Tag: Christmas blues

CHRISTmas Time Is Here

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CHRISTmas Time Is Here

As the clock ticks the time many boys and girls cannot wait for, Christmas. The songs of Christmas cheer fill homes across the world. Some places have bright Christmas lights glistening off the pure white snow. Some prepare for Christmas in the dark hidden places of their homes afraid for the world to know it’s Christmas time. Christmas is celebrated all over the world, a time for most is a joyous occasion, but sadly a bitter sweet, and sometimes bitter for others. While many will see a large fellow in a red jacket and a long white beard, yes I’m talking about Santa, others will see the manger and a baby laying in swaddling clothes. Christmas time, a confusing time, a time where capital, and faith collide. 

I was in Walmart recently and while I was there I noticed Santa Clause all over the place. I began to look for Jesus in the hustle and bustle, the noise of the store. It took me a while, but I found a small section in the Christmas Isle, that had the manger scene. Nothing fancy, just cheap wooden sets, sets that weren’t complete either. How sad I became that the real reason for the season, the only true cause to celebrate was buried and overlooked. While I don’t begrudge the idea of Santa, from his true origins, and I must admit some of my favorite movies involve the fat man in the long white beard, unless it’s Kurt Russel in “Christmas Chronicles”. Saint Nicolaus the real man, born probably around A.D. 280 was considered to be a sweet and benevolent man. While his legend grew, he was indeed just a man. The only magic he had was his belief in Jesus Christ, and the love he shared was indeed the commandment of “Love your Neighbor as yourself.” Only following behind “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37. How quickly we forget, or choose to ignore the real meaning of Christmas. 

It’s easy to get swept up in the commercial of Christmas. Why, even back in 1947 when “Miracle on 34th St.” Aired, the theme was about bringing the spirit of Christmas back to the home, and getting away from the commercializing and capitalization of selling toys and goods. There’s nothing wrong with gifts, sure, it’s nice to receive, but for me, I love to give. I am a gift buying fool. I buy gifts not just at Christmas, but all year round. I find it to be a thrill to see the joy on someone’s face when they are shocked or surprised. Of course I enjoy getting gifts also, but for me, I remember Christmas, as in CHRISTmas. While not accurate, the story of the little drummer boy gifting all he had to Jesus was music from his Drum. How sweet a story, that in ways of worship we all have a special gift, something we can do for Jesus to celebrate his Birth. Yes, I know Jesus was not born on December 25th, but regardless, it’s the day we celebrate, and however we got here aside, it’s here, and we can chose to be a scrooge because of how we got here, or, we can choose to celebrate together in love , and in love, with love, for our Savior Jesus Christ. 

This Christmas Blue’s. Yes, the Christmas blue’s are a real thing. My family has lost members on Christmas eve, Christmas Day, and now as the family dwindles, the joyful noise of Christmas past, is now but a memory. This year, sickness came to my household, and it looks like Christmas day may be spent in separation. Saddened by this, I have found myself struggling to listen to Christmas music the last few days. Has the joy of Christmas failed me this year? It’s hard to remain positive when the world throws so much negativity your way. When you’re down, depressed, downtrodden, it’s easy pickings for the Lion, a ravaging, hunter of convenience to pounce on you. It is not beneath a lion to snack on a dead carcass brought down by another animal. Opportunity is key, and when you are low, Satan takes that opportunity to strike. There are many people around the world struggling with loss, sadness, hopelessness, and depression, illness, etc. These people may be alone, or even surrounded by family, but struggle to find Christmas cheer. Indeed, I say to you, let us lift them up in prayers. Let us pray earnestly for those struggling this year. Let us pray for the souls still lost, the souls heartbroken, and the souls in need of healing. Without Christmas there is no Easter, and without CHRIST, there is not CHRISTmas, and without that there is no hope, only darkness. It doesn’t matter when we celebrate, but that we do celebrate. Jesus is worth celebration, and I would say, keep Christmas in your heart year round. Keep Joy in your heart as told by Christ, because he overcame the world. He overcame the darkness, and gave us light. Let us look upon the beautiful Christmas lights this year and be reminded that even one tiny Christmas light can snuff out the darkness, so let us multiply the light, let us be the moon and reflect the light of Christ for all the world to see. Let us light up the darkness this Christmas. Joy to the world, the savior reigns. Emanuel came to be with us, and lives. Emanuel defeated death, bore the ugliness of sin, and cleansed the spirits for those who would follow him. The beautiful sound of Angels singing that glorious night as they lit up the sky with the wonders of Heaven proclaiming the long-awaited messiah had come. Let us not be silent, but cheer, and worship him. Let us remember that Christmas is here, the Christ has come, and the spirit lives on. Let us be like Saint Nick, spreading hope to those who have none. Let us be like the woman at the well, so excited to meet the messiah she left her belongings behind to share the good news with all who would listen. Let us have a fervor to rip open a roof for our friend, just at the chance to meet and see, and be healed by the savior of the universe. Let us not put the lantern under a basket, but instead rise high upon the mountain, and let not this world silence you. Fight the darkness, and fight for Jesus. For soon the Messiah comes and when he does, all the knees shall bow, and all the tongues shall confess, you are Lord. 

