Thursday, November 23, 2006

The Christmas Season

I still have to put up the Christmas lights on the outside of our home. Usually I wait until there is some snow and it’s cold...to put them up while it is warm and dry just doesn’t seem right to me. So for now, the outside of our house is dark.
This Christmas it seems like it would be easy to allow the darkness to remain outside and to just huddle inside the house with our Christmas tree lit and the fireplace on, but….! But Christmas has always been about others. Those on the outside looking for light and warmth.

God finding us ‘others’ down here on earth in need of freedom. A gift for ‘everyone’ who believes, is really about others. The shepherds came and visited and then they went and told ‘others’. The wise men came and gave gifts to an….other king.
So the Christmas theme is clear to all of us. Once we have the Christ-child ruling our lives, it really is, all about others.

We have so many opportunities this Christmas to communicate the truth of the Light of Christmas to others as we move around our circles of influence. The celebrations we are involved in, are times to gently remind others ‘that as for me and my house’, we are going to celebrate the Christ-child this Christmas. Christmas eve invitations will be available soon and you will have the chance to bring some light to others lives this Christmas by simply inviting them to come with you on December 24th.

I love the message that comes from the book of Matthew in regards to our light sharing.
“You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 The Message

Enjoy the season where we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, keeping in mind that He came to a dark world to be the light and we are living in a dark world that still needs to see the light of hope, love and peace in our lives.

Shine Brightly with the power of the Holy Spirit,
Pastor Brian

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