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We often MISS a Key Point in the Story of the Shepherds. They were faithful witnesses who shared what they had heard with all around them. Do we? https://textsincontext.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/luke-2-the-shepherds-faithfulness/

Everyone knows Jesus was not born on the 25th of december. Some scholars and archaelogist say he was born near marc, should countries instead of making december the holiday of Christ move it to 23 of march where it should be and make an effort instead of that day giving gifts and presents. We pray thank god and sing to him on that day ?

Hi everyone! I haven't posted in a while, but it's nice to be back :-) I just wanted to ask if any of you have ever had to spend Christmas/Christmas Eve alone or without the person you really wanted to be with? (I'm sure it's very likely) I recently moved into my own apartment and have been finding it quite hard to settle down on my own. I'm used to a very noisy household, having 10 siblings and two dogs, and now that I'm all alone (I couldn't bring my dog to my apartment ?) it's extremely lonely. I'm concerned about Xmas this year especially. I'll be going back to my mom's house for the day, but not everyone is going to be there, and since my boyfriend is working Xmas Eve, Xmas day and boxing day, I won't see him at all. This is the first time in 5 years we won't be seeing each other over Xmas. In fact, we're not even going to see each other during the week leading up to Xmas! It feels a bit daunting tbh. Also, his brother just had a baby at the beginning of the month, but he's not going to be allowed to spend Xmas with his new son -- he and the mother are having problems again -- and he's pretty broken up about it. My friend has just moved out as well and is on her own with her three little girls for the first time! She has her boyfriend with her, but she's never had to do Xmas all by herself before -- wrapping presents, decorations, Xmas dinner etc. I imagine is quite overwhelming, especially the first time. Any advice on how to stop feeling so lonely/overwhelmed/anxious? Or do we need to just suck it up and get on with it? I feel kind of childish even worrying about it all, but I can't help it atm. I hope you all have a great Xmas and get everything you've wished & prayed for ?☺️

