I've been thinking a lot about the popular phrase
'keep Christ in Christmas'.
Is it keeping the baby Jesus, the religious songs and traditional symbols?
The american santa, the toned down santa or St. Nicholas?
The extravagant gift giving, the giving back, or magical moments?
Is it the many missionary organizations raising money for the underprivileged or churches and non-profits collecting money and gifts to give to great causes and charities?
Here in Zagreb, there seems to be no lack of "Christ in Christmas", it is very much apart of the culture. "christ" is everywhere this month. There are live nativity scenes, fake ones too, religious symbols and traditional signs abound. Santa, St. Nick, and plenty of gifts to buy. Families spending time together, people doing good deeds, and people of all religions performing and outreaching on the streets.
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| 1st verse of Oh Holy Night |
And yet so many are missing it,
they are still lost,
still in need of the Savior!
The Word of God declares:
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:10-14
…For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given... And His name will be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
…For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given... And His name will be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:10
For some Christmas is a religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ and/or a holiday celebrating cultural and family traditions.
For some it is a fun time of the year filled with celebrations and social gatherings.
But for many people, it is a time filled with sadness, self-reflection, unrealistic expectations, loneliness, and anxiety.
But for many people, it is a time filled with sadness, self-reflection, unrealistic expectations, loneliness, and anxiety.
It was not until I became 'born again' that I really understood the full meaning of Christmas. Maybe those of us that know the truth should be asking, “Do you know why we keep Christ in Christmas?”
Christmas is the unforgettable message of
love, redemption, and hope
sent by God for all man kind!
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law. Galatians 4:3
Oh Holy Night _Josh Grobar (youtube video)
2014/04/where-are-you-at-this-easter. (related post)
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