I get a little tired of Jingle Bells, Sleigh Ride and Rudolph about this time of year. To be honest, I find most Christmas songs annoying, especially when they play them on the radio non-stop for an entire month.
But, I do have my favorites. The songs I like to listen to at Christmas are usually the ones that force me to not think about Christmas trees and snow, but about the birth of Jesus. Here are a few of my favorites. Hopefully there will be some here that you’ve never heard before.
1.) Once Upon A Christmas 2.) This Baby 3.) Mary, Did You Know? 4.) Such a Strange Way (To Save The World) 5.) O Come, O Come Emmanuel 6.) Gloria 7.) All Is Well 8.) Emmanuel 9.) My Deliverer Is Coming 10.) O Little Town of Bethlehem 11.) Do You Hear What I Hear? 12.) What Child Is This 13.) For Unto Us 14.) Breath of Heaven 15.) Love Has Come
Those are my favorites. What are yours? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
I went to see Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” this week.
I must admit, I was half-expecting to see a watered-down version of the old Charles Dickens story, much like the old Mickey Mouse version. I was pleasantly surprised. The movie actually stuck to the content and spirit of Dickens’ original masterpiece. The only little bit of cheesiness was that Jim Carrey played all three of the ghosts and the cartoon depictions of him made his outrageous faces.
Overall, it is a great movie and a wonderful way to start off the Christmas season. I would highly recommend it to everyone. It’s a little dark and dismal at times, but so is the original story and without those aspects it wouldn’t truly get the point across.
This is one of my favorite Christmas stories and I watch some version of it at least once every year, but I am always amazed by the timelessness of the story. The original book was written in the 1843 and made a point about the importance of helping the poor, not being greedy and putting others before yourself.
It’s been more than 160 years, and “A Christmas Carol” is still a reminder of how selfish society is and how we neglect those who are less fortunate. My guess would be we all have a little bit of Ebenezer Scrooge in our hearts, don’t we?
Is it a certain weight? Is it a hair color? Is it a certain amount of makeup? Is it your figure? Is it everything the magazines and TV shows tell you? Is beauty defined by what sells products or by “America’s Next Top Model?” Here’s what I think. I think beauty is being the way God created you and liking yourself for who you are. I think beauty is found not in what you look like or who you are, but by who God is and what He created. The video below is Jonny Diaz’s “A More Beautiful You.” It does a good job of tearing down society’s version of beauty and showing what truly makes a person beautiful. Take a look:
What do you think of this? What lies have you believed about beauty?
We all have those days where we feel worried, stressed out, anxious or afraid. During those times, I’ve always found verses like these to be comforting. I thought I would post these because if they work for me, maybe some of them will work for you, too.
“I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left— feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.”-John 14:27
“Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end.” –Isaiah 43:1 & 2
“Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” -Isaiah 41:10
For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!” –Romans 8:15
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” –Matthew 6:34
“When I get really afraid I come to you in trust. I'm proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?” –Psalms 56:3 & 4
“You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.” -Psalms 56:8
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” –Psalms 46:1-3
“God is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you. Don't be intimidated.” Don't worry. –Deuteronomy 31:8
“You are my hiding place; you will save me from trouble. I sing aloud of your salvation, because you protect me.” –Psalms 32:7
“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God-- soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.” –Psalm 42:5
We're all guilty of it. Everyone at some point takes God lightly or for granted. We have all made inappropriate jokes about God or at least laughed at certain religious groups who may be trying to serve God, but might have some very strange ideas. Some of us have even made fun of God or scoffed at the Bible.
But, as this song points out, despite our laughter, we turn to God when times are tough. We don't take God lightly when tragedy strikes and our jokes tend to fade away in times of uncertainty. Take some time to reflect on this song today. It makes several points and is deep and meaningful. In case you didn't catch some of the lyrics they are posted after the jump.
This video has so many layers of truth in it about God's relationship to us. Watch it and learn how God views us, what God thinks when we let Him down, how God can use pain to draw us closer to Him and how God sees us as His masterpiece, even when we think we are worthless. It's a little long, but worth it.
People who make fun of you at school Fights with your parents Disease and death What you don’t like about yourself What you are afraid of Your appearance Boredom Divorce Failure Loneliness Disappointment Rejection
Have you heard the song “Stained Glass Masquerade” by Casting Crowns? If you haven’t click on the video to hear it. Can you relate to the song? It seems like in so many churches, people wear masks and cover their true feelings, trying to look “spiritual” or “righteous.” Do you ever catch yourself doing that? Do you feel like you can be “real” with your friends at church, or do you feel like you have to pretend to be someone you’re not just to be accepted? Maybe your church is different. Maybe you are one of the few who feels they can turn to their youth group or choir for acceptance and love, the way church is supposed to be. Whether you go to a “plastic” church or an “authentic” church, I’d love to hear your stories. Comment on this article and tell me what you think of the video and what your experience at church has been. You can respond even if you don’t regularly go to church but have in the past.
Nowadays everything is NOW, NOW, NOW. Want to find a Chinese restaurant instantly? Google it in the palm of your hand with your phone. Don’t want to sit through commercials during your favorite TV show? Fast forward through them with TiVo or watch them online. Want to talk to a friend? Shoot them a text message. It doesn’t matter what they’re doing… they will get the message instantaneously.
The same can be applied to relationships. People who really like each other and want to be together all the time simply skip the whole marriage thing and move in together. It’s the same as being married…but without the ceremony, or, more importantly, the commitment.
The holidays are over, and now everyone is looking ahead to 2009. People want to improve their lives, and a new year provides a clean slate to get rid of bad habits or form good ones.
When forming New Year’s Resolutions, however, it’s important to keep in mind that we are only human. Don’t beat yourself up over somehow failing in your resolution. Whether it’s skipping exercise, eating junk food, or missing a devotional time, remember that you are always accepted for who you are by God. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for success or healthy living…it just means that failure isn’t the devastating thing the world often makes it out to be.
Remember to forgive yourself…and have a safe and happy new year.
My
favorite Christmas memories involve being with family, decorating our
tree and
watching “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” It’s
very 80’s but still funny. We also light a fire in the fireplace,
drink hot chocolate, and just laugh together. On Christmas day we eat
a big meal and then usually take naps in front of the TV.
To
get us all in the holiday spirit, what are some of your favorite
Christmas memories?
We’ve all seen them, both in our high schools and in the media. Cliques of both boys and girls. Shows and books like Gossip Girl, The A-List and movies like Mean Girls revolve around this phenomenon that is all too real in high schools across the country.
Belonging to a clique is based on shared values, and these values are usually superficial things – how you look, what clothes you wear, and undying devotion to the clique’s “leader.”
Many of you will probably see large groups of your classmates surrounding the flagpole at your school this morning, heads bowed in prayer. Today is “See you at the Pole,” which, according to the Internet (not the most reliable source, mind you) is a student-led movement that began in Texas in 1990 with a single church youth group.
We all have two faces... the face we show to the world, and the face that is really ours. The one we show the world really isn't even a face... it's a mask. We all wear masks, all day, every day, trying to be who we believe people want us to be. It gets exhausting, doesn't it? Trying to live up to the expectations of parents, friends, and even acquaintances. We want to be accepted. We want to be impressive. We want to be loved.
ours. The one we show the world really isn't even a face... it's a mask. We all wear masks, all day, every day, trying to be who we believe people want us to be. It gets exhausting, doesn't it? Trying to live up to the expectations of parents, friends, and even acquaintances. We want to be accepted. We want to be impressive. We want to be loved.