The Party’s Over

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Grandma's Ramblings

It is now four days since Christmas. I have my Christmas decorations all boxed up and downstairs in the storage room. Today I am dusting, vacuuming and doing whole house cleaning. Getting rid of the cookie crumbs in the carpet, the shiny tinsel that dropped from the tree ornaments as we took them off the tree. Giving my stove a good cleaning and getting rid of leftovers we did not eat

Many love to keep their Christmas decorations up until after the New Year. But I am not one of those. I love Christmas and look forward to putting up the tree and getting out my candles and angels. As soon as Thanksgiving day is over we decorate.

But to be honest, as much as I love the bright lights by the end of December I am ready to get back to more “normal.” Out goes the angels and snowmen and “Jesus is the reason for the season” and in comes the family photographs and winter decorations.

Although I know spring is still a long way off, now is when I start thinking of planting new flowers and longing for the first pop of daffodils in the spring. This year our daughter in North Carolina sent my husband some seeds from her own flower garden. We are really looking forward to having flowers from our daughter’s garden. Already thinking about where we will plant each packet of seeds.

For some there can be a little depression or feeling of loss after all the time spent shopping, decorating, baking and all the family gatherings and other Christmas events. For me, I feel a new sense of “let’s clean house and start planning for next year.”

But as the festivities of Christmas is over and we put up the decorations and move back to “normal” life, I wonder do we just as quickly put Jesus back in the box. We did our thing – we went to Christmas Eve service and sang “Silent Night.” Now we move on.

We often see signs at Christmas time that say “Keep Christ in Christmas.” I often wonder when people say that, what happens after Christmas. Should we not keep Christ in every day, every season, all the time?

As I try not to grumble about the cold and snow and look forward to planting my flower seeds in the spring, I want to keep Christ in each and every day.

Hope you do also!

Do we “Keep Christ in Christmas” or “Keep Christmas in Christ?”

How Did the Baby Change Your Life?

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Grandma's Ramblings

One last look this time around

Brrrrr! It’s so cold outside. So today while staying snug inside I read and thought one more time on the Christmas story which we have just observed. Now it’s time to move forward and begin thinking about spring and about the resurrection story.

But one writer I read during the Christmas season still speaks to me.

…the Christmas story is not just for observing, but for participating. A long time ago, Jesus Christ was born. But today, Christ is born in us. And so we would be wise to spend some time wondering with the sheep and the shepherds, how does this baby change my life?

Sarah Cunningham

For 2017 – how has this baby changed your life?

Reflections on Christmas – Now that it’s over!

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Grandma's Ramblings

christmas-tree

Planning for Christmas

For weeks we have been planning for Christmas. Looking for bargains, some even gave up their Thanksgiving evening to fight the crowds on “Black Friday.” Family recipes were pulled out of the drawer, decorations out of the basement or attic. Children were excited as they made out their Christmas wish list. Churches were busy planning special observations on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.

The day comes and goes. Busy adults breathe a sign of relief and begin the task of taking down the tree and its ornaments, putting all the decorations back in the basement or attic until next year. Children enjoy their new toys although some are probably already bored and ready for the next new toy on the market.

School opens again and workers return to their jobs many complaining of how tired they are and how hectic the Christmas season has been. Grandparents are thankful for the memories they made with their families over the holiday but glad to get back to their quiet routine.

Life goes on as always……has anything changed?

Response of Shepherds and those who heard their story

Reading the Christmas story this year I was struck by the scripture in Luke where he tells of the shepherds’ visit to the stable where baby Jesus laid. The shepherds excitedly told Joseph and Mary about the visit of the angels and their message that the Messiah had been born that night in Bethlehem. Apparently they also told the people in the village. Luke tells us that all who heard their story were astonished.

I can imagine that was quite an experience for the shepherds and the people in the village. They probably talked about that night for years to come, telling their children of the visit from the angels. No doubt there was many a discussion as to what happened to that child when his family suddenly left Bethlehem for Egypt.

But was there any change?

I wonder – did they search the scriptures to see what they had to say about the Messiah? Did they seek to know more of God? Or, was it just an exciting experience to talk about around the campfires at night as they continued to watch their sheep? When Jesus appeared on the scene almost 30 years later, did they question if he was the little babe born in Bethlehem?

