THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

behind trees aglow with radiant light
behind all those festive ornaments bright...

behind strands of tinsel—like angel hair
behind oversized stockings hung up with care...

behind presents wrapped up in colorful array
behind seasonal wreaths put up for display...

behind carols sung by a choir so sweet
behind mounded platters of holiday treats...

behind decorations of red and green
behind hand-carved miniature nativity scenes...

behind those cold-nipped cheeks so rosy
behind blazing yuletide fires so cozy...

behind all the frenzied hustle and bustle
behind the sluggish shopping crowd shuffle...

behind the rush of last minute details
behind the deadline to get the cards mailed...

behind the short tempers that sometimes flare up
behind angry feelings that suddenly erupt...

behind countless things still left undone
no wonder this season's not very much fun!

how could this season be much of joy
when I can't even assemble this new-fangled toy?

I wonder if anyone could honestly find
genuine reasons to be loving and kind...

and as I ponder this lack of joy in my soul
I realize I've forgotten this season's true goal...

because the true meaning of Christmas you see
was wrapped up in the babe of the nativity...

for unto us that night a Son was given
who would die for us all and open up heaven...

angels proclaimed the dear Savior's birth
reminding me clearly of this season's true worth...

for God gave the most precious gift he could give
the gift of his Son so that all men may live

a new life without end with joy so divine
that Christmas could be a more meaningful time...

so when the holiday strain gets too great
with gifts still unwrapped and the hour growing late

the Prince of Peace wants to calm all the fuss
and renew the right meaning of Christmas...in us!

by Joseph Ostrander

The Consumer Trap

This is a timely reminder.

Breaking Free

Breath of Life, breathe on me...
Wind of God, blow through me...
Spirit of Truth, rebirth me...
pull back the covers of my practical, logical world
and baptize my knowledge with the mystery of faith.
help me to believe and to stop trying to understand.
after all, how could I ever wrap my mind around something--
someone--
greater than the universe itself?

your presence doesn't make me comfortable,
but it comforts me.
your light isn't easy to look at,
but it reveals me.
the spiritual life is an absurd mystery.
help me to enter it,
as it enters me.
the first step isn't one of reason, but one of faith.
help me to take it. even now. even here. today.
amen.

Taken from "Never the Same", copyright 2005, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here: http://echo3.bluehornet.com/ct/ct.php?t=1053968&c=963688224&m=m&type=1&h=059FA55F9D00C41E69930F9D33013093

Advent Thoughts

Check out this advent calendar.

The Coming

To consider during Advent:

When we stop to think about the simple way Christ lived his life and his concern for "the least of these", celebrating his birth with a multi-billion dollar exchange of video games, designer jeans, and sports equipment, seems strangely inappropriate.

~Jean Coppock Staeheli

So how do we celebrate Jesus birth?
Do we know how to celebrate His birth in a way that is keeping with His life & message?
How foreign is this "less is more" concept to our gift giving, North American ears?

advent spirituality: prepare ye the way

Advent is a time to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord in our lives. The questions below can help our inward preparation. They can be used during Advent, or perhaps over the holidays, as we start to focus on another year.

Am I content with who I am becoming?
Do my family and friends recognize the authenticity of my Christian spirituality?
Am I generous?
Do I have a quiet centre to my life?
Have I defined my unique ministry?
Is my prayer life improving?
Have I maintained a genuine awe of God?
Is my lifestyle distinctive?
Is my "spiritual feeding" the right diet for me?
Is obedience in small matters built into my reflexes?
Is there enough celebration in my life?

From Steve Taylor