CHRISTMAS: DON'T HESITATE TO CELEBRATE

What does God think about the way we Christians celebrate Christmas? Does He frown on the commercialism or decorations? Should we allow Santa to be part of our Christmas? These are things many if not most Christians contemplate during the Christmas season, at least to some degree. What does the Bible say about Christmas?

In a word: nothing. We aren't even sure as to the exact day Christ was born. The only real celebrating that occurred at His birth was done by the angels. But they did celebrate with song. It was an occasion worthy of celebration, more so than any event that has ever occurred in the history of the world other than His resurrection after being crucified. 

There were many festivals that were already being celebrated by the Jews at God's direction. The occasion of the birth of the Son of God is an even more worthy occasion to celebrate, even if the exact date is not known. It stands to reason that Christ would be pleased with all the songs of praise, the focus on His birth through skits and manger scenes, the prayers of thanksgiving for God's gift to us, and the love and kindness that is shown to others at this time of the year. These are things He is pleased to see year round. It is when the focus shifts from Christ to other things that He would be displeased.

I hear people complain about the commercialism of Christmas, and I have done my share of complaining, but there are many businesses that survive the rest of the year on what they make at Christmas. In other words, Christmas is part of the survival of our economy. When we purchase gifts, we are helping our brothers and sisters keep their jobs. However, Christ should be included in this system without being exploited. And our attitudes should never be gimme, gimme, gimme.

The wise men brought gifts to Jesus and God gave His Son to us. Our giving is in response to their examples. In reading through the book of Esther I came upon a passage that says, "That is why the rural Jews...observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other." (The city Jews celebrated, also, but on the 15th.) The Festival of Purim was a celebration of the preservation of the Jews from the intended annihilation that had been planned for them. Gift-giving was part of that celebration. Being prompted to give is a good discipline for all of us. Also, since we traditionally give birthday gifts, why not do so in honor of Christ's birth?

So, where does decorating fit into Christmas? Many of the items that we put on the tree have religious meanings behind them, including the tree itself. The evergreen tree is a symbol of everlasting life. The bells represent church bells that ring in celebration of His birth. Even candy canes were designed to represent his pureness (white), and the red stripes represent the suffering He endured and the blood He shed. The star, of course, symbolizes the star that the wise men followed and the lights represent Jesus, the light of the world, and we His disciples, who are to let our lights shine.

I personally struggle with including Santa at Christmas. Others do not and I respect their choice. The idea of Santa originated when a saint began giving gifts to the needy. This is certainly honorable. But many times Santa gets more glory than Christ, especially with children. This is for each of you to work out with God, as is everything else I have written. I hope I have given you something more to contemplate.

However we choose to celebrate Christmas, let's keep this festival festive. Let's join the angels' chorus. Let's be as wise as the wise men were in our own giving. It is a birthday party, after all. I say, "Let's celebrate!"

Becky Wall

Having said all that, and in hindsight, now 11 years later, I have a few more verses to add for you to contemplate. 

Isaiah 1:14 - Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.

Amos 5:21 - “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.

Lamentations 1:4 - The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed festivals. All her gateways are desolate, her priests groan, her young women grieve, and she is in bitter anguish.

Lamentations 2:6 - He has laid waste his dwelling like a garden; he has destroyed his place of meeting. The Lord has made Zion forget her appointed festivals and her Sabbaths; in his fierce anger he has spurned both king and priest.

Hosea 2:11 - I will stop all her celebrations: her yearly festivals, her New Moons, her Sabbath days—all her appointed festivals.

Nahum 1:15 - Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.

Zechariah 8:19 - This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”

Evidently the festivals were being ignored and unattended. God was acting out his anger on the people for abandoning the festivals that God Himself ordered. They had, in essence, abandoned Him, also. That's when he allowed them to become captives in Babylonia. When the people turned back to Him, He prompted them to return to their fasts and festivals.

In looking at the big picture, bringing the concept of it to today's world, are we headed the same direction as the Hebrew people in abandoning anything and everything associated with God/Jesus? I walked through a couple of stores this week, one of which claims to be Christian, and there was no sign of the nativity or religious ornaments. This was years later than when the above was written. The big draw was Santa and the Grinch. They certainly get more attention than the story of Jesus's birth. The religious Christmas music had stopped. That all makes me think God may turn His anger on us. Are we loving truth and peace and praising Jesus for coming to earth to die for us to save us from our sins and eternal fire, or are we loving Santa, the Grinch and presents? Something to think about.

A TREE IS TRIMMED

A

TREE IS

TRIMMED

It’s Christmas

and the tree is trimmed,

as laughter fills the air.

A tree was trimmed for Christ

one day and He was crucified there.

Lights shine bright upon the tree;

our little lights also should shine. We are lit by

the light of the Son, Jesus Christ, your Savior and mine.

