And you thought you knew about Christmas....

Compiled from excerpts from
Stories Behind The Great Traditions of Christmas (Zondervan).

Up until about 350 years ago, the only universally celebrated Christian holiday was Easter. Christ's birth was an important part in the Bible but since no date is given, Christians chose different days to remember, with early January being the most common. Ultimately the Roman Catholic Church settled on December 25 in an attempt to erase Saturnalia, a Roman celebration centered on worship of Saturn and involving a lot of drinking, partying and sexual immorality. Church leaders felt that if Christmas were celebrated at that time, the depraved behavior would change. They were partially right. People forgot the Roman holiday, but continued the same kinds of partying on Christmas.
For centuries the time of Christ's Mass was a season of drinking and violence so many smaller holiness sects of Christianity stopped celebrating Christmas entirely. Believe it or not, for Americans, the national holiday of Christmas, the joyful day of Peace on Earth, is only about 160 years old. The Puritans who settled New England banned Christmas by law in 1659! The prohibition was repealed after a couple of decades, but Christmas celebrations continued to be frowned on in New England until the middle of the 1800's. That was true of much of the United States. Even Congress met on Christmas Day until the mid-1800's.

A Christian, an educator and a father named W. Clement Moore, first published, "T'was The Night Before Christmas." This poem established Santa Claus as an important part of the American Christmas, making the date much more secular. His poem opened the door that brought about the beginnings of the kind of celebrations we practice. The popularity of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," one of his works written to protest the brutality visited on the poor in 18th century England, and the introduction of the Christmas tree tradition brought to England and America by Prince Albert from Germany, made the the holiday we know.

Moore's poem made gifting giving a much more important part of Christmas. For English and American Christians, who for centuries had little positive to embrace at Christmas, it was Santa Claus who saved the holiday and brought Jesus back into the spotlight.
Santa Claus? Two wonderful Christian men really began the Santa Claus legend through their selfless actions and their faith. The first was Nicholas, a priest who gave presents to poor peasant children in the third century, even before the church actually recognized the holiday. The second was a devout duke in Borivoy,
who became the leader of Bohemia at a very early age. Each Christmas Eve, Wenceslaus would go through the snow giving out gifts to his poorest subjects. We now remember him through the old carol he inspired, "Good King Wenceslaus." From those roots we have Saint 'Claus, or Santa Claus!
Christmas 'colors' - The gold is easy; this is the color of royalty and the most precious metal on earth. It was also one of the gifts to Jesus from the wise men. The red and green can really be traced to several different important traditions. Did you know that holly and ivy, wreaths, Christmas trees, and mistletoe, were all pagan symbols used in various nature rites during the long European winters? The green was a reminder that new life would return. It represented life that went on through the difficult times of winter, just like faith that could not die in the difficult times of life. Gradually Christians adopted these symbols as part of their celebrations. The red reminded Christians that Christ's blood was shed on the cross for sins, the real reason for His coming to earth in the first place.

X in Xmas? Few know that using X as a sign for Christ predates even our initial celebrations of Christmas. X or "Chi" is the first letter of Christ's name in Greek. Many early followers of Christ were Greek and would place an X over their doors or wear something on their persons with this letter to reflect their faith as a disciple of Christ. For more than 1,000 years, the church spelled out Christmas with just an X. It was not done to take Christ out of Christmas, but to put Him there where everyone, even those who could not read, could understand that this day of worship was for the Son of God.

____________________________________

Have you joined the Advent Conspiracy?
Change your tradition to include -Worshiping fully, Spending Less, Giving More, and Loving All!

Learn more about it by clicking here - Advent Conspiracy

While the Bible says nothing about December 25, blinking lights, decorated trees, or a rotund jolly man dressed in a red suit - it does tell us about God's Gift - 'wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.' Angels announced the birth as a reason for great praise and as a sign of peace and the arrival of God's favor  for all of humanity. A world without Jesus Christ is beyond imagination. His birth and life changed history, and His death and resurrection changes our destiny, promising us eternal life.

Here's a word from the Word on which to meditate today--
"...Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! . . . that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
(Philippians 2:5-8, 10-11, NIV)

"Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!

