What is Christmas All About Anyway? (Day 20)

For weeks I have been talking about focusing on the real meaning of Christmas. Then I came across a sermon by John MacArthur that said it far more eloquently than all my stumbling about. I was so convicted, once again, and wanted to share part of the sermon with you.

"At Christmas, we are confronted again, and I'm sure you're aware of it, with the sometimes very difficult task of separating the reality of Christmas from the clutter that surrounds that reality. There is so much confusion that sometimes you feel like the real Christmas story is like a diamond lost in a haystack‑‑it just seems impossible to find.

Christmas has really become a hopeless muddle of confusion. The humility and the poverty of the stable are somehow confused with the wealth and indulgence and selfishness of gift giving. The quietness of Bethlehem is mingled with the din of shopping malls and freeway traffic. The soberness of the incarnation is somehow mixed with the drunkenness of this season. Blinking colored lights somehow have some connection to the star of Bethlehem. The room in the inn, so obscure, so dirty with such meager fare, somehow embraces the thought of a warm house, a fireplace and opulent feasting. Cheap plastic toys for little kids with which to play out their follies are mixed with the true value of the gifts given by wise men. Salesmen somehow get mixed up with shepherds. Angels are confused with flying reindeer, one of which even has a red nose. The pain of childbirth is mixed with the parties. The filth of the stable is confounded with the whiteness of fresh snow. And then there's Mary, Joseph, Perry Como and Bing Crosby. And so it goes.

The great reality of Christmas, which is the glory of the Lord being revealed, is obscured by so much tinsel and activity and commercialism. And I think it's true that Santa Claus really has become the focus of Christmas for most people. And I've noted in the years that I've been ministering, that more and more each year, Santa Claus takes a dominant place. In fact, it's amazing but I think some people have trouble confusing Santa Claus with Jesus...if you can imagine that."

In the myriad of Christmas specials so few get it right. Linus had it right. Enjoy.

Bishop's Wife sermon

I had already posted about one of my favorite Christmas movies, The Bishop's Wife, (here) but I couldn't leave it be with one post. The movie is sooooo good. And I find that it is one that many have never seen or even heard of. Cary Grant is almost enough of a reason to watch any movie, but he has nothing to do with my love of this sweet film. Here we have a holiday film proclaiming the meaning of Christmas.

This is the Christmas sermon from the end of the film. Short. Sweet. And wonderful.

Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.

Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.

But especially with gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe. For we forget nobody, adult or child.

All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. Its His birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that.

Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share: loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth.

I also love it when the boy's choir sings, O Sing to God (Noel)



The focus of the world IS the gifts, the decorations, the business, and Santa, and seemingly everything but the Christ child. My heart is that my focus would always be Jesus. That my life would be lived out for Him. To bring Him joy and glory. That I would live out my life singing out hymns of adoration, all year long.

Count Your Blessings on Thankful Thursday(Day 19)

Over the last weeks I have done several clips from Christmas movies... and this one suits so well today. What a joy to be reminded in a Hollywood movie, White Christmas, to count our blessings. That is what we do on Thankful Thursdays!

It is an exercise encouraged by Thankful Thursdays, but I find it an extra blessing at this time of year. When we look to Jesus, we can not help but be thankful. What are you thankful for today?

Blessings for which I am so thankful:
~ Christmas Carols ~ their joyful songs stir my heart, often telling of our Christ, even more a blessing when sung with my family.
~ Christmas Trees ~ Two lovely trees in our house. A large one decorated in white lights, and an eclectic mix of shiny beautiful balls and the treasured ones made by my children and other friends and family. And a small one called the children's tree covered in chocolate ornaments, candy canes, and brightly colored blinking lights. They bring such beauty to our house, all the more treasured because they are here for such a short time.
~ Christmas Cookies ~ yum. The smells and tastes of Christmas are so much of our traditions. Forming and tasting and decorating cookies is a fabulous part of the season.
~ Pirags ~ These traditional Latvian baked pastries are filled with bacon and onion. They take a lot of time and effort to make, but they are worth every bit when you take just one bite. Also the work becomes play when shared with children. Passing on family traditions is a wonderful gift to my kids and to me.
~Vacation ~ With hubby a teacher, and me a stay-at-home homeschooling mom, work stops for a 2 week period. We can focus on family and faith and friends. This is an awesome blessing.
~ The Nativity ~ An ever present reminder of the reason for this whole celebration. Setting it up is always one of the first things we do, and it is a joy. Focusing time during each day on the coming Christ makes it a rich holiday with deep JOY.
~ My Savior ~ Jesus is the most precious gift of all. None of this would be possible without Him.

The Small One and Old Time Radio

Do you by any change remember the Disney film, The Small One? If so you know what a dear story it is. A true treasure of a short film and a rarity in the Disney movie collection for it was religious. It is touching and adorable. You can watch the Disney version on youtube in three parts beginning here.

As much as do enjoy the Disney film I prefer another version. The film was based on a book which was made into a radio story by Bing Crosby. You can find the radio program here, Number 10. The show begins with Christmas carols but then leads into this sweet story.

If you have never listened to old time radio shows, you are missing out! There are hundreds online, from the sweet to the funny to the exciting. Great family entertainment. The quality of the shows is delightful. Our family loves listening to old classic stories and adventures like the Lone Ranger and Tarzan. What a fun way to spend time together.

Another favorite Movie ~ Bells of St Mary's

Ahhhhhhhh. What a joy to actually have Christmas movies show a nativity play! And combine it with Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman? This is a touching and must see Christmas movie. There is another movie that is a prequel - Going my Way with Bing, but it is not specifically Christmas.

And in my devotional today I talked about Christmas through the eyes of a child... not Santa's commercialized Christmas... but the real meaning of Christmas. This scene shows a sweet children's Christmas nativity play.

Anyway, enjoy.

Advent Devotion ~ Little Drummer Boy (Day 6)

Earlier I shared The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant as a favorite Christmas movie. Another Christmas movie that I have to share with you is the Christmas special, The Little Drummer Boy. This sweet childrens special never ceases to make me tear up. If you have not seen it, do not watch the clip.... as it is the end of the movie. If you have seen it... then by all means enjoy what I consider the greatest part of the movie.



Each of us come to Jesus, humble, and with little to offer. Christ however takes these gifts from us as being worth gold if we offer ourselves in love to Him. This Christmas season, my heart's desire is to serve Him. As I sing carols, cook, and wrap presents, I want to always be mindful of the Christ child. May my life be as a pleasing gift to Him.

Favorite Christmas Movie - The Bishop's Wife

In these weeks before Christmas, I am going to share some of my favorite Christmas movies and books.

I am going to start with a favorite of mine, The Bishop's Wife... we watch it every year. The Bishop's Wife stars Cary Grant and is simply delightful. But more than that... it is movie that portrays the true meaning of Christmas. If you haven't seen it.. please do. Here is a clip from the movie... from a scene I love.... and not just because I like the theme of this segment.


And, because I can, here is a lovely rendition of the 23rd Psalm by the choirboys. And yes, this time it IS because I happen to love biblical references to sheep and the Good Shepherd.


Edit to add: I posted again on The Bishop's Wife later, here.