One Sunday in late autumn, the children’s pastor stood up to make an announcement. She invited the children and their parents to become involved in a Christmas program she was planning.
This puzzled me, because in my Messianic fellowship we had been taught that Christmas was of pagan origin and not a holiday instituted by God. We had relinquished many old traditions, including the Christmas tree, for we had learned of its idolatrous roots. Instead, my family embraced the winter feast of Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights, and celebrated Jesus fulfilling it as The Light of the World. As she spoke, I went to the Lord in prayer.
“Why are they doing a Christmas program, Lord? Shouldn’t they be celebrating Hanukkah instead?”
His reply was immediate. “Both Hanukkah and Christmas honor Me.”
Like the Grinch who stole Christmas, a warm revelation filled me. What was in our hearts was all our Heavenly Father cared about. It did not matter to the Lord whether I put up a Christmas tree or not. What mattered was why I placed one in my home. Because of my mother’s teaching, to me the evergreen tree was a symbol of eternal life available through our Savior.
This was good news indeed, for I missed the traditions of my childhood. I felt…free!
Now at wintertime my family and I fill the house with decorations, including a brightly lit Christmas tree. We sing Christmas songs and bake Christmas cookies.
Should we celebrate Christmas? Yes! Yes! Emphatically, YES! With our whole being let us celebrate and honor the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
you are so wonderful Lyn, have a Merry Christmas w/ your family! Joy to the world....let earth receive our KING!!! blessings/shalom...your brother in Christ Jesus, tony/vt. \o/ and Happy Hanukkah as well sister to you all.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tony, for your vote of confidence. Not all my readers agree with what I believe the Spirit of Christ showed me, but each person must seek the Truth of this matter for themselves. Holiday Blessings to you and yours as well<3
ReplyDeleteReceived an email from a dear friend who reads my blog. She had just read a devotional relating the evergreen tree to the gift of eternal life and sent me a photo of it. Here's what else she said: " I'm so happy to be able to celebrate it as Christmas...it's such a good time to witness...people r more open to listen this time of the year...plus like you said you can feel the Freedom!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to my dear Brother Tom and Sister Lyn.
I love the fact that more ppl are saying Merry Christmas this year.
They r feeling the freedom too since our last president is now gone! One day at a time one breath at a time n then homeward bound for eternity!!"