Rememebring Christ This Christmas

Christmas is almost here.... Literally! Only 7 more days till Santa comes!

Oh, Santa. I feel like the old guy in the red suit is supposed to make Christmas meaningful or peaceful. But, let's be honest, he's not real. So, he can't bring meaning, peace, or joy to me this or any Christmas. However, I know the One who is real. And, He can bring peace, meaning, and joy to me and all His children this, and every Christmas. He is Jesus. Without the cliche culture semantics; "He is the reason for the season."

Sure, I know all about the pagan past of Christmas. The raucous partying didn't cease, till the Yule Log stopped burning. The Christmas Tree is a symbol of fertility, in the "dormant season". Peasants would go "caroling" to demand food, drink, and gifts of the rich. And, if the rich didn't give into their demands through song, the peasants would most likely pillage the home and take what they wanted. Ever wonder why the carol goes: "And bring us some figgy pudding... we won't go till we've got some..."?

But, if we're going to be honest, most of us in the 21st century have about as much connection to the celebration of Saturnalia, as we do to Dionysus. So why not celebrate Christmas in it's fullness; and, most importantly in it's essentials? At youth group we have been celebrating the traditional Church season of Advent. This season is fully dedicated to the essentials of Christmas. That being Christ, and worshiping Him. I hope it has helped to remove some of the "clutter" from Christmas for our students. But how will we remove Christmas "clutter" from our homes?

Here are some ideas:

1. Have a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas day. Sure, Jesus wasn't born in December. But, it is when we celebrate it as a Church. And, I 'm not convinced it's the month in which we celebrate it, that makes it important. It is the fact the He is the Messiah, that gives it great importance. So have a cake, and sing Him happy birthday before you open any of the presents.

2. Attend a Christmas Eve church service: I understand that just going to church isn't the end all be all, to our spiritual journeys. It is one part. A very important one part. What better way to remind ourselves and our children of the essentials of Christmas, by spending part of it in God's house, with God's people, and worshiping God's Son?

3. Read the Christmas story in scripture as a family: Each Christmas Eve, after we returned home from church, my parents would have us read the Christmas story together. Often, we would open presents Christmas eve, since my mom (who is a nurse) had to work on Christmas day. It was a good reminder, and a good follow up on what we just heard and sang about in church.

4. Talk through the nativity: Was there really no room in the inn? Was there even an inn? Were the wise men there the night of Jesus' birth? And, how many were there? Why did they bring gifts that were so elaborate? And, how did Mary and Joseph use those gifts? These are some questions that can help us think through and understand the nativity scene better. Seeing truth in the nativity, can help us see a greater depth in what God did during the first 6 years of Jesus' life.

Here and here, are two articles answering some of these questions, and a video!  

However you spend your Christmas, don't let it get too "cluttered", and end up missing the Messiah.


Oh, and here is a really fun article about the real St. Nic. Spoiler alert: St. Nic punches a guy...   

Community...

Community is a big deal to any 20 something and teen today. Tim Keller talks about it in a short video interview. He notes that as soon as he mentions the word "community" everyone shows up. However, he also sees a challenge in this desire for community.

What do you think of what he has to say?

How can we help our teens and young adults experience and foster true, healthy, and diverse (age, ethnic, and economic) community?

How is our pursuit of community shaped by the Gospel, and how does it spread the Gospel?

*Originally seen at: www.learningmylines.blogspot.com

It must be the holidays.... 10 things to confirm your suspicions.

I thought this was supposed to be easy?!?

1. Assembling toys till Santa goes home. Don't worry you'll get it done before the kids wake up, right??? 

When you were in college you thought you did your best work at 3 am. Now you can barely see straight at Midnight. But don't worry, where physical limitations abound,  the combo of adrenaline, coffee, and fear of disappointing your little ones will get you through.  