As soon as the stores started decorating for Christmas I knew I was in trouble. Christmas used to fill me with such delight because of all the joyful festivities centered around celebrating the advent of Christ and family love. The colored lights, hope filled music, delicious meals, joyful giving and receiving of gifts, quiet times of reflection, congregational worship, reaching out to the needy, and special times gathering together with family and friends—I thrilled to every moment of it. But not anymore. Now the Christmas season is an unavoidable reminder of great pain, sorrow, and loss. From the statistics I’ve heard this is true for many people at this time of year. Maybe you are one of those who, like me, wonder how you are going to survive this agonizing season. As I was crying out to the Lord about this He gave me comfort by inviting me to enter into the first Christmas in a new way. To step into the lives of Mary and Joseph and try to truly understand how the birth of Christ may have affected them. As I did this, I began to realize how much pain and sorrow was actually a part of the Christmas story. I wonder if the following may have been true. . . Who were Mary and Joseph?—When I picture Mary I visualize a lovely young woman full of purity, virtue, and love. The ideal Jewish girl. Surely she was well known in her community for these attributes and respected and loved by many, if not all. Joseph also has been described in Scripture as a godly man who would have had a standing of respect in the community. I picture Mary to have been like any woman engaged to be married, full of dreams and joyful expectations. She must have expected to be married in a celebration involving the whole community with the love and well wishes of friends and family. She may have spent hours in her mind envisioning the house Joseph would make for the two of them and all the ways she would make it their own special home. As she thought about being pregnant with their first baby she probably expected the birth to take place in this wonderful little home and to be surrounded by the loving support of midwife, mother, sisters, and maybe female friends, each doing all they could to help her through the birth and welcome the new little one. Then, when the baby arrived, there would be joyful congratulations and blessings, and maybe gifts, with the whole community enfolding this new member in a loving way. Mary’s expectations were realistic. They were what probably almost every woman she knew had experienced. And then the angel came. . . News of the pregnancy--Who do you think believed Mary when she told them she was supernaturally pregnant? Only Elizabeth and Joseph, as far as we know. Not even Joseph believed at first. In fact, the news of her pregnancy was so scandalous that the community may have threatened to stone her for adultery because betrothal at that time was as serious as marriage. The angel’s visit to Joseph telling him to continue with the marriage plans may have saved Mary’s life but it probably destroyed his reputation, and his business. Now people assumed that the coming baby was his, maybe even a rape baby! Can you picture the village women gossiping over their fences with each other: “Have you heard the news? Not only is our little Mary pregnant out of wedlock, the little slut, but Joseph is still planning on marrying her! And we thought she was such a nice girl. There’s only one reason a man would want to marry her now—Joseph must be the father of the child. How could he do such a thing, the pervert! All this business about an angel appearing—posh! Just a desperate attempt to cover up their sin. They are a terrible example to the young people in this community. I’m not giving Joseph anymore of my business, I tell you what, and I wouldn’t be caught dead going to the well with a girl like Mary!” Does that conversation sound too far fetched? Maybe it is. But it seems to line up with what happened next in the Christmas narrative . . . Travelling to Bethlehem—Have you ever noticed that Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem alone? Why was that? The census required everyone to register and that would have included at least all the male representatives of Mary’s and Joseph’s families as well as the families in Nazareth. When Jesus was twelve we see Mary and Joseph travelling in a caravan of relatives to Jerusalem in order to celebrate a festival but now we see them travelling alone and, of all poorly planned things, to be making the trip during Mary’s due date! Certainly the registration for the census was conducted over a period of time, probably months, so that it was possible for everyone to actually travel to their home towns. So why did Joseph and Mary wait until the last moment? It also appears they were still in Bethlehem two years or so later when the Wise Men visited. Why didn’t they return to Nazareth after they registered like everyone else did? I could be wrong, but it looks to me like they left Nazareth packed to move, never intending to go back. What would cause a poor young couple at that time to do such a drastic thing? My guess is that they couldn’t bear the rejection and shunning of their “godly” community any longer. Perhaps their lives were even threatened, as is very possible in an orthodox community. Maybe there came a point of desperation when Joseph realized that he would never now get the business he needed to support a family and they had to relocate and start over. Obviously, they waited, as anyone does when faced with the shock of injustice and persecution, until there were no other options but to flee. They had to sneak out after the others had gone and make their own way to Bethlehem. How painful it is to realize that those who have known and loved, and with good cause, have respected you all your life have now, at one word of gossip and false accusation, turned on you and are doing all they can to destroy you! How shocking to see this side of people; you just refuse to believe it for a long time. People, in general, will always believe the worst and never understand what God has told you. Joseph and Mary learned this the hard way. For Mary and Joseph the birth of Christ was not about the family closeness that they had always had or hoped for it was about rejection and loneliness as they submitted to God’s plan in their lives. How many times did Mary think, “Life wasn’t supposed to be like this! Following God wasn’t supposed to cost so much! I was supposed to be blessed for living a righteous life, not experiencing so much suffering, and, from the ones I loved! Where is God???” The birth of Christ—My guess is that Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem hoping they had at least a few more days to get settled somewhere before the baby came, maybe even move in with Elizabeth and Zacharias. I picture her having the first strong contraction and thinking, “No! Not now! This can’t be happening now!” But it was, and it did. What did she think when Joseph came back, weary and discouraged, and told her that he had searched everywhere and there was only a stable available for them to stay. Did she wonder about God’s seeming lack of provision? Who helped her with the delivery? Was Joseph able to round up a midwife or was he the only one present? Oh, this was not how she had pictured her first birth experience to be! And yet, God was indeed there with her, with them, in the midst of the rejection, loss, questions, darkness, poor accommodations, and smell. And, Jesus’ birth still needed to be celebrated. But who could the angels tell? The angel’s announcement—Because of the census and the crowds of people, that first Christmas must have been an awful lot like the way Christmas is celebrated around the world today: streets crowded with people, merchants hawking their wares, terrible traffic, overspending, long lines, cranky children tired of waiting, over busy and cranky adults tired of, well, everything. The angels were bursting with wonderful news to tell but who would listen? Would the people of Bethlehem? No, they were too stressed, too tired, too preoccupied (like so many of us today!), to really embrace an angelic message. How about the royal family? Surely the angels had news fit for a king! Definitely NOT Herod’s family! That family was notorious for killing anyone who threatened their position. Surely the priests and religious leadership would welcome the news about the birth of the Messiah. Unfortunately, not them either. These people would later be the very ones who made sure Christ was crucified. Mary and Joseph’s families? No. They only thought of Jesus as an embarrassing bastard. Who then? Humanity must know! Ah, shepherds watching their flocks in the fields. Here were men who spent a lot of time reflecting on God’s creation and maybe even on God Himself. Historically we know that shepherds were not well regarded. These were men who were already so despised by their community they wouldn’t be afraid of what would happen to their reputations if they spread God’s message of good news. Here were men, too, who could probably care less that this baby came to unwed parents and would welcome and love Him/them anyway. Funny how in times of great loss God provides encouragement from people you would least expect. Strange who turns out to have real love and who should, but doesn’t. And so it was that the angels went to the shepherds. . . What is Christmas? Well, of course, it is many things to different people. In essence, it is remembering the mercy and love of God. I have noticed that the first Christmas was full of surprises—angelic visitations to several people, astonishing and wonderful news, family rejection instead of love, unplanned out of town trips/moves, unplanned births, miraculous provision, unexpected visitors, and even God using irritating directives of a wicked government (i.e. a census) to accomplish His purposes. Does God see and care about our pain at Christmas? Is what we are experiencing really that much different than what those involved in the first Christmas experienced? God has encouraged me through the stories of Mary and Joseph that He does indeed care about my pain. That’s why Jesus came. Not to judge me, but to save me. In spite of my pain can I dare to believe that God has a surprise of love for me this Christmas? Can you?

