The natural family is the foundation of civilization. But Jesus is the foundation of Christmas. Without Jesus Christ as the main focus of December 25, it is no longer CHRISTmas!
Think about it. Do you enjoy the 1965 TV special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” ? I sure do, because it’s deep and touches the soul. Charlie Brown, feeling like a failure as a Christmas pageant director, cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is about?” And Linus says, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.”
Although he was earlier worried over memorizing his part of the pageant, Linus goes to center stage, asks for stage lights and recites the Christmas story verbatim from Luke 2:8-14 in the King James Bible. He concludes and turns to a visibly moved Charlie Brown, saying, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
On this sacred holiday, I want to remind you that understanding the real meaning of Christmas can provide you joy and peace no matter your family or economic or health situation. True joy is found in the Reason for the Season — Jesus Christ, who was born, lived, died and rose again for you.
THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
The literal definition of “Christmas” is Christ’s Mass, a feast commemorating the Virgin Birth of God miraculously coming in the human form of Jesus to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins and to offer us eternal life now and after physical death. Truly, He is the best gift of all, satisfying the restless human soul. With the Spirit of Jesus in your heart, you can be joyful despite anything else.
THINGS THAT MAKE CHRISTMAS MEANINGFUL
What are your traditions that help you worship God? Here are five ideas on making your Christmas more meaningful to yourself and others:
1. Reignite the joy of the Lord by going to a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day church service. You can also view Christmas Eve church services, such as at harvest.org.
2. Before opening any presents, read aloud and talk about the Christmas story in Luke chapter 1 or Matthew chapters 1 and 2.
3. Before your Christmas Day meal, pray to God specifically to thank Him for the gift of Himself, coming as Jesus Christ, to offer to save us from our sins by taking our punishment on Himself on the cross. In this special Christmas prayer, let Him know you regard His gift as incomparable to any other!
4. Reach out to the lonely or needy. Invite them into your home or visit a convalescent home and take your children or grandchildren. The elderly or disabled in convalescent homes love talking with visitors and seeing young children.
5. If someone can play a musical instrument, join together to sing sacred Christmas carols, remembering the sweet love of God expressed in Jesus’ miraculous birth.
ANOTHER CHRISTMAS GIFT TO CONSIDER
As 2009 comes to a close, please remember SaveCalifornia.com in your year-end giving. This is a crucial time for us and we need your help. Click here to donate online or by mail.
Celebrate with us 10 years of SaveCalifornia.com serving you on the front lines — working, leading and fighting for pro-family, moral values in government, media and the culture.
Catch the vision for 2010! I invite you to see SaveCalifornia.com in action and hear from my heart.
Watch my 3-minute video report on our 2009 accomplishments and 2010 goals.
Thank you. Again, JOYous CHRISTmas to you and your family!
Randy Thomasson
Founder and President
SaveCalifornia.com | SaveAmerica.com
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