Friday, December 11, 2009 - Thoughts about Christmas by Pastor Dan Wolvin
I have always loved Christmas and so many of the traditions which go along with it. Some are more of the ‘traditional’ variety while others are unique to our family; but I love them all. I know…some dear believers are against celebrating Christmas – but remember the passage: Romans 14:5-6a, “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it…” This passage has been a great help to me in understanding how Christians can differ, yet still be the same. Growing up in a preacher’s home, I always realized that Christmas was because of Jesus Christ. Traditions and pretend characters never made me confused about the day. Perhaps it was because, as a general rule, Jesus was always preeminent in everything we did; thus, although Christmas Day was unique and special, the whole Christmas season was not really any different than any other time of our lives. In fact, it wasn’t until I was nearing the end of elementary school that I learned the sad fact that everyone who celebrated Christmas was not actually celebrating Jesus’ birth. I couldn’t believe it! And I don’t think I have ever fully understood it to this very day.
As a child, I even thought Christmastime was a furtherance of Bible principles: giving to others in need, loving your family and even sharing the Gospel. I know…it is a different society now than it was in the early ‘60’s when I was a boy. We used to read Luke 2 in public school every year in class and also at school programs – and preachers thundered out then on how secular Christmas had become! As a small boy, I learned you can regard the day to the Lord. Even now, after preaching for over 28 years, I have many fond memories of the time when I believed in cartoon characters, mythical people or figures from Charles Dickens. Children like to pretend…but I never confused Superman with Jesus. They were just fun – but Jesus was REAL.
In a small way, Christmastime has enriched my life. No, we don’t go into debt lavishing expensive gifts on each other that we cannot afford – and we won’t stop tithing in January and February because we are trying to pay our Christmas debts! We don’t bow down and pray to our tree and we don’t stay home from church when Christmas is on a Sunday. But as a small boy, I knew Jesus had made me happy inside. I was saved in August or September when I turned five years old. I’ll never forget that next Christmas – it was the best Christmas ever because I knew Jesus, I didn’t just know about Him! I don’t think I ever told anyone, but that year I started what has become my own private Christmas ritual; and I have continued it every year. Before I got in bed, I knelt down all by myself and thanked Jesus for each toy I got that day. Even though the tag on the wrapping paper said, “From: Grandpa Henson” or “From: Mom & Dad” or even the one tag on a present each year which read “From: Santa,” I knew where they really came from.
There are so many important issues which we cannot yield in our position like doctrine, salvation, the preservation of the Scriptures and the Person of Jesus Christ. We don’t need to make how someone celebrates the day – or does not celebrate the day – a major issue. Here, we are not going to form groups that are either “pro Santa” or believe “Santa is Satan.” Whatever your preference, and however you celebrate or abstain from celebrating; may this Christmas season bring us all to our knees overflowing in gratitude for what Jesus has given us. Even a child is able to understand that one may be happy for toys, but he will be happier if he has Jesus.
This year, spend some extra time in prayer and also thinking about what you may do for someone who has lost a loved one this year or has endured some kind of hardship. We have had many events over the year in our church, some good and some that are not so pleasant. But God is good all the time. While you may be laughing and playing, others may be weeping and lonely. Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Sincerely,
The David Young Revival Team
 |  | PAGE 4 OF 13 |  |  |
Previous Devotionals Sorted by Date:
Thursday, March 18, 2010 - Revival Issues - Do you still believe in revival?
Thursday, March 4, 2010 - Revival Issues - From Dr. Rick Flanders on Baptists and Revival
Friday, December 25, 2009 - Soulwinning - It is Christmas Morning
Friday, December 11, 2009 - Encouragement - Thoughts about Christmas by Pastor Dan Wolvin
Monday, August 17, 2009 - Revival Issues - Transforming our Lives
Monday, May 11, 2009 - Revival Issues - What about Heritage Christian School in Findlay, Ohio
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - Encouragement - A Lesson from Some Birds
Sunday, June 22, 2008 - Revival Issues - Psalm 85:6
Friday, May 16, 2008 - Soulwinning - The Roman's Road to Heaven
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - For Ladies - For Me to Live is Christ!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - Encouragement - Does God Order the Bad Steps Too?
Monday, February 4, 2008 - Encouragement - Faithful Are the Wounds of a Friend by Evangelist Dave Young
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - Encouragement - Facing Life's Deeper Troubles