2. When do I break the real news about Santa?

Danielle and I really wrestle with how long will we let the Santa thing go. Or even, are we going to do the Santa thing? I'm in the camp that states: Santa only brings socks and underwear for Christmas. If it's cool, it came from mom and dad! But, at what point do you let your little one know that Santa is not real. And, how long will it take for them to crush the dreams of their younger siblings? 

3. Sleep, who needs sleep?

You're probably working long hours to make sure you can take time off, or maybe you're up waiting in line at 2 am on Black Friday. Either way, sleep always seems to be a limited commodity for parents. And during the holidays, you'll need to rely on less than the usual, less than optimum level. Start brewing that coffee strong, dark, and in quantities that will keep coffee growers in business for a long time!

4. Johnny said what?!?

Maybe it's at the big family dinner, or at church during that special holiday service. But, either way your precious little one just uttered something that will become the stuff of holiday legends. In the future years it will begin with, "Hey mom, remember when Johnny said...?!?" Then silently, you 'll think to yourself, "Yep, that was my kid and smile (or cry, depending on what was said)."


5. No kids, that's just how Uncle Joe is...

We all have one, or two. You know who they are; that uncle, aunt, cousin, or grandparent that just cannot help but be too honest. I've got a handful in my family. And, my parents always told us they were just "characters". They usually said something like, "Oh Joe, you're such a character. Kids, don't you think Uncle Joe is being a character?" As I grew up, I realized that being a "character" = being "rude".  

 6. I thought you were supposed to pick up the ham....

Maybe this just happens to me. But, at some point this holiday season, my wife will turn to me and say, "I thought you were going to get the....?" At which point I will apologize and frantically try to make up for my mistake. Hopefully this year I don't forget the Christmas ham. Because, Christmas cheese burgers just aren't the same... although, they do sound pretty good.

7. Can I (I am going to) spend Thanksgiving/ Christmas with....

At some point your teen or twenty something is going to invite a "friend" to spend the holiday with you, or ask to spend it with this "friends" family. I remember when I first got invited to Danielle's family's Christmas dinner. Her Grandma said, "Danielle, I'm so glad your little buddy could come to dinner." Grandma Thompson was such a sweet lady. Even after Danielle and I got married, she still called me "Danielle's little buddy." Grandma T always made me feel welcomed at family gatherings. This transition will come for each of us as our children become teens and young adults. How we react will show the resiliency of our family. Anyway, there's always room for one more, right?

8. That moment of family bliss.

It may be fleeting. But, it is bound to happen. There will be that moment where the stars align and family bliss will ensue. It was the blizzard of 1993 and Pittsburgh was covered in 4 feet of snow, in 36 hours. We were used to heavy snows, but this much, this quick, shuts everything down. We lived on a hill and had an alley right next to our house that we would sled down. My dad had the borough guys plow in the top and bottom of the alley so no cars would drive down it; and, we wouldn't slide into the street below. And the perfect family moment happened. Fresh snow, my brother and I sledding down the alley, and my parents laughing with us. Then I got too much speed, flew over the snow bank at the bottom of the alley, and promptly got stuck under our neighbors car. Bliss over... the stuff of legends begins.   

9. When your child says thank you and is genuinely excited for the gift you worked so hard to get them.

Being appreciated is wonderful. When it comes from your child because of what you spent so much time searching for, just for them, it is the best thing in the world. Our kids will never fully know how much we love them. And, I'm convinced that's ok. It must be similar for God. I know he loves me more than anything else. Yet, I am suspicious that the true depth of his love is unknown to me. I wonder when I say thank you for his love, if he feels the way I do, when my child is thankful for me and my love for her? 

10. Having a spiritually significant moment with your kids this holiday season. 

While there are so many moments to remind us that we are in the holiday season, I hope each of you have a spiritually significant moment with your children. I remember growing up and going to Christmas eve service with my parents. The church was decorated, and by the end of the night it was solely light by candle light as each person held a lit candle. It was in that moment each year, as we sang "Silent Night" that I was reminded and convinced of the truth that Christmas was so much more than crazy relatives, presents, and Santa. It is solely about Christ and his love for us.