Christmas Archives - Page 2 of 2

Deck the Halls

December 24, 2018 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

Deck the Halls is a traditional Christmas and New Year’s song.

As sung in this video, the original version was Deck the Hall (not Halls).

However we sing it, the message remains the same: Tis the season of joy. Therefore, we decorate with signs of the season. We also celebrate with:

Music
Gifts
Church services
Visits with family and friends
Parties
Food
Santa Claus
Elves and reindeer
Helping people in need

We deck the halls, but so much more.

Trees, lights, and other Christmas symbols decorate our:

Houses
Businesses
Parks
Churches
Bridges
Everywhere we look for weeks before and after Christmas

Why Bother?

What’s the big deal about Christmas anyway?

We get so busy decking halls, we sometimes forget the reason why. And it is a big deal.

Jesus came, God to earth, in the form of a baby.

Jesus came as our Savior, to die for our sins. His gift to all who accept Him: a personal relationship with God and a home in heaven.

We can deck the halls and more, if we wish. We can keep our decorations simple, if we wish. However we celebrate this special time of year, may we always remember why.

Merry Christmas!

“A child shall be born to a virgin! And she shall call him Immanuel (meaning, “God is with us”)” (Isaiah 7:14 TLB).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Give Birth to Something

December 18, 2017 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Some people complain about problems. Others give birth to solutions.

They:

Try to make life better
Explore changes
Work to make those changes happen

Kate Thomas, a writing friend, gave birth to the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference in 1996. She knew Kentucky writers needed training and encouragement. Her conference offers help to writers every year.

To give birth to something means to begin something new.

People give birth to new:

Ideas
Ways to work
Inventions
Schools

When God sent Jesus to earth, Mary gave birth to more than a baby.

Jesus came as:

Son of God
Prince of peace
The way of salvation
Hope for a hopeless world
Love for all people
Joy for the joyless

Jesus gave the gift of Himself.

Anyone who accepts Jesus as personal Savior receives a new birth.

God gives that person new life — eternal life. That is why Jesus came. That is what Christmas is all about.

Merry Christmas!

[Mary] “gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger” (Luke 2:7 NIV).

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In the Dark

December 26, 2016 Diana Derringer Comments 5 comments

I love the beauty of a night sky. I enjoy standing in the dark watching changes in the moon and stars.

Someday I hope to see the Northern Lights. Pictures of them give me itchy feet. I want to hit the trail and watch those amazing lights shine.

Yet, a dark night with no light can be scary.

We often live in the dark.

When we do something in secret, we say we do it in the dark.
In the dark also means we do not have the information we need.

We will look at the second meaning.

Sometimes we choose to keep people in the dark.

We fail to give them information we know.
Or, they choose not to give us information they know.

When we are in the dark, we need light. We need information to make good decisions. Life can be scary without that information.

We can light the way for one another.

We do that by sharing:

Information
Guidance
Concern

The smallest light shines brightly in the dark.

One candle can brighten a room.
One star can brighten the sky.
One person can brighten the world.

During Christmas, we sing of Jesus bringing light into our dark world. Let’s remember to celebrate and share Jesus, the light of the world, all year long.

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light” (Luke 11:33 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Give of Ourselves

December 19, 2016 Diana Derringer Comments 7 comments

Often the greatest gift we can give is ourselves.

To give of ourselves, we:

Give time
Show concern
Help others

During Christmas, we wrap gifts with paper and bows.

We buy:

Toys and games
Clothing
Books
Gift cards
Tools
Jewelry
Household items

We think we must:

Bake and make crafts
Shop until we drop
Attend parties and special events.

Yet, too often, we forget what matters most.

We get so busy giving things, we forget to give of ourselves. We

Neglect family
Have no time for friends
Do less than our best at work

What happened?

Isn’t the gift of self what Christmas is all about?

Jesus came as a baby to give Himself to the world. He died on the cross for the sins of the world. He offers the gift of eternal life to everyone. However, each person must choose to accept this greatest gift.

“I pray that as you share your faith with others it will grip their lives too, as they see the wealth of good things in you that come from Christ Jesus” (Philemon 6 TLB).

What is the greatest gift you ever received? Please comment.

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Thanks to Ashley Claunch and Megan Wollmann for the photo.

Tis the Season

December 22, 2015 Diana Derringer Comments 5 comments

The song “Deck the Halls ” tells us tis the season (it is the season) to be jolly.

Children write letters to Santa.
We shop for gifts.
Stores sell more in a few weeks than the rest of the year.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

We decorate houses, yards, and businesses.
Christmas trees pop up everywhere.
Music rings from businesses, bells, and choirs.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

We read Twas the Night before Christmas.
We watch Christmas movies.
We practice Christmas plays.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

We eat, bake, and eat again.
We attend parties.
We visit family.

Yet, Christmas means so much more.

Charlie Brown yelled, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus told him, simply and beautifully.

That holy night a Savior came who changed our world. Will you let Him change your life?

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)

What does Christmas mean to you? Please comment.

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Merry Christmas

December 23, 2014 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Merry Christmas!

We often hear this greeting during the month of December. But what does it really mean?

Happy holiday?
Enjoy a good December?
Have fun?

We may mean all the above. However, for those who believe in Jesus, the Christ of Christmas, it means so much more.

The word Christmas comes from the Old English “Mass of Christ.”

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Christ.

Many people celebrate Christmas without knowing the Christmas story. They focus on decorated trees, Santa Claus, parties, and presents. They have no idea Jesus is the greatest gift.

Jesus came to give eternal life and a home in heaven.

He offers His presence and a life filled with:

Hope
Peace
Joy
Love

As with any gift, we can accept Jesus’ gift or reject it.

I pray that you accept Jesus’ life-changing gift this Christmas and share it with everyone you meet.

Merry Christmas! Joy to the world! The Lord has come.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:23 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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Santa Claus

December 24, 2013 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

What comes to mind when you hear the name Santa Claus? Most people picture a jolly man with a white beard. He wears a red suit and black boots and says “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!” a lot. Santa Bob, pictured here, is a perfect example.

I wonder, however, how many people know about Saint Nicholas, the man who inspired our modern-day Santa Claus. According to history and legend, Saint Nicholas lived a far different life.

Saint Nicholas was born around AD 260-280 in modern day Turkey. His parents died when he was young but left him enough money to live well. He gave much of his money to help people in need, especially children.

Saint Nicholas performed many of his good deeds at night when no one could see him. One story tells of a poor man with three daughters. With no money, the girls had little hope of marriage. As a result, the father feared he would have to sell his daughters into slavery.

When Saint Nicholas heard about this family, he tossed bags of gold through an open window of their house. The coins landed either in the stockings or shoes of the girls. Some say he tossed the gold down the chimney.

Yet Saint Nicholas’ government did not praise this generous man. Because he refused to give up his beliefs in Jesus, he was sent to prison and tortured.

When you see people in Santa Claus costumes this Christmas, remember Saint Nicholas. Remember the man who helped others and suffered for following Jesus. Remember that Christmas celebrates the birth of the Savior Saint Nicholas served.

Thanks to Santa Bob for sharing his photo and for living the true meaning of Christmas.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).