A Very Merry Christmas!!

Over the past month we have looked at a few traditions that many of us embrace during the holidays. Everything from Santa, himself, to why those random branches are setting on the mantle. But why? What does it matter why we have these customs? Well, it’s the same reason we should want to know about any tradition. With understanding comes appreciation.

In the spirit of that same appreciation, I would like to sincerely thank all the readers of this journal for your time and especially your feedback. A special thanks to Crystal, who has been the greatest editor anyone could ask for. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want someone to point out every single flaw in your writing! Seriously, this journal wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable without her making sense out of all of my ramblings.

I pray that this holiday season, you will look past not only the traditions of your own holiday, but past all of the traditions in your life. Seek to know why you do the things you do. Seek to understand the importance of traditions in your life today.

The apostles of Jesus Christ had a hard time with this. But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. Mark 9:23 They were afraid. May this not be our heart. For Jesus has promised, “Seek and you will find.” More importantly, seek Him and you will find Him.

I wish everyone a very, merry Christmas. May we truly understand, appreciate, and experience Christ this season and the upcoming year. Thanks again for reading.

Traditions of Christmas. Part 4

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!!!” bellows the man in red donning the bag of goodies. Making his list and checking it twice, this bearer of the endless sack of treasures is the central figure in what many consider the most important part of Christmas…GIFTS. For some gift giving is what makes the holiday season feel like Christmas. For others (probably too many), gift receiving is their focus. But when and where did this tradition begin? Who started this annual ritual of braving the treacherous shopping mall to find the last Xbox 360?

Many equate this custom with the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth. In the book of Matthew, the Magi came bearing gifts from the King Herod of Judea—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, most associate it with Santa Claus himself.

Nicholas was born in Lycia, Turkey, in the mid-3rd century and would later become bishop of Myra. Centuries after his death and burial at his church at Myra, Nicholas’ reputation for generosity and compassion led to the rise of legends in which he gave to the poor, protected the weak, and even restored life to deceased children. These legends persisted until after the Protestant Reformation of the 1500's. All stories eventually subsided in Europe except for the tale of Sinterklaas (a Dutch version of the name Saint Nicholas) in Holland. Dutch colonists brought this tradition to America where it fused with the Nordic tale of a magician who punished the naughty children and rewarded the nice.

The legend continued to escalate in 1822 with Clement Moore’s The Night Before Christmas, in which Santa Claus was given his sleigh and bag of toys. From the 1860’s through the 1880’s , Thomas Nast illustrated Santa Claus in Harper’s Magazine which gave birth to his famous checklist and his wonderful workshop at the North Pole.

And here we are…2005. Presents under the tree are now, not just anticipated, but expected. It seems that every year that goes by, there are more and more presents to buy. This holiday season as we notice the presents under the tree, let them remind us of the greatest Present ever—Jesus. A Gift given—to not one person—but to humanity. A Gift wrapped—not in beautifully adorned paper and ribbon—but in a lowly, disgusting, common trough. A Gift—not of joy—but of Joy!! It seems the only characteristic this Gift has in common with the millions of other gifts given world wide is that this One didn’t stay wrapped for long. Jesus was placed in a modest manger at His birth, but He didn’t stay there, for He was purposed for a cross. Upon taking our sins to the cross with Him, Jesus was placed in yet another common holder—a tomb.

“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.” Luke 23:50-53

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Christmas morning, I don’t recall gifts placed neatly under the tree. Mine are more like visions of shredded wrapping paper scattered across the floor. The sorry remains of what used to be boxes. And a multitude of large garbage bags strategically placed throughout the room. It didn't take us long to tear into the presents that were set aside just for us. These gifts were wrapped for just a moment. Likewise, Jesus was only in the tomb for just a moment. The grave, for everyone else, is an eternal dwelling place physically. But Jesus conquered it—after only three days. Praise God, the Almighty Sovereign and the Omnipotent Savior.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:3-4

This Christmas morning, as you receive that scarce moment of peace just following the hectic aftermath of chaos, look around. See those empty boxes? See the joy on the their faces? Isn’t the empty box a lot nicer than before? The mystery of what was inside has now been revealed. Gifts are nice…but only when they are opened. Jesus’ crucifixion was amazing, but His resurrection was essential. If He had stayed in the tomb…His death would have been pointless. This was His ministry. He gave His life for it. And it all started with a manger.

I wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and may Jesus Christ bless your heart this holiday season.

Traditions of Christmas. Part 3

The holiday season is time for memories. Hot chocolate by a fire watching it snow outside. Gathering with family and listening to the chatter of long-overdue “catching up.” Singing Christmas carols with the pleasant…sometimes unpleasant...voices of friends and neighbors. Many of our fondest memories are focused around the pinnacle of our Christmas decorations—the Christmas tree. Pulling out the ornaments and reminiscing as each memory is hung. Sitting in front of the illuminated tree and reading the Christmas story of the New Testament. Watching children tear into presents with eyes as wide as the saucer of milk and cookies set out the night before. Following your dad after cutting down your first Christmas tree with “Dad’s Hatchet” and accidentally attempting to chop down your own knee with that same hatchet on the walk back to Dad’s truck.......WHAT?!?!?.....well, that’s another story for another time. Nevertheless, the Christmas tree is a staple in many homes world wide, and yet many know very little about its beginning.

Last week we touched on the holly branch and its role in ancient cultures celebrating the hope of the upcoming spring. Many of these societies believed that winter came as a result of their sun god becoming ill. Egypt worshipped Ra. The Vikings revered Balder. And the Romans deified Saturn, their god of agriculture. December 21 or December 22—the beginning of the winter solstice—would normally mark the beginning of these festivities, and the evergreen plants—trees in particular—became a fundamental part of these celebrations. Evergreens would soon become associated with paganism because of these customs.

16th century Germany is recognized with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it. When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania in the 1600’s, they brought these traditions along with them; however, the strict conduct of the New England Puritans denounced these “pagan” ways. William Bradford governed against it. Oliver Cromwell preached against it. The General Court of Massachusetts ruled against it stating any observance of December 25 was a penal offense. This legacy continued until the royal English family of Queen Victoria, including her husband Prince Albert of Germany, were illustrated in the London News standing around their Christmas tree; thus, popularizing the tradition in England and East Coast America.

I don’t know about you, but Christmas just wouldn’t seem like Christmas without a tree. It could be the sparkle of the lights, the beauty of having nature (or the imitation of nature, in my case) indoors, or the challenge of keeping our cats from climbing the tree or pulling the ribbon off the branches. Nevertheless, it is an vital element in the feeling of Christmas. This symbol of Christmas joy reminds us of another tree that also brought about celebration—the cross of the Savior of the world.

The story of Christmas in completed with the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus. His name was to be IMMANUEL—God With Us. On that December night, God was with us. Jesus came.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus...” Matthew 1:21a HCSB

“For the Son of Man came..." Luke 19:10a NIV

“…the Son of Man came...” Matthew 20:28a KJV

Yes, Jesus came. God, the Father, sent His Son to dwell in His creation on this December night. And this is the focus of Christian’s home during this holiday season. ......BUT....even though it was the ended of the Christmas story, the STORY was just beginning.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 HCSB

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10 NIV

“…the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

Yes, Jesus came. But He came to save His people. You cannot have one without the other. Jesus came with passion, with purpose, and with one priority—to save His dying creation. Jesus’ birth was a means to His ministry. To save mankind, He had to become man. When you think about His birth, you have to think about His purpose. When you think about His purpose, you have to think about His cross.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NIV

As you gaze upon the multitude of Christmas trees this season, enjoy the beauty of their ornaments, the warmth of their lights, and the cozy memories of Christmases past. And let them serve as a reminder to revel in the joy of the REAL Christmas tree—the cross.


