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1. Understanding Your Relationship With Jesus Christ
2. Experiencing God’s Love
3. Power for Living
4. Growing in Your Relationship with Christ
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The following shows how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:
1) Past the first week: 75%
2) Past 2 weeks: 71%
3) After one month: 64%
4) After 6 months: 46% ⁽¹⁾

But don’t let those stats convince you to plop down on your couch with a bag of chips. People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions. ⁽¹⁾ So, if you want to lose weight or just get more fit in 2007, then resolving to do so may be beneficial to you. Just make sure you have an action plan that helps ensure your success.

A Department of Labor survey of adults asked them to identify the biggest issue that prevents them from achieving their New Years Resolutions or goals. The top 3 reasons identified were as follows:
1) Procrastinating 33%
2) Lack of discipline 24%
3) No game plan 19%.

Here is a specific action plan for diet and fitness related resolutions that will help eliminate these three top issues.

• Find a positive support system
  For some, family may be just what they need. But, if your family members are struggling with the same diet or weight loss issues as you and aren’t ready to commit themselves to change, then you might want to look elsewhere. Friends may also be an option, but again if they are struggling with their own issues then you might want to enlist other help. Try finding a local support group of like-minded people, go online for a virtual support group or seek out the help of a professional personal trainer or dietician.

• Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today
  One of the biggest obstacles new dieters/exercises face is just getting started. If you continue to say “I’ll start tomorrow”, then you may find that tomorrow never comes. You repeatedly push it off and before you know it another year has passed by while you remain in the same place you were before. If you promise to start tomorrow, then do it! Don’t allow any other “priority” to get in the way. At the risk of sounding cliché, Just Do It!

• Start a new exercise plan slowly but remain consistentand build up on it. Follow this example:
  • Week 1: Walk for 20- 30 minutes just 2 times per week.
  • Week 2: Increase your walking frequency to 3 times per week. Add in one day of strength training. Try 5-10 exercises to target your entire body.
  • Weeks 3-4: Maintain the three days of walking and increase the strength training to two times per week.
  • Weeks 5-6: Increase the intensity of your walk sessions by increasing the speed and/or increasing the incline. If possible, walk four times per week and strength train 3 times per week.
  • Weeks 7-8: Time to change things up to keep your body challenged and avoid plateaus and burnout. Try adding a different cardio option at least two times per week (swimming, jogging, playing a sport, etc.). For the strength training, try new techniques like pyramids or supersets. You may need to enlist the help of a personal trainer for new ideas.

• Start a new diet plan slowly but consistently.Avoid labeling any foods as “bad”. Eat a variety but in moderation and include more of the nutritionally dense foods.
  • Week 1: Improve your hydration through your daily water intake. Try to consume approximately 64 ounces per day.
  • Week 2: Add in one extra vegetable a day until you are eating 5 servings of vegetables every day.
  • Week 3: Include one serving of lean protein at every meal.
  • Week 4: Limit starches and sweets (simple carbohydrates).

Find more help with weekly dietary guideline advice.

The above exercise and diet recommendations give you a substantial game plan for your first two months. All you have to do is implement it.   Post this action plan on your refrigerator or somewhere else that will force you to look at it every day. And, mark every action on your daily calendar to ensure it doesn’t get bumped by some other priority.

Also, remember that setbacks are normal and should not spell disaster for your resolution. If you are following your game plan 90% of the time and only 10% of the time falling off the wagon, then pat yourself on the back and cut yourself a little slack! If you find yourself starting to really wane from the plan, then tap back into what helped you initially get motivated. Don’t give up. Just start where you can (even if that’s taking a few steps backward) and head toward your goal.

If you’d like the help of a guide who can personally help you reach your goals this year, help is available, and free! Contact an email mentor today and they will help you. (This is a free and confidential service.)

⁽¹⁾ Source: Auld Lang Syne: Success predictors, change processes, and self-reported outcomes of New Year’s resolvers and nonresolvers, by John C. Norcross, Marci S. Mrykalo, Matthew D. Blagys , University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology, Volume 58, Issue 4 (2002).

Are the people in your house about to embark on another set of New Year’s resolutions?

1. Commit. You might take a step or two in the right direction, but until you are committed, chances are you might turn back. Don’t forget that in order for Providence to move, you have to make that leap of faith first.

2. Get the facts. Gather information. Study. Try to know as much as possible – and more – about your mission.

3. Start doing it in some way or form. Goethe said: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can…begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Where you are right now is a good place to start. Mother Teresa started caring for the poor when she saw a need at her front door. Joan of Arc started in her hometown. You might find that your purpose lies closer than you think.

4. Know that there will be obstacles. You will encounter opposition, often from within your own heart. Doubt and disbelief have a way of creeping in, often almost in-noticeably. That’s why it’s so important to write down your discoveries, as well as confirmations and encouraging words as you go along.

