What Child IS This???

[MalkyEL]

Silver Bells . . . Hark the Herald Angels Sing . . . I'll Be Home for Christmas . . . Joy to the World . . . He's a Bad One - Mr Grinch . . . Away in a Manger . . . O Christmas Tree . . . O Little Town of Bethlehem . . . Santa Claus is Coming to Town . . . Away in a Manger . . . Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire . . . O Come All Ye Faithful . . . White Christmas . . . Silent Night . . . Deck the Halls . . . O Holy Night . . .

What Child IS this???

His birth - a quiet, unobtrusive arrival in a small town. Angels proclaimed His birth, His destiny on earth - to be the Savior from sin - to reconcile man to His Creator. His birth was announced but to a few shepherds tending sheep on a quiet night - broken briefly as a full angelic choir gave glory to the Most High and Holy One. The event was perfectly planned and executed. Fear turned to joy.
Salvation . . . Emmanu'El . . . Prince of Peace . . .

And Mary pondered all these things in her heart.

What is it about this season that drives humanity to madness? The planning and rushing and buying and decorating and wrapping and celebrating?

Boldly, a tag line is created to keep it holy, to keep it right, to justify it all:

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Do you have all your Christmas shopping done yet? But Jesus is the reason for the seasong. How many to do you have to buy for? But Jesus is the reason for the season. How many days until Christmas? But Jesus is the reason for the season. Have you got your tree up yet?
But Jesus is the reason for the season.

Advent, Church programs, school programs, parties, cooking, baking, traveling, costumes, plays, cantatas, live nativity scenes, yard decorations, fake trees, live trees, ornaments, stockings, blaring music, shopping, crowded aisles, discounted sales, traffic jams, no parking spaces, long lines, credit cards ushering the season into guilt-free purchases, present upon present.
But Jesus is the reason for the season.

Angel Trees, Scarf and Mitten Trees, food drives, collections for the poor, the homeless, the orphans. Churches are decorated. Homes are decorated. Hearts are decorated. Flashing lights, tinsel, glitter, silver and gold, metalic brilliance.
But Jesus is the reason for the season.

Rushing, grabbing, yelling, rudeness, crudeness.
Anger, depression, frustration, stress.
Fatigue, grief, loneliness, guilt, pressure, debt.

But Jesus is the reason for the season.

I sit quietly in front of my computer, with a lap full of letters, as tears flood my eyes. The forgotten and rejected. I am concerned they are depressed, all alone with no one - brainwashed like the rest of the world - that Jesus is the reason for the season.
 

[Symphony]

huh?

   

[Kris777]

I agree with symphony.. huh??

[MalkyEL]

Exactly!!!!  You guys get it totally - thanx  

That is Christmas in one word - HUH??    

[Melody]

I sit quietly in front of my computer, with a lap full of letters, as tears flood my eyes. The forgotten and rejected. I am concerned they are depressed, all alone with no one - brainwashed like the rest of the world - that Jesus is the reason for the season.

For the non-believer, it is the commercial holiday.  Jesus *is* the reason for the season...for Christians.

Yes, I know the tree has nothing to do with the actual birth of Christ, but neither do the balloons at my children's birthday parties.  They are, however, part of the festive atmosphere.  Christ's birth is a joyous occasion and we celebrate it in my home by singing Christmas carols, decorating the tree, baking  and, yes, giving gifts because we enjoy the act of giving.  Should I celebrate Christ's birth in any less joyous fashion than I do my children's?  My children have brought home college friends who have no place to go at Christmas.  There's always room for one more at our table.

If I allowed it, I could depress myself to no end thinking about the people who have no family or home to go to, but it would serve no purpose and would change nothing.  I find that getting up off my butt and doing something helps take the depression away because, even though I'm not solving the world's hunger problem, I'm doing something.  Here are some of the things my family has done (and still do).  

When we bake, we make extra and take baked goodies down to the homeless shelter.  Since everyone else is donating the "basics" and forget that it's sometimes nice to have something frivolous as well, these goodies are very well received.

There are many organizations giving toys to the children at Christmas so we try to find something that's more personal. Our homeless shelter has been very cooperative in giving me the first names and ages of the children at the shelter so we can do something age and gender appropriate.  This year we're making flannel rag quilts with a name tag stitched on them.  In the past we've taken down hats, gloves and scarves or teddy bears they can cuddle at night.  For the adults, a little bag with their own wash cloth, towel, bar of soap, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste.  Believe it or not, they loved it because it was "theirs".    We also volunteer our time by helping to cook, serve and clean up Christmas dinner.

Another favorite activity is to take down some craft supplies and spirit the children away (with the parent's consent) to another room where they can create something special for their mom and/or dad.

Jesus *is* the reason.

[Soldier4Christ]

I sit quietly in front of my computer, with a lap full of letters, as tears flood my eyes. The forgotten and rejected. I am concerned they are depressed, all alone with no one - brainwashed like the rest of the world - that Jesus is the reason for the season.

For the non-believer, it is the commercial holiday.  Jesus *is* the reason for the season...for Christians.

Yes, I know the tree has nothing to do with the actual birth of Christ, but neither do the balloons at my children's birthday parties.  They are, however, part of the festive atmosphere.  Christ's birth is a joyous occasion and we celebrate it in my home by singing Christmas carols, decorating the tree, baking  and, yes, giving gifts because we enjoy the act of giving.  Should I celebrate Christ's birth in any less joyous fashion than I do my children's?  My children have brought home college friends who have no place to go at Christmas.  There's always room for one more at our table.