A Dark and Stormy Night

Standing in the backyard with Sam, the setter, in the darkness just before the dawn was an awesome experience today. High winds roared in the trees, bending even the thick branches. It was as though an unseen hand shook each limb. Clouds raced by the bright moon, driven by powerful currents of air. The sounds were amazing; rushing air, snapping branches, huge drops of rain smacking my face! It was a grand display of power which brought to mind the description of the birth of the Church.

"Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability." (Acts 2:2-4, NLT) Because this stunning event happened on the Jewish feast of Pentecost, we still refer to that initial experience of the Spirit as making one a "Pentecostal" Christian.
With that experience of empowering Person, that little band of men and women went out to every corner of their world. They preached the Good News of a Savior, fought with evil where they found it, loved the broken and outcast, gave their lives in pursuit of the purposes of God. And, by that amazing Power working in them, they changed the brutal world in which they lived! The prayer of my heart is borrowed from Habakkuk who said, "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." (3:2, NIV) This world needs a new Pentecost! My church needs a new Pentecost. I need a new Pentecost! I can no more make that happen than I can cause the mighty winds to blow through the trees of my backyard. However, I can pray to the Lord of Heaven, the Mighty Maker of the Winds, and ask Him to make the Wind of the Spirit blow anew.

It is not simply an experience for which I long, nor is it for chills or thrills of emotion. It is for a new power, a fire to be lit once again, that burns brightly in this darkened world where in a time of such prosperity and blessing the love of many Christians for their God is lukewarm, at best. Many want the gentle breeze to blow to remind them of the Spirit's Presence, but they fear the Mighty gust of His power that turns life upside down! Many want God tamed, on a leash, unthreatening but comforting. I want Him to own me! Come, Holy Spirit, blow like a Mighty Wind.

• What sins have you learned to tolerate in your life that obscure the brightness of His glory in you?
• What suffering have you learned to ignore that the Spirit would compel you to alleviate with love?
• Do you think of millions who are dead while they live, ignorant of the God who loves them, and go to tell the story of Savior born to save the world?
• Is your life passionately dedicated to the work of God, or carefully lived to avoid difficulties, draining people, and dark circumstances in desperate need of the Light?

Father God, let your Mighty Wind
blow through my life,
Sweeping away apathy.
By the storm create a new climate
In which Your Son can shine brightly.
Spirit, blow through my heart,
Awesome and powerful,
Irresistibly drawing me to the
Purposes for which I was made.
Jesus, make all things new,
In me, in my church, in my world.
Amen

________________

There's a wind a-blowin'
All across the land
A fragrant breeze of heaven
Blowin' once again
Don't know where it comes from
Don't know where it goes
But let it blow over me
Oh Sweet Wind
Come and blow over me

There's a rain a-pourin'
Showers from above
Mercy drops are comin'
Mercy drops of love
Turn your face to heaven
Let the water pour
Well let it pour over me
Oh Sweet Rain
Come and pour over me

There's a fire burnin'
Fallin' from the sky
Awesome tongues of fire
Consuming you and I
Can you feel it burnin'
Burn the sacrifice
Well let it burn over me
Oh Sweet Fire
Come and burn over me

Sweet Wind
© 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
Vineyard Songs Canada
ION Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
(Admin. by Music Services)
(Admin. by Vineyard Music USA)
David Ruis
CCLI License No. 810055

The cure for burn-out

I am in danger of ‘burn out.’ Three decades of preaching and pastoral care has left me a little frayed at the edges! Any work that includes ongoing care for people’s needs can eat away at the core of the caregiver. Pastors are not exempt from the exhaustion that can come when they must help people work through emotional and spiritual needs that never end. I have seen more than a few pastors reach my age and let it all get to them. Some quit and find another way to pay their bills. Others become ineffective and detached. A few fall into sinful behavior. As I prayed about staying in the race, the Spirit reminded me that avoiding burn out is less about taking a vacation than it is about renewal of vision!