Jesus' birthday candles Matthew 25:31 – 46 Cough, Cough, goes the girl sneeze, wheeze, goes the boy Stay away, they may be sick Go away, your no joy One candle is gone it has lost it's flick Because of our fear we stayed away from the sick Those people got what they deserved I'm now at peace, I am so glad For in jail they can rot 'Cause what they did made me so mad Candle number 2 flickered, then went out Because of the wind, and it's gail We were to happy, we were to glad Instead of bringing God's love to those in jail “I'm hungry, Do you have some food?” With longing in his eyes, his arm stretched out “I'm in a hurry, I'm late for church” “No time to stop, or to give him a handout” Candle number 3 is no longer burning, In keeping it lit, we did not succeed We were in a hurry, had no time to stop, Even the hungry, we failed to feed With parched lips, and a dry tongue, She asked for something to drink “I'm to busy” was the reply “You have two legs, find the sink” The fourth candle just died Because we did not think We were just to busy To give a simple little drink Yum, this Christmas meal sure is good I know that the neighbour is alone this day But Christmas is for family Everyone else can stay away Candle five just lost it's flame This flaming fire, had been blown 'Cause of our selfishness Christ's love was not shown They come to you, clothing ripped from off the street, there in your face You push them away, for they stink You run away, 'cause there in your space The last candle burns no more Yes, all the candles are out We didn't help those in need What Christmas is all about When we bring Jesus His birthday cake Will it be lit up, and bright Or when He looks down at His cake Will it be dark, the absence of light This Christmas, help those in need And light those candles with your good deed.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. -The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. -Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. -Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. -The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. -The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. -The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation . -Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. -The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. -Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. -The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments. -The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. -The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

I once attended a church that chose not to celebrate Christmas due to the pagan roots of the tradition. So I am well-versed in how Christmas festivities have pagan roots and the scriptures that tell us to put away such things. However, I know sincere Christians that do practice Christmas. Do you believe it is wrong for Christians to celebrate Christmas? Does the dynamic change if Christmas is kept Christ-centric?

O Holy Night by Josh Groban the best most well sung version of this nativity song IMO