We celebrate Christmas

So today we make a big production of Christmas. You can always count on people saying “Keep Christ in Christmas” and complaining of those who say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” But what about keeping Christ in our lives all year long. What does saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” really do if we go back to our normal life after Christmas content that we “kept Christ in Christmas’? Did our reflection on the Christmas story make any difference in our day-to-day lives?

Mary’s response

Luke tells us that Mary “kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” This was not just an exciting night to be celebrated now and then. This was a daily part of Mary’s life. Can you imagine the sense of responsibility and great concern she felt that she and her husband were to raise the Son of God? Did she totally understand what that meant? And the words of Simon who told her a sword would pierce her own heart had to make her pause and wonder what the future would hold – for her – for Joseph – and especially for her son.

Mary pondered – thought – on all these things. I wonder how much we ponder and think about the Christmas story and what it really means after the holiday is over. The Christmas story is old and well-known to us, but after the observation of Christmas is over, has it made any difference in our lives?

First Christmas vs Our Christmas Now!

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Grandma's Ramblings

Christmas! What a magical time! We decorate our homes with trees, candles, wreaths. We put out a nativity set and hang up an angel or two. We plan gatherings with family and friends where there will be presents and lots of delicious food to eat. Everything is so neat and tidy – so beautiful. It’s truly a joyous time as we celebrate our Savior’s birth and greet one another with “Merry Christmas!”

Our Christmas cards show scenes of Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus and they look so beautiful and so peaceful. Many of the cards show bright lights shining above the heads of Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus. Even our Christmas carols speak of a little baby who makes no crying.

But how far from that first Christmas have we come? Was it really beautiful, calm and peaceful to Mary and Joseph and those who played a role in that first Christmas?

Mary’s Story

How must Mary have first felt when the angel appeared to her with those amazing words: “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Name Him Jesus – “Savior”

Because we know how the story ends, we think “What a honor to be chosen to bear the Son of God. What great news this was.”

But put yourself in Mary’s place for a moment. How frightening it would be to say, ‘Hey Mom and Dad, I’m pregnant but I’m still a virgin. This child I bear has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.”

And how would she face Joseph? He would know he was not the father. What would he say? Would he still marry her? Would he bring her before the community to be stoned?

What about the child? Would gossip follow him as he played and grew in the village?

Mary’s dream of marriage to Joseph and a wonderful life suddenly looked as if it would be shattered. Mary had to decide – “Do I trust God?”

Her decision was a matter of trust. She responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Later Mary expressed how blessed she realized she was as she spoke to her cousin Elizabeth and said, ” “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.

Joseph’s Story

And what about Joseph? A simple carpenter engaged to a young woman in the village, Joseph no doubt was making plans for his soon-to-be bride and the family they would someday have. Looking forward with anticipation to their wedding, he is suddenly hit with the news that his future bride is pregnant.

What sorrow he must have felt as he believed Mary had been unfaithful to him. What agony as he struggled with the decision he faced. Should he publicly denounce her – maybe even see her stoned? Should he, could he forgive her ? Although his heart was breaking, all his hopes and dreams were crushed, he was a godly and kind man.

As he thought about what to do, an angel appeared to him and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

While no doubt Joseph rejoiced at this news, he had to have also been filled with thoughts of great apprehension. What a tremendous responsibility he was given – to raise the Son of God! Like Mary, he had to make a decision to totally trust God and welcome Emmanuel into his home.

And then the journey to Bethlehem. How appropriate that the One who would say “I am Bread of Life” would be born in a city whose meaning is “house of bread.” And in Micah, 5 the prophet foretold that the Messiah would come from this small and insignificant town of Bethlehem.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.

Luke tells us: “At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

Imagine traveling 90 miles over unpaved, hilly trails with Mary in the late weeks of her pregnancy riding on a donkey and Joseph leading on foot. Bible scholars estimate that they would have probably only been able to make 10 miles a day because of Mary’s impending delivery. There could be threats of bandits along the trail. They had to carry their own provisions.

