Archive for the Category »Advent «

26
Dec
Breaking News For the Day After Christmas

It is the day after Christmas–now what? This short Monday’s Moment clip brings it all home. Pass it on.

If you received this clip via RSS or email and cannot view it, please visit my Holy in the Daily blog to find out “the rest of the story.”

Are the people living in darkness around you seeing the light born at Christmas? If not, what are you going to do about it?

Susan Gaddis, Helping you build a spiritual legacy

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22
Dec
Who else Wants to Have a Meaningful Christmas?
Nativity art painting

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In order to have a meaningful Christmas, my mother had us four children memorize the Christmas story from Luke 2 when I was about seven years old. We stood on the big platform in front of the crowded church and recited that long chapter from memory. Mom was proud. I was so scared I thought I was going to pee my little girl panties. Except for the fear of embarrassing myself in front of our church family, the simple story of the birth of Christ from Luke 2 wrapped me in the warmth of a perfect Christmas.

Childhood is a long ago memory for me. I’ve grown up and discovered that I live in a broken world. I can’t solve the problems of my life, let alone the problems of the homeless or the broken. In reality, the world seems too complicated for the simple story from Luke 2. So it was definitely a Holy Spirit nudge when my advent devotions connected with Henri Nouwen’s words this morning:

Somehow I realized that songs, music, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words do not make Christmas. Christmas is saying “yes” to something beyond all emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying “yes” to a hope based on God’s initiative, which has nothing to do with what I think or feel.

Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God’s work and not mine. Things will never look just right or feel just right. If they did, someone would be lying . . .. It is into this broken world that a child is born who is called Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, Savior.

The story is so simple, so crystal clear, so unpretentious. I do not have to do anything with it. I do not have to explain or examine these events. I simply have to step into them and allow them to surround me.

I like that–stepping into the story and allowing it to surround me. The story, of course, is bigger than Christmas. But at Christmas I remind myself that walking forward into the New Year, I walk with the One who is living the story through me. I can face a broken world once again.

What are you surrounding yourself with this Christmas? Is it making your Christmas meaningful? Why or why not?

Susan Gaddis, Helping you build your spiritual legacy

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19
Dec
Have You Made the Christmas Connection?

In case you missed it, the SkitGuys make the Christmas Connection real clear.

Are you passing on the Christmas Connection to those you work and live among? Has the big picture of Christ become part of your Christmas story?

Susan Gaddis, Helping you build your spiritual legacy

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12
Dec
Where’s the Line to See Jesus?

Have you ever visited the mall at Christmas time and seen the line of children waiting to see Santa? This music video with Becky Kelley asks the question, “Where’s the Line to See Jesus?”

If you received this video via RSS or email and cannot view it, please visit my Holy in the Daily blog to enjoy three minutes of Christmas truth and warmth.

Where are you looking to find Jesus this Christmas season?

Susan Gaddis, Helping you build you spiritual legacy

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08
Dec
How to Celebrate Christmas When You’re Not in the Mood
Christmas Bible text

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Are you avoiding Christmas this year because you aren’t in the mood? Is busyness or financial troubles making Christmas seem like too much of a hassle? I have a friend who doesn’t decorate for Christmas because she feels there is no one to enjoy it. The kids have all left home, and her husband has passed away. Another friend just isn’t in the mood for Christmas and plans to ignore it this year.

I can relate to sorrow invading the Christmas season, limiting our joy. I lost my mother a week before Christmas a few years ago, and it was a very sad time. The Christmas gathering at my house gets smaller every year as the kids marry and get involved in their extended families. Loneliness, sorrow, and depression are all valid feelings and shouldn’t be ignored during the holidays. But Christmas shouldn’t be ignored either.

Christmas isn’t about us. It is about the celebration of the coming of our King to planet earth–God becoming man. We call this season Advent, which means “arrival.” Christmas sets us up for the Christian’s main celebration of Easter–the death, burial, and resurrection of this God Man so that our sins could be forgiven. Without Christmas, there would be no Easter. In my book, celebrating Christmas is a form of worship.

Are you avoiding Christmas this year? Too busy? Financially strapped? Have sorrow, loneliness, or depression robbed you of the opportunity to worship the King?

