The Christmas Song of the Year

You have to hear the great version of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns. Read the story in the video link below.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt--150Y6Hf8ds/casting_crowns_i_heard_the_bells_on_christmas_day/

In Essence, How Was Your Christmas?

In a few weeks you will ask or be asked, "How was your Christmas?" Christmases are often measured by having or not having. Whether it is the child who got their wish or the parent or gave it to them, both measure the holiday by the presence of some physical thing. But the first Christmas participants had very little of what inspires a positive response to, "How was your Christmas?"

And yet will any of us be able to answer, "How was your Christmas," with, "I was overcome with emotion?" That is what the Magi said (Matthew 2:11). Will we say that each experience was something we treasured deeply in our hearts? That is what Mary said (Luke 2:19). Will any of us say that our Christmas was so meaningful that we told all our friends about it, astonishing them with our amazing Christmas experiences? That is what the shepherds did (Luke 2:17-18). And could any of us ever say of our Christmas that it was so monumental that we can now die, happy after the experience? And yet that is what Simeon said (Luke 2:29).

Such amazing responses have never been uttered over even the most pristine of Christmas celebrations. I think it is safe to say that if we are aiming for a 'perfect' Christmas, we are settling. The first Christmas is the standard, not one on a Currier and Ives picture or the cover of Martha Stewart Living. The first Christmas shows us the essence of Christmas.

There was no money but plenty of riches. The family wasn't all in but the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were there. There was no mention of food but an adundance of fullness. The accomodations were horrendous, but there seems to be a lot of comfort. Mary and Joseph not even being married yet, the relationships were not in perfect order, but love seems to fly off the pages. There was no money for a wonderful holiday show but could any thing compare with that angel choir?

I guess what I am saying is that we spend too much time, money, and worry over what delivers far less than the first people in the Christmas story experienced--and they didn't have any of the things we worry about. If, for you, Christmas is only going to be about what you have or don't have, what is right or isn't right then you are going to set yourself up for a disappointing answer to, "How was your Christmas?" None of those things were in place in Bethlehem and yet their Christmas experience blows all of ours away.

The difference in those who celebrated the first Christmas and us is focus. They had one focus and that was connecting with Baby Jesus. They were not worried about relatives, money, or poinsettias. Seeing him, being with him, worshipping him...that was and is all that matters. That is the essence of Christmas and the only measure of, "How was your Christmas?"

Go Wolves!

Congrats to the Buford Wolves on their second straight appearance in the Class AA State Championship Game today against Calhoun. It is interesting to me because when I started in youth ministry in Dalton GA I had kids in my youth group from Calhoun. They have a great program in Buford and many of our kids at The Crossing are a part of it so I am firmly on the Wolves side. They will play Calhoun at 5 today in the GA Dome...so Go Wolves!

Finding Your Way Home at Christmas

This Sunday begins the holiday season at The Crossing with the theme, "Finding Your Way Home at Christmas." In the first Christmas most of the prominent players were traveling. The Magi traveled 600 miles from Persia to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph went about 70 miles from Nazareth, and the Shepherds traveled a few miles into town from the surrounding hills of Bethlehem. And One--one very important baby--traveled quite a long way from Heaven to be the main attraction of the Christmas story.

Like many people since then, Christmas had them on the road. They all felt some deep longing strongly expressed by the simple fact that they just kept going in a time when travel was very difficult. Eyes wide open, they were searching, needing, grasping for something real but invisible--something essential but intangible. They looked like they were on a fool's errand but the world's first Scrooges did not stop them. As with many Christmas travelers since, they were finding their way home at Christmas.

In our adult lives Shelli and I have never had a Christmas without a trip. Like us, most everyone feels a very powerful longing to be home for Christmas. Sometimes, in spite of long distances, bad weather, or very little money we would joyfully head for home. Nothing was more important than getting home.
At Christmas something draws us in a similar fashion to the Lord. This season just makes us feel the need to seek the Lord. We just need to connect with our Father and find the comfort and peace of being at home in His will. Maybe you feel as far away from God as the Magi or as close to Him as Mary and Joseph were. Regardless of your distance finding your way home at Christmas is about seeing the signs that light the way. Some who were close that first Christmas ignored the signs and missed out. Others who were far away, saw the signs and experienced the greatest of joys.

This holiday season God wants you to find your way home to a closer relationship with God. We will look at the signs God is giving you and regardless of where you are you will see each week how you can find your way home at Christmas.