The hardships did not end when they arrived in Bethlehem. We think of Mary and Joseph alone in the stable but it is possible that they shared that stable with others. In an overcrowded Bethlehem they were probably not the only ones who could find no room in the inn.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manager, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds’ Story

And what of the shepherds? If you had been given the responsibility to announce the birth of the Messiah, who would you have chosen to tell? Would you have selected a group of people who spent most of their days in the fields with the sheep and had no influence with society? Shepherds were the blue-collar workers largely unnoticed by those in authority.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. See the excitement with which the shepherds received this news and hurried to find the child.

The Wise Men’s Story

And what of the wise men. Matthew tells us

“About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship Him. King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The Wise Men traveled many miles to worship the King of the Jews. They did not hop a plane and arrive at Bethlehem in a few hours. They did not pack their SUV with food and drink and drive a few days across the interstate. Their journey required many days riding through the desert on the back of camels, stopping to sleep at night in their tents. It was not an easy journey, but they came eagerly seeking to worship the King.

What is the real purpose of Christmas?

Now we come to the real purpose of Christmas. The story of Christmas is only the beginning – unless it leads us to the cross and the empty tomb, it has lost its real purpose.

“Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

First Christmas – and our Christmas now!

That first Christmas required Mary and Joseph to totally trust God and accept His plans for their lives. To believe the words of the angel, Gabriel, and accept God’s will for their lives. This Christmas, are you trusting God, are you willing to accept His plans for your life?
That first Christmas the shepherds received the good news of the child’s birth with great joy and hurried to find the child. Today is our excitement at Christmas more focused on the presents, the decorations, the meals, the parties? Are we still excited about the good news that “unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace?
That first Christmas the leading priests and teachers knew the prophecy….knew God’s Word. Yet, they made no effort to go to Bethlehem to check out this story of the Messiah. The Wise Men traveled a great distance – but the religious leaders could not be bothered to travel the six miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. As we enjoy this Christmas season with all our decorations, food and gatherings with family and friends, let us be sure that we take time to really seek the Messiah. Let’s ask God to return us to the simple but awesome truth of that first Christmas in a dark, possibly cold, stable where two young people faced the awesome challenge of raising the Son of God without money, fame or lots of support simply trusting and obeying the Father.

Let’s Keep Christ in Christmas by our actions rather than our words!

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Grandma's Ramblings

I posted this list last year – but would like to share again – as you are shopping don’t forget those who are less fortunate than you!

For everyone concerned about “keeping Christ in Christmas” instead of worrying rather some pagan says “Merry Christmas” let’s really “keep Christ in Christmas” by what we do rather than what we say.

Ten Terrific Gifts for Christmas

For just $35 you can help bring a safe playground to a Compassion child development center.
For just $40 you can help provide textbooks and learning materials that children can access at their child development center.
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For just $100 you can provide a bicycle for a child in need, to ensure that he/she has a safe, efficient way to attend school.
For just $30 you can ensure that a child receives immediate, physical spiritual, emotional support at a Compassion center while they wait to be sponsored.
For just $42 you can provide chickens so that parents can become self-sufficient which leads to healthier children.
For just $14 you can provide a mother and child with food and nutritional supplements, for one month helping ensure adequate weight and better health. You can provide that care for an entire year for just $168.
For $13 you can help a malnourished child with food and medicine in an area plagued by food shortage.
For just $30 you can help fill the gap of critical, unexpected situations for children and their families registered with Compassion, including emergency medical care, support following disasters and protection from abuse.

Check it out! Compassion Inc

Compassion.com/gifts

Matthew 25:40 – And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the

Wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” – What does that really mean?

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Grandma's Ramblings

It’s that time of year again!

Facebook is full of posts about saying “Merry Christmas” vs “Happy Holidays.” We go through this scenario every year. Christians judge people’s spirituality on what greeting they give and if anyone says “Happy Holidays” – well – they must not be a Christ follower.

What are we wishing someone when we wish them a “Merry’ Christmas?

The definition of “merry’ is “full of cheerfulness, laughingly happy, hilarious.” Synonyms for “merry” are

amusing
lighthearted
sunny
rip-roaring
jolly
cheerful

So when I wish for someone to have a Christmas that is full of cheerfulness or laughingly happy – what does that have to do with Jesus Christ? Yes, He does bring joy, but the joy that is the fruit of the Spirit is much more than just being cheerful or lighthearted. Having a sunny, jolly time at Christmas – is that really what Christmas is all about?

