Family and good friends. Jingle bells. Chestnuts roasting. White Christmas. Santa Claus and reindeers. Presents under the tree. All these and more give us the feeling of Christmas. What if we don't have these feelings? Then what? What if we don't even have family and friends to share with? There is a void in each …
Fragrance: a good gift not only for Christmas
At Christmas, we think of gift-giving. As a baby, Jesus received fragrant gifts of frankincense and myrrh. These were aromatic resins used for personal, religious and medicinal purposes and for burial. Near the end of Jesus' life, he would receive one final and generous gift from a faithful woman. She would be remembered as giving …
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Time of joy, good tidings, and doing good
We subconsciously pickup from Santa songs that we get gifts according to how naughty or nice we've been. If there were such a list, our gifts would be something we earn for doing good things (not totally free without strings attached). Don't we give with the intention that it's a free gift without strings attached …
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Our season for God’s hope, peace, joy, and love
Christians are preparing this season of Advent season leading up to Christmas, as a religious time to celebrate Christ's entry into the world. For many in North America, it's about going to Christmas parties, buying presents, and racking up financial debt to pay for presents for siblings, parents, children, nephews and aunts. For some, it …
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A bright light shining in the darkness
In one of the readings in church this Christmas Eve will be Isaiah 9:2,6-7. The Hebrew prophet says: “The people walking in darkness see a bright light; light shines on those who live in a land of deep darkness” (NET). Many of us are walking in darkness and are blind to our own sin of …
Crossway has a way to help you share the good news of Christmas
Is your church beginning to plan a Christmas musical/production? How about delivering gift bags while Christmas carolling? Crossway has creative and cost-effective way to help churches, para-ministries, and individuals engage in missional activity in a pro-active way. When your friends or neighbors open up these bags, I feel the two most important items they will …
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Charlie Brown: Linus really does know what Christmas is all about
What get's your Christmas spirit into gear?Charlie Brown's Christmas does it for me...so does Scrooge.
How many people did the shepherds tell about the angelic appearance?
God sends an angel to speak to the shepherds:They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will …
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Advent season, Advent liturgy, and the Advent wreath
The music for this litugy is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" from A Quiet Knowing Christmas by Jeff Johnson - http://www.ArkMusic.comThe word Advent means “coming” or “arrival”. Advent season is celebrated in many churches with an Advent wreath. This first of four Sunday marks the beginning of the season of Advent. It begins with the …
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