What Does Christmas Teach Us About God? Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-18; Luke 2:1-24. Memory Verse: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. Aim: To know and understand God better by what He reveals about Himself in the birth of Jesus Christ. Introduction: Christmas is about God the Son being born as a man, the Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas teaches a great deal about God. This is seen in God’s dealings with people at Christ’s birth.What Does Christmas Teach Us About God? 1. Mary and some Christians are highly favoured by God. Luke 1:28. 2. God has a Son Who would be born as a man at His first coming and would rule on David’s throne at His second coming. Luke 1:32,33. 3. God seeks our permission to do His will in our life. “be it unto me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38. 4. God controls ungodly emporers decrees to fulfil His prophecies and His purposes. “there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” Luke 2:1. 5. God sets an example of humility by Christ being born in a manger because there was no room in the inn. God wants us to be humble and help those who are less fortunate and suffering. Luke 2:7. 6. God revealed Christ’s birth first to shepherds. Luke 2:8,9. God is interested in shepherds because it shows his concern to shepherd, encourage and help his people. We are the sheep of his pasture. Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. 7. God wants all people to “fear not” and to have “great joy” at Christ’s birth. Luke 2:10. 8. Jesus Christ is both God (Lord) and Saviour. Luke 2:11. 9. God wants “peace on earth and good will toward men.” Luke 2:14. 10. God wants us to “make known abroad” the gospel of Christ. Luke 2:17. 11. God wants us to dedicate our children to God, as Jesus was. Luke 2:22. 12. The Holy Spirit reveals things to believers who are in close fellowship with God. Luke 2:26. 13. God wants all nations to be saved and receive the light of Christ. Luke 2:31,32. 14. God reveals the thoughts of people’s hearts by their response to Jesus Christ. Luke 2:35. Our response to Christ shows if we believe the Bible, if we honestly seek the truth, if we are willing to admit our sins to God, if we are humble or proud, if we value and want to follow Christ, and many more. 15. God wants us to be strong in spirit, to be filled with wisdom, & to have God’s grace on us. Luke 2:40 16. God reveals truth about Himself to people of other nations, such as the wise men who travelled a great distance to see Jesus. These are a rebuke to all who have easy access to the gospel of Christ. Matt. 2:1-3. 17. The wise men worshipping Jesus proves that Jesus is God. Matthew 2:11. 18. The wise men giving gifts to Jesus proves that we should give sacrificially to the cause of Christ. 2:11. 19. God warns people about future dangers, as he did to the wise men and Joseph in a dream. Matthew 2:12,13. Conclusion: Let us seek to know, love and serve God better because of what God reveals of Himself at Christ’s birth.

