DECEMBER 2018 Today Christmas is being transformed into a Greetings celebration of lights, gift giving, party How did Christmas become what it is going, and other frivolous events. How did the celebration of God coming to earth, to you and me become offensive. How ironic is it that the birth of Jesus which was meant to transform our lives is being In much of our United States nativity scenes transformed into almost anything else but? are now banned from many public parks, places and schools. The of Jesus was meant to transform our despair, our doubts, our fears into hope. Christmas carols that used to be sung in public schools have been replaced by ones The of Jesus was meant to transform that do not mention anything about Jesus our depression, our sadness, our and his birth. The once called Christmas discouragement into joy. concert is referred to as the holiday concert. The birth of Jesus was meant to transform In public schools in America, teachers and our animosity, our apathy, our hatred, into students are being urged or required by love. administrators and lawyers fearful of lawsuits to use phrases Holidays” or The birth of Jesus was meant to transform “Happy Greetings” instead of our disharmony, our frustration, our worries “Season’s “Merry Christmas” or Christmas.” into peace. “Happy Many advertising pieces during the The birth of Jesus was meant to transform Christmas season now delete the the darkness in our our families, our “Christ” part of the word neighborhoods, and our world with the light “Christmas.” of the world, Jesus. Why was the birth of the baby Jesus considered so significant in the first place? Don’t settle this Christmas by celebrating a Why is Christmas being viewed differently holiday. The of Jesus was never meant today? What has happened to cause an event to be a holiday, it was meant to transform which has so influenced the modern world our lives. to be slowly erased from people’s thinking? May your Christmas be a blessed It seems to me that Christmas is following transformation, so that you will live the new the way of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas, a and holy life Jesus’ birth was meant to fourth century bishop known as a very kind bring. man who had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who Godspeed Pastor Rich needed it, was transformed into the white bearded, jovial Santa Claus.
DECEMBER 2018 Greetings How did Christmas become what it is How did the celebration of God coming to earth, to you and me become offensive. In much of our United States nativity scenes are now banned from many public parks, places and schools. Christmas carols that used to be sung in public schools have been replaced by ones that do not mention anything about Jesus and his birth. The once called Christmas concert is referred to as the holiday concert. In public schools in America, teachers and students are being urged or required by administrators and lawyers fearful of lawsuits to use phrases “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” instead of “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Christmas.” Many advertising pieces during the Christmas season now delete the “Christ” part of the word “Christmas.” Why was the birth of the baby Jesus considered so significant in the first place? Why is Christmas being viewed differently today? What has happened to cause an event which has so influenced the modern world to be slowly erased from people’s thinking? It seems to me that Christmas is following the way of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas, a fourth century bishop known as a very kind man who had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed it, was transformed into the white bearded, jovial Santa Claus. Today Christmas is being transformed into a celebration of lights, gift giving, party going, and other frivolous events. How ironic is it that the birth of Jesus which was meant to transform our lives is being transformed into almost anything else but? The of Jesus was meant to transform our despair, our doubts, our fears into hope. The of Jesus was meant to transform our depression, our sadness, our discouragement into joy. The birth of Jesus was meant to transform our animosity, our apathy, our hatred, into love. The birth of Jesus was meant to transform our disharmony, our frustration, our worries into peace. The birth of Jesus was meant to transform the darkness in our our families, our neighborhoods, and our world with the light of the world, Jesus. Don’t settle this Christmas by celebrating a holiday. The of Jesus was never meant to be a holiday, it was meant to transform our lives. May your Christmas be a blessed transformation, so that you will live the new and holy life Jesus’ birth was meant to bring. Godspeed Pastor Rich
TIDINGS_2018_DEC.docx