Awakened to the Message of Christmas

What does the message of Christmas mean to you? It is just the story of a baby who was born in crude circumstances, or more than that? As we celebrate the holiday with our families, may our eyes be opened to the true meaning of Christmas.


Scripture: Luke 2:1-7:36-42
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

John 10:2-13
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.


Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This thought is adapted from the sermon Why Did He Come? delivered on Christian Crusaders December 18, 2005.

Christmas can be such a fun time! You meet Christ through the words of the Prophets who wrote, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The angels talk about Him and say, “He will save his people from their sins.” Jesus himself says, “I came to seek and to save that which is lost.” I pray this message may become very personal for each one of us, for then it is Christmas.


The Origin of Some Best-Loved Christmas Carols
Silent Night
When this beloved hymn was written by two humble church leaders for their own mountain village parishioners, little did they realize how universal its influence would eventually be.

Joseph Mohr, assistant priest in the Church of St. Nicholas in the region of Tyrol, high in the beautiful Alps, and Franz Gruber, the village schoolmaster and church organist, had often talked about the fact that the perfect Christmas hymn had never been written. So Father Mohr had this goal in mind when he received word that the church organ would not function. He decided that he must write his own Christmas hymn immediately in order to have music for the special Christmas Eve mass. He did not want to disappoint his faithful flock. Upon completing the text, he took his words to Franz Gruber, who exclaimed when he saw them, “Friend Mohr, you have found it – the right song – God be praised!”

Soon Gruber completed his task of composing an appropriate tune for the new text. His simple but beautiful music blended perfectly with the spirit of Father Mohr’s words. The carol was completed in time for the Christmas Eve mass, and Father Mohr and Franz Gruber sang their new hymn to the accompaniment of Gruber’s guitar. The hymn made a deep impact upon the parishioners even as it has on succeeding generations.

When the organ repairman came to the little village church, he was impressed by a copy of the Christmas carol and decided to spread it all around the region of Tyrol. Today it is sung in all major languages of the world and is a favorite wherever songs of the Christmas message are enjoyed.

(Taken from “Amazing Grace” by Kenneth W. Osbeck.)

Christmas Greetings
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” Luke 2:11. The staff of Christian Crusaders wishes all our listeners and supporters a blessed Christmas. May the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus fill your heart and home as you open your soul to the love of our Lord, the Christ Jesus. We pray your life will be filled with peace, prosperity, and God’s richest blessings in the coming year.

On the Light Side
Actual children's versions of Christmas Carols
“. . . sleep in heavenly peas”
“Joy to the world, the Savior rains”
“This is he whom Sears of old . . .”
“Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plane”
“While shepherds washed their socks by night”