Well, after taking a few years off—I see that the war on Christmas is back.That the “Grinches” are back who want to do away with Christmas—or at least downplay it to the point that it is no longer recognizable. For example:
Many retailers have instructed their employees to no longer say “Merry Christmas” but instead to say something generic like “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings.”
Many companies won’t allow their employees to put up a Manger or to even have a small one displayed on their desk.
Many employers have instructed their employees that they can’t give one another Christmas cards containing any “religious” themes as they might be offensive to some.
Of course, one of the main areas where we see this anti-Christmas, political correctness being promoted is in public schools across our nation.
The audio and video messages are now available online for the 2018 Calvary Chapel Women’s Christmas Dessert. Cyndi Ballmaier shared her heart in her message, “White As Snow”. The theme verse reference comes out of Isaiah 1:18.
Watch the video by clicking here, Audio is available on our website here.
A special thank you to all those who were a part of making this years’ event a blessing for all those who attended.
Undoubtedly, as the Christmas and New Year season quickly approaches—we can often times get so caught up in to–do lists, shopping, travel plans, and things that need to get done—that we become overwhelmed, rushed and anxious.
Well—why not listen to Pastor Phil’s ‘The Story of Christmas’ teachings, while you’re on the go?! Take Him with you using the mobile app.
May The Lord help each of us to take the time to prepare our hearts—and REMEMBER and REFLECT on all that The Lord has done, and the greatest gift He gave us so long ago.
Download the app today on the App Store or Google Play,
OR from your mobile device, visit www.ccelkgrove.org and select OK when prompted.
As a pastor I’m always looking for new ways to communicate the timeless truths of Scripture in a way that will help God’s people remember them and apply them into their lives.
This morning I would like to attempt to do that very thing by using the word “Christmas” as an acrostic which I hope will help you to remember what the Christmas story is all about.
Of course, Christmas is about the birth of the Christ-child—something that has gotten lost in all the hype and commercialism that has come to characterize the Christmas season.
The birth of this special Child was foretold in numerous places in the O.T.—one of the prophecies that we’re most familiar with comes out of Isaiah 9:6—
Well, here we are less than two weeks away from Christmas—so let’s spend a little time focusing on the real reason for the season!
Matthew 2:1-2 (NKJV)
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
I. “Wise Men from the East”—v.1
The term “wise men” is the Greek word “magoi” from which we get the word “magi” which is just a transliteration of that Greek word. Few biblical stories are as well known, yet so clouded by myth and tradition, as that of the magi, or wise men, mentioned by Matthew.
In a few weeks, we will be celebrating one of our greatest national holidays, Thanksgiving—a day that we have set aside as a nation to thank the Lord for all His goodness and blessings which He has so richly given to us.
Our nation was birthed in an attitude of thanksgiving to Almighty God for His blessings and providence that planted, sustained, and nurtured our fledgling nation from infancy to maturity as the strongest and most blessed nation on the face of the earth. Back in those early days, before we were even a nation, those early settlers were thankful to God, not for big houses and new cars but for keeping them alive!