What about those who are battling sorrow or depression? Does my cheerful “Merry Christmas” really bring Christ closer to them? I seriously doubt it. It probably feels more like a slap in the face.

If we really are concerned about keeping Christ in Christmas, perhaps we should be more sensitive to those we meet who are hurting or do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior. Perhaps we should not rush through the line saying “Merry Christmas” and feeling so spiritual. Perhaps we should ask God to make us aware of those we meet that might need a hug, a kind smile and a real message about what Christmas means.

So – I’m reposting my article from last year on this controversy.

I recently wrote about the controversy we have at this time of year over saying “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays.”

Standing in line to pay for my book at Barnes and Noble today, I heard the customer ahead of me complaining to the clerk because he had wished her “Happy Holidays!” She proceeded to tell him in an irate voice that this was Christmas and he should greet her with “Merry Christmas!”

When he replied not every customer was a Christian and there are several religious holidays in December such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, she became upset and told him “We need to keep Christ in Christmas!”

I wondered as she finally walked away in a very self-righteous mood what would Jesus have done in this circumstance. Her attitude was anything but loving and kind.

So – I began to wonder: Are we as Christians supposed to be keeping Christ in Christmas? Is that what the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus is all about? A holiday where we spend so much time, energy and money baking, shopping, going to parties, putting up lights, waiting for Santa Claus to come?

Please do not misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting these things are wrong – I miss the days when my children tried their best to go to sleep early so Santa Claus would come. The days when we had a big, beautiful tree full of lights in our living room with presents. Christmas is a fun-filled family time I appreciate. But really?

When we talk about keeping Christ in Christmas – it seems to me we are making Christmas the big deal. Somehow we need to make sure in all our busyness that we add Christ to this day. So – we add a candle-light service to our list of parties, we put out a manger scene along with the other Christmas decorations and we insist everyone say “Merry Christmas” not “Happy Holidays.” Then, we sit back and feel so righteous because we have fitted Christ into our Christmas routines.

The birth of Jesus – and its celebration – is much more than saying “Merry Christmas.” The birth of Jesus shows us God’s love in leaving the glory and splendor of heaven to come to earth as a human. It is a moment to be savored with awe and solemn reflection – not by a hurried “Merry Christmas” as we pass one another in the stores, at church or in our homes. That night so long ago may well have not been a “Silent Night” as we love to think of it. I earlier posted some thoughts on that “Silent Night” image we have of Jesus’ birth. At our church service we recently sang “Away in a Manger.” I was struck again by the words “the cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying He makes.” Really? He came to earth to be one of us – to experience our pain, our sorrow, our fears, our temptations. So – when he awoke in the middle of the night possibly hungry and cold, He did not cry!

Christmas is only the beginning of the story of Jesus Christ.

There was his earthly life where I believe he experienced sorrow and pain – and I know at least two times when he cried – at the grave of Lazarus and over Jerusalem just before He went to the cross. Somehow I believe he cried as a baby too.
There was his time in the garden of Gethsemane when he experienced such agony the Bible tells us he sweated great drops of blood.
There was the cross where He cried “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
And, thankfully, there was the resurrection!

So – there is so much more to this story of Jesus Christ than His birth. But unfortunately that seems to be the one we want the world to recognize and acknowledge. We don’t seem to care that the celebration of the resurrection is overshadowed by the Easter bunny and the Easter egg hunt. As long as the world says “Merry Christmas” and we keep Christ in the holiday, everything is fine.

Well – I think we need to be more concerned that the world knows He not only came as a baby, but He died and rose again. And why?

Because He loves us.

So – we need to begin showing that love to others around us.

Jesus said they would know we were His disciples by the love we showed to others.

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples

Christmas should only be a part of our life in Christ. He needs to be recognized and honored by the world all year-long. But the only way that will happen is if we stop being so judgmental and self-righteous and began to love people – even those who don’t say “Merry Christmas!”

I propose we don’t worry so much about keeping “Christ in Christmas” but rather make sure that our Christmas is in Christ – because He is so much more than the baby in the manger. Let’s keep “Christmas in Christ” and make Him known to the world by our love for others.

Do we “Keep Christ in Christmas” or “Keep Christmas in Christ?”

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Grandma's Ramblings