| Author | Message | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10776 Registered: 12-2003  |
Three weeks ago Richard asked this question to open our FAF meeting: How is Christmas different for you now? It turned out to be a rather moving and provocative question, so I thought I'd ask it here. For me, Christmas in now incomplete if the cross is not part of it. As an Adventist, I hated pageants and programs that featured the cross in the middle of a Christmas presentation. I remember visiting a Friends church in Orange County with our neighbors during the years we were studying our way out of Adventism. Our neighbor Mel's nephew was a member of this particular church, and Mel and Monica invited us to attend a Christmas pageant there in which the nephew was singing a significant role. By that time we had come to the place where we realized our paradigm was changing, and we were eager to visit a "regular" Christian church. So the pageant began, and it was well-done and typically Christmas. But as it progressed, they built up to the crucifixion and ultimately the resurrection, and I felt SO annoyed. I remember thinking, Why can't they just celebrate Christmas at Christmas?? It seemed a "cheap shot", somehow, to leave the sweetness of Christmas and the tenderness of the birth, etc etc and insert The Cross. That had no place in Christmas! Now, my reaction is exactly the opposite. Now I realize that Jesus' birth was always in the shadow of the cross. The cross was the PURPOSE of the incarnation. Now, instead of sentiment, I feel amazement and experience worship when I think what Christmas really means. I even find that my taste in decorations has changed...I have less love for the Santas, etc--not because I disapprove of them but because Jesus really has become the central point. Most significantly, I now know where the warmth and peace of Christmas comes from...and it's not the result of having family and friends together. It's actually from the living presence of Jesus in the Person of the Holy Spirit. He can hold my heart even when the people present may be resentful or disengaged. What about the rest of you? How is Christmas different for you now, or is it? Colleen | ||
| 8thday Registered user Username: 8thday Post Number: 1399 Registered: 11-2007  |
Christmas for us now is ALL about Jesus. The very first year it impacted me so heavily what we had missed by not meditating on the miracle of the birth. (didn't celebrate it for nearly 10 years) And you can't see the images of Mary and her baby without the knowledge of what He was born to do coming to your mind at the same time. Impossible to put that into words. The music and the story move me now deeply, which is why I think the previous revelation here about the alteration of the Christmas hymn touched a nerve with me. It matters to me now - and the amazing truths this holiday communicates - I get angry when I think of anyone taking them out of a song. We have not gotten into the buying frenzy.. well, we can't even if we wanted to at this point! ha. Love instead putting our $$ in other directions and even though we finally put up a tree (gasp!) there still are no gifts under it. The kids have no wild expectations, and we are just enjoying the beauty of it, along with some beautiful olive wood ornaments our friend from Jerusalem gave us. (so cool!) There will be presents (kids only) but we just don't want that to be the main point of this. My 5 yo has been talking alot about it being HIS birthday, and He gave US the gift. =) So yes.. much has changed, for which I am SO thankful. Sondra | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 916 Registered: 10-2008 |
Incarnation = seemed to be a big word with little meaning to me as an Adventist. Yes, Jesus came as a baby ... Now that my paradigm of Who Jesus is ... fully God. That God is spirit. And God would come into human flesh as a BABY!!! Mercy, it just boggles my mind. The creator of humanity enters into humanity ... I guess I'm just struck by my whole paradigm shift with Who God is and that in turn totally changes my understanding of Christmas. God came to save me from my sins (there is that death and resurrection you mentioned Colleen) and His coming wasn't to vindicate His character - but to save me. Somehow the meaning of Christmas is SO much deeper and sweeter than it has ever been. Keri | ||
| Animal Registered user Username: Animal Post Number: 711 Registered: 7-2008  |
The True Meaning Of Christmas Jesus Christ was born this day So many years before He came a servant to the lost Though he was Lord of Lords We celebrate this joyous time Reflecting on His birth Not born in a mansion, but a stable As if He had no worth He came so He could identify With the human heart of man And gave His life as a sacrifice Offering a better plan A plan that reconciles us back To our loving Father God Bringing hope and redemption from Sins ruling iron rod For this is the only reason that we Should celebrate this day To become focused on anything else Would take the meaning away So let’s arise with joy in our hearts And share it with everyone The meaning of Christmas will always be The birth of Jesus – God’s son © By M.S.Lowndes | ||
| Jonvil Registered user Username: Jonvil Post Number: 320 Registered: 4-2007 |
