Thoughts from Pastor Tim - November 29

Dear Church Family –

The holiday season is here.  I’ve been thinking lately about preparing for the holidays deeper than baking and buying. 

Keep Thanksgiving close to Christmas.

In the rush and press of Christmas, it’s important to keep a thankful spirit—thankful for all the gifts Christ has given us.

Keep Halloween far from Christmas

Halloween is about wearing masks, Christmas is about being open and honest.

Halloween is about getting for yourself, Christmas is about giving to others.

Halloween is about the spirit of the world, Christmas is about the spirit of Christ Jesus.

Halloween is about darkness, Christmas is about light. 

“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46)

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isa 9:2) 

Keep Easter close to Christmas

Jesus came at Christmas not only to live, but also to die and rise again to give us new life.  Christmas, like Easter, is a celebration of life.  But sometimes we turn Christmas into something that drains life, rather than something that gives life.

By over spending

You can’t buy love with expensive gifts.  You can’t buy a guilt-free conscience.  Expensive gifts don’t make you a more worthy person. 

By over eating

By over extending our spiritual resources

If you give out energy without taking energy in, you get exhausted.

If you give out emotional energy without taking in emotional energy, you get depressed.

If you give out inner, spiritual resources without replenishing those resources through worship, prayer, Bible reading, and time with God, you get stressed and irritable, frustrated and angry. 

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7) 

Love – Pastor Tim