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| Taking back Christmas - Isa 9:2, 6&7 |
The People walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the lands of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isa. 9:2 NIV)
Norman Sawchuck and Rueben P. Job in “A Guide to Prayer for all who seek God” write,
”Advent marks the beginning of the church year and lays before
us the pathway of faith for the year ahead. Advent initiates
once again remembering, retelling, and celebrating the whole
drama of God's Revelation.
Four weeks is the limit to this season that declares the truth
about a God whose love and resourcefulness have no limits.
"Advent" has its roots in the Latin word "adventus," or
coming. This season proclaims the coming of Christ in the
Birth of Jesus, in the Word and Spirit, and in the final
victory when God's kingdom shall be complete.
Our privilege as Christians is to receive the gracious gift
of God's presence in Christ. Our task is to prepare for His
Coming, so that we will not miss life's greatest gift.”
The Advent Season 2005 is upon us. Already the rush and bustle of the season has begun. We are busy preparing our gifts for family and friends as an expression of our love. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year.
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The Advent Season focus on the gifts that Jesus brings to us. We take back Christmas by celebrating the spiritual meaning of the event and discover anew the spiritual truth of the coming of Jesus into our world as God’s gift of love to us. This year accept the gifts that Jesus brings and share His love with others.
Taking back Christmas must be intentional on our part. It challenges us to rewrite our schedules to reflect the true meaning of the event. As the year draws to a close, family schedules and personal agendas fill with engagements, programs, parties and annual obligations. The carol “Silent Night” could not have been written at the end of the twentieth century. The title evokes a peace and stillness we can only imagine.
To reclaim Christmas we need to draw close to God who became flesh and lived amongst us. It is difficult to harmonize meditation and car pooling. How do we carve out moments of quiet and worship and open ourselves to God’s Presence? Perhaps we have to lower our sights from hours spent around hearths, Christmas trees, decorated halls and festivities to schedule quiet times when the family can sit together and contemplate what Christmas is all about.
The first theme of Advent is Hope. It is the first gift that Jesus brings to us. It is a bright light in a dark world. (Isa 9:2, 6&7) We continue to hope in God’s promise that Christ will come again to fill our world with love, joy and peace.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, speak to my heart during this season as you spoke to your prophets. Remind me again of the journey you call me to make and the work you would have me to do.
I am your servant, O Lord. Speak to me in this holy season and turn my eyes to watch for your coming.
About the Author
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Pastor Earl Batstone has pastored for more than forty years. He retired as General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Nfld in 2002. He and his wife Lily are presently active in Short Term Missionary work. They reside in Paradise, Newfoundland and may be reached at: earlbatstone@nl.rogers.com |
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Giving
Deuteronomy 15:11
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Proverbs 3:9, 10
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Additional Scriptures;
God’s Forgiveness; Matt. 6:12; Luke 7:36-50; 15:11-24; 18:9-14; 23:43; John 4:4-26; John 21:15-19; Rom. 5:1; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal 1:13,14.Prov. 28:13,14; Psalms 130:3,4; Zech.3:1-5.
Forgiving Others Matt.18:21-35; Luke 15:20-24; 2Cor. 2:5-11.
Proverbs 11:24, 25
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Proverbs 19:17
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Proverbs 21:13
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Proverbs 28:27
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Malachi 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Matthew 6:1-4
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Romans 12:8
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Corinthians 16:1, 2
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
2 Corinthians 9:6-12
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
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