In spite of the shrill disclaimers that it’s the wrong time of the year and the decorations are all pagan, I continue to enjoy Christmas but, as your question suggests, for different reasons than as a child and as a SDA. Child to age 30 I only heard ‘God’ when someone was cussing. Raised in a unchristian home Christmas meant NO SCHOOL which in itself was cause for celebration, the TREE, visits by relatives, the smell of roasting turkey and PRESENTS! I do remember as a child seeing the word ‘Christ’ in Christmas, that observation was met with silence as no one ever talked about ‘Him’. AGE 30 TO 65 I knew God had a plan, I didn’t know that it was free. As an SDA my view of Christmas really didn’t change much. TIME OFF FROM WORK, the (questionable) TREE, visiting the wife’s SDA relatives, the smell of some over processed soy product cooking and exchanging gifts. I do not remember Jesus as ever being a topic of conversation. The word Christ in Christmas was silent, sort of like the ‘p’ in pneumonia AGE 65 TO NOW Assurance of salvation Although I’m retired and every day is a holiday, I enjoy the TREE and the visiting, the smell of roasting turkey has returned, the joy of giving – and receiving. However, I now know that that the ‘Christ’ I saw in Christmas as a child is the worlds only hope - MY only hope. While some may accuse me of being a ‘Johnnie one note’, this is my conversation: Born with a sinful nature, saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in CHRIST ALONE. PRAISE GOD!! So what makes Christmas special now? That among the Santa Clauses and tinsel another ‘child’ will also see the ‘Christ’ in Christmas and, wondering why, will seek and find and accept the free gift of salvation found only in Jesus. Hopefully a bit quicker than 4 or 5 decades. Merry CHRISTmas John Douglas Isaiah 9:6 (NASB) For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. | ||
| Psalm107v2 Registered user Username: Psalm107v2 Post Number: 520 Registered: 10-2008  |
Wow, For the last couple of days I was thinking I have to post this topic in the general discussion group as I think it would be a blessing for transitioning and questioning SDAs to see. Lo and behold God moved and had this topic up before I had the chance to do it  Folks you've got me tearing up again, thank you so much for sharing and I hope to hear from lots of us. I may ramble here so forgive me. Jesus is the reason for the season is a phrase I used to say but now I really get it. Jesus, not a created being, not an entity that was "exalted" by the Father came to earth. He added humanity to His divine nature. He willingly took on the physical limitations you and I have. He came from Heaven to show us that He is the way, to pay my sin debt and to eventually call me home!! When I became a Christian the word advent kept jumping out at me (Advent chocolate calendars, advent candles), I don't think I had noticed it when I was an SDA. But now his first advent virtually SCREAMS out to me that He is coming again!!! He kept His promise the first time and He'll keep it again. I used to love spending money on loved ones and planning their gifts carefully. I still give but each Christmas my heart aches with the thought of what can I give to Jesus. Why can't the world see His most precious gift of eternal life waiting to be received. And I wish that we could give the gift of removing the blinders from our eyes and rejoicing in who He IS. I have an aunt who says we should be fasting and praying on Christmas and one year I think I'll team up with her and try and recruit others to do the same. The Jesus who created me, came to earth to be live within the same constraints, the same flesh of suffering that I have. But then He took it further, He died for me but because He is God, the grave could not hold Him and He rose again. He conquered death and left earth and sat down at the right hand of the Father-not like the priests who repeated the sacrifices over and over again-His sacrifice is complete!!! But He did not stop there, He sent the Holy Spirit to live in me, guide me and comfort me. He went through all that trouble for rebellious, stubborn, thickheaded, me. I can't get over it. He did it for me. Before I was trying to work my way to heaven and was always scared of what my final destination would be. Now I know that the God who is so powerful that He can do anything made my salvation sure. The message is so powerful to me. Rather than working towards heaven, it is HIS work that leads me on my way home! I owe Him a debt that can never be repaid, yet He keeps give me more! Enoch | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 5817 Registered: 9-2006  |
Not much for me to say, since I don't have a 'now' as pertaining to a then, Christmas has always been Christmas. I think two Christmas's stand out in my mind, more than the others. One Christmas when my brother and I got a Red Ryder BB gun apiece. It was a breach loader, and the spring was so strong I had to put the stock on the ground, and bend the barrel back toward me. The gun was pretty powerful, and was probably too powerful for a kid that age. However we got by without shooting each others eye out. We hunted the woods, and the fields as great hunters, shot imaginary Indians, when we ran out of bb's. When we had bb's to shoot with, we were the local terror of any animal that moved accept our dog Skipper. We even cut loose on a horse and a chicken or two. Those old BB guns lasted us through three or four more Christmas's. Another Christmas that stands out in my mind, was when I was all of thirteen going on 21. That year Mom's appendix burst, and she had to be taken to hospital and she was very, very sick. Due to doctor bill's and illness there was no money at all for Christmas. We had a ceder tree, because we just had to go out and cut one, and put it up. We didn't buy Christmas tree's back then. We didn't have much to decorate it with, but we did the best we could, and of course there was no presents under the thing. Of course by that time I was paying attention to the girls, easily embarrassed as kid's are. Some of the neighbors came and brought little gifts, and of course the neighbors had daughters whom I was always trying to impress. I was so embarrassed that people were giving us handouts, and of course I knew they saw the poor tree with not a present under it. So that was two Christmases that stood out as so vastly different from the years of Christmases throughout my young life. One was so different from the other. I guess that is why they stand out. I lived a pretty wild life up until I was 31 years old, that year God delivered me from alcohol and drugs and saved me and my wife both, to the uttermost. That Christmas was pretty lean too, as far as gifts for the kids, but the kids had the gift of a different Dad, my wife had the gift of a different husband, and I had the biggest gift I had ever had, the year that I had a Christmas with the Lord on my mind and heart. Like Jonvil, I know someone may accuse me of being a Johnny one note. But to realize Jesus and worship him at Christmas, is what makes Christmas, Christmas. I want to wish you all a very merry and restful Christmas. River | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 917 Registered: 10-2008 |
