Praise Gives Meaning to Christmas

"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy …” (Luke 6:23)

In the first part of this Christmas meditation I listed some of the sensations that make up our celebration of Christmas. You will be able to add many more that are meaningful to you to the list. Each of these can be an anchor, reminder or invitation to take part in the fullness of celebrating the birth of the Messiah. Let us consider a few expressions we might choose.

We find true meaning in the season when we praise God for His greatest Gift, Jesus. “In the fullness of time… God sent His son to redeem … and adopt … us” (Gal. 4:4-5). Meditating through the day on verses like these will focus you in praise.

Christmas joy increases when we join others in worship. One great family tradition is to attend a midnight service on Christmas Eve. The praise of the worshipers will truly make an impact on your mind, heart and emotions as you, your family and the congregation rejoice together at the incredible Good News of the Savior’s birth.

Another wonderful family tradition is to sit down together, read the Christmas story out of a new Bible translation and then ask each person to share one thing that impressed them from this old but ever new story. You can conclude with singing two or three Christmas carols and a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

Finally, you can find some place to be alone, read Scripture and a devotional thought or two about the Incarnation and ask the Lord to make His first coming fresh and real to your heart. Ask Him for a new thought … perhaps this, “nothing could be stranger than God in a manger!” Halleluiah!

There are many opportunities to praise God in our Christmas celebrations. The only real limit is our imagination and our willingness to join the heavenly choir “…praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14).

We at Ventures wish you a praise filled Christmas and a blessed New Year. Bullets for the Battle will take a break until early January. We look forward to being part of your devotional reading in 2008!

Sensations of Christmas

“… It is I myself! Touch me and see…” (Luke 24:39)

Christmas comes to us through all our senses:

• Sight: Christmas trees sparkle with tinsel and ornaments; lights strung on buildings glow in the dark of a winter night; candles flicker in churches and homes as a promise of the Light.


• Sound: carols are played everywhere; choirs, great and small, perform seasonal works; bell ringers’ bells remind us that the greatest rewards are found in giving.


• Smell: gingerbread baking in the kitchen; evergreen scents from tree, wreath and garland; fruit and spices add a rich note in stores and homes.


• Touch: the softness of a special, seasonal sweater; smooth yet spiky holly leaves, all the textures of the costumes the children will wear for the “Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

We move through, participate in, and observe all the joys of the season. There is so much to do, plans to make, presents to buy, so many people we want to visit and so little time to accomplish all we have on our schedules. Yet we long for more, for meaning as well as all the sensations of the season.

If we are wise “in Christ” we will find meaning only when we put a premium on praise as the most joyful expression of Christmas.

Praise is not only the greatest meaning of Christmas it is the greatest meaning of life! The person who knows much or the person who knows little are equal if their hearts are filled with praise for Messiah. The one who knows everything or the one who knows nothing please the Father equally when they are on their knees in praise for Emmanuel!

Praise is truly the “Hand of the Spirit” that touches the wonder of Jesus in the manger! “I will praise you, Oh God, with all my heart …” (Psalm 138:1)

The Bullet of Removing the Dross: Part 3

What, then, is the cure for the “soul wastes” of life? It is to know the forgiveness of God and to love and forgive all others! God’s love alone is the only way to eliminate the waste of an ungodly spirit. Purity of thought and action alone will bring freedom, peace and excitement to life.

King David gave us the answer to the waste of the soul in Psalm 119:9 and 11. “How shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed to Thy Word. … Thy Word have I hidden in my heart (memorize and meditate) that I might not sin against Thee.”

Sinning against God is as futile as trying to hold your breath against the air! It won’t work and it can’t last! Jesus came to rid the world of waste and recycle man for maximum meaning. I’ve let Him start on me … and it’s exhilarating! How about letting Him start working on you?

The Bullet of Removing the Dross: Part 2

Hatred, bitterness, revenge, self-centeredness, lust, critical spirit, false values, greed, resentment, unforgiving spirit, hypocrisy, idolatry (fame, success, things) and low goals and values can all be categorized as the “wastes of life.”

Take hatred and an unforgiving spirit as an example. Hidden hatred can turn a likable lady into a suspicious carper. It can turn a warm, understanding man into a caustic cynic.

David Augsburger, the brilliant Mennonite author, has added, “Hatred corrodes a disposition, elevates blood pressure, upsets digestive works, ulcerates a stomach, brings on nervous breakdowns, and how about a coronary? Boiling inside is a form of slow suicide.”

The cost to incubate the waste of hatred will ruin a man’s health, lose his friends and make him powerless to lead his family. So it is with all the “soul wastes” of life.

The Bullet of Removing the Dross: Part 1

All of us take for granted the amazing waste disposal system God has placed in our bodies. I certainly don’t mean to be uncouth, but the failure to eliminate liquid and solid wastes from the human body results in pain quickly and death ultimately.

I have been in on those serious family medical conferences when a blocked intestine has been discovered and must be dealt with immediately. Not being able to rid oneself of waste leads to disease and demise!

Equally as important as the elimination of body waste, is the critical issue of dealing with soul and spiritual waste. Just as the Father has designed systems to remove waste products from the body, so He has equipped humanity to throw off the waste products of the soul and to sustain spiritual health if we will listen.

The person of wisdom and triumphant living can adjust to everything that “comes at him” in life. That individual will take, learn and draw strength form what is of value and then dismiss that which is useless and dead.

The Bullet of Human Nature: Victory!

If any of us are to know peace, joy and fulfillment we must stake our lives on the “only One” who truly understands us as we are, Jesus Christ. He loves us, knows our problems, died for us, was resurrected for us and offers us power to be overcomers.

The person who puts his confidence, worth, security and hopes in other people is doomed to despair. Other people … victims of the same disease that cripples us (sin) … either can’t understand or won’t understand. Even those who try to understand can offer only comfort and not power.

How do you handle it when people misunderstand your motives, criticize your actions, enjoy being your enemy, poison the minds of those who listen against you and refuse to forgive your mistakes? Only Christ has the answer.

First, admit to any and all that you need their forgiveness and that you make mistakes. Be honest. Second, constantly work at purifying your motives and actions with Christ as your teacher. Third, forgive others even if they attack you and won’t forgive you. Fourth, by His power, love everyone and leave the results to God! That’s the way our Lord told us to handle it. What fantastic truth!!

These things I have spoken to you in order that in Me you will have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)