Christmas: What Would Jesus Do? - By Ruth L. Snyder

Christmas is a season of contrasts. Let's think about some of them:

• Christmas is a season of peace, but there is discord in many homes
• People exchange gifts, but fail to give the gift of time, friendship, and love
• Christmas is a time of celebration, but some families are grieving the loss of a dear one
• Christmas lights glow, but it takes a dark night to really make them glitter
• Families gather around tables laden with food while others sit alone on the streets of our towns and cities
• Radio stations play Christmas carols between news of accidents, crime, and greed

In the 1990's wwjd (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets were popular. During the Christmas season it is easy to get caught up in commercialism, Christmas programs, family get-togethers, and food. But what would Jesus do to celebrate Christmas? What would Jesus have me do to celebrate Christmas?

Our family participates in many of the same activities others do. However, for the past couple of years God has been focusing my attention on the needs of those caught in slavery and sex-trafficking. Unfortunately, these activities are increasing instead of decreasing. Freedom United states there are more than 40 million people caught in this terrifying web. (For more information, check out 13 Sex Trafficking Statistics That Put the Worldwide Problem into Perspective)

What would Jesus do? As I have contemplated this question, I have sought ways to help. The first action I took was to join a nightly email group. We pray for victims, traffickers, policemen, churches, and others. Last year I joined Dressember, wearing a dress every day in December to raise awareness and fundraise to help organizations working on the front lines. Others joined me and together we raised over $500. This year I have created my own version. I am still wearing a dress every day, but am aiming to raise $1,000 for the YES Initiative with SIM Canada. I have set up a fundraiser on Facebook so that friends and family from far and near can join me. So far $380.00 has been donated.

As many of you know, I recently published my devotional book, Equipped: Ephesians 6 Devotionals to Empower and Make You Victorious in Everyday Struggles. Before the book was published, I contacted John Cassells, who works with SIM and asked if I could partner with him in his ministry. Here's a video that explains some of what they do.

For December, I am donating $5.00 from the sale of every paperback copy of Equipped to the YES Initiative. (Men Ending Trafficking is involved in the YES Initiative.) I will continue to support Men Ending Trafficking as God enables me. You can purchase a copy of Equipped from Amazon, by emailing me, or asking for it in your local bookstore.

Check out the 12 Days of Christmas series I'm running on my blog until Christmas :)

I would also like to invite you to join a FREE 10-Day devotional challenge. You will receive 10 free devotionals and access to a private Facebook group to discuss the devotionals, apply them to your life, and pray.

https://equipped.lpages.co/equipped-10-day-devotional-challenge/

What does Jesus want you to do this Christmas and on into 2019? Let's share in the comments. Merry Christmas!

Ruth L. Snyder lives with her husband and five children in north eastern Alberta, Canada. She started learning lessons about being equipped from her missionary parents, became better equipped at Prairie Bible College, and continues to learn daily. She writes in a variety of genres, including devotional, memoir, and Christian romance. Connect with Ruth at ruthlsnyder.com

Fresh Insights into Christmas - Ruth L. Snyder

When has Christ revealed something about Himself to you at Christmas? This is the question InScribe writers are addressing this month in our blog posts.

One thing I appreciate about my relationship with Jesus Christ is that He is always teaching me and giving me new insights in my spiritual life, both through His Word and through life experiences. This year He used the pregnancy of our eldest daughter and the birth of our first grandson to cause me to reflect on the birth of Christ from a fresh perspective.


Although our daughter greeted her pregnancy with excitement and anticipation, she also voiced concern and a need for support. She had many questions and faced many unknowns because it was her first pregnancy. 

The Book of Luke records several reactions Mary had to the angel's announcement:

Luke 1:29 - "Mary was greatly troubled. . . and wondered."
Luke 1:34 - "How will this be?"
Luke 1:38 - "I am the Lord's servant."

