A pictorial timeline of Jesus on earth. As Christmas once again approaches, it's important to remember it real meaning, what it signifies and the impact it has on our lives. We spend so much time on material aspects, enjoying the children with the joy in their eyes and the parties and good food, that if we're not careful we forget the real purpose.
Now we all want the little ones to have fun, but we need to use the "fun stuff" in a way where it also clearly tells the story of the birth of Christ to them in words that they will understand. Make it a birthday part for the Christ Child and celebrate with them what His life was all about. Teaching that story is the foundation of our requirement as Christian parents to help them develop their faith in and devotion to Jesus Christ as they assume their positions in life as good, moral and believing citizens.
But what about us? What else can we do to insure that we also keep Christ foremost in everything we do, both for Christmas and throughout the year. Well, we have all the tools that we need right at hand. We can pray, read the Bible and attend community worship as a major part of our family celebrations, for these things keep our faith active and alive within us.
We might also try this to jog our memory when needed. Take a look at the picture above and think about what it says in words. It's a picture timeline of Jesus' short thirty-three year life span on earth, from his beginning in a manger, through toddler and youth stage, to his time as a teacher, preacher and healer leading up to his ultimate sacrifice on the Cross so that we all might have the opportunity to live forever through our belief in Him. It's a powerful message when we realize that He was a flesh and blood human during those years, tempted and teased, ridiculed and physically abused and love and hated as has happened to many of us over the course of our life. Yet, despite His godly powers with which he could have avoided the pain and suffering, He went through it all for us and it started in that humble manger in a lowly stable. And that's the real message that is offered up by this holiday, Christmas, which celebrates the beginning of His mission here on earth.
So have fun, but do it right. Enjoy the trappings while you remember the wonders and glories of that first Christmas. In so doing, your Christmas will be brighter and it's true gift to all of us can never be forgotten. Merry Christmas, God bless you and God bless America.
Now we all want the little ones to have fun, but we need to use the "fun stuff" in a way where it also clearly tells the story of the birth of Christ to them in words that they will understand. Make it a birthday part for the Christ Child and celebrate with them what His life was all about. Teaching that story is the foundation of our requirement as Christian parents to help them develop their faith in and devotion to Jesus Christ as they assume their positions in life as good, moral and believing citizens.
But what about us? What else can we do to insure that we also keep Christ foremost in everything we do, both for Christmas and throughout the year. Well, we have all the tools that we need right at hand. We can pray, read the Bible and attend community worship as a major part of our family celebrations, for these things keep our faith active and alive within us.
We might also try this to jog our memory when needed. Take a look at the picture above and think about what it says in words. It's a picture timeline of Jesus' short thirty-three year life span on earth, from his beginning in a manger, through toddler and youth stage, to his time as a teacher, preacher and healer leading up to his ultimate sacrifice on the Cross so that we all might have the opportunity to live forever through our belief in Him. It's a powerful message when we realize that He was a flesh and blood human during those years, tempted and teased, ridiculed and physically abused and love and hated as has happened to many of us over the course of our life. Yet, despite His godly powers with which he could have avoided the pain and suffering, He went through it all for us and it started in that humble manger in a lowly stable. And that's the real message that is offered up by this holiday, Christmas, which celebrates the beginning of His mission here on earth.
So have fun, but do it right. Enjoy the trappings while you remember the wonders and glories of that first Christmas. In so doing, your Christmas will be brighter and it's true gift to all of us can never be forgotten. Merry Christmas, God bless you and God bless America.
The Wise Men en route to see the Christ Child.
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