I’m Dreaming of A RIGHT Christmas
By Steve Williams
Mitchell County
Howdy Folks,
Guess what, Christmas is right around the corner. There is one thing that I really believe, if you’re going to do something that you need to do it Right. (Like Celebrating Christmas). Christmas has really taken a beating over the years. At Christmas we say that we are celebrating the birth of Christ. But Christmas today is so far from that it is pitiful, to say the least. Many people say they want a Right Christmas, just like they say they want a Right Relationship with God. We want it white and bright. We want the tree, the decorations, the lights, the eggnog, and the presents. We want everyone to be happy. We want to be able to get and give plenty. We want peace and joy to abound, but in reality, Christmas often turns into a real hassle. You are rushed and pushed for time. You spend money you don’t have, for people you don’t even know, to acquire things they don’t even want or need. Christmas is filled with many distractions. Between the personalities, the presents, and the practices, it is easy to forget the real reason for this day.
In fact, many of the things we do and love at Christmas are nothing more than ancient pagan rituals and symbols hijacked by the Christian church. In our struggle to get it right, we often get it dead wrong and end up making ourselves and others miserable. I believe God wants us to get it right. I believe that He is not so interested in our having a WHITE Christmas as He is interested in our having a RIGHT Christmas. So, how can we have a right Christmas? What can we change in our lives that will allow Christmas to be a time of blessing and joy instead of being a time of stress and tension? Well the Bible says in Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” So Just How Can We Have A Right Christmas this year?
1 – Remember Just Who’s Birthday We Are Celebrating. The Bible Says A Child Is Born. This passage is predicting the Birth of Jesus Christ. So many people today forget whose birthday we are celebrating at Christmas and others don’t have a clue. Have you ever had someone you loved, and they loved you, forget your birthday? It hurts, do you not think it hurts God when we get caught up in Christmas and forget Him. 2 – Remember the Son that was given. God’s Son was given so that you and I could have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus came and gave His life that you and I might have eternal life through our relationship with Him. Christmas to a Christian should not be about gifts and games, but it should be about the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) 3 – Remember that our lives rest upon His shoulders. God is to be the Ruler of our lives and when He is not governing our lives, something is wrong. That’s why so many Christians are asking, what’s wrong at Christmas? When your will overrides God’s Will you’ll never have a right Christmas. 4 – Remember to Worship Him. You say, what am I going to worship? You’re going to worship a Wonderful Counselor who gives you sound biblical words of advice for your life from His Word. You will worship a Mighty God, who has never lost a battle in His life, and He can help you through your battles. You will worship an Everlasting Father who will never leave you or forsake you. You will worship the Prince of Peace, who can Give Peace in the Middle of a Storm, “At the brink of a Disaster “, “ In The Darkest Hour“, “ When everything is falling apart“, “ When there seems to be no hope.” The Bible says He will give you peace that will pass all our understanding. See brothers & sisters we can shop till we drop, and we will never be able to find the RIGHT CHRISTMAS until we remember what God has already given us through His Birth, His Death, His Resurrection and His wonderful gift of Salvation. Merry Christmas and I hope you have a Right Christmas this year.
Words of Wisdom:
- Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. Calvin Coolidge
- I think we’ve taken the meaning of Christmas out. People don’t stop and think about Jesus or the birth of Jesus. When they think of Christmas, they think of Santa Claus and – for the children, and they think of giving gifts and out-giving the next person of spending their time looking for the right thing for somebody who has everything. Billy Graham
- Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection. Winston Churchill
- Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store. Seuss
Words of Humor:
Three Wise Woman
Do you know what would have happened if it had been three wise WOMEN instead of men who meet Jesus? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable diapers as gifts!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Williams is the pastor of Berry Chapel Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
