Christmas or Xmas

To the best that I can remember I was told, taught and was given detailed arguments that Christmas was not a religious holiday. It matter not that most of the world understood it that way. My friends that went to other churches tried to understand my view, but not very well and they celebrated the birth of Christ as much as anyone celebrated Easter as the day of the Lord's resurrection.

Years have passed and I have come to appreciate the reality and the need to embrace the Christmas story. To preach, teach and celebrate the birth of our Lord is not only a good thing, but necessary. Not that December 25 is actually his birth date, or that we are given any example in the Bible or early Christian history of the church celebrating this day. It just makes sense. I finally get it. Jesus is the reason for the season.

And what a special year this is - Christmas on Sunday. What an opportunity for the church. We don't have to have any special "Christmas Program." We can just worship Jesus and it happens to be on the day that the "world" views as his birth date. The world can come to our buildings and be reminded that a virgin gave birth to the Son of God. They can hear the miracle of this great story.

But then I hear of churches not having services on Christmas. At a time when I am prepared to join in the celebrations, Christians are canceling church on Christmas Day! Why? Family time? Have we sold out the Savior for family? Don't get me wrong, I am all for family, but do you see the paradox? Canceling Sunday morning worship because it is Christmas. I wonder if we have taken Christ out of Christmas (Xmas)?

Go to church services Sunday and worship. Show your family and your world that God is Lord of your life. Put Christ back in Christmas.

Sid

The Dash

I read of a preacher who stood to speak at the funeral of his friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning . . . to the end. He said that the first was the date of her birth, and spoke of the last date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth, and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own - the cars, the house, and the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard, are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left. If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life’s action rehash, would you be pleased with what they say about how you spent your dash?

Sid

Do You Have The Heart

A story is told of a little 10-year-old girl named Sarah. What made Sarah special is that she was born with a muscle missing in her foot and wears a brace all the time.

She came home one beautiful spring day to tell her dad that she had competed in "field day" - that's where they have lots of races and other competitive events. Because of her leg support, her father's mind raced as he tried to think of encouragement for his Sarah, things he could say to her about not letting this get her down - but before he could get a word out, she said, "Daddy, I won two of the races!" He couldn't believe it! And then Sarah said, "I had an advantage." Ahh, he knew it. He thought she must have been given a head start . . . some kind of physical advantage.

But again, before he could say anything, she said, "Daddy, I didn't get a head start . . . my advantage was I had to try harder!" That's heart!

We all have disabilities, but maybe not the physical kind. They hinder us from running the race that God has challenged us to run. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves, maybe we could learn from Sarah and just try harder. The victory is ours - if only we run the race the best we can. Run for God!

Sid