My church, River Valley Community Church, hosted a wonderful event on Christmas Eve. Stations were set up in the sanctuary to allow visitors to take a moment to communicate with God. Within seconds of entering, I was lighting a candle and praying for my loved ones … I couldn’t hold back my tears. I have taken Communion several times in my life but can not remember ever being so moved by the experience. I am very thankful that River Valley provided my family the opportunity to commune with God as part of our Christmas experience.
I’ve been watching some terrible videos. You’ve seen them. The guy got trampled when the doors of Wal-Mart were opened. Apparently, one woman lost her baby in the melee. People were going crazy trying to take advantage of “Black Friday” sales. One friend told me he witnessed three fights while shopping on Black Friday. Whenever I watch these videos or hear these stories, I can’t help but wonder how many of the people involved consider themselves Christians. Seriously, can there be anything more disrespectful to Christ than killing someone while trying to save fifty percent? Obviously, the birth of Christ is not dominate in most American’s minds when they think about Christmas. I have never been happier to say that the vast majority of my shopping was done online.
This may be a case of the pot calling the kettle black. I celebrated Christmas long before I considered myself a disciple of Christ. Hypocritical as it may be, I can’t help but ask myself what non-Christians think they are celebrating during Christmas. I understand that many people feel they are celebrating the secular side of the holiday … but in all honesty, doesn’t that seem a little silly? I am astounded by the number of people that bash Christianity all year long and then celebrate Christmas. Maybe we should celebrate the birth of Christ at a different time of year to separate it from the “secular” holiday.
I was so very proud of my children as we walked into church on Christmas Eve. Not one of the five complained about going. Not one of the five were in a hurry to leave. Every one of them participated in the stations set up by the church. My children took communion and prayed. I was very proud. I was also grateful that Stefanie and I were able to provide our kids with Christmas presents. The joy on their faces really was contagious.
Writer Clark D. Goble started this blog as a means to chronicle his imperfect walk with a Perfect Savior and invites you to join in on the conversation. He also invites you to check out the links to his work. Most often, Clark writes about Jesus and theology. He also enjoys writing fiction in a variety of genres.
Todd French is an information technology professional and a resident of Columbus, Ohio; where he shares a humble abode with his darling wife and beautiful daughters. His interests run the gambit from reading voraciously all forms of fiction to rooting for the Cleveland Browns.
1) Yep. You are blessed.
2) It didn’t produce any tears, but I spent part of Christmas Eve at Mass with my girls. The priest brought all the children up front and directed the whole service toward them, which was rather cool. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a Catholic service; it’s a lot of standing and kneeling and participation and as a non-Catholic I don’t know all the rules or recitations or anything, but I didn’t bungle too badly and I actually enjoyed going. The church — same one we got married in, except it’s a brand new building and the building we got married in is gone now — is really beautiful inside.
3) I’m with you on the whole shopping frenzy. I had to spend a certain amount of time in stores this year, but I aim to avoid it as much as possible. I think I’ll take a hint from my wife and do my Christmas shopping throughout the year. Online works well, too.
4) I realize non-Christians aren’t celebrating the birth of Christ, but there are other things to celebrate, too, like family and togetherness and wishes for peace and all that. Christmas seems as good a time as any to note those things, especially with it being a federal holiday and people being off work, kids out of school, etc. I think I’d leave Christmas as is, but I kind of like your idea of adding a new holiday that is specifically religious. I think there’s some historical argument that Christ’s actual birth was likely in summer (smack me if I’m wrong, I don’t know for sure.) If that date could be pinned down, a new religious observance could be cool — and the blogosphere could be a cool way to actually get it started. I think you are the first person I’ve seen bring up this idea.
5) I was rather proud of my little girl, too. At Mass, Father Cassidy picked her to lead the poinsettia procession — she was quite beautiful in her Christmas dress and marched through the church with a big smile. She also was well behaved and attentive during the service. She did pick on me for humming instead of singing, and got a little bossy once in making sure I knew when to kneel. You know 8-year-olds, though, they like to boss their dads around!