Christmas Message 2011

Luke 2:8-11 Now there were out in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, bring you tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you on this day in the city of David, a savior, who is Christ the Lord !

Today is the day we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. With the birth of Christ not only did God assume human form, but so did God’s love for us. Its not the kind of love we usually think about either. its a very profound love. the kind of love that cause you to do super human things for someone or something. God knew the sinful nature that was in this world. He knew that it would take something God sized to reunite man back to him. So God the father became God the son. To walk among us, to be one of us, and to live a sinless life so he could sacrifice himself for our sins. That’s a lot of very very powerful love !

In or time we spend this day with friends, and family. With the people we love. This is as it should be. Beyond enjoying ourselves we should on this the holiest of days recommit ourselves first to our love of Jesus Christ as our savior, but also to molding ourselves into the kind of loving servant leader that he would want us to be.

The standard for the depth and breadth of our  love should always be guided by the words of John 3:16,

For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever shall believe in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

With Christmas on Sunday, some churches scaling back services – Houston Chronicle

With Christmas on Sunday, some churches scaling back services – Houston Chronicle.

The thought of this makes me very sad. When Christmas falls on Sunday it is that much more reason that we as communities within the body of Christ should gather together in our places of worship. We should demonstarte to our families and neighbors that Christ is the priority on this holiest of days.

There are many who say we should scale back or cancel services on Super Bowl Sunday because of the distraction of the big game. This even though nationally known church growth expert Nelson Searcy counts Super Bowl Sunday as one of the most important days of the year for moving your church forward.

We in the the church world need to stop fearing the “big days” secular of religious, and instead embrace them. It is even more important fro us to drive our attendance on days that it is hard than when it is easy. Headlines like the one above break my heart, because they make me fee as if we are failing the very people we are sent to serve.

‘Frugality’ can be a good word

Have you ever heard of “frugality fatigue ?” neither had I until I read this article,

Baptist Press – FIRST-PERSON: ‘Frugality’ can be a good word – News with a Christian Perspective.

Apparently in some circles being careful with your money is something that you grow tired of.  Personally I agree with what Jeff Iorg the president of  Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary said in the article above.

I have myself said that sometimes you just have to say why not ! Neither Iorg or I are talking about the occasional splurges we all make.  However to take a complete break from faithfully watching your family’s finances can have long term negative consequences. As Iorg points out frugality is not a punishment, or necessarily a responsibility. Its frugality, or just good old fashioned biblical stewardship that opens the door to generosity and the ability to positively impact the lives of others.  This article is definitely worth the brief time it will take to read.