Re: [FamilyofGod] Christmas
SHELLEY
Moderator
Awake4HisReturn@yahoogroups.com
CO-OWNER
The_Glitter_Room@yahoogroups.com
OWNER
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13,14).
, "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day" (2 Timothy 1:12) and "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).
From: Shelley Cartwright <glitter4jesus@yahoo.com>
To: FamilyofGod@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, December 4, 2010 4:54:50 PM
Subject: [FamilyofGod] Christmas
This is one of the best forwards I've seen on Christmas. It is so very well
done and I couldn't keep it to myself. Be blessed as you read it.
The LIGHT of Christmas
"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.- He that followeth
me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 9:5 &
8:12
Christmas is a special time of year. I can't imagine what it would be like if we
did not celebrate Christmas. What better time of year than Christmas, to teach
our children the true meaning?
Christmas is not about lights, trees and presents, turkey dinners, or family
gatherings. Oh yes. Those things are great, and "God has given us richly all
things to enjoy." But more importantly, Christmas is about God’s LOVE, about
LIGHT. John 3:16 sums up the true meaning of Christmas: God’s ultimate gift
to EVERYONEâ€"His Son, the LIGHT of the world. God loved His creation, US, so
much that in order to redeem us from eternal death, which we so deserves, He
sent His Son to be the substitute for us.
I don’t care that some say that the first Christmas was not observed at the
birth of Christ, that it originated back in Rome to honor Saturn, the Roman god
of agriculture, or some other theory that someone else might have come up with.
To me, the first Christmas was the day that God sent LIGHT into the world.
I am glad that Sunday schools and churches put on pageants with the manger scene
and the shepherds. What better way to teach a child about Christ and why He came
to earth. I am glad that the authors of the Bible recorded that the humble
shepherds celebrated on the night of Christ’s birth, by leaving their sheep
when the skies filled with LIGHT and the angels sang, and they went seeking for
the Light of the world, JESUS. The wise men began their search for the King
that same night because they saw a LIGHT in the skyâ€"a star in the East.
Does it matter that the usual scenario is of the wise men at the inn with the
shepherds in these pageants? Is it really giving the children the wrong idea? Of
course we know that the wise men came on the scene much later. The child will
learn to put things in their proper order as he grows up. I did. So let the
Sunday schools put on their pageants, with the wonderful Christmas scene of the
shepherds and the wise men worshipping Jesus.
I don’t care that research has shown that we do not know the exact day of
Christ’s birth. It does not matter whether it was not December 25th or some
other day of the year. What matters is: Christ, the LIGHT of the world was born.
And that He lived--as a man; suffered--as a man; died a cruel death on the
cross--as a man; and rose again on the third day--as God, triumphant over sin
and death, our REDEEMER, our SAVIOR, our LORD.
I don’t care if they tell me that the exchanging of gift idea did not
originate with the gifts that the wise men took to the child Jesus. To me, gift
giving, 'though enjoyable, is not important. God’s ultimate Gift is. If people
get pleasure and comfort from giving and receiving gifts, then let them carry on
with it. To me it does not detract from the true meaning of Christmas.
I don’t care what they say about the Christmas tree--that it is a pagan
symbol. To me that is not important. I have heard several opinions on this.
Great that people get pleasure out of putting up and decorating a tree. It
doesn’t bother me a bit. In fact, if it uplifts someone from their humdrum
existence, bringing light and giving them something to look forward to, at least
once a year, let them put up a tree. To me this is not a distraction from the
true meaning of Christmas. Perhaps it even adds to it. Christ came as the Light
of the world: so let the lights at Christmas help remind people of this. Christ
died on a tree for our sins: so let the tree be a reminder of this.
© Helen Dowd
CHRISTMAS TRUE
Luke 2
I thank You, God for Christmas true:
The gift of Christ to me, from You.
Christ left His throne to come to earth.
From Prince, to Babe of lowly birth.
His earthly father was a stranger.
His mother bore Him in a manger
No newscast flashed around the world.
No grandioso flags unfurled.
No pompous statesmen, gifts did bring.
No one to say, “He is a King.�
No dazzle. Just the moonlight dim.
Just ox and ass to welcome Him.
Some shepherds, on that dark, dark night
Were startled by a brilliant light.
“Joy to the world,� the angles sang.
The hillsides with their chorus rang.
And soon all heaven broke forth in song.
Those humble shepherds sang along.
They hastened to the Babe so sweet.
They bowed, and worshiped at His feet.
They knew their Savior had been born.
They spread the news from town to town.
The people, frankly, were amazed.
They said, “Those shepherds must be crazed.�
Bright, in the East, there shone a star.
Wise Magi saw it from afar.
“A King is born,� they voiced around.
“Where can His majesty be found?�
They searched until they found the child,
Christ Jesus, Savior, meek and mild.
Those wise Men brought Him gifts of worth.
They praised Jehovah for His birth.
And all mankind from then ‘til now,
Should at this season humbly bow.
For had the Savior not been born,
There wouldn’t be a Christmas morn.
SHELLEY
FamilyofGod@yahoogroups.com
Moderator
Awake4HisReturn@yahoogroups.com
CO-OWNER
The_Glitter_Room@yahoogroups.com
OWNER
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads
to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate
and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
(Matthew 7:13,14).
, "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know
whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have
entrusted to him for that day" (2 Timothy 1:12)and "I am not ashamed of the
gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who
believes" (Romans 1:16).
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