A star is hung like the one in the sky so the Savior the

wise men could find. Wise men now search the scriptures for Him;

those who don’t to His presence are blind. Candy shaped like the

staffs of shepherds who first heard the news of His birth, are striped

with red, like the stripes He bore; He’s still the greatest news on earth.

Bells ring in celebration of the One who without a cry, traveled a road

from the crib to the cross; God’s Son was born to die. Gifts were given

to Christ at His birth, and God’s gift of His Son should please us,

yet Santa gets glory as the great gift-giver,

But Santa

too bows

down to

Jesus

Becky Overturf Wall

BAPTISM IS MORE THAN GETTING WET IN CHURCH

BAPTISM IS MORE THAN GETTING WET IN CHURCH

What is baptism? Baptism is preceded by a public confession of true faith, belief and repentance followed by immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins and a receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which was offered by the Lord Jesus Christ as stated in Acts 2:38.

Baptism is a New Testament commandment. It is a symbolic "burial" in water in recognition of Jesus death, burial and resurrection. Through baptism sins are washed away and the new creature in Christ receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. Scripture compares baptism to Noah's ark: "In it only a few people, eight in all,were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him" (I Pet. 3:21-22). 

God cleansed the earth of sin by burying in water the people who were blatantly sinning, but they didn't rise again from their watery grave. Noah and his three sons and their wives were the only ones saved. We who are baptized for the forgiveness of our sins will rise again to a new life. "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:4). The choice is ours: rise or remain dead in your sins.

Baptism should be acted on immediately after coming to the full knowledge of your sinfulness. You should desire to make your conversion known to others. The need to act quickly is shown in all of the conversions in the book of Acts: Paul, the jailer and his family, the eunuch to which Philip preached, the 3,000 that were baptized after hearing Peter preach on the Day of Pentecost, etc. Procrastination just gives the devil time to talk a person out of being baptized or to put hurdles in the way. The sooner a person receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, the better.

Baptism is necessary for Jesus to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew 3:13-16a says, "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him saying, I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. Then John consented." We are to follow Jesus's example. Also note that Jesus was likely immersed because the next verse says, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water."

Baptism is an act of obedience. Obedience is stressed throughout the Bible but the obedience should be because we want to please Christ and not because we feel like we have to. After Jesus had died, risen, and ascended into heaven, Peter preached a sermon which grieved the hearts of the listeners. When he was finished, the people asked what they must do to be saved. Peter's response was, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). This requirement comes with a prized gift from the Lord Himself, that gift being the third part of Him, and who helps us throughout life as long as we don't permanently push Him away. He cannot co-exist with ongoing sin.

Baptism requires humility, a giving up of the pride that prevents a person from going forward to confess and repent in front of others. Vanity must be overcome in order for a person to be willing to get his or her hair wet in front of people. Those who are uncomfortable with being the center of attention must overcome that fear or any other fear long enough to fulfill this act of obedience.

Baptism is understanding that we are unworthy of the price Christ had to pay for our salvation, for His forgiveness of our sins, for the riches we will acquire in heaven and a realization that He loves us that much. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... (Romans 3:23). It is a way of acknowledging that "I get it now, Lord! Here I am; use me."

Baptism becomes void or meaningless if not followed by true love for Christ shown through our actions and obedience, notwithstanding the fact that we are still going to sin on occasion.

If our attention to the Lord ends with our baptism or if we are baptized with the wrong attitude or for the wrong reason, we would still be lost sinners -- just wet ones. Baptism done just for show, such as to win the heart of a Christian girlfriend or boyfriend, is not true baptism. Getting baptized just because friends are or just to get to participate in taking Communion are wrong motives.

A transformation is to occur when baptized. That transformation involves a complete turnaround from our sinful and selfish ways of the past and a striving to become perfect as Jesus was perfect, though that goal will never be altogether accomplished. Jesus was the only one who was, is and ever will be perfect. Though that is the goal, the transformation will not happen overnight. It takes time, discipline, obedience, a change in attitude and thinking, love for the Lord and others, and much prayer. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2) Since all have sinned, it was necessary that Jesus die to cleanse us of our sins. Sinners could not enter heaven but Jesus made a way when there seemed to be no way. He took our sins to the cross, buried them in his grave and rose again. We symbolically do the same through baptism. Therefore, one need not despair when that person is caught in Satan's throes.

Baptism is a commitment to love as Jesus loved.

After baptism we are to follow Christ's teaching and example in our behavior and speech. "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" (I John 3:18). "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips" (Col. 3:8). We are to walk by the spirit. "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Gal. 5:22-23 NIV) The King James Version of the Bible translates forbearance as patience. That rolls off the tongue easier when trying to memorize that verse.

