A Pause in Advent 4

We  are almost there, it is almost Christmas Day. For todays Pause in Advent I wanted to share this video clip with you:



The Real Christmas is tied up with Easter, Jesus came among us, born as a child in a stable, God with Us, so that He would die for us, to reunite us with God.

You can read more blog posts for A Pause in Advent over at Floss's blog

A Pause in Advent 3

Another bit of poetry for you today, this time by William Arthur Ward.

Christmas

Christmas is more than a time of music, merriment and mirth;
It is a season of meditation, mangers and miracles.

Christmas is more than a time of gaiety, greenery and gifts;
It is a season of wonder, worship and wiseman.

Christmas is more than a time of tinsel, trees and toys;
It is a season of preparation, prayers and peace.

Christmas is more than a time of festivities, family and friends;
It is a season of generosity, gladness and gratitude.

Christmas is more than a time of carols, cards and candy;
It is a season of dedication, direction and decision.

Christmas is more than Santa, stockings and surprises
It is Christ, care and concern.

You can find more entries for a pause in advent over at Floss blog.

A Pause in Advent 2

Oops I am a day or two late in posting something for A Pause in Advent 2, but better late than never.

Following on from last weeks thought about The Real Christmas I wanted to share this, I cant remember where I first found it.

Corinthians for Christmas

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity,
but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata,
but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get of the way, but is thankful that they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

You can find more thoughts on A Pause in Advent at Floss's blog

A Pause in Advent - 1

Floss over at http://trocbroc.blogspot.co.uk/ is hosting A Pause in Advent again this year. Every Sunday in Advent I will posting some thoughts about Advent.

At Church this morning we were handing out a little booklet called "The Real Christmas". So what is Christmas all about for you. Christmas is the time we remember that the baby born in the manger is Immanuel, God with us. He is Jesus, the rescuer and He is the Christ. Jesus is God's real solution to the real problem with the world, our need for forgiveness. It is about God's genuine love for us in sending his only Son to rescue us. And about how we should respond to him.

So when you see a nativity scene how do you respond? If you know Jesus then the challenge is to be known as one of Jesus' people. If you do not know Jesus then why not take a closer look this year. Read one of the Gospel accounts, go check out your local church. Find "The Real Christmas".