Christmas Card…

This morning I went to the local laundromat to wash a sleeping bag for our local clothing drive and I met a woman who thought Christmas was just a day.  I didn’t say much, but I wished her a Merry Christmas.  As I got in my truck I thought to myself, this woman needs at least a Christmas Card to maybe brighten her day.  So I rushed home and got a card took it back to the laundromat and filled it out.  I wished her a Merry Christmas and told her that Jesus truly loves her.  I even invited her to our Christmas Eve Service and our church service on Sunday.  I sealed the card and went in the building… Needless to say, she was gone before I could give her the card.  I missed a perfectly good moment that God provided.  I should have talked to her instead of rushing home.

To Fast, or Not To Fast…

In early Christianity, the Church would prepare for Christmas the same way it prepared for Easter, through fasting.  Lent is the season before Easter which calls for a fast as a way of discipleship.  We fast during Lent as Christ did during His time in temptation.  Of course the temptation never left Jesus, for He was tempted until He completed His mission on the cross.  Advent is the season before Christmas and it calls for a fast as a way of preparation.  Four weeks of fasting to help prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ.  So the question that we need to ask ourselves is, do we fast or not?

How Do We Respond…

Why do we give gifts this time of year?  It probably is a tradition which includes the Magi giving Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh.  This is not a bad tradition, in fact I very much like the tradition of giving gifts.  However, lately I have been struggling with the quid-pro-quo manners of Christmas.  Am I giving to people to receive?  After receiving a gift is it proper to give one back?  These questions can also reflect our attitude toward God as well.  Why do I worship?  Why do I tithe?  Why do I do good deeds?  Is it because God has already done something for me?  Is it so I can receive something from God?  Have you had this dilemma in your life?