Baptism is accompanied by a hunger to find out in His Word what He wants us to know and do. We start with the milk of God's Word and move on to the meat of His Word. Too many spend their lives floundering in the milk. They misuse verses and struggle to quote any. They rely on the preacher's sermons to educate them without ever studying the Bible. They never grow as Christians. They become stagnant or even fall away; perish the thought.

Baptism creates an excitement that makes the person want to shout from the rooftops how it feels to be free of the burden of sin. The cleansed person has a desire for others to find this freedom. That excitement has a ripple effect in that others witness the happiness that comes with being made pure by Christ and want that in their lives. They too want to be free from the chains of sin that bind them. Even the home is happier.

Baptism is the forming of a close bond or relationship with Jesus and a desire to talk to Him in prayer. God talks back through His Word. He doesn't answer prayers that we don't pray. He is not a God who "cracks the whip" to make us love Him. Our love for Him and others must come from the heart.

When baptized, you are adopted into the family of God. As a family member you will have the benefits of a family member and will be loved, cared for and offered an inheritance, an eternal home in heaven. Our Father in heaven is like the father in the Bible story of the prodigal son and will welcome us home even in our filth. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are eternal. He (the three-in-one) will never die. Neither will we if we confess our faith, repent, are baptized, obey Him and have a father-son/father-daughter relationship with Him from then on. A relationship with Christ compares to a relationship with your earthly father but on a deeper level.

Becky L. Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

GET DOWN WITH YOUR BAD SELF

GET DOWN WITH YOUR BAD SELF

No, I am not telling you to dance -- yet. As a matter of fact, what I am suggesting will bring you longer-lasting and deeper joy than dancing. But before the joy comes pain, for my suggestion is, if you haven't already done so, get down with your bad self, not in a cool dance step, but on your knees in a spirit of brokenness. Humble yourself before God and confess your sins. Promise to give up those sins. Offer God your life to use as He sees fit. Free yourself of the heavy burden of guilt that weighs you down each day. Experience the peace that only Christ can offer. See "The Light" at the end of the dark tunnel through which you are now traveling. Let yourself feel the pain. Then you can "dance with the joyful" (Jer. 31:4,13).

--Becky Wall

A MEASURE OF SUCCESS

A MEASURE OF SUCCESS

          The world measures success by great sports achievements, becoming famous in the arts, and by widespread recognition for acting or musical talent. Good looks seem to bring success to those so blessed. These are all what I call Hollywood standards of success that often come with Hollywood values. Then there's the usual measures of wealth and power. But at what price does this "success" come? By forsaking the Lord and family? By compromising moral values?

          True Christians measure success much differently. Proverbs 23:4 says, "Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint." Christians have their sights set on heaven. Others do not have the same goal but are in the race, nevertheless. Their lack of interest and, therefore, lack of preparation and participation will disqualify them from the prize.

          Paul, the special apostle who suffered so greatly for the Lord's sake, says in Acts 20:24, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me..." As a Roman, Paul was familiar with athletic events. He says in I Corinthians 9:24-27, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

          Our own success will come when we can say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I  have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day -- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (II Timothy 4:7-8, NIV).

--Becky Wall

BEAUTY IS AS BEAUTY DOES

BEAUTY IS AS BEAUTY DOES

If beauty is your quest,

Or you want to change your look,

If you want the best of beauty tips,

Get them from the Good Book.

Your heart will make you lovely;

Kindness will shine from within.

You will act with grace and gentleness,

And wear a wholesome grin.

Beauty that is only skin deep,

Will wash off or fade with age,

But beauty within is indelible;

Such beauty should be all the rage.

Christ can give any face a lift,

When the fruits of the Spirit are worn.

You will be truly transformed,

If the glory of God you’ll adorn.

Let Jesus light up your eyes;

You’ll be radiant--just you see.

His living water is the fountain of youth;

You will live for eternity.

Becky Overturf Wall

WHO'S SAVED AND WHO'S NOT?

WHO’S SAVED AND WHO’S NOT?

(Ezekiel 3:18-21)

Don’t be too quick to think you’re saved,

Though you go to church and pray.

Don’t think you’re going to heaven,

Just because your tithes you pay.

If you don’t warn a wicked man,

That for his sins he will die,

You will be held accountable,

If you never even try.

But if you warn the wicked man,

And still from his ways he won’t turn,

He will die for his sin;

But you yourself will not burn.

The righteous things a wicked man does,

Will be remembered not.

Good doesn’t cancel out bad,

Bad hurts, no matter what.

But if you warn the righteous man,

He should continue to behave,

He will surely live,

And yourself, as well, you will save.

This can be quite sobering,

If you’re one to ignore a sinner.

But if you love your brother enough,

To help save his life, you’re a winner.

