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 Fourth Sunday of Advent  December 11 , 2006 |
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 How the Grinches Steal Christmasby Denn Guptill Luke 2:8-2:20 (Read from How the Grinch Stole Christmas up to the Page “Then he got an idea! An awful idea! The Grinch got a wonderful awful idea!”) And you all know what the idea was right? I mean everyone of us here without exception has seen, read or heard “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Most of us could sing at more »   Christmas Eve: A Saviour is Bornby Warner Pidgeon Luke 2:1-2:20 This week, as I have been reading Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus, I’ve found myself needing to put together some kind of a disclaimer. The draft version goes something like this: Concerning the birth of Jesus! If you are expecting to hear a message about a beautiful, pregnant young white girl, wearing more »  Anger: It Wants You For Christmasby Rick Gillespie-Mobley Matthew 2:1-2:12 We are now in the middle of the Christmas season. We are told "tis the season to be jolly" and "it will be a time of peace and good will to all." But if we would actually look into the Scriptures to discover what the first Christmas was really like, we would not simply find everybody with smiles on their faces, more »  The Cross (Christmas)by Mitchell Skelton Mark 15:21-15:39 Why did my Savior come to earth, and to the humble go? Why did he choose a lowly birth? Because he loved me so! Why did He drink the bitter cup of sorrow, pain and woe? Why on the cross be lifted up? Because he loved me so! He loved me so, He loved me so; He gave his precious life for me, for me more »  Christmas Treesby Chris Talton Genesis 2:8-2:9 It’s Christmas time. I suppose that this time of year is filled with more family traditions than any other. I know that if I were to poll this group of people, we would find that each of you has your own special ways that you celebrate at this time of year. Some of you celebrate by gathering the whole family more » |
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The Meaning of Christmas in Japan A television interviewer was walking the streets of Tokyo at Christmas time. Much as in America, Christmas shopping is a big commercial success in Japan. The interviewer stopped one young woman on the sidewalk, and asked, "What is the meaning of Christmas?" Laughing, she responded, "I don’t know. Is that the day that Jesus died?" There was some truth in her answer. SOURCE: Donald Deffner, Seasonal Illustrations, San Jose: Resource, 1992, p. 16. O TannenbaumThe Christmas tree tradition was started in Germany in the late 15th century. At that time a popular play depicted the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden, by a fir tree hung with apples. Soon trees were placed in the homes of Christians who interpreted it as a symbol of the coming Savior. The apples were replaced with small white wafers to represent Communion. Later, the wafers were replaced by small pieces of pastry cut into shapes of stars, angels, hearts, flowers, and bells. SOURCE: Jeff Strite, Church of Christ at Logansport, IN. The Christmas TruceThere is a story about a Christmas truce in 1914, the first year of World War I. Missing the StoryOn December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk NC. On their fifth attempt, the plane under the control of Orville, embarked on a 12-second flight. Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message – WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 12 SECONDS - WE WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! Upon receiving the telegram their sister, Katherine went to the newspaper office, told the editor of her brother’s new flying machine, and informed him, they would be home for Christmas, if he would like to set up an interview. He told her that was nice, and he would be sure to put something in the paper regarding the boys. On December 19th, the local paper placed the following headline on the 6th page of the paper: “WRIGHT BROTHERS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS” The most important story of the year – man’s first flight – and the editor missed it! I wonder if the same could be said about us when it comes to Christmas. Look all around us… • The trees are decorated • The music is festive • The Season is Right – It is Christmas, and there are only 14 shopping days left! In all of our rushing around, in all of our gift buying, in all the things we have to do during this season – HAVE WE MISSED THE IDEA – Jesus has come to earth! Contributed by: Alan Tison
Answered PrayerIt was the day after Christmas. Pastor Mike was in front of the church, looking at the nativity scene outside when he noticed the baby Jesus was missing from the figures. Immediately, Pastor Mike turned towards the church to call the police. But as he was about to do so, he saw little Jimmy with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant, Jesus. Pastor Mike walked up to Jimmy and said, "Well, Jimmy, where did you get the little infant?" Jimmy replied, "I got him from the church." "And why did you take him?" With a sheepish smile, Jimmy said, "Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to little Lord Jesus. I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would give him a ride around the block in it." SOURCE: www.beliefnet.com Contributed by: Michael McCartney |
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