The power of vision is simply amazing. When a person says, ‘life must be different,' and then begins to think about HOW to achieve that difference, he is vision-eering! (Thank you, Andy Stanley!) Some visions are worthy, others are not; but all are powerful! The most mundane work takes new meaning if the worker knows why he does it. IF can see HOW the little things we do fit into some grander plan, steady progress is made. We are guided by something or Someone bigger than ourselves.

Education is an example. A young woman who has a vision to serve her world effectively endures 6 years of reading text after text, writing paper after paper, and sitting through boring lectures because she knows that the knowledge acquired and the degrees she earns are the foundation needed for her calling. The endless days as a student become meaningful ONLY in light of the goal for life. That's vision-- and the power of that vision will set our course and keep us steady on!

But, not all visions are true or worthy. Visions must be tested, measured by a standard to see if they are worthy of our investment. How can we be sure that we are giving ourselves to a goal that is worth living for?

First, vision must be shaped by the will of God. A vision that disregards God's will is worse than unworthy. It is sinful. In Luke 12, Jesus told a story about a man whose hard work paid off richly. The man’s vision was clear. “Take life easy. Eat. Drink. Be merry.” Jesus did not condemn the man's work nor his wealth. He challenged the man's vision which was selfish. It was an unworthy vision! Jesus concludes his story saying, "A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:21, NLT)

Second, vision must be anchored. While vision must be fresh, it need not be novel! A keen visionary is inspired by those who lived worthy lives before him. The best visionaries have a working knowledge of the past from which they courageously launch into the future. Paul tells us that we all build on a common foundation, Christ Jesus. Our vision is best when it includes a rich appreciation of those who have laid the foundation on which we now build. But visionaries cannot be captive of either the successes or failures of the past. Paul says that "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3.13-14 Paul did not intend us to understand that he was throwing away all the lessons he had learned. He is urging us to lay down the weight of yesterday's sins and to stop trying to relive yesterday's glories, so that we can discover the wonderful Will of God for life TODAY!

Third, vision must be bigger than what we can accomplish by ourselves or with our own resources. If our vision is too small, we will out-grow it, out-live it, or come early to a sense of futility.

So…. What do you see?
… about the core purpose of your life?
… for your children's future?
… about finding a way to honor God in what you do as your daily work?
… about bringing Jesus and His Kingdom into your sphere of influence?

Jesus, as He stood on a road in Samaria, challenged his disciples to re-consider their assumptions about life and possibilities. He said, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true." (John 4:34-37, NLT)

OPEN YOUR EYES and LOOK at the fields! Becoming visionary is hard work. Implementing and maintaining vision is harder still. However, without vision we quickly become mired in mediocrity, become a burnt-out shell, and the work of God goes undone.
_______________

O Lord our Lord,
How majestic is Your name.
Your words are true,
Your mercy does not change.
All Your promises are precious,
Reviving our faith.
Every one of them
Will be fulfilled one day.

We will run,
We'll run and not grow weary.
We will rise upon the eagle's wings.
In the presence of the Lord,
Our spirits will soar,
Till we one day gaze upon our King.

Oh all Your promises
Are "Yes" and "Amen" in Jesus.
Your promises are true.
All Your promises
Are "Yes" and "Amen" Lord Jesus,
We'll keep running after You.

All Your Promises

Smith, Andrew
© 1995 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055

Saints and Sinners, wins and loses

The Saints defeated the Pats soundly last night; outplayed them in every way. From 2001 to the last season, fans of the New England team got used to their Pats win; almost assuming they would find a way, even when they were behind, to come back in the 4th quarter and put the necessary points on the board. This season is different! Every game is a challenge. Wins are truly celebrated, never taken for granted. Perhaps this ‘humbling’ is good for those of us who liked to taunt fans of teams made up of mere mortals.

Some people get used to winning at life, too! Year after year, they enjoy good health, steady employment, a solid marriage; a good life. Quite easily, and often unconsciously, some allow a kind of arrogance to creep in, a feeling that others must be ‘losing’ because they are weaker, less intelligent, or doing something to deserve their difficulties. This state is particularly tragic when found among those who are supposedly walking with God, who develop a severe case of Pharisaical superiority. Blessings are a gift of grace, given so that we might bless others, not so we can hoard them or worse, assume they are some kind of badge signifying Divine Approval!