Becky Wall

MORPHED

MORPHED

         What do caterpillars, tadpoles, clay and you all have in common? All undergo a metamorphosis. In short, all are "morphed." When we grow as Christians, we are all like caterpillars leaving their cocoons to fly on their own as beautiful butterflies. Each of us is like clay being shaped and molded into a "dish." We are like tadpoles leaving the water to change into toads. (Okay, maybe that illustration isn't such a pleasant one.) Like the caterpillar, clay and tadpole, our lives are changing in every way. Even our appearance is changing while we mature spiritually.

          Changes are sometimes scary. I know; I've gone through many myself in my lifetime. But have no fear. When you allow the Holy Spirit to help you make transformations in life, you will be the best you can be. God has a plan for your life. Jeremiah 19:11-13 encourages us with these words: " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'"

          Maybe you have deep scars from life through no fault of your own, or because of your own poor decisions. Your life may be marred by sin and strife, but God can reshape your life and make it into something useful and beautiful, like the potter does the clay pot. The book of Jeremiah gives us that example: "But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands, so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as it seemed best to him (18:4).

          It is difficult at times for one to appreciate changes in life, especially when the focus is on the past. But Isaiah 43:18-19a challenges us to "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"

          Our plans are not God's plans and our ways are not His ways. You may have your life all sketched out in your mind, but God may wish to color and shape your life in a completely different way. Who do you trust as being the potter with the most skill -- yourself or God?

          I, for one, am a marred pot in the potter's hands, in the process of being reshaped and molded. It is both scary and exciting. God does not shape His pots on an assembly line. No two pots are the same. No two butterflies are the same. No two toads...never mind.

          Your life is different than mine. Your scars are different than mine. But the metamorphosis is the most perfect and complete when the master designer is God. So, be prepared to "morph."

          --Becky L. Wall

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed  into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. II Cor. 3:18

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

IN LOVE OR IN LUST

IN LOVE OR IN LUST

(Based in part on I Corinthians 13, the love chapter)

Love is patient, love is kind;

It does not envy or boast.

Lust can’t wait; to sin it is blind,

The devil himself is its host.

Love is never conceited or rude;

It doesn’t think of self only.

Lust is vain; its language is crude,

And it preys upon the lonely.

Love doesn’t keep a score of hurts--

Never a record of wrongs.

Lust keeps a record every time it scores,

And the list may be quite long.

Love never gloats when another sins;

It always delights in trust.

Lust sins, then shamelessly gloats;

Who can trust someone full of lust?

Love can face anyone or thing,

With faith, hope, and endurance.

Lust is weak, but consider its source;

Satan leaves no hope or assurance.

Love will last forever,

For rooted in God is true love.

Lust is fleeting and shallow,

And it comes from below, not above.

Becky Overturf Wall

JONAH: IN THE BELLY OF A REALLY BIG FISH

IN THE BELLY OF A REALLY BIG FISH

(Jonah)

The word of the Lord came to Jonah;

I want you to go and preach.

Go to Ninevah and see,

How many of them you can reach.

So Jonah paid the travel fare,

And sailed in the other direction.

But he was soon to discover,

He no longer had God’s protection.

The Lord was upset with Jonah,

So He sent a great wind on the sea.

Jonah had run away from God,

But God he could not flee.

While the sailors cried to their gods in fear,

Jonah was fast asleep,

Unaware of the trouble he’d caused,

For he was sleeping so deep.

“Get up,” cried the sailors, “and call on your god;

We’re sinking faster and faster.”

They then drew lots to determine,

Who caused this near disaster.

The lot fell upon Jonah,

So they questioned, “Who are you?

Who and where are your people?"

He answered, “I am Hebrew.”

I worship the Lord God of heaven,

Who made the land and the sea.

“What have you done” they asked him then,

“That your God caused this storm to be?"

The sea got rougher and rougher;

They wondered what they should do.

“Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said.

"It’s my fault this storm came on you."

The seamen tried to row to land,

But the waves grew wilder and wilder.

So they quickly hurled Jonah overboard.

At once, the winds became milder.

Jonah was instantly caught,

‘tween the devil and the deep blue sea.

Tangled in seaweed, he cried,

“There’s a whale of a fish after me!”

Down its slippery tongue Jonah went;

He began to toss and careen.

Though it was dark, he saw the light,

In the belly of the live submarine.

There was Jonah in the fish’s tummy,

(It was usually the other way ‘round.)

He had plenty of time to think,

And wonder to where he was bound.

Three days and nights in his think tank,

On a waterbed he rested.

The folly of ignoring his calling,

Was the only thing digested.

Jonah remembered the Lord, then prayed,

It was then God’s plan unfurled.

For the second time in three long days,

From his resting place Jonah was hurled.

With a splat he landed on dry land,

And proceeded to obey the Lord.

In Ninevah he had success,

Except with a stubborn gourd.

Becky L. Wall