Christmas and Niagara Falls

Image that you are preparing for a trip to the beautiful Niagara Falls. You rush around for weeks collecting the things you need for the trip, preparing, packing, researching possible things to do, getting a plane ticket and a rental car. The anticipated day arrives and you fly to Niagara International. Upon checking in to your hotel, you are so tired that you retire for the evening. You spend the next few days resting in your room, visiting the hotel gift shop, sending postcards, and looking over all your information about the trip. The day of departure arrives and you drive by the falls for a quick glance before you catch your plane home.

Reading this story, you think “All that preparation, and only one glance at the Falls? That’s what the trip was all about!” We may not plan a trip like this, but we experience Christmas this way. We rush around from store to store and from Christmas gathering to Christmas gathering. We rush around; shopping, wrapping, decorating, eating, traveling and fellowshipping – but we only glance at the Child in the manger. Isn’t Christ what Christmas is all about? During this Season, reflect on the Savior sent from Heaven and take time to worship.

". . . they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him. . .." (Matthew 2:11)

Posted on Mon, December 21, 2009 by John Daniels

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3 comments (Add your own)

1. Cathy Jones wrote:: Pastor John,
You have a valid point. All the commercialism takes the Christ out of Christmas. I remember going through your EE class at Cathedral and how excited I was the night the whole family got saved. I wonder what happened to that excitement I used to have everyday of my life. I believe just as much as I ever did but somewhere along the way I lost touch with the fire I used to have and I feel more like the words in the song "Heal Me" by Aaron Jeffrey. Any advice? Thanks for the post.
Cathy
Mon, December 21, 2009 @ 7:39 PM
2. Randy Poole wrote:: Bro John,

High five, and thats exactly what the world (most of) believe its all about seeing who can get what, With a simple prayer of accepting Jesus Christ you can have enternal life, happiness, comfort and peace that only comes from this child who gave his life for us. I ask this question "Its Christmas Jesus's Birthday and what did you get Jesus for his day?" Hope to see you guys during our Revival with Big Mo Jan 3-6 Amory, First Assembly of God feel free to email me for more informstion or call if you have my #

rgpooleministries@gmail.com

Merry Christmas
Two of the coolest people I know John & Laura

Randy Poole
Mon, December 21, 2009 @ 11:09 PM
3. Anne wrote:: You are so correct. We are in a culture of instant gratification and sadly our worship can reflect it.

However, I think that this is easily recovered by practicing the discipline of observing Advent, both in the home and in the church. Have you studied the scripture behind the Twelve Days of Christmas (song?) There is something to the ancient observance of Christmas and Epiphany.

Love, ever,

Anne
Sat, December 26, 2009 @ 6:12 PM

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