Here are five tips for how to celebrate Christmas when you’re not in the mood:

1. Get yourself over to a senior citizen facility and ask the receptionist for the names and room numbers of those who have no family in the area to visit them. Then visit each senior and listen to their stories, pray with them, and leave a Christmas card or plate of cookies. If you have children still at home, get them involved in the baking and visiting.

2. Give a gift of value to those you love–a heart felt letter of appreciation for how their lives have touched yours, a pretty plate that belonged to your grandmother, a box of family recipes you’ve copied, or that set of teacups that are gathering dust in the china cabinet. Some things shouldn’t be left until you are too old to enjoy giving them away.

3. Plan a day to make Christmas crafts or cookies with your kids, grandkids, or some of the children from the church whose mother works and has little time for this kind of special activity. Play Christmas music, serve hot chocolate, and share with the children your memories of Christmas and how Jesus has impacted your life. Let them tell you their stories of Jesus.

4. Call your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen and find out what they need during December. Choose one avenue in which to help serve those less fortunate than you. Then do it.

5. Visit Ann Voskamp’s blog, A Holy Experience, and download her free Advent Jesse Tree book. For many years, our family has enjoyed the story of the coming of the Messiah as a December daily devotional. The kids enjoy putting the symbols of each Old Testament promise on the special tree as we slowly work our way up to December 25th, the day of the birth of the King. We use a traditional small fir tree, but my friend Vickie always finds a bare branch that she sprays white and sets in a weighted pot for her family’s Jessie Tree. Even though the kids have all left home, Vickie and Dave still celebrate Advent with their Jessie Tree.

What have you found helpful in keeping Christmas as a time of worship to our King? What brings Advent alive for you? I’d love to have your input.

Susan Gaddis, Helping you build your spiritual legacy

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29
Dec
Forgiveness and Honest Little Grandchildren

Little grandchildren are always honest, even when you don’t want them to be. Last Sunday was our Father’s House Christmas Breakfast complete with pancakes, bacon, and lots of adults and kids. Our missionary-home-on-vacation, Dow Saunders, gave a brief Christmas message on forgiveness before we dined. Well timed since most everyone had just spent several days with family and were probably feeling a little of the frustration and offence that often accompanies a gathering of relatives.

Just as Dow began the most important point of his message, my granddaughter, Paisley, loudly demanded that her sister, Karalee, get her hands off her water cup—“Right now!” A two-year-old can be quite vocal when she has been offended. The aspect of sitting in a room full of people who are trying to hear a sermon didn’t deter Paisley’s anger and mission. She wanted her water cup untouched, and dang if she wasn’t going to make Karalee suffer for her insensitivity. Forgiveness definitely was not on the menu at this breakfast table.

I loved it—what a perfect illustration of unforgiveness among relatives. Being proper adults we seldom manifest our offenses in a large gathering of people—at least not usually in church. We will think all kinds of things, but that doesn’t mean we will voice them. That’s too bad, because it means we seldom express forgiveness either. We don’t view forgiveness as a gift we can minister to another.

Am I suggesting that we should all be more vocal in church about our offenses? No, I’m suggesting that we be more aware of our offenses and how each offense is an opportunity to give a gift to another—the gift of forgiveness. This is something Paisley is just now beginning to learn under the careful tutoring of her mother and father. They’re workin’ on it, but it isn’t easy for a two-year-old . . . or a 50-year-old.

How did your relationships survive over the holidays? Did you have opportunities to give the gift of forgiveness? Inquiring minds want to know.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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24
Dec
A Mother’s Voice Calls Us to Hope and Faith

Merry Christmas to each of you. May your Christmas be filled with Jesus, family, and friends. I’m looking forward to two days full of all of the above. My gift to you is this lovely video of the song ”Mary, Did You Know” with clips from The Passion of The Christ. It so beautifully expresses the birth of Christ that made possible his death and resurrection. I cried watching it and marveled at the hope and faith that Mary must have experienced.

If you are unable to view this clip via RSS feed or email, please visit my Holy in the Daily blog to enjoy it.

Merry Christmas, Susan Gaddis

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22
Dec
An Ancient Voice Calls Us to Truth and Awe

Amid the glitter and sparkle of the holiday season, I sometimes need an ancient voice calling me back to the truth I long to hear at Christmas time. Saint Augustine is old enough to be that voice. Born in 354 AD and known as one of the most notorious prodigals in history, St. Augustine emerged as the greatest influencer in Western Christianity. He continues to influence us today in so many of his writings, but I especially enjoy this short piece revealing the wonder of the birth of Christ.

