In Deuteronomy 6:6-9, God stressed the importance of remembering His commands:
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
We all need regular reminders and daily disciplines to keep our faith strong.
That’s why we have a quiet time, spending time in the Scriptures and prayer each day. It's why we seek out regular fellowship with other believers.
It's also why we celebrate Christ's birth, His resurrection, and other "holy days."
But the secular focus of our culture demands that we be deliberate and intentional in our celebrations, not only for our benefit, but also to transmit our faith to our children and grandchildren.
Let's make sure we're celebrating Christ this Christmas.
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Do you need some ideas to keep your Christmas more Christ-centered? Check out these resources:
8 Steps to a More Meaningful Christmas
6 Things to Believe in at Christmas
Gifts With the Purpose of Building Faith
Bible Love Notes
My husband and I began reading the Word from beginning to end a few years ago. We have learned so much and changed so many of the things that we practice to attempt to line up with the Word. Your articles on syncretism in regards to the spiritual practice of yoga are so spot on.
ReplyDelete"Syncretism is combining Christian beliefs with non-Christian beliefs. God stresses the importance of separating ourselves from pagan, occult, and ungodly influences in both Old and New Testament."
We have learned how our traditional celebrations during this time of year (and others, like Easter) are also based on syncretism and began with the occult. We have searched the Word for God's directions on His "Holy Days" and how and what to celebrate according to His direction.
Learning this is HARD and heartbreaking in so many ways. My FEELINGS are hurt to change our traditions because of all of the good memories and special times associated with how we used to celebrate. However, we strive to follow Christ and consider it a sacrifice of praise to honor Him by following the Word.
As in every other area of our lives, we know that following His guidance (which aren't suggestions, but commandments) will always result in a peace that passes understanding.
Thanks for sharing your insights and your story, Elisha.
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