John Douglas, I just realized what scripture text you had on the bottom of your post; Is. 9:6. I just had that embossed on a new large print Bible this past Saturday. Interesting that you should share that text - for it has been a special text for me over the last few weeks. Keri | ||
| Nowisee Registered user Username: Nowisee Post Number: 220 Registered: 5-2009 |
Amen and amen to all the above! "He came to pay a debt He didn't owe, because we owed a debt we couldn't pay." Have a full-of-wonder Christmas, everyone... | ||
| Hec Registered user Username: Hec Post Number: 872 Registered: 3-2009 |
Happy birthday, Jesus. Even though you might have been born, just like me, in September. So we are twins. Hurray. September, December, or whatever, thanks for coming to give me life. Merry Christmas to all of you. Hec | ||
| Jonvil Registered user Username: Jonvil Post Number: 321 Registered: 4-2007 |
Keri When ever I read that verse I 'hear' Handel's Messiah!! John ps: I should have used the KJV "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Message edited by JONVIL on December 24, 2009) | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 918 Registered: 10-2008 |
Halleluhiah - indeed! Keri | ||
| Loneviking Registered user Username: Loneviking Post Number: 694 Registered: 7-2000 |
Christmas is very different now. Now, Christmas is centered around Christ and Advent, with Santa Claus being a very distant third. Now, I want to attend the Christmas eve/Christmas day services, singing the carols and receiving communion with the rest of my church family. I never felt the need to do that as an Adventist. Part of the difference is the carols themselves. In the church I attend, the wording to the carols is so different from what I was used to as an Adventist that at first I thought the church was making up the wording! The carols, if the original words are used, are usually the gospel story told in song with quite a bit of basic Christian theology thrown in...such as the Trinity. And still, my SDA friends just don't see any real need for the Advent wreaths, the candlelight celebrations and they reject the old words to the carols as bad theology. All I can do is pray for them. | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 1617 Registered: 6-2006  |
Merry Christmas dear friends! Hec, you're a crack-up. For some reason I thought maybe Jesus was born in October. It sure would be fun to know when it really was! Hey everyone, during church Sunday, my pastor gave all the kids "The Nativity Story" on DVD. It's a great movie, and okay for all ages to see. My 8 year old son loved it, and he usually wants to watch Pirates of the Caribbean or Star Wars. There were a couple of minor things regarding the wise men that weren't exactly accurate (they showed up with the shepards) but other than that I thought it was well done. I highly recommend it! Leigh Anne | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 7804 Registered: 3-2004  |
Hi all, I am writing from Florida. We just returned from the base church Christmas Eve Candle light service. I really enjoyed it. Even wanted to cry. The Chaplain talked of the birth of Jesus and the resurrection. Without the birth there would have been no resurrection. I like the way he put them together. That is much different from what I remember the adventists doing. Jesus Christ was born and now He is back in heaven. Praise our awesome God for that. Diana L | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 5818 Registered: 9-2006 |
Hey Dianna, I was about to set the hounds after you, then remembered you were gone out of town. You've been missed around here. Merry Christmas. River | ||
| Gcfrankie Registered user Username: Gcfrankie Post Number: 663 Registered: 1-2007 |
Merry Christmas to everyone. My christmas's did not change because my being the only adventist and the rest of the family were not I always went along with my families traditions and celebrations of Christ's birth. As I look back at my years of being an adventist they just did not seem to be I don't know what but I certainly did not feel like Jesus was the center of their pageant so I quit going to them. Gail | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 1844 Registered: 4-2000  |
Merry Christmas! We are engulfed by a major snow blizzard here in eastern Nebraska. Forecasters tell us that up to 16 inches of snow is possible by tomorrow. What have we done to deserve this? Dennis Fischer | ||
| Gcfrankie Registered user Username: Gcfrankie Post Number: 664 Registered: 1-2007 |
Merry Christmas to you and I am praying for the Lord to keep you safe through this awful snow storm you are getting. Remember He does have a sense of humor. Gail | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 7805 Registered: 3-2004 |
A very Merry Christ filled Christmas to all of you. We had rain yesterday, but it was not really cold. Today the sun is out but it is still kind of cool. We just got back from walking the dog. And now my son is making enchiladas. I am enjoying myself and my family. To those who have lots of snow, I am glad it is not me there. Diana L |