Where is He that is Born King of the Jews? (Christmas Day) Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-23. Aim: To understand Jesus as King and to worship Him as King. (B66:7) Introduction: The first gentiles who came to see Jesus said that He was born King of the Jews. (Matt 2:2) So great is Jesus the King that He had a star to announce His birth. Jesus is not only King of the Jews, but He is God our Creator and Saviour Whom we must worship. Do you worship Jesus Christ as your King? I. What does the Bible Teach us about Jesus Christ as our King? 1. King is Born. Matthew 2:2 ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews?’ 2. King is identified as Jehovah the King of Israel. ‘Thou art the King of Israel.’ John 1:49; ‘mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.’ Isaiah 6:5; ‘Jehovah the King of Israel.’ Isaiah 44:6. 3. King came to Jerusalem fulfilling Zechariah 9:9 ‘Thy King cometh unto thee…riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.’ (‘Thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.’ John 12:14,15). Daniel 9:25. 4. King is Blessed. John 12:13 ‘Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord’ 5. King Offered Himself as King to Israel. Luke 19:37,38. 6. King is Rejected by Israel’s leaders. Luke 19:39,40 ‘Pharisees said, Master, rebuke thy disciples.’ 7. King is Crucified (‘Shall I crucify your King?’ John 19:14-16) & Cut off (‘Messiah cut off.’ Dan 9:26) 8. King Collecting His Saints. Rev 15:3 ‘Thou King of saints.’; ‘One sat on the throne.’ Rev 4:1,2. 9. King Returning to Earth. Rev 19:11-16 ‘King of Kings.’ 10. King Conquering world’s armies. Rev 17:12-14 ‘Lamb shall overcome them: for he is King of kings’ 11. King Judging the Nations. Matthew 25:31-46 (34,40) ‘Then shall the King say unto them on his right’. 12. King Worshipped by all nations. Zechariah 14:9,16,17 ‘Jehovah shall be king over all the earth.’ (9). II. How is Jesus Christ like a King? ‘These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings:’ Revelation 17:14. 1. Kings have great Qualifications, Knowledge, Wisdom and Authority. ‘In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom & knowledge.’ Col 2:3; ‘Christ the power of God, & the wisdom of God.’ I Cor 1:24; 2. Kings are Anointed. Samuel anointed Saul & David. ‘LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;’ Isa 61:1; ‘thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.’ Heb 1:9 3. Kings have a Palace. Jesus left the Palace of heaven to come to earth as a man and to die for our sins. ‘In my Father's house are many mansions:’ John 14:2; ‘they shall enter into the king’s palace.’ Ps 45:13-15 4. Kings have Great Attendants serving in their Courts and Dominions. Jesus Christ, our great King, was attended on by angels before, during & after His earthly life. ‘God was manifest in the flesh, seen of angels’ Angels ministered to Christ in: i) Predicted Christ’s birth to Mary (Luke 1:26-38); ii) Proclaimed Christ’s birth to shepherds (Luke 2:8-20). iii) Protected Christ as a baby from Herod (Matt 2:13-15); iv) Strengthened Christ during his trials in the wilderness (Matt 4:11); v) Defended Christ at his request (Matt 4:6; Ps 91:11); vi) Announced Christ’s resurrection (Luke 24:4-6); vii) Predicted Christ’s bodily return to earth (Acts 1:10,11); viii) Accompany Christ at the rapture (I Thess 4:16) and when He returns to earth (Matt 25:31); ix) Gather saved Israelites (Matt 24:31) and wicked offenders at His return (Matt 13:41); x) Worship Christ now in heaven (Rev 5:11,12), ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’ Heb 1:6 5. Kings have great Power and Authority. ‘All power is given unto me…’ Matt 28:18; 24:30, Rev 19:6; 6. Kings have many Subjects that submit to their Power. i) Holy angels ‘ angels, authorities, powers being made subject to him.’ (I Peter 3:22); ii) Evil angels ‘ even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.’ (Luke 10:17). iii) Believers ‘church is subject to Christ.’ (Eph 5:24). iv) Winds, sea (Mt 8:26,27). 7. Kings have Laws and Rules to Govern by. Jesus abolished the law of Moses (Eph 2:15) and replaced it with the new covenant law of Christ (NT). ‘fulfil the law of Christ.’ Gal 6:2; ‘Law of sp of life’ Rom 8:2. 8. Kings have Prerogatives to make Peace & War when they please. Jesus offered Himself as the Prince of peace at His first coming (Is 9:6); ‘on earth peace’ (Luk 2:14); ‘preaching peace by JC’ Ac10:36; ‘To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn’ Isa 61:2. 9. Kings send Ambassadors to proclaim their messages to foreign countries. Jesus sends 12,70, all saved. we are ambassadors for Christ, as tho God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead,be ye reconciled to God 10. Kings have a Crown, a Sceptre, a Throne. ‘To the Son he saith, Thy throne O God.’ Hebrews 1:8. 11. Kings have Rights to receive petitions (Acts 7:59), pardon offenders (Matt 9:6), confer honour (I Tim 1:12), give commissions (Mark 16:15), receive tribute (Luke 8:3), storehouse of riches (Phil 4:19), praise well-doers (Matt 25:21 Well done). Do you worship Christ as King? Are you a faithful ambassador of Jesus Christ?

Had to share this link>>PINTEREST My door will look like that as soon as I can get to the crafts store tomorrow. Early, so as to avoid the crush of people there today. Wishing you all a blessed and merry Christmas.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/man-terrorizing-neighbors-hostile-holiday-decoration-display/story?id=27671282&page=2 Good news for the neighbors, people don't live forever. In a case like this, the best revenge is to outlive your bad neighbor, but in the meantime, try to live in peace and maybe he will get over his bitterness one day.