Jesus told a story about two men, one of whom had become accustomed to his ‘superior’ position in the world, who assumed his blessings resulted from his own goodness. Take a look.

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’


“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’


“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”" (Luke 18:10-14, NIV)
Truthfully, we need to know that eventually trouble finds us all! We age. Tragedy strikes. Disappointment knocks on our door. For reasons we cannot always comprehend, losing seasons arrive! This is a serious crisis for every Pharisee who takes his ‘wins’ as God’s sign of special favor. If he has believed he ‘earned’ the favor of God, then logic says he must now accept responsibility for his losses! Guilt sets in, stoked by the demons that rejoice. Fear becomes his companion. Doubt about God’s goodness is not far behind, as he searches his heart and mind for failures that must have ‘caused’ God to judge him.

Disciple, do you humbly take the blessings and the hard days with equal faith and thankful acknowledgement of God’s wisdom? Some of you are objecting, “But, Pastor, are you saying we have no effect on our lives? Are you putting us in the hand of fate?” No, of course, choices have consequences. There are decisions we make that lead to better results than others. But, the wisest of men suffer loss and fools sometime succeed! The story of Job starkly reminds all of us that God operates beyond our finite limits of understanding, sometimes allowing even those who are righteous and mature to go through long and dark nights.

Dig the root of pride out of your heart! Love those who suffer, not with pity, but as one who shares life with them in a world where seasons change, where tragedy and triumph are often next door neighbors. The one constant that we cling to is this: "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” (Lamentations 3:23-24, NLT)

____________

You can have a song
In your heart in the night,
After every trial
After every mile.
Anyone can sing
When the sun's shining bright,
But you need a song
In your heart at night.

You can have a melody
Down in your heart,
When it's aching, almost breaking,
Even though the sorrow
Makes the teardrop start,
You can have a melody
Down in your heart.

Do not let your worries
Drive your song away,
Though tomorrow bring its sorrow.
Just remember after night time
Comes the day,
Do not let your worries
Drive your song away.

You Can Have A Song In Your Heart

Stanphill, Ira / Slavens, E.L.
© 1946 Singspiration Music
(Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)

CCLI License No. 810055

A Baby and A King!

During the 1970's, the Second Coming dominated life in evangelical and Pentecostal churches. "Rapture" fever infected most of the Believers I knew. Remember those awful movies - "Thief in the Night" and "Distant Thunder"? They scared the sin out of Christians for at least a week every time we saw one of them! We didn't want to be left behind to face the horrors of the Anti-Christ. Prophecy preachers saw signs of the Return of Christ in every newspaper article and painted fantastic pictures of a world in flames which awaited anyone not 'ready for the coming of the Lord!'


The book of the Revelation became a kind of horror movie, mesmerizing but awful, at the same time. I still am not certain if it was my twisted perception or generally skewed presentations- but the "Blessed Hope," was anything but blessed or hopeful for most of us. The mentality was escapist and a ‘get those sinners, God!’ race to judgement. It should not be so!

The season of Advent is our annual reminder that Jesus Christ came into the world as its Savior and that He will come again as its King! The story of a baby born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger, the incarnate Deity, is like a brilliant flash of lightning whose rolling thunder still echoes through time two millennia after the Event. This season is full of the songs that declare that we are not alone, scrabbling to make a life on this planet by our own wits. God stepped over the threshold of eternity and into time, humbling Himself to become a man. The Christmas story is a declaration to us that our purpose here goes beyond the propagation of our DNA.
Advent’s most wonderful message is the Blessed Hope. In your prayers and ponderings today think on this:
"Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen." (Revelation 1:7, NIV)

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son."  (Revelation 21:4-7, NIV)

Join the conspiracy that changes not only perspective but life! This Advent worship the King! Connect the Incarnation and the Revelation; the Baby and the King of Glory. Advent will take on new meaning - not only of remembering a baby’s birth, but of hope of the King's coronation.

_______

Joy to the world,
the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
and Heav'n and nature sing,
and Heav'n and nature sing,
and Heav'n and Heav'n and nature sing!

Isaac Watts, public domain