The Coming of Christmas

            It is amazing to me that we are already in the beginning of December and have already celebrated the first Sunday of Advent.  Christ is coming!  That is exciting news!  He came once as a little babe over 2,000 years ago and will return…..soon…., first to Rapture his church, followed by seven years of horrible Tribulation and then the final Judgment.  Are you ready?  Do you know where you will spend eternity?  If you aren’t sure, then I pray you contact me or another born again Christian and discuss the very real and powerful acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Savior.  This is the Good News!  This is Christmas!

            The following is from my book, “The Christmas Countdown,” Week 1, Day 2 which is today.  If you aren’t familiar with it, I hope you’ll enjoy it.  If you have a copy of my book already, I hope you’ll forgive my sharing the day on my blog with others.   That said, I hope you have an amazing week, as you continue readying for the Christ Child.

Week 1, Day 2

Read Zephaniah 3:13-20                                                        A Reason To Celebrate

Key Verse:  “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”  Zephaniah 3:17

            Some of my family traveled the country in an RV for months at a time and told me of the striking differences they experienced while visiting several churches along the way.  One of the congregations seemed lifeless to them, with very little enthusiasm and what seemed to be dwindling attendance.  In another town they visited a church where they could feel the spirit of God in a very literal sense.  They discovered yet another church different from the second one but yet also seemed to be filled with praise and worship. They are already looking forward to returning there.

             I wondered if a “lifeless” church might reflect what God’s people were like at the time of Jesus’ birth, before John the Baptist began preaching in the desert?  Many of the people were sorrowful and sad.  They felt oppressed by the Romans; they felt distanced from God.  Perhaps they couldn’t feel God’s presence. 

            Meanwhile, the other two churches may resemble what the people were like when they went to hear John’s preaching.  John baptized many of these same people.  Their hope was rekindled and they heard of the coming of one who was more powerful than he.  I imagine those crowds singing, praising God, and rejoicing in their faith and hope.

As we prepare ourselves for this Christmas season, we need to remember there is a reason to celebrate!  It has nothing to do with anything ordinary.  It is something that happened 2,000 years ago.  We were given an incredible gift: the Christ Child who ultimately sacrifices his very life that we may have eternal life with him.  It is with this joy that we sing and praise Him.  It is with this joy that we celebrate!

Consider:

1.  Why do you and your family attend church?  What is your favorite part?

2.  In what way could you improve your worship time?

Family activity:  Secret Santa or Angel Gift Exchange

            Exchanging gifts as Christmas reminds us of the gifts the Wise Men brought to Baby Jesus when he was born.  Each brought something special: gold, frankincense and myrrh.  They didn’t bring gifts with the expectation of getting something in return.  They gave the gifts in honor and love of the newborn King.

            The Secret Santa/Angel Gift Exchange furthers this idea with fun and secrecy.  Kids love it, and it’s a way of involving them in what it truly means to give a thoughtful gift to someone they care for.  Decide who will participate in the gift giving.  It may be your immediate family or extended family or neighbors nearby or part of your church family.  Everyone has their name written on a small piece of paper which is put in a container and then mixed up.  Each participant retrieves a name from the container, and keeps it a secret.  (This may be the hardest part for young children since in excitement, they might want to share who their “secret person” is.)  

            Decide on a gift (or act of kindness) for your person that you think would bring pleasure and display your affection.  It need not be expensive.  Wrap the gift, writing only the recipient’s name on it. At the designated time either place all the gifts together or place yours in a special place that will surprise the recipient—perhaps on their desk, or a favorite chair, in the car, etc.  Each person in turn will find his or her gift and then try to guess who the Secret Santa/Angel is.  Maybe the Secret Santa/Angel will reveal his or her identity – or choose to keep it a secret forever!

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel

Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Charles Wesley, 1739

Adult Challenge:  Re-read the scripture and meditate on Jesus, shutting out all other sounds and listen for his voice.  Are you filled with the joy of Jesus’ birth?  In what new way could you express your joy to another who is unsaved or less fortunate?

Child Prompt: My favorite part of Christmas is ______________________________________