21 Dec, 2010
Do you know where Baby Jesus is?
In our home growing up we always had a Nativity scene. My parents always shared with us the reason for Christmas, it was to celebrate Jesus' birth. Somewhere along the line my mom began to hide "baby Jesus" from the nativity scene until Christmas morning when she would bring Baby jesus out and say, "Jesus is Born". We all laughed about it at first but it soon became a tradition to "hide baby Jesus" until Christmas morning. Until one Christmas morning, we asked where was baby Jesus? Our mom was frantically searching the house saying "I don't know? I don't know where He is?"
Survey: For many, Jesus isn't the reason for the season
Rusty Steil enjoys the sweet side of Christmas.
His family gathers at his Denver home where there's a little tree and gifts for his wife, step-daughters and three grandchildren. Jesus just has nothing to do with it. Steil, 47, is an atheist. He never goes to church or tells the Nativity story to the little ones.
But Christmas parties? Sure, Steil says. "Most atheists I know celebrate in some way. They will get together for solstice or holiday parties."
"A lot of Americans celebrate Christmas like they participate in yoga: unaware and unconcerned about its religious roots," says Ed Stetzer, LifeWay president and a Southern Baptist pastor.
"That's not surprising when more people encourage belief in Santa Claus (38%) than tell the Gospel story (28%) that undergirds the whole of Christianity," Stetzer says.
So few people hear the Nativity story of the birth of a savior unless they see Peanuts character Linus recite Luke 2:8-14 in A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Story from USA Today full article and Photo from google images
Luke 2: 8-12
"8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Read the Entire story of the Birth of Jesus in Luke 2: 1-20
What does Today's God's Story Teach us?
It is so amazing how much in awe the shepherds were when then heard the news from the angel of the Lord. The scripture tells us (vs 16 & 17) “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,” The shepherds told everyone and where not afraid. Wise men came from far away to see and give gifts to this baby. This story is not just any story, an AMAZING story. This baby was born on Christmas day, of God, to a virgin, in a stable, with straw around, and the shepherds could not keep quiet about it. Can you keep quiet about it?
How do we relate God's story Scripture to our lives?
Do you know where "Baby Jesus" is for your family this Christmas?
We are days before Christmas, and I know I have already been caught up in the crazy times of buying gifts and fancy wrapping paper, and getting excited about what I might be getting for christmas. How much time have a paused to think about were I am putting "baby jesus" in my christmas. What do you do to celebrate Christmas? What does christmas mean to you?
- Google a Christmas Lyrics to, Away in the Manger, or Silent Night, or What child is this (my favorite) ask God to help remind you through a simple song
- Read the Christmas Story from Luke 2: 1-20
- Take time away from the wrapping paper to think about how Crazy it is that God sent his son to be human for us, as a baby... That's Christmas!
How can I connect Today's Story, My Story, and God's Story to others?
- "What are you doing for Christmas/holidays?" Is such a common question, use it to open a conversations about what they may do as a family.
- Ask if they have family traditions at Christmas.
- Take the time to share your traditions
- Share the fact about many americans celebrate santa more than Jesus. Ask what they think.
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