Archive for christmas

This Christmas, I give you Jesus [4-minute audio inspiration]

Posted by Carey

· Friday, December 19th, 2014

Christmas can be a hectic time.

But I don’t have to tell you that, do I?

Gifts to buy, cards to mail, parties to attend, decorating and baking to do… If we’re not careful, the celebration can outpace the meaning.

Here’s my 4-minute Christmas-time reset for you… a chance for you to:

Press the “play” button below
Close your eyes
Take a deep breath
Soak in the truth
Reconnect with the meaning behind the celebration.

I’d love to hear your feedback and thoughts on how this short audio has helped you this Christmas season.

I’d also love it if you shared it with someone else who could use a “reset” too.

Thanks friends. Enjoy the REASON for the celebration more than the celebration.

Music by Kevin MacLeod over at www.Incompetech.com

Categories : General Announcements, Spirit Health

Tags : christmas, family Christmas, holiday, Jesus is the reason, meaning of Christmas, this Christmas I give you Jesus

Allergic to baby Jesus

Posted by Carey

· Tuesday, December 24th, 2013

I should be used to it by now…

but it still astounds me that a holiday with the name of CHRIST prominently in it, can be celebrated in ways that ignore Him completely.

I’m talking about CHRISTmas.

Hallmark channel movies make Christmas into a sappy excursion into “magical” romance.
Businesses make it about shopping.
The general public makes Christmas about family, good feelings, and giving (they’re getting closer).
And everywhere you look there’s a fat guy in a red suit who “Ho, ho, ho”s his way into almost every mention of this sacred celebration.

I’m beginning to suspect that our culture is becoming increasingly allergic to the baby Jesus, born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.

And I’m pretty sure I’m right about that.

Jesus Himself, quoting the Psalmist (Psalm 35:19), said (in John 15:25)…

They hated me without cause.

There is a reason people don’t want to mention Jesus at Christmas, and it’s really a pretty simple reason.

If any man, woman, boy, or girl acknowledges Jesus was born of a virgin over 2000 years ago, they must also acknowledge…

their own sin
their own neediness
their own helplessness

and there aren’t many of us who care to admit such things.

But I for one am glad to admit those thins… and thousands of others…

Because doing so sets me free.

It sets me free from the expectation that I have to have it all together.

It sets me free from the pressure to earn God’s acceptance through being good or doing right.

It sets me free to admit that I am hopelessly helpless… unless God does something to rescue me.

And it allows me to be free to admit that He did exactly that… over 2000 years ago, through the birth of Jesus.

My prayer for you, this CHRISTmas season, is that you will be given the gift of humility that allows you to admit your own need and accept God’s own lavish gift of His Son, God-in-the-flesh, Immanuel, Jesus… so that you too can be free.

Categories : Spirit Health

Tags : baby Jesus, christmas, santa

Is Jesus really the reason for the season?

Posted by Carey

· Monday, December 10th, 2012

Consider this as the reason for the season

No matter your religious background or beliefs, I think you and I can agree on one thing.

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.

It’s not just the earthquakes and hurricanes and floods (or lack of snow at 10,200 ft.!) that make me say that.

It’s the people.

I’m just being honest about what is happening in our world. People do horrid things to each other.

[dropshadowbox align=”right” effect=”lifted-both” width=”250px” height=”” background_color=”#fdf484″ border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]Sin is the reason for the season. – TWEET THIS[/dropshadowbox]Child or spouse abuse, murder, rape, sexual assault, theft, discrimination, embezzlement.

Those are the heavy-duty things… but there’s also lying, gossip, hatred, bitterness, and plain old meanness. Not to mention selfishness and inner pride.

It’s easy to point the finger at those we consider to be “really bad” people, but the truth is we are all guilty on some level.

Something is wrong with the world, and the people in it.

The Bible calls that “something” sin… and I still haven’t found a better word for it.

WHAT’S ALL THAT GOT TO DO WITH THE REASON FOR THE SEASON?

Christmas is not about…

…silver bells and Christmas-time in the city…

…Rudolph, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, and company, including Santa himself.

…chestnuts roasting, or partridges in pear trees, or sleigh rides, or jingle bells, or gifts under trees, or shopping, or family.

The true reason for the season is that God intervened regarding our sin-addiction.

At Christmas He sent Jesus, to break sin’s hold on us… to give us a way out. Anyone who truly places their trust in the baby who was born in the manger (who grew up and died for our sins) is guaranteed by God to be forgiven, completely, forever.

This Christmas, teach your kids that sin is the reason for the season.

Matthew 1:21 – She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Read and talk about the biblical Christmas story (take it in chunks with smaller kids)
Honestly talk about your own sin, and why you are thankful for Jesus’ birth and death
Discuss the “why” behind gift-giving at Christmas, and how God is the greatest giver of all

If you’d like to hear more ideas about how to center your Christmas season around Christ, listen to the podcast episode coming up on December 12, 2012. There will be a TON of ideas and resources, shared by blog readers and podcast listeners, to help you do just that.

How have you taught your children that sin is the reason for the season?

Categories : Parenting, Spirit Health

Tags : birth of Christ, christmas, Christmas traditions, meaning of Christmas, nativity, reason for the season