It's difficult for me to imagine everything Mary had to take into consideration when she heard the angel's announcement. Not only did she face the usual questions about pregnancy and child birth, but she also faced the possibility of losing her fiance and being publicly shamed. She was a young woman, engaged to be married. If the baby wasn't Joseph's, the natural assumption would be that Mary had committed adultery. Joseph could choose to divorce her and she would face public ridicule and rejection from those she loved. She also risked not having the support she needed for her pregnancy.


I had the privilege of being present for the birth of our grandson. I drove our Grand Caravan 40 kilometers to the hospital, and was greeted by a cheerful receptionist who directed me to the maternity ward. The spotless labor room had a comfortable bed for the mother-to-be and a separate bed for the baby, with all kinds of knobs and switches.  A container of ice water had face cloths we placed on my daughter's forehead. The nurse and doctor were attentive, explained procedures, and provided pain medication. 


Luke informs us that Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a distance of about 130 kilometers or 80 miles. We are not told how they traveled, but it is likely they made the journey on foot. (As our family went through an advent calendar this year, we discussed whether or not Mary rode a donkey. Our kids insisted she did. We discovered there is no mention of a donkey in any of the Biblical accounts of Christ's birth.) Traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem would typically be a week-long journey on foot. We are not told how many days Mary and Joseph traveled or where they spent the nights. This type of journey seems incomprehensible to me, even without pregnancy involved. Mary was at least eight months pregnant when she made the journey.

Picture from Pixabay

 "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" (Luke 2:6-7).

The Bible makes no mention of anyone helping Mary with the birthing process. Perhaps her bed was a cloth thrown over straw. How long was she in labor? We are not aware if she had any way of reducing the pain. Did Joseph cut the umbilical cord?

Me holding my grandson, Dane.

I am looking forward to watching my grandson grow up. Will he be shy or outgoing? What will he be passionate about? My hope and prayer is that he will come to understand and accept the amazing gift of salvation God provided through Jesus, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.

Sharing the Spirit of Christmas by Nina Faye Morey

The best Christmas gifts don’t come in boxes or bags. They’re not wrapped in shiny foil with ribbons and bows. They’re neither too big nor too small, neither disposable nor recyclable, but they are infinite and eternal. They don’t cost us one penny – or maybe that should be revised to a nickel – and that’s not because they come from Santa. No, the most cherished gifts we can give or receive this Christmas are love, caring, and sharing. These are spiritual gifts that come from God, and He intends for us to share these special gifts, for “the fruit of the Spirit is love” (Gal. 5:22, NIV).

As Christians, we know that Christmas is to be observed as a holy festival commemorating Jesus’ birth. Despite this, those Christmas commercials successfully lure us into purchasing numerous products and services with the false message that happiness comes from the material rather than the spiritual. Merchants love the Christmas shopping season when people purchase gifts, cards, decorations, Christmas trees and lights, and stock their pantries, because it’s their most profitable time of year. They instruct their clerks to greet us with the secular “Happy Holidays” for fear of offending a customer with the traditional “Merry Christmas.” Shoppers wear their wallets, soles, and patience thin searching the crowded stores for the perfect gifts for their friends and family.

These “Happy Holidays” frazzle our nerves and leave us fatigued. It’s difficult to maintain that holiday spirit when you’re tired, your feet hurt, and you don’t know where you’re going to find the money to pay for your Christmas spending spree. So what can you do this Christmas season to fill it with more of the holy and less of the holly?

Let me offer you a few tips to help you escape some of the usual seasonal hustle and bustle. The Lord commands us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10), so try to take a fifteen minute time-out from your frantic day. Read some Bible verses or the biblical story of Jesus’ birth. If you have little ones, sit down with them and read a picture book about the Nativity. This is not only a way to share your love for them, but God’s, too. Light up your Christmas tree, snuggle up with a blanket and hot beverage in a comfy chair, and read some seasonal poems, short stories, or a book that will kindle your Christmas spirit. Perhaps you have some special ones that you like to reread every year.

