Sunday, December 5, 2009, Nashville, TN.~
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Seems that the holiday season is upon us once again (I prefer "Happy Holy-days", because it is a holy time of year: we're celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!). Where does the time go????
Pastor Jones writing. I pray and trust this finds you all in fine shape; if not, know this: each and every one of you who are hurting are being covered in prayer; God hears your cries of the heart, and He cares for you! He always has, and He always will!
I am doing well: the family is, too.
It is a most busy time of year: shopping. Getting plans together for parties and/or entertaining guests/family/friends. Putting up the tree (or finding a tree if you decide to go natural). Putting up the wreaths, lights, other trappings that mark the Christmas season. Visiting the ill/homeless/elderly/homebound/Veterans, people who can use a touch of Christmas love and joy this season. Anticipating a good crowd for when our church puts on its annual Cantata, which is just a few weeks away.
I have been making it a point to include the adults on our church's Angel Tree. So many times, the focus of Christmas is on the children (as it should be; Christmas is for children, I've often heard), but what about those adults who lost their jobs? Lost their homes to fire, foreclosure, or whatever? What about our Veterans, many of whom are broken in mind and in spirit besides their bodies, many, of whom, are living on substandard incomes? What about the elderly/homebound? What about those who live with disability or chronic illnesses/conditions? Don't they matter, too??
Our Angel Tree is just about plucked clean; people have been opening their hearts (and their pocketbooks) to ensure that Christmas is merry for a deserving Veteran/elderly/handicapped/homeless person. We also have included needy children; seems that the list for help grows longer and longer, especially around holidays like Thanksgiving time or Christmas.
There are so many packages underneath the tree we had to move it off to the side, so people can enter our church building without worrying about busting their yoyos! LOL
I have been sitting in on our choir's practice sessions; they are really putting their hearts (and their voices) in their practicing. I am very proud at the hard work they are putting in it; they really sound terrific! We have some awesomely talented people amongst the congregation! Makes me look forward to our Cantata even more! :)
We have been having a lot of visitors coming to our church: Sundays find our "little" church nearly filled with people. It is nice to see! Now with Christmas coming up, and the lights/decorations strewn about the place, it just makes it more inviting! People are really making an effort to bring their family/friends!
In the midst of all our busy-ness, we should take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Christ. It has been said that Christ was actually born around spring or autumn; however, we have chosen December 25 to celebrate His birth; this is the main reason for a holiday like Christmas. I mean, look at the first part of the word. CHRISTmas. Christ. Christmas is probably the most important holiday on the Christian calendar besides Easter, Resurrection Day, the day Christ rose from the dead.
Yet many people have forgotten this. To them, Christmas means buy, buy, buy, shop, shop, shop! Or partying or focusing on the secular reasons for Christmas (Santa Claus, giving and getting -- with more focus on the "getting" --), as well as songs that have absolutely nothing to do with Christ and His birth. Seems that too many radio stations play the secular music instead of focusing on the carols. That is fine in moderation, but please, please don't forget why we celebrate such an important holiday!
It's no wonder so many people feel so empty, lonely, depressed. To them, Christmas spells stress, stress that shouldn't have to happen. If they only focus on the true meaning of Christmas instead of worrying, they'd be so much better off, especially if they adopt the "goodwill-towards-all-man" attitude and help someone who is truly in need!
They focus entirely on themselves. Sometimes, when people are facing tragedy/crisis in their lives, it is so easy to do, but they need to count their blessings and realize that so many people have it far worse than they ever will. I mean, look at the homeless beggar on the street. The Veteran who is struggling to make ends meet after bills are paid (or put off, depending). The elderly lady who can't decide whether to take lifesaving medication or eat. The young lady who is working three/four jobs to provide for her growing family. The man looking for work, only to come up empty handed yet again. Or the blind man selling pencils on the street corner, in the hopes of making some money so he can live.
Don't you think they would like a Christmas, too?? How about reaching your hand out to these dear people and show them what Christmas is truly about?? It doesn't take much effort! You will be doing them a great favor, and in the end, you will feel good about yourself, too, to know you made some small difference in a deserving person's life!
Christmas may be for children, true , but there are plenty of deserving adults who need help in more ways than you may realize! Just don't think about the kids: help some adults, too!
God will also honor your kindness/compassion towards others. Oh, yes! He will!! And that is a promise; God never backs down on His promises!!
It does my heart proud to see people living the message of Christmas, not only on Christmas, but all year 'round, as it should be. We have many good people at our church who would bend over backwards to make lives better for deserving adults and children who deserve far better than what life has given them!
I just pray and hope you adopt the "goodwill-to-all-mankind" philosophy. I promise you will be changed in ways that you cannot even begin to imagine! "Be a blessing, and you will be blessed" is something I've always said, even when I was going to school to become a pastor.
Well, it's early, so I will retire for several more hours, so I can be ready for church this morning. Today our children's choir/ministry will be putting on their annual Christmas production; they are doing "The Worst (Best) Christmas Pageant Ever". I know it will be a blessing to those who come this morning. I pray our kids touch hearts with the message of the play; it would mean so much to them if you do come!
May God bless you mightily, and think about what I have "preached" in this journal. You can really make Christmas extra special for someone. Try it. It works. In the meantime, if you do reach out in love, I pray God blesses you tenfold! You won't be sorry!
And above all, please think of our Saviour as we remember/celebrate His birth over 2,000 years ago! Jesus is the Reason for the Season!
Merry Christmas from my house to yours! May it be your best Christmas EVER!!
~Sincerely, Pastor Rick C. Jones, Associate Pastor, Christ Community Assembly of God Church, Nashville, TN.
