~ Billy Graham ~
Do you know how hard it has become to find candles (pink/purple) for an Advent wreath? Or some pine-branches? Or anything related to the ‘real’ Christmas. I had to dig through a lot of Christmas card boxes to find one without a snowman or Santa Claus. There were only two different designs that pointed to the reason for the season — Christ. I was ready to ask the store clerk if there is a special section in the back of the store for the real Christmas decoration…
It is said that over 70% of Americans (data from 2001 — sorry nothing later has been published) call themselves Christians. So why is than not allowed to mentioned Christ at Christmas? Why are we scared to wish people “Merry Christmas”…Some will tell you “Well, it was originally a pagan holiday; the church declared it a religious holiday. No one knows when Christ was born”. I say: “For me it is enough that I know that He was born, even if the day/date is uncertain. I also know that He is alive and well”.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to read this month’s article of “DysFUNctional” by Darlene, I urge you to read it. It is sad to read that even in Canada “Christ is Painted Over“. I am asking myself: “How can I make a difference this year to put Christ back into Christmas?” I haven’t come up with anything yet, but I am sure with His help I figure something out. I am determine though to let my colleagues know that Christmas is not a fest for getting gifts that a perishables. That there is a much greater Gift waiting for them to be unwrapped. I might just have to get myself a shirt like this to share the message…
You see, if we don’t start sharing the Good News with others, who knows where we end up in 10 years? People do get too comfortable without Him in their life. But this is for this side of heaven only! How about eternity?
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7 (ESV)
“In Other Words” is hosted this week by my friend Laurel at Laurel Wreath.
