Temple Baptist Life

The picture the Bible gives us of the first Christmas is one of peace and serenity. You can see it with your mind’s eye: There are the shepherds, gathered around a campfire under a clear, starlit sky, quietly talking among themselves about their flocks, their families, their fortunes . . . Down in the town of Bethlehem, away from the hustle and bustle of the multitude which has come for the census, a stable has become home to a newborn child, sleeping peacefully in the hay of the animals’ feed-trough, under the watchful eyes of his adoring parents. And even though the night sky would eventually be shattered by the singing of angels, even their message was one of “Peace on earth! Goodwill toward men!” Why is it then, that our modern culture has taken this sacred season–which has always been meant to be a season of peace and joy and serenity–and turned it into a “season of stress?” Is there any other time of year that is so stressful as Christmas? I mean, you just have to get your shopping done, and your parties planned, and your Christmas cards mailed, and your decorations up . . . . You just have to run here and go there, and do this and accomplish that.

We need to reemphasize the peace that Christmas brings to us. The Church, Christians, and every believer should give the gift of peace this year. That is our message and our job. The peace the world offers is not the same peace that Jesus offers. The peace Jesus offers comes in the midst of storms. Yes, there can be a great peace even in the midst of the most trying times of our lives.

Have you heard the story about the two middle-age women who were out on a Christmas shopping spree? They had purchased many gifts and they had dozens of packages stuffed into the trunk of the car. As they were driving home they passed by a local church where the caretaker was assembling the illuminated nativity scene on the front lawn and putting up the other decorations. The church sign invited the community to the annual Christmas Eve Service. One of the women said to the other, “Why does the church try to take over everything! Look at that church, trying to horn in on Christmas.”

The church needs to take over again. We have too long allowed the world to dictate what Christmas and Christianity are supposed to be and supposed to do. This world is in desperate need of peace that only Jesus can bring. We have to be the messenger of this peace to the world.

The real message of Christmas has been lost in this world. To avoid offending anybody, schools have dropped religion altogether and started singing about the weather. They now hold the winter program and sing increasingly nonmemorable songs such as “Winter Wonderland,” “Frosty the Snowman” and—this is a real song—”Suzy Snowflake.” A visitor from another planet would assume that the children belonged to the Church of Meteorology.

We need to proclaim that this is about Jesus and He is very much alive. He’s Alive! One church I read about put on a Christmas program that included a manger scene with their children. There was a little 5-year-old boy on the drama team, I think he was a shepherd that year. He was energetic to say the least! This little boy was a handful. During rehearsals he was all over the place. He distracted everyone and turned the director into a nervous wreck. She was really worried about how he would do during the performance. At rehearsal all week, they had used a baby doll for baby Jesus. But during the play, the couple playing Joseph & Mary put their own baby in the manger. And our little shepherd didn’t know it. During the play, he started edging over to the manger. Suddenly he saw that it was a real, live baby and he shouted out, “He’s alive!”

That is the true message of Christmas. So let us deliver this message this Christmas season.

He is alive and He has come to bring peace to all!!!

Now, following are a few Christmas stories that I hope bring a little Christmas Smile to your face.

A ten-year old, who was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible because of her grandmother’s teaching, asked her grandmother: “Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? The Virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?”

There was an art contest held in a local school one Christmas season a few years ago in Alabama. One of the prize winners was a picture drawn by a nine year old boy showing three men, offering gifts to the baby Jesus in his manger. What made the picture unique is how the three gift presenters arrived – there was a fire truck on the side of the picture. The principle asked the boy about his decision to draw the truck and the boy, in his heavy Alabama accent, was quick to reply: “Well, the Bible says the wise men came from a-far.”

Some gifts we receive during Christmas may not be exactly what we need or want. Here are some comments regarding bad Christmas gifts. The top five most overheard comments regarding bad Christmas gifts… 5. Hey, now there’s a gift. 4. If the dog buries this, I’ll be furious. 3. I love it – but I fear the jealousy it will inspire. 2. To think – I got this on the year that I vowed to give all my gifts to charity. And the #1 comment regarding a bad Christmas gift… 1. This is a perfect gift, for wearing around the basement. So if you’ve heard any of those comments about a gift that you gave, now you know what they really meant.

CHRISTMAS SIGNS – From a toy store: “Ho, ho, ho spoken here.” – In a bridal boutique: “Marry Christmas.” – Outside a church: “The original Christmas Club.” – From a department store: “Big pre-Christmas sale. Come in and mangle with the crowd.” – In a Texas jewelry store: “Diamond tiaras: $70,000. Three for $200,000. – A reducing salon: “24 Shaping Days until Christmas.” – In a stationery store: “For the man who has everything: A calendar to remind him when payments are due.”

From Diane and Me: Merry Christmas and Have Blessed New Year!!!!