Category: Holidays (Page 3 of 3)

What is the theological importance of Jesus’ resurrection? Simply put, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to the Bible, as believed by the church throughout history, fits together as the central truth of Christianity without which the Christian faith is worthless.

The passage in front of us today has often been referred to as the Christmas story. Many Christians over the years have made a tradition out of reading this story on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. It’s a beautiful story of the birth of Jesus. But let’s not forget that Jesus wasn’t born into an American cultural context.

The Christmas season is a beautiful time of the year. It’s probably my favorite season of the entire year. All of the lights, laughter, joy, Christmas movies, family get-togethers, food and gift giving… Christmas really is a beautiful season. But it’s also a season where some of our deepest unmet desires and struggles are brought to the surface.

My heart is like a magnifying glass. There are many small things that have a tendency to consume the attention of my heart.

I love a good fight. I don’t love unhealthy conflict. I don’t like to fight just to fight but I do love a good fight. I don’t like to be defeated.I like to win and I like to be on the winning team. Losing doesn’t seem to be appealing to me. Winning feels like progress. Defeat feels like a slow death.And the Christmas season in all of it’s beauty and all of its sparkle and all of its glitter can bring about a sense of defeat for many people.

When I meditate on the truth that Jesus came as a ruling, shepherding, Savior King, my heart is awakened and I am moved to respond in worship that is filled with joy and surrender and generosity.

Every year around this time you can walk into just about any public place or any home and find some kind of celebration that points to Jesus’ birth as the reason for the season. Christmas music comes on the radio right around Halloween and from that point forward the entire world seems to be caught up with the Christmas story we see in the Bible.

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It’s Christmas!! The trees are decorated. The lights are up. Christmas songs are in full effect. The presents are wrapped. Christmas meals are planned. It really is one of the most beautiful and exciting times of the year. And one of the most exciting things about this time of year is the great opportunity we have to exalt Christ.

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The Christmas season is here! It’s a season of joy and celebration for some of us as we dream a little bit about the things we’ve always wanted. But it’s also a season of despair and sadness for some of us as we obsess over the things we’ve always wanted but never seem to get.

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