I grew up in a church fellowship who decided it was best not to associate December 25th as anything other than the gathering of family and friends and the exchanging of gifts. These good, God fearing people believe that celebrating the holiday season in association with the birth of Christ is wrong. They believe that it goes against the teaching that we should not put any day above another.
Consider Romans 14 (NASB)
1Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
2One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
3The
one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat,
and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God
has accepted him.
4Who
are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or
falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
6He
who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does
so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for
the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
7For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
8for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10But
you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard
your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment
seat of God.
Here we see that it is up to each individual to determine what they believe deep within their heart and we are not to judge another person for seeing this a bit differently. Salvation is not at risk here. Judging would be harmful.
As I child, I always felt sad that I was led by my church's leaders to avoid talking about the wee baby Jesus during the holiday season. It felt as if everyone else was singing "Glory to God in the Highest", "Away in a Manager," and other Christmas music pieces, but I was made to feel this was wrong. As I've grown in my own personal faith, I have come to the conclusion that when all God fearing children join together in unity over something, God is happy. There are so many calls in scripture for us to be unified and not divided. We are to be known as peace makers, not divisive and quarrelsome. So in this spirit of unity and peace, I have decided to add my voice to all the other millions who sing "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" during this season of Christmas and I do it for the Lord.
If you would like to use this time in our calendar to observe anticipation of the coming of our King, this might be useful to you. I will share my thoughts on how you can do an individual study, praise and worship in your private life within your home. I will post a blog each day to help lead you in your study.
In some faiths there are candles and such, but in this study we will simply concentrate on what happens inside your own heart and mind and not what is going on outside your body.
Advent simply means a time of anticipation. I like that. I anticipate all the family gatherings this time of year. I anticipate eating my mother's cheese crispies. I anticipate putting up the tree with my ornament collection on display. But most importantly, I anticipate my Jesus coming to rescue me from this hateful world and so I often pray, "Jesus, come quickly." That is what advent is all about. We remember when He first came and we anticipate His glorious appearing when He comes again. (Chill bumps and heart racing!)
Each Sunday before Christmas is marked as a week of Advent. Today, November 29, 2015 is the first Sunday of Advent.
Yesterday I spent a good deal of time getting myself organized and "pumped up" for the coming of Advent. I gathered scriptures and devotional books. I marked pages and highlighted my favorite lines. I prepared my heart and mind to welcome a deeper study of Jesus.
One book I am using is called "Sacred Space" and it's written by a group of Irish Jesuits. There is a prayer listed in this book that cracked my heart open a bit yesterday as I anticipated anticipating :)
"At this moment, Lord, I turn my thoughts to you.
I will leave aside my chores and preoccupations.
I will take rest and refreshment in your presence, Lord."
Wow.
So today, I began my personal Advent observance with this short, but powerful prayer.
Then it's scripture time. Let's look at Luke 21:25-36 (NASB)
25“There
will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among
nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
26men
fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming
upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27“Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory.
28“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29Then He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the trees;
30as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
31“So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.
32“Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.
33“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
34“Be
on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with
dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will
not come on you suddenly like a trap;
35for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.
36“But
keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to
escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand
before the Son of Man.”
In this scripture, Jesus is urging us to keep our hearts and bodies ready for His coming. As we anticipate this coming, it is vital that our lives be a witness to Jesus' teachings and love. He urges us to not be burdened by the world's attractions. They mean nothing. He means everything. It's time to focus on Him.
Meditate on these thoughts in silence. Roll the words around in your mind, finding the nuggets of wisdom God wishes to bless you with upon this reading. I find He always has something fresh for me to learn. He always opens the door of my heart a little wider with each reading.
After meditating on this scripture, write down what you have learned and how you can apply it to the coming days. Perhaps you need to talk with someone about the way you have been living. Maybe you have been living in a way that your witness has become tarnished. Confess that fault with someone you trust and join in prayer. God will hear your confession and cleanse you from your iniquities. You can begin Advent with a clean heart and fresh view of the coming days.
I hope you will think on these things and join me again tomorrow.
Blessings and grace,
Kelley