Just something that will make you think about How Satan is such a counterfeiter of what Jesus Did in the bible and the thought did not dawn on me till " WHAM " like a bolt out of the blue i seen something that almost made me sick to my stomach Ever Notice how when Santa is sitting on his Throne and parents and people are in long long cues to place their precious children , even infants on the lap of a Fat man in a Red Suit that is a complete stranger ? How the childs eyes just light up thinking the moment they sit on Santa's lap they will be able to tell them what they want for Christmas , they entrust every fiber of their being to make a list of the things of their hearts desires . Some infants will scream bloody murder reaching with helpless hands for " MOMMY " as tears run down their faces , and people just smile and say " CHEESE " as the kids face turns red in fear and some even leave their own "present for Santa " Now i want you to read this scripture in Mark 10:13-15 13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Luke 18:15-17 15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Without question the most fertile time in the average persons’ life for receiving and trusting the Lord Jesus is the pre-teen years. Any church bus worker or youth worker knows young children are very receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For them that "child like" faith is natural. It’s what the Lord Jesus described in Matthew 10:15. As we get older; the sensual, youthful lusts and logical, carnal mind begin to dominate our minds. And as that happens, our heart becomes hardened and seared to the spiritual things of God. Do you see the who conterfiets Jesus love ? yet millions flock to the fat man in the red suit and stand in long cues to have their child sit on a strangers lap ? We as parents love our kids and will protect them like a mother lioness to the death but we will place them on the lap of a complete stranger that is dressed as Santa Clause here is the scariest thing of all thing about this St Nick the word Nick look it up in the dictionary means Devil so why would we call Santa St Nick ? i do know this as Jesus said " The Devil comes as a lion to kill steal and destroy did you know when lions hunt they dont kill inside the ring of animals but choose the weak , the sick and the young to kill ! Satan is a counterfiter of God ever since He was Thrown out of the Garden of Eden! so what makes you think Santa is a good guy ?? when in reality The Name for Kriss Kringle - means The little Christ Child ! see the deception ... Jesus had the little ones come to him as the parents stood in long cues to see HIM He even kissed them and healed them ! Santa is not JESUS ! he is a Idol sitting on a throne God said " YOU SHALT NOT SERVE OTHER IDOLS " Santa is the pagan worlds idiol in a nut shell . He magnifies over even the Christ Child and even December 25th is Not the Day of Jesus Birth ! why would we want to give homage to a pagan day which is Saternalia ! for the Pagan ?? and the Witches very sad to think We as Christians think we need to introduce Pagan customs in Christianity and that GOD will honor this ? with or without a tree in your house ! Christmas is Not for Christians it is for Pagans and Witches look it up do your research Christian open your heart to what the HOLY Spirit is saying about THIS counterfiet Holiday that teaches us to LIE just as Satan lied to Adam and Eve and i hope this will shed some light into Satans little trick He uses with Santa .. God Bless and Shalom Lucifer even stated " I WILL SIT IN THE HEAVENS AND ON THE THRONE AND I WILL BE ABOVE EVEN GOD " the only throne that Anyone has a right to sit on is JESUS OR SAVIOR ! not SANTA some Words of Wisdom from GODS Word :lightbulb2:want to know more about Christmas and counterfiet behind even the tiny 8 reindeer ,the yule long even the elves and the North pole here is the link . http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_santa/santa.html

Felice Navidad And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7 I Want To Wish You A Merry Christmas And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:8-12 From The Bottom Of My Heart And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13-14 http://youtu.be/p1wJYE_taaQ Merry Christmas Beloved~!

ok, so someone posted a thread about the best version of a christmas carol... let's expand that. what's your favorite christmas movies? i love Jack Frost with michael keaton and kelly preston. i really like Family Man with nicholas cage and tea leoni. Ice Age: Continental Drift is sure to be a new classic, because scrat can do no wrong! How the Grinch Stole Christmas with jim carey is an annual favorite in my house too. this year i watched a couple of new ones so far... Christmas with Holly was a hallmark film, and it was kinda reminscent of three men and a baby (or the sequel, three men and a little lady.) but, it was way better than the three men movies, even though it had a similar theme. we all enjoyed it around here. mom and i also watched Christmas Angel. it had della reese in it. wonderful movie, and it's on netflix. and, my all time favorite that has to be watched every year, It's A Wonderful Life... the original one.

From: http://christianpf.c...back-christmas/ Do you enjoy or endure Christmas? What changes has your family made to take back Christmas? What changes would you like to see happen?

So my wife and I just moved to a Chicago suburb. Our nieces will be spending Christmas vacation with us while my sister and brother in law will be in Israel for three weeks. The girls are 8 and 6. I was wondering what fun Christmas events are in the area, particularly in Chicago.