Celtic Advent devotions: Heart of the Holidays

Galatians 1:11            I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.

There are so many fables and stories, customs and events attached to our current celebrations of Christmas that it is sometimes hard to distinguish what is real, important, and true. We spend so much energy and effort in promoting, upholding, and supporting Christmas traditions that we frequently forget the simple Gospel message at the heart of our holidays.

Most of the things that we do around this time of year have really no Gospel connection to the miraculous birth of Christ. We get so wrapped up with wrapping gifts up that we miss God’s message to the world: we can experience everlasting hope, the forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal peace with God through Jesus.

We can make ourselves ill with the burdens that we place upon ourselves. We can exhaust ourselves emotionally by trying to make everything perfect for everyone else. Instead of allowing Christ to be the Burden Bearer of our worries and the Perfecter of our peace, we busily battle our way through the commercial rush and allow peer pressure to dictate our lives.

Christmas was never meant to be like that. The Holy Mass of Christ was supposed to be a sacred time when we allowed Jesus to be the Light of our world and the Healer of our sorrows. He came to show us that life can sometimes be a delusion, and that we often deceive ourselves with our busy-ness. We really need Him at this special time, not only to save us from our sins, but also to save us from ourselves.

The gladness and goodness of the Gospel at Christmas is a glorious God-given opportunity when we can truly experience a little of the joys of Heaven on Earth through welcoming Christ into our hearts and homes. After all, when everything is said and done and our finite lives draw to a close, it won’t be the fables, customs, and traditions of Christmas that will get us into God’s Eternal presence; it will only be Jesus Christ our Savior, Lord, and King who can do that for us.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, as we advance into another season of food, festivities, fables and films which will strain our finances, remind us that faith in You and true fellowship with God are the most important parts of Christmas. Keep us from burdening our lives and loved ones with trinkets and tinsel, delusions and decorations that have no everlasting value. Remind us that You are the Heart of our holidays and the Center of our celebrations. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s 2010 Christmas drawings. It’s called “Christmas Candles.” You can view a larger version at the following link:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5119623018_6b4a062826_b.jpg

Celtic Devotions: Advent - Musical Windows - Psalm 108 v 3

Psalm 108:3    I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

I love this time of year and especially the weeks that lead up to Christmas. No matter where I go, I hear Christmas music and carols everywhere. Christianity is a singing faith and I like to think that the songs and hymns we sing at Christmas are the musical windows of the church.

I know that some people think that there’s too much commercialism at this time of year and that the Spirit of Christmas is lost in a smorgasbord of feasting, fables, and fun. I used to think like that, but the more I experience Advent and Christmas, the more I understand the power of Incarnation and the actual presence of Christ in the world.

Every year we sing of Christ’s birth among the nations. Every Christmas someone is truly touched by the glad tidings of peace and joy. Every carol has the power to move the hearts of people, who have isolated themselves from church, and bring them back to joyfully praise the Lord. We see this actually happening in Christmas Eve worship services around the world. That’s why they are so crowded. People are attracted to our faith through the wonderful songs that we sing and play at this time of year.

So between now and December 25th, I’ll be singing, playing, and listening to as many Christmas carols as I can. My hope is that someone else will hear them and rediscover God’s joy to the world.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we give You thanks for the season ahead of us when many people across the nations will joyfully sing of Your glorious birth. Thank You for the musicians and vocalists who will inspire, delight, and please us with their talented gifts this Christmas. In Your Holy Name, we joyfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s 2010 stained glass Christmas drawing. He calls it “African Nativity.” You can view a larger version at the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5064118966_784afd8a3a_b.jpg

John also has a limited number (25) of signed prints available. If you would like one, contact him at his email address.