayers - interspersed with carols - made me REALLY think about the meaning of the Gift of Heaven.)

Include charitable organizations, needy families, and/or your church on your gift list - giving in honor of Jesus, God's gift.

Here's an ancient hymn/prayer - weaving together many strands of the prophetic themes that God used to tell of the coming of His Messiah. Here at the beginning of the season of Advent, make this hymn your personal prayer.
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O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save, And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.