If I allowed it, I could depress myself to no end thinking about the people who have no family or home to go to, but it would serve no purpose and would change nothing.  I find that getting up off my butt and doing something helps take the depression away because, even though I'm not solving the world's hunger problem, I'm doing something.  Here are some of the things my family has done (and still do).  

When we bake, we make extra and take baked goodies down to the homeless shelter.  Since everyone else is donating the "basics" and forget that it's sometimes nice to have something frivolous as well, these goodies are very well received.

There are many organizations giving toys to the children at Christmas so we try to find something that's more personal. Our homeless shelter has been very cooperative in giving me the first names and ages of the children at the shelter so we can do something age and gender appropriate.  This year we're making flannel rag quilts with a name tag stitched on them.  In the past we've taken down hats, gloves and scarves or teddy bears they can cuddle at night.  For the adults, a little bag with their own wash cloth, towel, bar of soap, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste.  Believe it or not, they loved it because it was "theirs".    We also volunteer our time by helping to cook, serve and clean up Christmas dinner.

Another favorite activity is to take down some craft supplies and spirit the children away (with the parent's consent) to another room where they can create something special for their mom and/or dad.

Jesus *is* the reason.

Amen, Melody. Due to my wifes and my health we can no longer go to the shelters like we once did but we do still make things (quilts, scarves, stocking hats and toys) but we don't stop just at Christmas. We do these things year round for homeless families. My home and table is always open to individuals that are homeless or hungry.

Heb 13:1  Let brotherly love continue.
Heb 13:2  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

[Melody]

It's the same here.  We give year round but we do a bit more at this time of year because I am so much more aware of how much we have compared to others and feel a greater need to share.  

I may joke about living in the house from hell (we've replaced the septic system, electrical system, plumbing and are now working on the framing) and that my property would increase in value if we burned the house down but we have a roof over our heads and our children don't go to bed hungry at night.  I consider our family blessed.

[Soldier4Christ]

It's the same here.  We give year round but we do a bit more at this time of year because I am so much more aware of how much we have compared to others and feel a greater need to share.  

I may joke about living in the house from hell (we've replaced the septic system, electrical system, plumbing and are now working on the framing) and that my property would increase in value if we burned the house down but we have a roof over our heads and our children don't go to bed hungry at night.  I consider our family blessed.

Amen sister and you will be blessed even more.

[MalkyEL]

Points taken.   My problem is in kicking against the system and ending up stubbing my toe on a huge immoveable rock.

I don't think there is any greater oxymoron in all of history. A season that has nothing to do with Jesus is forced into a season that has everything to do with Him.

It is true that God will prick the consciences to give at Christmas. The plans of man [with a little bit of help from the god of this world] are no stumbling block for the Almighty. He does use our puny efforts in spite of us and not because of us. But then, He is a God of grace and mercy. And people will always continue to do that which feels good, whether or not it is based in the truth.

It's just too bad that the majority can't be obedient year around.

One more comment, lest anyone think I am a total Scrooge when it comes to Christmas. I guess I could compare it to a roller coaster ride. The upside is that I can use the system to reach people in a way that is usually shut off. I will send cards and do the gift thing to open a way to show the love of Jesus Christ.

The down side is the hype and the pressure to conform to a season whose traditions are based in magic, mysticism, and folklore.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
 

[Melody]

The down side is the hype and the pressure to conform to a season whose traditions are based in magic, mysticism, and folklore.

I find that with every year that goes by, I have to make a concerted effort not to drop into depression caused by the obvious commercialism that pushes people to spend even more and more when they can't afford what they have *and* when there are people who don't even have a roof over their head.

The only way I've found to combat it is to put my mind and effort into helping others.   Good works may not get you into heaven, but they sure make the heart feel good.

[Soldier4Christ]

The down side is the hype and the pressure to conform to a season whose traditions are based in magic, mysticism, and folklore.

I find that with every year that goes by, I have to make a concerted effort not to drop into depression caused by the obvious commercialism that pushes people to spend even more and more when they can't afford what they have *and* when there are people who don't even have a roof over their head.

The only way I've found to combat it is to put my mind and effort into helping others.   Good works may not get you into heaven, but they sure make the heart feel good.

It depresses me also to see such things.

No, good works doesn't get us into Heaven but it does have its rewards beyond the "feel good" feeling we get from it.

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

[ollie]

Faith is made visible through works. It is a way of life. The Christian life, not just a way during a man made holiday.

ollie

[Shammu]

Faith is made visible through works. It is a way of life. The Christian life, not just a way during a man made holiday.

ollie

AMEN!!  ollie, you are so very right. Faith is made visible through works.

[Evangelist]

Emanuel

On a night much like tonight
The Heavens shone forth a light
and it fell on a town called Bethlehem

Shepherds bowed, and angels sang
as their Heav'nly voices rang,
"Peace to all and good will we give to men"

It is the night of our salvation,
That time we've waited for,
The Birth of Christ, our hope and joy,
Emanuel

With no place to lay His head,
just a manger for a bed,
Still He came and brought to us His peace and love,

And with Him comes this promise too,
that He freely gives to you,
Trust in Him, and He will take you far above.

To live with Him, and live forever,
full of peace, we'll sing and shout,
He is the Christ, our hope and joy,
Emanuel

It is the night of our salvation,
the time we've waited for,
Christ in our hearts, our hope and joy,
Emanuel, Emanuel,
Emanuel.

©1992 Hank & Bev Beymer