My family

My family
Child of God, Mother, Wife, Sister, Daughter, Aunt, and friend

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Keeping Christ in Christmas


More and more with every year that passes, I am saddened at the lack of Christ being included in Christmas celebrations. I mean, HELLO! Without Christ in Christmas, aren't we just celebrating "mas" and "Santa Claus?" I for one plan on raising my children to KNOW what Christmas is really about. Not about giving/getting presents. Not about setting out milk and cookies for Santa. Not about traveling home to see family. Not about picking out the perfect tree. It's not that I don't want to have some of these traditions, it's just that my priorities lie in sitting down every year with my children and reading them the Christmas story from the best book I know.....HIS holy, precious and perfect word. I thank God everyday that I live in a country that allows me, a believer, to worship freely, and especially around Christmas, I plan to do just that! You see....this beautiful holiday is not about the frills, thrills or shiny things. It's about remembering times of the most humble beginnings....
Just a baby in a stable, sent to save us from our sin....

God's path for HIS own beloved son led through a lowly stable. His only worshipers were his parents and the poor shepherds, who in the secluded stillness of the night, could hear the angels sing. On our
pilgrimage, how can we best worship Jesus today and this Christmas?

"Twas a humble birthplace, but O how much
God gave to us that day.
From the manger bed,
what a path has led.

What a perfect, holy way.


Refrain:
Alleluia! Oh how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light
Twas' the birth of a King!
(The Birthday of a King by William H. Neidlinger)

4 comments:

Victoria said...

Celebrating Christ's birth is totally the point of Christmas. I think it's ridiculous for anyone who isn't a Christian to even participate in the holiday. Why take part in something that bears his name if you won't?

Lauren said...

I praise God for you Ali! I am so glad that you are my sister, and that I get to spend my Christmas in the fellowship of another believer, focusing on His humble start. You hit the nail on the head, and your boldness is pleasing to the Lord! God bless you!

Following Him,
Lauren

Victoria said...

You know how my family makes an ornament for loved ones each year...well, this year our design was inspired by the feelings your blog stirred in me!
We're making a "Candy Cane Cross" as the boys called it. We're going to paint the cross white and add red stripes vertically and the word CHRISTmas will be written horizontally. Thanks for inspiring the idea with your awesome honesty for the Lord!
Love you!

L said...

Oh Ali, You Are So beautiful. Your words come stright from your heart. And on every word you write you can see the image of christ. Your heart is so beautiful! You in inspire me in so many ways, in my faith, my walk with our Lord, and as a mother. I can only Thank you for being such a strong believer and decon of light for others. You are amazing. I thank God for you ! :)