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8/3/2019 Keeping Christ in Christmas 2
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Keeping Christ in Christmas
Melissa Hart
November 1, 2011
English 3134 R51
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As the holidays are quickly approaching we begin
to think about shopping. Many of us start looking for the
Black Fridayads to see where the best deals will be. We wake as the sun begins to shine on
November 25 to rush out to the packed stores in order to try and save a little money. As I sit
here and ponder on Christmas gifts for my children, friends, and family my mind begins to travel
to the true meaning of Christmas.
People are so focused on gifts,Santa Claus, Rudolph, decorating, and the stress of getting
everything together that we forget what Christmas is truly about. So many children are taught
about Santa Claus while Jesus is never
mentioned. The children are told If you
are not good Santa will not bring you any
toys. If we are to ask most children what
Christmas is about they will answer
presents. Like the majority of us, I was
taught that Santa was real.
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We went all out decorating the Christmas tree, listening to Christmas music, and baking
Christmas candy. I did attend the church Christmas
program every year and participated in it most years. I
was also read the story of Jesus on Christmas morning
before opening gifts. This is a tradition that I continue
with my children. Christmas is a wonderful celebration
of the birth of a precious baby; a Savior for the world.
The wonderful Christmas story commences with
the Virgin Mary and her fianc Joseph. The angel Gabriel
spoke to Mary and said Dont be afraid, God has been very kind to you. You will become
pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a baby boy and you will call him Jesus. He will be
Godsown son and his kingdom will never end. Mary was frightened, but she trusted the Lord.
Joseph was disturbed as well when he heard the news that a baby was on the way before the two
were married. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said Dont be afraid to have Mary
as your wife. The angel explained to Joseph that Mary had been selected by God to be the
mother of his son and that the baby would be named Jesus.
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TheRoman Emperor Augustuswanted to
complete a census to make certain everyone paid
their taxes Augustus then ordered every person to
return to the town their families were from and
enter their names on the register. Mary and Joseph
headed out for their journey from Nazareth to
Bethlehemwhere Josephs family was from. The journey was a long one, about 70miles, for an
extremely pregnant Mary.
Mary and Joseph reachedBethlehemand could not come across a place to stay. There
were so many people traveling because of the order Augustus made that all the beds at the Inns
and homes were full. The only place they could find to rest was a stable and this is where baby
Jesus was born. An angel appeared to the shepherds outside ofBethlehemand said Dont be
afraid. I have good news to bring. Today a Savior has been born for you. You will find him
lying in a manger. The shepherds traveled toBethlehemto see Jesus and tell everyone about
the angel.
http://www.orlutheran.com/html/census.htmlhttp://www.orlutheran.com/html/census.htmlhttp://www.orlutheran.com/html/census.htmlhttp://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.bethlehem.org/http://www.orlutheran.com/html/census.html8/3/2019 Keeping Christ in Christmas 2
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The night Jesus was born a new star appeared in the sky. The star could be seen from far
away countries. Most people refer to the star as the beautiful star of Bethlehem. The Wise Men
saw the star and followed it. They came to Jerusalem
asking Where is the child who is born to be
King of the Jews? They continued to follow the star
to the stable where Jesus was born. The Wise Men
brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
They bowed down and worshipped baby Jesus.
This baby born in a manger on a starry night in Bethlehem gave his life on a cross for our
sins. He was tortured, beaten, battered, and bruised because of his unending love for us. For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish
but have eternal life(John 3:16). How many of us would be willing to sacrifice our children for
others?
Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year. I enjoy spending time with my
family as much as anyone else. Decorating the tree, making candy, listening to Christmas music,
and family dinners are some of my favorite memories. I love to see the look on the faces of my
boys when they get their gifts on Christmas morning. The one thing that I will not fail to do is
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remind my children every year what Christmas truly is. We will continue to read the story of the
birth of Jesus each year. My family makes Jesus a birthday cake and sings happy birthday to
him. Everywhere we look people want to take Jesus from us just like removing prayer from
school. Let us all keep him in our homes where he needs to be. Teach our children that there is
more to Christmas than Santa, the elves, reindeer, and presents. The gift of Christmas isn't
wrapped up in presents or parties. . Everyone enjoys giving and receiving gifts. The gift of
Christmas is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Alpha and Omega. When we choose to follow him
we may find that we spend less time in lines, less money, and more time with the people we love.
We all need to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.