A SEASON OF RENEWAL

By David C. McCasland

Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. —Isaiah 40:31

A survey showed that 84 percent of people in the United States want a less materialistic holiday season. I suspect the same is true of people in many other countries. But when all roads seem to lead to the shopping malls, what is the pathway toward a more spiritual and meaningful celebration of Christ’s birth?

Some church leaders are suggesting that we put more attention on the observance of Advent, the 4-week period before Christmas. Instead of filling those days with activity and ending up physically and spiritually depleted, we need to recall that “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” (Isaiah 40:31).

Even with a busy calendar of school and church programs, and family obligations, we can still carve out time to “wait on the Lord” and to concentrate on the true meaning of this season. We can determine to make the most of our times of daily Bible reading and prayer, and to give people priority over things.

As we take time to focus on Christ’s birth and to strengthen our relationship with Him, this time of year can become a season of renewal instead of exhaustion.

Take time this Christmastide to go
A little way apart,
And with the hands of prayer prepare
The house that is your heart. —Anon.

A Christless Christmas is like a counterfeit dollar.

Devotional forwarded to you by:

UP CHRISTIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT

NCCP Ecumenical Ministry – Church of the Risen Lord

University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus, QC

Letter from the Celebrant

Dear loved ones,

My birthday is just around the corner. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year, the celebration will be repeated. Many people are shopping for gifts, there are many radio and TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking about my birthday. It is really very nice to know that, at least, once a year, some people think of me.

 

As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many, many years ago. Then, people seemed to understand  better and are thankful for all that I did for them. But in these present times, no one seems to know the real reason for the celebration.

 

Remember that last year there was a party on my birthday.  The dinner table was full of delicious foods. The decorations were exquisite and there were many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you remember  that I was not invited. I am supposed to be the guest of honor and they did not remember to invite me. When that great day came, I was left outside, though I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that did not surprise me because in the last few years, many have closed their homes for me.

 

Though I was not invited, I still quietly joined the party and stayed in a small corner. They were all having a grand time – telling jokes, eating and laughing. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red, wearing a long white beard, entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho!   He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and everybody treated him as if the party was in his honor!

 

At midnight all they began to hug each other. I was waiting for someone to hug me, but no one hugged me. Then they began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation.

After all gifts had been opened, I found out that there was none for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was not part of in their lives.   People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties, but nobody remembers me.

 

This Christmas, allow me to enter and be part of your life. I would like you to recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago, I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

 

I want to share something with you. Soon, I will have my own celebration, a grand party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I am still making the arrangements. Today, I am sending out invitations and there is one invitation for you, if you wish to attend. Let me know so that I could make a reservation for you, and write your name with golden letters in my great guest list. Only those who made a reservation will be in the party. Those who do not answer the invitation will be left outside.

Be prepared because when all is ready, you will be part of my great party. See you soon.
I LOVE YOU!

 

Your friend,

Jesus

 

 

This Letter was  printed for you by

UP Christian Youth Movement

University of the Philippines, Diliman QC

NCCP-CRL Ecumenical Ministry

Pastor Bart B. Kimwell

DON’T BE A CHRISTMAS JERK

 

By Daniel Darling

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

One of my favorite Christmas stories is the classic Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Last year my wife and I enjoyed a fantastic stage production of this wonderful old story.

It seems every Christmas story has to have a Scrooge, from predictable Hallmark dramas to children’s books. The reason we always write a jerk into our holiday stories is because it’s true. It’s real life.

Today I want to encourage you not to be a Christmas jerk. Don’t be the Scrooge. It’s all too easy. Maybe you’re expecting an Xbox and you get a sweater. Maybe your parents have to tighten the belt and you have fewer packages under the tree. Maybe Christmas is a tough time because you’re reminded again of the fragility and dysfunction of your family. Perhaps you wish your family would be like the others who seem to have it all together.

Or… maybe you’re stressed out because you have a ton of stuff to do. Recitals, plays, people, parties.

The circumstances and environment around the holidays make it all too easy to fall into jerk mode. And I’m saying, don’t let it happen. Why? Because, of all people, it is Christians who should be full of joy on Christmas. Why? Because this is the celebration of our story, how God moved dramatically to rescue His creation by sending Jesus to live, first as a baby, then as a growing boy, and then as a man.

Christmas is good news. It is God’s entrance into the world. God didn’t stay in Heaven as a detached deity, he moved to become flesh. What a powerful story.

How do you avoid becoming a Christmas jerk? First, meditate on the story. Go back to the chapters in Isaiah and Matthew and Luke. Remember why we celebrate. Second, go with the flow. What I mean is hold your Christmas plans loosely. Remember its about love, about giving, about peace. So if you get stiffed on the Xbox, let it go. Third, find ways to give back this Christmas. Is there a needy child, a program at your church, a community center that needs you’re time and perhaps your money? Give. Fourth, don’t get hung up on frivolous stuff. Don’t be a Christian who whines about commercialization, about the “War on Christmas.” Just fight against those with genuine, Holy-Spirit-led Christmas cheer.

Strive this year, to be part of the good at Christmas. And leave the jerkiness to Dickens, Hallmark Channel, and others.

 

Devotional forwarded to you by:

UP CHRISTIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT

NCCP Ecumenical Ministry of the Church of the Risen Lord

University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus, QC