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I believe more than any other time of the year the whole world is going berserk! Really the hardest thing about "Christmas" for me is not so much what the world does (the world doesn't know any better), but what many Christians do. The church we attend put up a Christmas tree that nearly touches the ceiling. And that tree is only a few feet from the Lord's Supper Table. (I am not trying to demean these people. I love them and worship with them every Sunday). But where in God's Word does it say to cut a tree, bring it into the church auditorium, decorate it and put it next to the Lord's Table? What is worse is, what if that tree becomes a stumbling block for someone who is newly saved or isn't saved but might be thinking about it? What does this have to do with Jesus?
The Bible Study group we attend is having a gift exchange. It's $5.00 for a man's gift and $5.00 for a woman's gift. And it might be that the person who receives a gift doesn't want it, can't eat it, or can't use it. What does this have to do with Jesus?
Two Christmases that I remember the most were days that were spent doing for others. One year, my husband and I loaded our van and took food that was collected by the church to a Christian children's home that was about seventy miles away. The home needed the food. They were happy we came. Another year, my husband who was in pulpit ministry at the time and I went to the local nursing home and entertained the people who live there. The people needed the company.
Christmas isn't about 'what will I get'? Christmas, if we even have to have Christmas, is about giving from our hearts to others.
All the money that is spent on trees, decorations, gifts, gift wrap, ribbon, lights, etc., just think
--how many people who are hungry could be fed,
--how many homes could be found for the homeless,
--how many people could be helped in many other ways?
I know I am getting carried away. But Christmas is all give me, give me, give me.
I believe what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33--"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you."
and
Luke 6:38--"Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
and
Acts 4:32--"And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them.
Acts 4:33--"And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:34--"For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would see them and bring the proceeds of the sales,
Acts 4:35--"and lay them at the apostles' feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need."
and
Acts 4:36--"And Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means, Son of Encouragement),
Acts 4:37--"and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet."
This is Christianity. Why do we even need "Christmas"? Christians ought to be about doing the Lord's business; Jesus set the example when He was on the earth.
In Christ,
Berean
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