This devotion has been updated and you can read it under it's new title 5 Ways to Avoid the Holiday Blahs. I'm sorry for this additional step. God bless you.
I saw an article at WSJ yesterday about this same subject and I was wondering how people can loose focus (though, I admit it is easy with everyone pulling you in different directions) of what's important. Really important.
That's why there's Advent; to put you on the right path for Christmas and The Nativity...
Everything else is nice and cheery, hopefully, but you should never get distracted from your aim.
How blessed are those who don't. They are happier because they antecipate bigger happiness.
Thank you so much for sharing the - perfect - readings. They're always a help even when you don't realize there's distress.
Have we, as Christians, ever considered that we are trying to turn a pagan tradition into a Christian one? Isn’t it a bit odd that we think the world is stealing the tradition of Christmas from Jesus’ birth and are commercializing it when it really originated with the pagan festival Saturnalia? Why would God want us the celebrate Jesus’ birth on the same day as the birthday of the pagan sun god? There are biblical holy days that we as a church do not even recognize. Should we perhaps reevaluate what we have known as normal and acceptable and consider that it may be offensive to God?
Before anyone attacks me about my comment, please research the origin of Christmas. It might be helpful to look up the origin of Easter as well. You may find it equally disturbing. I would rather learn the truth, even when it is hard to process than blindly follow traditions that could grieve the heart of God.
Hi Gail~ I'm so glad you will be posting on the topic. I look forward to hearing views from both sides. My concern for myself is that I don't want to accept a counterfeit tradition (even with sincere intentions) and completely miss what God intended through ignoring Biblical feast and holy days. I don't want to be deceived and I don't want others to be either. I also know that if someone told me this a year ago, I would have called them a fool. We are all where we are and I respect that.
Been there, done the depression route for the holidays. I have wasted so many years trying to make nice holidays with family who spend the rest of the year avoiding and rejecting me. It's not about "losing focus" on the birth of Christ. It's spiritual attack--and it's a very REAL BATTLE. I have overcome and this is the very 1st Christmas that I have felt truly free. Count your lucky stars if you do not battle depression. Choose to be a blessing to those who do struggle with it. There, but for the grace of God, you would also be.
Thank you for validating a very real struggle! I appreciate the sensitivity of everyone posting their viewpoints without trampling on other ones - great comments!
I saw an article at WSJ yesterday about this same subject and I was wondering how people can loose focus (though, I admit it is easy with everyone pulling you in different directions) of what's important. Really important.
ReplyDeleteThat's why there's Advent; to put you on the right path for Christmas and The Nativity...
Everything else is nice and cheery, hopefully, but you should never get distracted from your aim.
How blessed are those who don't. They are happier because they antecipate bigger happiness.
Thank you so much for sharing the - perfect - readings. They're always a help even when you don't realize there's distress.
Blessings,
Teresa
Have we, as Christians, ever considered that we are trying to turn a pagan tradition into a Christian one? Isn’t it a bit odd that we think the world is stealing the tradition of Christmas from Jesus’ birth and are commercializing it when it really originated with the pagan festival Saturnalia? Why would God want us the celebrate Jesus’ birth on the same day as the birthday of the pagan sun god? There are biblical holy days that we as a church do not even recognize. Should we perhaps reevaluate what we have known as normal and acceptable and consider that it may be offensive to God?
ReplyDeleteBefore anyone attacks me about my comment, please research the origin of Christmas. It might be helpful to look up the origin of Easter as well. You may find it equally disturbing. I would rather learn the truth, even when it is hard to process than blindly follow traditions that could grieve the heart of God.
Hi Tami,
DeleteI actually have an upcoming post about this subject with both sides weighing in. I know there are lots of strong feelings about this subject.
Hi Gail~ I'm so glad you will be posting on the topic. I look forward to hearing views from both sides. My concern for myself is that I don't want to accept a counterfeit tradition (even with sincere intentions) and completely miss what God intended through ignoring Biblical feast and holy days. I don't want to be deceived and I don't want others to be either. I also know that if someone told me this a year ago, I would have called them a fool. We are all where we are and I respect that.
DeleteBeen there, done the depression route for the holidays. I have wasted so many years trying to make nice holidays with family who spend the rest of the year avoiding and rejecting me. It's not about "losing focus" on the birth of Christ. It's spiritual attack--and it's a very REAL BATTLE. I have overcome and this is the very 1st Christmas that I have felt truly free. Count your lucky stars if you do not battle depression. Choose to be a blessing to those who do struggle with it. There, but for the grace of God, you would also be.
ReplyDeleteThank you for validating a very real struggle! I appreciate the sensitivity of everyone posting their viewpoints without trampling on other ones - great comments!
ReplyDelete