A year's end reflection to "Let Your Light Shine Before Men" in 2010

Came across this Christmas Tree reflection about the New Year ...

...I don't want to enter into 2010 with regrets. I want a clean start and renewed bulbs. My husband might not have wanted to go bulb by bulb over the top strands, searching for the culprit, but I want to go bulb by bulb through my life. One little sin can dim an entire tree. Have you investigated your light strands lately? Is there one little bulb keeping you drenched in shadows?

Next year, my sad tree will be boxed away and a new one will replace the saggy branches and tired bulbs. That's fine, that's what happens. Nothing on this earth can last forever.

But I don't want to be replaced as a Christian. I don't want God to stop giving me opportunities for His work because I was irresponsible with my last assignments. I know I have His full love regardless, but I want my lights burning at full capacity, not weak and fading in the night. I want others to see the glow within me and crave it for themselves, finding peace and forgiveness with Christ for their New Year. I want to burn for the Kingdom of God! And not just at the holidays - but all year long.

As wonderful as my tree has been these past five years, it's just a fact that a fully lit tree is more appealing to the eye than a half-lit attempt. And the same goes for us as Christians. If we're not walking with the Lord and glowing from His glory, then how will others see the path to follow?...

to read in it's entirety ... "Let Your Light Shine Before Men" in 2010 Betsy Ann St. Amant Crosswalk.com Change is a given and obviously circumstances will not always be the same, but the priority we give to what is important can be a constant if we keep it in perspective and act accordingly by the grace of God. Given your circumstance, commit to ever shine your brightest given your for Him!

Cross on Xmas?

A friend shared Why is X Used when it Replaces Christ in Christmas? by R.C. Sproul | Ligonier Ministries Blog and I'm glad she did; it's timely. Why Is the 'X' used in Xmas? Another common abreviation is Xtian. "There's a long and sacred history of the use of X to symbolize the name of Christ, and from its origin, it has meant no disrespect." Check it out! It is important to have true understanding so we can be right-minded as we keep Christ in Christmas and in our daily lives. As you consider it, think about how others see it when it is used. The 'X' always reminded me of the Cross. Maybe you can get Cross on Xmas! ;-) Whatever we do, we want people to see Christ.

Celebrating Christ

Thinking about keeping Christ in Christmas, it's important to understand what we do during the holidays, why we do them, and whether they are what we want to achieve in our celebration. Understanding where the traditions we develop stem from is helpful in this consideration. Some would say 'don't do this because' or 'do so because' and/or judge others for what they do/don't. But I am challenged to personally celebrate Christ however I might, and hoping that others will see Christ in me as I do so. As the saying goes, 'knowledge is power'; and wholeheartedness is what He desires of us. I found Crosswalk.com's Advent in Church and Cultural Tradition a basis of insight as to how Advent activities has evolved; arming me considerations for my own personal celebration in the big and even little pasttimes of the season. May you wholeheartedly be blessed this Christmastide!

An Opportunity to be 'devoted' to Christmas

sharing Christmas devotionals - hope you enjoy keeping Christ in your Christmas. Twelve Devotionals of Christmas: Inspirational Christ-centered Christmas Devotionals from Crosswalk.com

Feast on Christ 'Turn Lonely Holidays into Feasting Holy Days'

I lost my mom hospitalized on my birthday the 11th and passing some days later (a few years back); it casts its hue on this time of year. But God wants us to more than 'observe', but 'participate' / 'engage' (be His bride) - 'DO this in remembrance of me'. Regardless of our emotion or lack of , we must be 'real' with it to experience the fullness of Him. Some of us will do more, some less, our ways will vary but be real! and feast on Him every day! Enjoy the article... Turn Lonely Holidays into Feasting Holy Days It mentions 'upcoming Holy Days 2009-2010

• December 12-19, 2009: Hanukah or Festival of Lights
• March 30-April 6: Passover/ Feast of Unleavened Bread
• May 19-20 (sunset to sunset): Feast of Weeks or Pentecost
• September 9-10 (sunset to sunset): Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah
• September 18: Day of Atonement
• September 23-30: Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering
• Every Friday sundown to Saturday sundown: Sabbath rest and celebration of our Father'

and notes: 'for more information on God-established Holy Days, visit: http://biblicalholidays.com/Excerpts/What%20happened.htm. Be sure to check out the sections that reveal the Messiah in each Holy Day description.'

Hanukkah: Bringing More Light into the World

Hanukkah: Bringing More Light into the World, Page 0 Christ is in Hanukkah; have you found Him? 'It is not uncommon to find Christians—whether Messianic Jew or Gentile Christian—celebrating Hanukkah. For Gentile Christians, it serves as a reminder that our God is a god of miracles—past, present, and future.

It is also a reminder of Jesus’ words recorded in John 8: 12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."'

Check it out!

Advent: Zacharias’ Prophetic Song (Crosswalk.com)

Advent: Zacharias’ Prophetic Song (Luke 1:67-79) - Christian foundations - Christianity.com There's a whole subplot to the story of the birth of Christ - Zechariah sings of it. "Finally, I am led to see that this Song is: The Song of a Soul Revived (vv. 74-75) Zechariah's songs, if you will, speak of the practical and metaphysical (transcendental) effects of the birth of Christ to the nation of Israel. Practically he says the key to victory over enemies is the coming of Christ. Transcendentally he says that this releases signals (v.74) the ability to worship God without fear, in holiness and righteousness. What is Zechariah singing about?..." Check it out ...