|
|
|
|
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Christmas is coming! For some it is the busiest time of the year, for others the most depressing time. For the born-again believer it should be the most wonderful time. There are more parties during the Christmas season than any other time. There is the gift giving, the gift receiving, the food, and the decorations. So why is it that some Christians find it so hard to celebrate? It is very evident that of all the religions, Christians have the most difficulty celebrating their religious holidays. When we hear of the Jewish holidays, the Muslim holidays, and the Catholic holidays, our understanding is that everyone in these religions celebrates with gladness and joy. They have the understanding of the history of their holidays and thus participate one hundred percent. Why not the Christians? Why are we so down with celebrations? For the believer there is Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost. Add to this list, special days for individual churches: church anniversaries and pastor appreciation. These days represent very important times in the church and in the Christian faith, yet so many look at them as just any other day. Again, we ask why? For the American Christian, the last five to ten years has become the best of times and the worst of times. For those in the prosperity movement of the eighties and early nineties, the prosperity that came from the Reagan era was an answer to prayer. Many saw that God does prosper those that serve Him. Yet the prosperity was consumed by the lust of the people and did not satisfy their hunger for riches and wealth. Since the political scandals, leftovers from spiritual renewal and terrorism attacks on our nation, Christians have become quite cynical about it all. Many blame God for unfaithfulness, asking why He hasn’t continued to pour out blessings. Statistics show that fewer people are in church now than before 9/11. God has definitely exposed the motives of the believers. James 4:2-3 (KJV) “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James describes to us the appetite. It seems that we never have enough and so we fight and complain. Yet if the truth be known, we have simply consumed all that we have been given, not leaving anything to show and certainly none to give away. So many ask God to meet this need and that need, to answer this prayer and that one; to prosper here and there, never asking God what he wants of us or what we should pray. Today is certainly a day of judgment for the remnant believers. Since so much hardship is coming to so many lives, can this Christmas be the most wonderful time of the year? If we burn our expectations and quench the fire of our appetites for selfish gain, then yes, it can be quite fulfilling. Yes, Christmas has been commercialized by the world, but Christians do not have to receive the world’s mentality. We can learn what true celebration is. Wisdom knows how to celebrate. The wise men celebrated the first Christmas by traveling so far and giving only the best gifts, all because of faith. May we reach past ourselves and ask God what He is saying this season. Perhaps His truth and conviction will quiet our cynical hearts. May we learn how to receive in humility and give out of purity. -S. Chad Ross December Newsletter 2003 | To Be Humbled | The Most Wonderful Time of the Year | I Give You Me Pastor's Journal December 2002 | The End of the Beginning | A People Plundered part 3 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
|
|
Copyright © 1995-2007 Living Word Christian
Fellowship, Inc.
|
