“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matt 28:2 (NIV)
As we celebrate this beautiful Easter morning and share in the joy that is Christ Jesus, our living Lord and blessed Savior, let us always remember that it was our bodies that should have been broken, our blood that needed to be spilled, our sides that were supposed to have been pierced.
Our heads should have been the ones split apart by a crude ring of thorns, but they weren’t.
We should be the ones to pay for our wrongs.
But we were not.
May your Easter be forever filled with the Love and awesome Grace of Christ.
And so was proclaimed the good news of the birth of the Son of God by the angels sent by God himself- not to the ruler, King Herod, nor to the high priest, but the lowly shepherds sitting out on a lonesome hillside, protecting their only livelihood.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)
Thus began the greatest story ever told, that of peace, of grace, and of completely unconditional love. It truly was a night that changed our world forever. For it wasn’t just a normal birth. No, for God Himself came to Earth, not because He had to, but because He loved us with such a burning passion He could not bear to see us wither and die in our sin.
You see, we weren’t created to just make money or even give gifts. We were created with the ultimate purpose of bringing glory to our Creator. Sin, our wrong choices, our mistakes- they keep us from fulfilling our purpose and leave us more than empty inside- they hollow out our souls.
And that’s why Christmas is so important. With the birth of one child, God set out to rescue us from ourselves. He made the ultimate sacrifice: He gave His son so that we might live.
It is my mist sincere wish that you realize just how special you are to God’s heart, and how His love for you is unquenchable and neverending, no matter what you do. Tomorrow morning, when you get up with your family, think about His gift to you.
For the past few years, we’ve had to do without any snow whatsoever for Christmas, but this year, God was generous, and we had a perfect Christmas Eve snowstorm. In the end, we got about four inches, including some ice and sleet.
Safe travels to all of you still out there in it. Be safe, and Merry Christmas.
Here are some pictures of my parents’ house in the snow:
As we move into Christmas Day, I thought I’d like to share some of my favorite Christmas traditions with all of you:
Every Christmas, my family always reads the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke (part of which I’ve quoted below) by a cozy fire in our den before we open the presents under the tree in the living room. As I’ve gotten older, it’s become one of my favorite Christmas traditions, and is one that I’ll definitely continue when I have children. I thought it’d be nice for you to share it with us this year.
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14″Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (NIV)
Since my paternal grandfather passed away two years ago, my grandmother has spent Christmas with us. This will be the third Christmas we’ve shared, and as my grandmother and I grow closer, each year becomes more special than the last. I don’t know how much time she has left, and so I want to make every moment count.
After we read Luke 2, we all scurry into the living room to share our gifts with one another. Another one of my favorite Christmas traditions is giving gifts. I love picking out just the perfect present for everyone on my list. I’m not always successful, but the thrill of it is intense. This year I think I came pretty close. I’ll let you know… My mom hates wrapping paper, at least after it’s been used, so ever since I can remember, the kitchen trash can has accompanied us into the living room, a ready receptacle for anything and everything that at one time concealed the perfect gift.
After we’ve completed the gift-exchanging and opening, my dad cooks a magnificent breakfast that includes all the trimmings, bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and even more. We stuff ourselves (my father is an amazing breakfast cook) and then enjoy some of the gifts we’ve received.
Usually, we have a large Christmas dinner, as well, but it depends on how full we are from breakfast when we eat it, and if it’s a lunch or a supper. My mom bakes either a ham or a turkey (it’s a wondrous ham this year) and we have another feast, usually with green bean casserole (my favorite), pumpkin pie, homemade bread (my grandmother’s finest), mashed potatoes, gravy, sometimes stuffing, and the list goes on and on.
We’re one of the families that usually goes to see a movie in the afternoon on Christmas Day, as well. This year, we may try to catch either Valkyrie or Bedtime Stories. We haven’t decided which, yet. Adam Sandler in a movie makes me nervous about its content, so I’m guessing Valkyrie, although it looks a little intense, too.
I try to make a habit of celebrating Christmas for at least a few days after Christmas as well, because it’s only the commercialized nonsense that ends at 11:59 p.m. on December 25. Christmas is supposed to last twelve days! I usually try give it a run for its money, although I’ve never made all twelve.
With all of the trimmings and ornaments aside, however, the most important traditions are simple: honoring our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and spending time with family.
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, from my family to yours. May this special day be filled with joy and wonder and love for the King of Kings.
It sure seems that way sometimes doesn’t it? It’s a phrase that used to be defined by the over-commercialization of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, a little baby that would one day save the world. Now, however, the knife cuts even deeper, as the figurative scalpel tries to cut Jesus and the entire holiday out of the season. To me, that’s kind of like an empty suit, a season with no reason to celebrate except the fake cheer created by glossy advertisements and sappy Hallmark movies.
Some say we must be more accepting of other’s traditions and generically greet others with a simple “Happy Holidays” so as to not offend those who celebrate a different winter holiday. Now, I’m all for inter-cultural understanding and communication. In fact, I thrive on meeting new people and learning about different people groups. I’m even a Spanish minor (soon to be major), but our country was founded on a bedrock of Judeo-Christian morals and traditions and a genuine desire to live for and love God, and Jesus Christ, his son. It seems the more “tolerant” we become, the more intolerant America is towards Christianity and those who follow it. We, as Christ-followers, are expected to make every effort to ensure that someone who follows another religion or none at all, but no one makes any concessions for us. It doesn’t seem quite fair to me.
Jesus didn’t call us to be pushovers, but He also didn’t call us to be hate-mongers. In fact, He said just the opposite: “…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” So while we shouldn’t allow everyone to walk all over us (i.e. “Happy Holidays…”), we must love all others, not for what they do, but because they are people created and loved by God, just as much as He loves those who follows him. Who are we to think we are any better? For, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV)
So this Christmas season (which continues past December 25th!), don’t feel guilty wishing someone a “Merry Christmas”, because, after all, Jesus is the reason for the season (just be sure your greeting is filled with His love as well!).
