If you haven’t guessed by now I am embroiled in 25 days of Christmas themed drawings. The latest of these drawings is an elf. There are many aspects of Christmas which while not a part of the true Christmas story are part of our cultural Christmas season. The problem we have as Christians is not forgetting the truth of Christmas as we sometimes get wrapped up in all the other trappings of the holiday season, the shopping, the glitter, the shopping, the packed malls and stores among others.
One of my favorite funny songs of the Christmas season is, “The 12 Pains of Christmas.” It is a song about all the things which can wrong at this time of the years. One of them is stringing up the Christmas lights. If you’ve ever done it before you know what I’m talking about. The lights can be all tangled together or in the old days when one light went out the rest would go out. Today however most Christmas lights are made to stay on when one of them isn’t working. This goes a long way to insuring that the light will still shine no matter what.
I think our life is like the Christmas lights. There are times when our life is a tangled up mess that has to be unraveled. Once that is done even though one bulb may be out but because of the Holy Spirit inside us our light from the faith we have in God still shines forth for all to see.
Growing up I used to love the winter because it meant we might have a white Christmas. Now snow is just one more thing I have to clean up and shovel. Another fond memory from my childhood was building a showman. Next to my childhood home was a big field which provided plenty of snow in order for my friends and I to try and build the biggest snowman around. Many times we succeeded, but a few times we didn’t. The fun was in trying. After our toil we would sit or lay around enjoying our fruit of our labor.
My snowman making days are far behind me but the thrill of creating is still alive and well. There is something about seeing the fruit of what God does through the talent He has given me. There are times however some creations don’t turn out the way I expected but I now in the end since God was involved I can look back and enjoy.
I often use random drawing prompts in order to pick something to draw. the prompt for today was…angel. The drawing part of these prompts is easy but coming up wit a message…well…lets just say…that is more difficult. Well the subject of angels and the season got me to thinking. Did the angels weep out of sadness or for joy on the night Jesus was born.
I mean after all Isaiah records in versus 33:7, “Behold, their heroes cry in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly…” According to some Bible commentaries I have read the envoys of peace mentioned in the verse are angels. The angels wept bitterly over the state of the city of Jerusalem. So though the Bible doesn’t mention I’ve often wondered of the tears which may have been shed during the birth of Jesus.
Ever since I can remember my home has been decorated with lights and has had a Christmas tree. The origin of the Christmas tree as it now stands is tied in part to some Non-Christian traditions and has gone through many incarnations over the years. If you would like to read more about those traditions in order to make up your own mind about the Christmas tree check out this article on History.com. While the Christmas tree may be to some not a true representation of the spirit of this season and the birth of Jesus it is still a part of many a Christian’s home.
This is the time of year when a lot of people suffer from the Winter Blues or as it is more commonly known, seasonal affective disorder. There are a number of ways to fight the winter blues all you need to do is search the web or ask you doctor. I only bring up this disorder because as the days grow shorter and the temperature drop many people don’t even realize why they are feeling sadder or blue. I know each year I find myself feeling a little cabin fever because I love to be outside moving around. I fight the winter blues by trying to delver more into my art and keep myself buys. I also pray God will lead me through the winter season. So if you’re suffering the blues make sure you deal with it as sson as possible.
It is that time of the year again when all you hear on the radio is Christmas music. One of my favorite songs is John Lennon’s “And So This is Christmas”:
“So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun…”
This song is a reminder to me that Christmas is not all about us but about giving to others. God gave us His Son in order to not only offer us a way into Heaven but also is a reminder that it is more important to give. The picture I drew is of two children who see the trappings of Christmas all around but may never no the joy of the season. We all have so much which means we all have the opportunity to share with others. Think about it.
Growing up I loved to read all the Greek and Roman myths. I loved the strength of Hercules and the failure of Icarus to listen to his father’s warnings. As I grew older I started to come to know people who read the Bible. they would tell me of the stories of Noah and Samson among others.
At the time I made the myth-stake of thinking the Bible and all it contained was just a bunch of stories or just past civilization attempt to rationalize the world in which they lived and all the unexplained happenings. It was not until my late 20’s that I came to know the truth which was contained in the Bible.
I did not come to the conclusion lightly. Being the science guy I am I read and studied other works besides the Bible seeking answers. In the end the answers seemed obvious, God is real, Jesus was, is and always will be who claimed, God’s Son and salvation comes to those who in faith enter into a relationship with Jesus. So don’t myth the truth…seek the truth and the answers will come.
Love is a verb which means it is not stagnant but always moving. Here are some Bible verses about love:
Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
Notice theses verses are all about loving others and in the last verse Jesus commands us to love others. So at this time of year and all throughout the year let not our love be a silhouette but full fledged love others can see. and feel.