After a busy day of shopping, decorating, or housecleaning, sit down with your family to watch some of your favourite Christmas movies. You might even find a few new favourites this year. You could also look for a local Christmas play, concert, or choir that fits into your busy holiday schedule. Be sure to make room on your calendar for some special family activities like ice-skating or sledding, too.

Even on those days when you just can’t seem to find enough time to relax, you can still relieve some of your stress by listening to your favourite Christmas carols while you’re baking, signing cards, or wrapping your presents. Then unwind from your hectic day by turning on some cheerful Christmas music, lighting some colourful, scented candles, and taking a nice long soak in a tub full of soothing bath oil or bubble bath.

Most importantly, spend some quiet time each day with God in prayer, and remember that the most precious gift you can share with others this Christmas is God’s spiritual gift of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Photo Credit: Morey, Nina F. © 2016. Sharing Spiritual Gifts.

Nina Faye Morey is a Saskatoon writer, poet, artist, and editor. Her work has been published in Christian, secular, and literary journals. She won two FellowScript Writing Contests, third place in the Fiction and Nonfiction Categories of InScribe’s Fall Contest, and the Barnabas Fellowship in 2015. She also contributed to the 2015 ICWF anthology, 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers. Nina’s an ICWF Executive member and editor-in-chief for FellowScript. As well, she’s a member of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild and Saskatoon’s Innovative Toastmasters Club.

5 Ways to Pay it Forward at Christmas with Your Children - Ruth L. Snyder

Many of us parents struggle with how to pass our faith on to our children in meaningful ways. We understand that if our children do not personalize their faith and make it their own, they will discard biblical beliefs as they grow older. My husband and I have discussed ways of making Christmas real to our children. We continue to try different approaches.

Here are a few of our favourite ideas:

1. Have each child purchase items and pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan's Purse. We explain to our children that we are sending toys and other items to children who have no toys. This project has opened up discussions about helping less fortunate people and learning about other cultures.


2. Help out at a local shelter or soup kitchen. We have made trips to the Mustard Seed several times to cook and serve an evening meal. It is enlightening to talk with people who access services. Some people are there due to poor personal choices, but others are victims of unfortunate events.


3. Sponsor a child. Our family sponsors children through Compassion Canada and the Dalit Freedom Network. For a dollar a day, we can give hope and education to a child. Both organizations encourage correspondence between the sponsor and the child. This provides great opportunities for learning skills like letter writing and learning about other cultures. Compassion Canada also welcomes sponsors who want to travel overseas and meet the child they are sponsoring.


4. Go caroling in your neighborhood. We've discovered this is a dying tradition, but people appreciate hearing carols at their doors. We have also baked cookies as a family and then distributed them to our neighbors after we sing. (Make sure you have a list of ingredients in case people have food allergies.)


5. Write thank you notes to people who give gifts. This is almost a lost art today. Unfortunately, we have so much that often we are not thankful for what we receive. Writing thank you notes encourages us to stop and think about the person who took the time and spent money to buy us something. Hand written notes are few and far between and will mean a lot to the people you send them to. It is easier and faster to send an e-mail, but the extra time, attention, and cost you put into writing a note will demonstrate your gratitude.

This year we received an Adventures in Odyssey activity calendar from Focus on the Family. We didn't do all the activities, but we really enjoyed the ones we did. For example, before opening our gifts this year, we played the "ABC Advent game" where we came up with 25 things related to the Nativity. Our whole family (with children ranging in age from 5 to 16) participated and it was interesting to hear the different creative contributions each person came up with. For instance:

• A is for angry - King Herod was angry when he heard about Christ's birth
• E is for excited - the shepherds were excited to hear about the birth of Jesus
• V is for the shepherds who came to visit Jesus

It is encouraging to see our children not only learning, but also sharing what they are learning with others. A couple weeks ago I wrote about how my one son made me cry in church - happy tears.

