All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
How do we celebrate Christmas? Are you seeking God's presence or His presents?
To Christians, Christmas and Easter are the two most important days of the year. One commemorates the birth of Christ; the other remembers His death and resurrection. In order to honor the meaning of Christmas, many Christians decorate with Nativity scenes.
Every year in December we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. That is why we call this time of year 'Christmas' - we celebrate the 'Mass', or church service, for Christ. The word Christmas (or Christ's Mass) comes from the Old English name 'Cristes Maesse' - Christ's Mass - and is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The first recorded observance occurred in Rome in AD360, but it wasn't until AD440 that the Christian Church fixed a celebration date of 25 December.Christmas is a truly magical season, bringing families and friends together to share the much loved customs and traditions which have been around for centuries. Most people are on holiday and stay at home with their family on Christmas day.During the weeks before Christmas Day, we send cards, watch nativity plays and go to carol services. We put up Christmas decorations in our homes and churches.
Christmas should be a time to celebrate God's greatest gift to us, the birth of Jesus Christ. Although we do not know the day (or even the year) of Jesus' birth, celebrating on December 25th is as good as any. In fact, many of the feasts given in the Old Testament were based upon a calendar that was not 365 days long, resulting in them being celebrated on different solar days each year. Even the Christian celebration of Easter is based upon the Jewish Passover, so is not celebrated on a specific day of the solar year. The Bible advises that Christians celebrate based upon their own consciences, "giving thanks to God." So, we advise celebrating as the Lord leads, but always giving thanks for God's great gift to humanity - Jesus Christ.
Many of us will celebrate this season, -- the Christmas Eve dinner. Sure, you can cook up another turkey; but who has the time when you're rushing around, assembling toys for the kids, decorating the Christmas tree, doing last-minute gift wrapping, tending to kids and relatives, putting presents under the Christmas tree, and perhaps going out to church?.. and some will not do the same as they did before because of present global crisis.. loss job, losing loved ones, been through with different calamities, etc.. etc. etc.
But then we must always remember this:
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.--- Romans 14:17
Now, are you seeking God's presence or His presents?
King David said, One thing I ask of the Lord ... (Psalm 27:4). He had just one thing that was important to him -- just one thing! Are you begging God for many things, or are you asking Him for just that one thing: ... that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple" (Psalm 27:4)?
In that psalm, David was praying that he would dwell in God's presence and seek Him. Notice that his prayer had nothing to do with getting more worldly things from God.
So, instead of begging God to give you more worldly things, pray that you would dwell in the house of the Lord, knowing that when you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, ... all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).
When you seek God, He promises to take care of all the things you need! Start seeking God's presence, and He will give you His presents.
Every year in December we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. That is why we call this time of year 'Christmas' - we celebrate the 'Mass', or church service, for Christ. The word Christmas (or Christ's Mass) comes from the Old English name 'Cristes Maesse' - Christ's Mass - and is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The first recorded observance occurred in Rome in AD360, but it wasn't until AD440 that the Christian Church fixed a celebration date of 25 December.Christmas is a truly magical season, bringing families and friends together to share the much loved customs and traditions which have been around for centuries. Most people are on holiday and stay at home with their family on Christmas day.During the weeks before Christmas Day, we send cards, watch nativity plays and go to carol services. We put up Christmas decorations in our homes and churches.
Christmas should be a time to celebrate God's greatest gift to us, the birth of Jesus Christ. Although we do not know the day (or even the year) of Jesus' birth, celebrating on December 25th is as good as any. In fact, many of the feasts given in the Old Testament were based upon a calendar that was not 365 days long, resulting in them being celebrated on different solar days each year. Even the Christian celebration of Easter is based upon the Jewish Passover, so is not celebrated on a specific day of the solar year. The Bible advises that Christians celebrate based upon their own consciences, "giving thanks to God." So, we advise celebrating as the Lord leads, but always giving thanks for God's great gift to humanity - Jesus Christ.
Many of us will celebrate this season, -- the Christmas Eve dinner. Sure, you can cook up another turkey; but who has the time when you're rushing around, assembling toys for the kids, decorating the Christmas tree, doing last-minute gift wrapping, tending to kids and relatives, putting presents under the Christmas tree, and perhaps going out to church?.. and some will not do the same as they did before because of present global crisis.. loss job, losing loved ones, been through with different calamities, etc.. etc. etc.
But then we must always remember this:
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.--- Romans 14:17
Now, are you seeking God's presence or His presents?
King David said, One thing I ask of the Lord ... (Psalm 27:4). He had just one thing that was important to him -- just one thing! Are you begging God for many things, or are you asking Him for just that one thing: ... that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple" (Psalm 27:4)?
In that psalm, David was praying that he would dwell in God's presence and seek Him. Notice that his prayer had nothing to do with getting more worldly things from God.
So, instead of begging God to give you more worldly things, pray that you would dwell in the house of the Lord, knowing that when you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, ... all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).
When you seek God, He promises to take care of all the things you need! Start seeking God's presence, and He will give you His presents.
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