P.S. In light of the ancient pagan history associated with the celebrations of the winter solstice, how odd that God chose to deliver our Redeemer during this specific time of year. I guess it should come as no surprise once we see the focus of Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 9:12).

Traditions of Christmas. Part 2

We’ve all heard the Christmas carol, “Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa La La La La La La La La." But what exactly is it…and more importantly, why is it on my mantel? Hmmm? As we continue our look at various Christmas traditions, the holly branch is one that many know little about.

The root of holly’s history (no pun intended) dates back to several different eras. The ancient druids deemed holly as sacred, probably due to the fact it was an evergreen and lived year round. Having this sacred status meant being inhabited by spirits; therefore, the ancient druids would bring the holly branches indoors the protect the spirits for the harsh winters. And when tied to bedposts, they were believed to ward off hostile ghosts and demons, whose voices could be heard screeching in the winter winds and storms.

Another tale reaches back to the Christian Church during the Middle Ages. Holly was offered as a substitution for mistletoe. Mistletoe had been used for decoration for thousands of years, as well as being used in many pagan rituals. Being mindful of this past, the Church forbade the use of mistletoe in any form. Instead, holly branches were given the thumbs up. Their pointed leaves characterized the thorns in the Christ’s crown and the red berries symbolized the blood shed by our Savior.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [his Son], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV)

Every drop needed to wash clean the filth of our sin. Every drop necessary to adopt us as His children. Every drop purposed—with your name on it. And mine. Even the person down the street that chooses to reject Him. It’s their choice. But every drop was shed with love. And every drop was permanent.

This Christmas season, when you see the boughs of holly decking the halls….or at least sitting on a mantle or winding up a staircase banister, think of His unselfishness to give His life for ours. Think of His sacrifice. Think of His promise. His promise that by His blood we are saved.

Traditions of Christmas. Part 1

As we enter this time of December, we are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, planning, driving, giving and receiving. We are consumed with making this time of year feel like Christmas. We bake cookies. We light a fire. We buy airline tickets. We purchase gift cards. We hang stockings by the chimney with care. Well, you know how it goes. We are engulfed by traditions of long ago. Why? They provide stability. They provide nostalgia. And they place a sense of Christmas in the air. But can they also remind us of the real reason for Christmas?

The wreath is found in homes year round; however, during the holidays, they become more prominent. Decorative wreaths find their way onto front doors, and advent wreaths become the centerpiece on many tables around the world. The wreath dates back to the ancient Persian Empire. They were originally called “diadems” and were used to crown the victors of the Olympic Games. The diadems were initially made from laurel leaves, but once the Olympics began to move to different towns, they would be made from the branches of local trees. These crowns were then hung on walls in remembrance of their victory won.

The origin of the Advent wreath dates back to the pre-Christian Germanic people who would gather evergreen branches and light fires during the cold winters of Eastern Europe as a symbol of their hope for the coming spring. Christians maintained this tradition, and by the 16th century, both Catholics and Protestants alike, used this custom to celebrate their true Hope in Christ Jesus—the eternal Light.

This ringed symbol reminds us of another emblem of hope. However, this one wasn’t given after the victory; it was worn during the battle. It wasn’t meant for glory, but for shame. It wasn’t donned by an Olympic champion, but by a King—the Eternal King—during His darkest hour. It was a symbol of agony, embarrassment, torture, and ridicule.

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” Matthew 27:28-29 NIV

While they mocked Him, He persisted. While Satan delighted in his potential conquest over “the Christ,” Jesus endured. While He was being crowned as a powerless king, Jesus showed them exactly what a King should do. A king rules. A king triumphs. But most importantly, a king protects his kingdom. This King did just that. He knew the only way to win was if He fought the battle. Satan handed Him death, and the Creator of the universe, created life once again—eternal Life.

This holiday season, as you scamper from mall to mall and visit home after home, notice the wreaths hanging on the doors. Acknowledge their beauty. Remember the victory and hope this decoration originally symbolizes. And be empowered by the victory and the hope we have today given to us by our King. Not a king to be mocked, but a King to be worshipped and loved.