What have you done with your children or grandchildren to teach them about Christ and Christmas? Please share :)

Ruth L. Snyder

Ruth L. Snyder lives in north-eastern Alberta with her husband and five young children. She enjoys writing about her journey of faith, special needs, and adoption. Her novella, Cecile's Christmas Miracle was released on December 4th and is available from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

http://ruthlsnyder.com

Merry Christmas! Or is it? -- by T.L. Wiens

Merry Christmas!

How can two words create such controversy? Quite by accident, I sent out a Christmas greeting to a large group when I hit “reply all” instead of “reply to sender.” It was a Christian group so I shrugged and thought it would be fine. I was so wrong!

The letters started to come in—nasty letters condemning my wishing of blessing as the world stops to celebrate. I want to be clear—my original note was in praise of Jesus Christ and my thankfulness for His gift to us of His life.

The Bible doesn’t in any way command us to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I accept if others don’t want to but what I don’t understand is why they hinder those of us who do want to set apart a time to remember Jesus’ coming to earth. I think it’s kind of sad when the people who talk to me about being upset about Christ being taken out of Christmas are not followers of Christ. I think it’s sad that we as believers aren’t out there sharing salvation at a time when the world stops to consider a baby in a manger who became the man Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. I fear it will be Christians who stop the world from these considerations.

So, I wish all you in the Inscribe family a Merry Christmas! I pray it will be a time to remember a gift that yes, we should remember with joy every day we live and take the time during the Christmas season to stop and just praise God for His goodness and mercy while the world is watching.

Go Tell it on the Mountain - Linda Aleta Tame

Christmas, in my past, was problematic.  I was raised in an exclusive religious group that didn't believe in Christmas.  My dad was also raised with the same belief system, but he left it behind when he was a young man.  My mom embraced the system's tenets when she met my dad, so our home was a divided home.  We sometimes had a Christmas tree, but along with my five siblings, I knew it was wrong.  There were a few reasons it was wrong to celebrate Christmas:  a passage of scripture in Jeremiah 10 ( it condemns idol worship, but the idol seems a lot like a Christmas tree), no one knows the exact day of Jesus birth, and the pagan origin.

For a few years, after I left the sect, I did celebrate Christmas.  It was still difficult, because I didn't really know how to get "in the Spirit."  I was not a believer then.  I was trying to embrace the secular side of Christmas.  Some of it was lovely, the family gatherings, the lights, the gifts, but I still had anxiety.   When I studied with Jehovah's Witnesses, a group that resembles the one from my childhood, I felt more at home again, because they don't participate in Christmas either.

Eventually, I learned of the saving grace of Jesus, the same Jesus who was born in a manger.  My whole world changed when I fell in love with the mighty Saviour.  He filled my life with love, joy and purpose, but in some respects, peace was still elusive.  Christmas continued to be a stressful time for me.  The first Christmas after my new birth in Christ, I saw a Christmas tree in the church foyer.  I ran from the church in a tearful outrage.  I was angry, hurt and literally sick to my stomach.  Gradually, I became more tolerant, but my understanding was limited.

That happened thirty-three years ago.  Today, I love and enjoy Christmas in freedom!  Many of my questions were answered through a little booklet entitled, "Christmas Reconsidered" by Ralph Woodrow.  Christmas Reconsidered  It addresses questions like, "Is it an ancient pagan festival?" and  "Did Jeremiah condemn Christmas trees?"  Most of you have likely never had to deal with such conflicts associated with Christmas, but for those of you who have, I recommend Woodrow's booklet.

My true liberty, however, did not come from Ralph Woodrow.  It came from an awesome and living God, the One who came from the glory of heaven to be born in a stable.  He came to live among us, to love us, heal us and to offer us abundant life here and in His Kingdom.  I am amazed at His beauty, His compassion, His perfect peace.  As a child and as a Jehovah's Witness, I was not allowed to sing, "Away in a Manger,"  or "Oh Holy Night," or any other carols about Him.  Now, I sing with all my heart, "Go Tell it on the Mountain!"