Merry CHRISTmas too all, and Happy Birthday Jesus. 

Tis’ The Season

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Tis’ The Season 

As I finish my half a year back in school I find myself feeling tired. I have found my motivation severely lacking. The enjoyment of school seems to be waning as one week after another I get closer to graduating. While it doesn’t make sense to me why my motivation has been so lacking, I find myself going into this CHRISTmas season hopeful of the break, looking forward to rest, and finding things relaxing to occupy my time.

Sadly many of the events this season I look forward too most have been canceled. I don’t generally look forward to very many things so for something to not work out, really gets to me. Thankfully there are still things I’m looking forward to during this break. CHRISTmas is still coming, along with the candlelight service, the annual church breakfast service, and the church cantata. Finally at the end of the Christmas season is my Appalachian Trail hike. While I’m looking forward to the 6-8 day hike, I can’t deny that some concerns over the recent weather have been raised. With the snow that fell concerns were light, but going further into the season it’s been almost nothing but rain. The rain on the hike would be a miserable experience. I am praying earnestly that the weather is either dry, or snow.

Hope and cheer is the key phrase this season, and how much do we have to hope for? 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV)3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,” We have hope for the Lord Jesus Christ, and know that there is nothing else in this world that gives us more hope. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)31 “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” 

The days come and everyone experiences a lull in their season, and perhaps after 6 months of non stop work, the stress caught up to me. The joy of the Lord, and knowing that Jesus Christ gives us eternal hope, and that nothing in this world can remove that from life. The Christmas joy is forever and for all those who know and love Jesus Christ have a lifetime of hope. This season the Christmas blues may hit, but remember that a moment of blue doesn’t mean you have to be in a season of blue. It’s okay to have a day or so where you’re feeling the holiday blues. Maybe you miss a loved one, or you miss some old friends, no matter what’s causing the blues just remember it’s Christmas, and it’s all about the baby born to give us the ultimate hope and joy. So Tis’ the season to be Jolly, and find your joy by remembering what’s important this holiday season. It doesn’t matter if it’s snowing, or raining, something in between, or what season you’re in, Christmas is here, and that means there’s lots to be joyful about.

Breaks my Heart

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Breaks my Heart

Going into this holiday season it breaks my heart to think about all those people out there who are suffering, who’ve lost everything, who feel hopeless. It breaks my heart to think about all those people who are without homes, without family, and have so much less then I do. I was just in Hawaii and the number of homeless is staggering. I’ve been all over the world and I’ve seen what poverty looks like up close. I’ve seen homes made of mud and no floors. I’ve seen houses made of scrap metal and tin, and we in America take for granted many of the gifts we have. It breaks my heart those who suffer from heartbreak this time of year. How many people suffer through divorce, or death, or loss of jobs this time of year? This time of year is hardest on people, and also the most joyful, but we can’t forget what it’s all about.

 

It’s hard being alone not having someone to share this time of year with. I miss going Christmas shopping, and cuddling by the fire watching Christmas movies. I miss sharing a glass of eggnog, and awaiting the look on my love’s face when they open the perfect gift. It’s a hard time for me this year, and even as hard as it is for me, I know others, many, many others, have it so much then myself. I feel more connected to the suffering of others this year then I have in the past.

 

This time of year we remember the goodness in our lives. We remember that the Son of the Lord was born and we celebrate the birth of our Savior. We celebrate the birth of a Child that would grow to take our sins upon himself and pay for our sins in innocent blood. The Lord blesses us every day and we often take those blessings for granted. When I look at all the suffering in this world I feel so small, what can I possibly do?

 

When I was in Hawaii recently I looked around and realized how blessed I was. I was in a wonderful place, with beautiful caring people, and I thought about those who where far worse off then me. All we can do is believe that God’s in charge and have faith that it’s working out. We have the ability to change the lives of those around us, if we just have the eyes and the heart to fight for change. We can’t always change or save everyone, but we can try.

 

Remember this time of year isn’t about the shiny baubles, the gifts, the shiny lights and colors, it’s about the good will towards your fellow neighbors. It’s about celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. We need to take a step back from the commercials, the drive to shop till you drop, and all the other things that draws your attention from the true beauty of our holiday. Of course enjoy the holiday and all that goes will, just make sure you don’t loose that focus. Take a little thought and pray for those who are less fortunate. It’s cold this time a year and there are families without food, without heat, and many without a home. Pray for them, and do something nice. Good will towards your fellow humans. Be kind, and be generous.