Jesus Is The Reason
In Bethlehem, God gave to us
The source of Christmas joy;
A star shown on a miracle:
The virgin birth of a boy.
Archives For Christmas
During the winter of 1981, Chicago’s mayor made a much publicized tour of Cabrini-Green – a sprawling housing project in Chicago where sharp rat-a-tat bursts of gunfire echoed regularly through its 81 high rises and row houses and where mysterious screams split the night, but no one dared to investigate because two youth gangs exercised total control of the estimated 14,000 people living there – raping, extorting and murdering those who got in their way.
I believe it is good to try new ways of looking at things that are familiar to us (especially Christmas and Easter). If we don’t, the danger is that the meaning and richness of these days will become routine and mundane in our lives. I don’t want this to happen in my life.
Over the last several years, I have come across three very creative (and non-traditional) Christmas presentations. I think these presentations are very well done and they help us look at this familiar story with fresh eyes. I would like to share them with you.
To celebrate this special day I want to share a Christmas poem with you that expresses the desire of my heart and I pray that this may be the desire of your heart too.
A Christmas Poem
When the shopping is over
And gifts stashed away
When the food has been eaten
And the children off to play
May one thing remain
In your heart and your home
May the Christ in Christmas
Stay all year long
Author Unknown
Merry Christmas!
Thank-you for being a part of this blogging community. Thank-you for taking the time to visit and comment. I appreciate each of every one of you!
I love Charlie Brown. He is one of my all-time favourite cartoon characters. I think there are a lot of lessons we can learn from this young man.
One great lesson is found in the movie “A Charlie Brown Christmas“. In the movie, Charlie Brown, in total frustration, yells out these infamous words:
“Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
Sadly, he has a point.
There are many who do not know what Christmas is all about.
For many, Christmas is just a time to spend money they don’t have on people they don’t even necessarily like that much.
For others, it is just another day on the calendar.
But for those of us who are followers of Christ, Christmas is the day that we remember that God chose to move in next door, into our run-down beat up, world-weary neighbourhood!
Christmas is the day that we celebrate God loving us so much that He became one of us so that we might one day live with Him!
Christmas is the day that we worship the One who came so that He could take our punishment so that we could have a relationship with Him!
In all the hustle and bustle of your celebrations over the next several days don’t forget what Christmas is all about!
What if the manger had been empty, and no angel in the sky
Had stopped to tell the shepherds that they really should pass by
A dark and humble stable where God’s glory shone around
And the Father’s precious only Son – a baby – could be found?
Then there’d be no heaven waiting, and no Savior’s arms held wide
To welcome His invited guests to come and step inside.
There’d be no heavenly Bridegroom, no glorious wedding feast,
No church, no heavenly family, from the greatest to the least.
If Joseph had been obstinate or Mary had said, “No”
If the wise men hated traveling and didn’t want to go,
If the shepherds there in Bethlehem kept quiet about it all
Would there be a Christmas story of a humble cattle stall?
If He who reigned in heaven, the King enthroned on high
Had been too busy making worlds to leave and come to die,
Or if all our pain and helplessness, our shame and our disgrace
Had triggered only justice, and no amazing grace.
There would be no friend like Jesus to calm us in the strife,
No saving free forgiveness – no second chance at life,
No gentle Holy Spirit to change us from within,
No overcoming power, no victory over sin.
So come with me on tiptoe and we’ll take you to the place
Where Jesus, baby Jesus lies, with tears upon his face,
Assuring us of gospel truth that in this tiny form
Within the hay – on Christmas Day – Redemptive Love was born!
Poem by Jill Briscoe
Hey everyone:
I want to take the time to thank you for reading, commenting and sharing my posts on this blog. I truly appreciate all of you! You help inspire me to continue to share my journey.
Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
Kevin Martineau
My girls.