My mouth will utter the praise of the Lord, of the Lord through whom all things have been made and who has been made amidst all things; who is the Revealer of his Father, Creator of his mother; who is the Son of God from his Father without a mother, the Son of man through his mother without a father.

He is as great as the Day of Angels, and as small as a day in the life of men; he is the Word of God before all ages, and the Word made flesh at the destined time.

Maker of the sun, he is made beneath the sun. Disposing all the ages from the bosom of the Father, he consecrates this very day in the womb of his mother. In his Father he abides; from his mother he goes forth.

Creator of heaven and earth, under the heavens he was born upon earth. Wise beyond all speech, as a speechless child, he is wise. Filling the whole world, he lies in a manger. Ruling the stars, he nurses at his mother’s breast.

He is great in the form of God and small in the form of a servant, so much so that his greatness is not diminished by his smallness, nor his smallness concealed by his greatness. For when he assumed a human body, he did not forsake divine works. He did not cease to be concerned mightily from one end of the universe to the other, and to order all things delightfully, when, having clothed himself in the fragility of flesh, he was received into, not confined in, the Virgin’s womb. So that, while the food of wisdom was not taken away from the angels, we were to taste how sweet is the Lord.

What about you? What ancient voice speaks to you of the reality of Jesus? Do you have a favorite quote from one of the early church fathers or a Scripture that calls you back to what Christmas is really about? Please share it with us.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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20
Dec
The Voices of Children Call Us to Wonder and Joy

Wonder and joy are discovered when we view Christmas through the eyes of children. I hope you enjoy this refreshing version of the Christmas story as much I as did. (Thank you to the children of St. Paul’s Church in Auckland, New Zealand for this amazing video!)

(If you received this post via a RSS reader or email and cannot view this short clip, please visit my Holy in the Daily blog to enjoy it. It will keep you grinning.)

I loved the sheep, the star, and the music—and the wise men, Joseph, and Mary. Which part did you like best?  Use the “Share and Enjoy” buttons at the bottom of this post to send this on to folks who need a smile today!

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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17
Dec
How to Give From the Heart

I enjoy Christmas—it’s a season of giving, and the giving of gifts is one of my favorite love languages. Deep joy comes from contributing to another person’s happiness and comfort. Yet, I found myself frustrated the other day as I hurriedly searched for a gift to take to a Christmas party.

Why did I feel so obligated? No one was forcing me to bring the gift. Even though the party invitation asked that a gift be brought for the benefit of another, it was still my choice to participate or not participate. I was losing my joy over something that was meant to be caring, fun, and fulfilling.

I soon realized my frustration was with a time and money crunch, not the gift giving. Instead of labeling myself as “Scrooge,” I decided to look beneath the surface for a deeper motivation in buying the gift—one other than, “I have to buy a gift if I want to participate in this party.” What need was I trying to fulfill within myself through the giving of this gift?

I decided that my need for community was the real reason I was going to the party and buying the gift. To connect with others and enjoy their company seemed the most honest answer I could give myself for braving the crowds on a busy day and spending money I could have used elsewhere. With this admission came relief and the ability to give from the heart.

The holidays provide plenty of opportunities to give from a sense of obligation. Underneath that obligation lays a hidden need waiting to be met. Below are some basic needs common to all people. Perhaps one of them is your motivation for giving a gift to your boss, and a different one might be your motivation for giving a gift to your sister.

Be honest with yourself. Identify your own need first, and then you will find the freedom to give from the heart.  

You want:

  • Connection—because you need community
  • Celebration, fun, and laughter—because you need to play
  • Acceptance and appreciation—because you need love
  • Respect—because you need to be understood and valued
  • Integrity—because you need to live your values
  • Self-expression—because you need to express yourself

Well–where did your honesty take you?

Identifying a felt need within frees you up to truly give from the heart. The need you confess can become the need you desire to meet in the person receiving the gift. My need for community became part of the gift I was able to take to the party—I contributed to another’s desire for community. 

Christmas is the season of giving gifts. What gift are you really giving when you place that package under the tree?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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