Today’s blog is to challenge Believers to think about change and what impact we could make in the Kingdom of God, if we would not be so stiffed necked and steeped in a tradition that really is not so much about Christ as people try to put on.
What if all Christ followers celebrated His birth by giving to Him instead of each other? What if we took all the monies we usually spend buying a bunch of gifts and used that money to advance the Kingdom of God? What kind of impact do you think we would have?
What if we gave so Bibles could be distributed in different languages across the world? What if we gave to missionary families who spend every day spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and showing His love to others through hard work? What if we helped the children of those who are incarcerated for more than one day? What if we helped a single mom get on her feet, and not just bombard her kids with toys for one day and walk away—but helped and supported them for one year? What if we helped an elderly couple, by making repairs to a home they can no longer afford to do yearly maintenance on? What if we sent money to support elderly Russian Jews who need heat and food for the winter?
What if…we stopped whining about people saying “Happy Holidays, versus Merry Christmas” and really make Christmas about Christ ourselves? How about if we stayed home on Thanksgiving Day so others could be home with their families and retail stores would not make the money they want and therefore stop opening and demanding employees work or lose their jobs? How about we will not stand outside Walmart, (or any other store) in the wee hours of the morning running people down as if we were running with the bulls? What if we no longer supported greedy retailers and came together in one mind and did Matthew 25:34-40 (NIV) during this holiday season versus blend in and look like the world?
I have a huge question that pastors seems to shy away from--why are we so hard pressed to find a church open on Christmas morning if it doesn’t fall on a Sunday? Why is that?
It makes us feel good to give toys and coats to children during the holiday season, but what about the other 364 days of the year? We think we have really done something when we give a single mom a frozen turkey and some trimmings to go along with it, but fail to make sure her gas is on so she can cook it. Yes, this has happened.
Truth is—if God wanted us to celebrate the birth of our Messiah, He would have instructed us to do so. And if we study we will find his birth was probably during the feast of Sukkot a Jewish holiday which comes in September or October each year depending on the Jewish calendar.
In some ways we are like the Pharisees when it comes to our Christmas traditions. Jesus was not pleased with them and rebuked them for their traditions. For the past several years I have wondered how pleased He is with us and our Christmas celebrations.
The suicide rate (year-after-year) is at its highest during the Christmas season? So, when we think about it, can this really be something God has sanctioned? Christ died for all on the Cross, so why would God sanction a holiday or time that brings such sadness and heartache to others?
Food For Thought: What if every adult you usually share Thanksgiving Day with had to work except you? What do you think that would feel like? What if the usual volunteers at the soup kitchens and homeless shelters who serve and prepare Thanksgiving dinner all had to work on the day before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day and the entire weekend after? What do you think that would look like and feel to those who were shut out?
We as Believers should not be selfish when it comes to others—we are to be selfless. Forget about our Black Friday traditions and start thinking about others. Why are we so caught up in the way of this world, when we are cautioned not to be!
I really do wonder what progress would be made in the Kingdom of God if we did something extraordinarily different this Christmas and everyone thereafter.
My prayer is that you will at least think about what I have said today and maybe even begin to make changes in the way you celebrate Christmas to make it more about the Kingdom and Christ then traditions that really are not about the Kingdom. Amen!
Until next week….be blessed!!
Love and Hugs
Ponnie
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