The Privilege of Serving Shelli

Yesterday my wife Shelli had reconstructive knee surgery. One bad step on a tennis court left Shelli with a torn ACL and meniscus damage. From the time we left the hospital yesterday Shelli has been completely dependent on me for everything. For the most basic needs I have waited on her for everything. While there have been times of sickness over the years this time of recovery has been different. Since I am older now and have aging family members I can mentally time warp into Shelli and I's 'golden years' where one of us may be caring for the other. While no one can predict the future I can say that this little glimpse into a possible future has been a blessing. I am sure the heavy load that some care givers have is unimaginable and I don't mean to assume after one day of care giving that I understand. But I understand more today than I did yesterday.

For her comfort Shelli is camped out up stairs. This means I have had 100 trips up and down the steps (I need the exercise so no problem.) She is in a great deal of pain and that hurts me to see her suffer. She constantly needs something: water, pills, her phone, her computer, her purse, etc. There are the house chores that must be done-dishes, clothes, pets, kids, and so on. And I feel like all of this must be done with an unusually positive attitude because Shelli will feel bad if she thinks she is being a burden to me. Because she is so giving, not being able to give when someone else is giving to her is tough for her. But I don't want anything to be tough for her.

None of this is a complaint; just a reality check for me. What I now know is care giving is tough, especially when the other person is completely dependent. But I think I better understand how to handle the job of care giving. First, what makes it much more easy is the person you are serving. It is a privilege to serve Shelli. She has given me so much love and support over the years that it is nothing to serve her. Secondly, see it as your responsibilty. Serving her is part of my job as her husband; before God I pledged as much when I said, "I do." Thirdly, accept help any where you can. I have been so blessed by my small group and The Crossing family. Meals are being delivered, one of our ladies is coming to stay with Shelli during Logan's game Friday, and their have been numerous calls of support and offers of help. You need to be in small group if for no other reason just for the support of friends during tough times.

In closing I am feeling so blessed. I have a wonderful wife and no matter what happens in our later years I will be privileged to care for her. I have precious friends who partner with me for a purpose bigger than ourselves. I am surrounded by good things!

Full of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has quite an agenda if you are with my family. We really enjoy the day. We usually try to catch a little of the Macy's parade. Sometimes there is a last minute store run (if one is open). I might get drafted to peel some potatoes or slice the turkey. I might take some time to see what games will be on later and plan accordingly. Of course there is the dinner that will be a wonderful feast. After that I will probably help clean-up (unless I don't have to!) And then it is football and a nap. After which, it is football and pumpkin pie...after which it is football, leftovers, pie, maybe a movie, more leftovers, more football, until delirium causes us all to put another Thanksgiving to bed.

It has been quite a day...what a Thanksgiving! But in spite of all of its 'fullness,' my Thanksgiving has lacked something: thanksgiving. The challenge for all of us is to carve out some time to say thank you while carving our turkey. Oddly taking time for thanksgiving is low on the Thanksgiving agenda.

I am certainly in favor, both personally and profesionally, of what we all have been doing to celebrate Thanksgiving. We need to celebrate. I just think that being thankful is essential as a regular practice of our lives; and most especially on a day of Thanksgiving.

Find a quiet place with nothing more to do than focusing on every blessing you have. Your blessings are God's fingerprints on your life. You can see where God has been in your life when you see how you have been blessed. Knowing God has been in your life especially when times are tough is important. Don't let another Thanksgiving pass without thanksgiving...it will be good to know God has been there too.

Leaving the Middle

Moses' journey from Midian to Egypt in answer to God's call to set Israel free was spiritual as much as it was physical. The bold man of God who faced Pharaoh in Exodus 5 is hardly the timid doubter of Exodus 4.

In his journey to Egypt he left Midian and the middle. Even the name has 'mid' in it. He left the moderation and compromise that had characterized his life for the clarity and commitment of total surrender to God. It is best seen in the strange text of Exodus 4:24-26. Moses' dramatic encounter with God reveals the compromise even one who was going to serve God was willing to accept.

To compromise is to ignore a principle for a perceived personal benefit. Moses was ignoring God's command to circumcise his son. His motivation, based on his wife's reaction, appears to be a desire to please her. What is obvious here is that God despises compromise.

And when Moses' began to live in complete commitment to God and run from compromise his doubts began to melt away and he became a confident man of God. Remember James 1tells us "a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." Live truly before God, run from compromise and see the confidence in you grow.