5. Get a goal. “Boil your mission statement down to the single most important goal or task,” advises Jones. Then, take steps to achieve it.

The Chinese proverb reminds us: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Mary Kay, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, said one of the smartest things she ever learned was to write a list of the six most important things to be done the next day.

6.Ask for help. You’ll be amazed at how many people are ready and willing to either help, or if they can’t, direct you to someone who could.

Take the next step:
Start over this year and determine a fresh purpose for your life.
What if you could fulfill your deepest yearnings this year?

The carols try to tell us that this is a calm and silent time of year. But for most of us, the weeks leading up to Christmas can be anything but calm. You know the drill: office parties, shopping, baking, wrapping, relatives, Christmas plays and everyone’s favorite - family pictures. It’s enough to leave even the strongest among us exhausted. Can we slow things down a little so we can enjoy the season again? Does anyone have time for that?

Whatever your plans for the season, don’t let them overtake your holiday. Remember Dr. Seuss’s classic tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Christmas will come without all the wrappings and bows, it will still come if the turkey isn’t perfect, if your tree is a little lop-sided or the dog decides to help you ‘redecorate’.

There are ways to put a little relaxation back into your Christmas season without adding too much to your busy schedule. As we get closer and closer to the 25th, try a couple of these simple ideas and remember what enjoying the holiday feels like.

1. Host a coloring party. Coloring parties are a tradition I learned from my Mom’s friend Gail. Every Christmas the local hospital sells large (3′ x 2′) coloring books as a fund raiser and Gail uses these as the center of her get together. Friends are invited to bring a little of their Christmas baking and come over for a morning of coffee and coloring. Upon arriving, everyone gathers around the coloring books on the kitchen table and dives into brand new packs of crayons with the glee of five-year-olds. The conversation flows. It is a relaxed, non threatening time, a great way to catch up with old friends, an easy way to get to know new neighbors.
2. Choose one or two people from your list and make their present. Making gifts gives you a great excuse to go off somewhere by yourself for a few hours. Put on your favorite music, light a pine scented candle and enjoy the quiet as you work. The possibilities for hand-made gifts are endless.
3. Attend a local highschool or college concert. Most school bands and choirs put on Christmas concerts and the entrance fee is almost always minimal. Grab a friend or the whole family and support local musicians while relaxing and getting into the Christmas spirit.
4. Read your favorite children’s Christmas story. Find a quiet corner, a cup of cocoa, and favorite blanket and curl up a read the story you most loved as a child. How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Night Before Christmas are classics, or better yet, read the original Christmas story in the Bible in the book of Luke (Luke 2:1-20).
5. Reflect on the season. Christmas is many things to many people, but at the heart of all the celebrating and festivities is a baby born in a manger. In Bethlehem, two thousand years ago God sent his son into the world. The Bible tells us that Jesus was not sent into the world to condemn it, but to save it. Many churches put on special Christmas pageants that portray the story of Jesus, who he is and what he came to earth to do. Why not take in a performance over the next few weeks and rediscover the true reason for the season?

“Peace on Earth” is a phrase you see everywhere this time of year. For many of us, we have to wonder where that peace is? Who is at peace? What about countries that are at war? Is “Peace on Earth” even possible in this day and age? Peace on Earth is possible, and it can start with you. You can find peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of woman you want me to be.

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, pray it right now and Christ will come into your life as He promised. If you invited Jesus Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

Christmas is a time to remember the gift of love that was given to us. May your days be merry and bright and may the love that sparked the season find you in the days and weeks to come.

We heard shrill shouts and the dull thud of coconuts hitting the wall.

Outside, thick snowflakes floated in the silent Christmas sky. “Peace on earth,” the angels had sung 2,000 years ago. But I didn’t believe them, lying there terrified, my head buried in a pillow.

Earlier that night, we had gone to church. My family knelt in silence, as if peace were almost possible. From the life-size manger scene, a porcelain baby Jesus beamed a serene, painted smile. But my mother’s breath told me liquor already coursed through her veins. Baby Jesus’ saintly smile wouldn’t have stopped any of what took place that night. He was just a lifeless doll in his wooden manger.

And so it went, one dreadful Christmas after another. We had all the trappings in place: the toys, the turkey, the tree. But without fail, a few drinks too many fuelled the family feuds and ruined our Christmas.
Eventually, I moved far away from home, got married and had a daughter. Every year, I vowed we would have a simple celebration, the perfect holiday I never had as a child.

But even though liquor and violence no longer marred my Christmases, the seasonal bustle still disturbed the peace. On December 24, I found myself running from mall to mall, buying gifts people did not need, my frenzy hardly lulled by the Christmas carols seeping from the PA system. In January, I would still be scribbling greeting cards – purchased at a post-holiday sale – for those dear, distant friends and relatives.

“Oh, Not again!” I moaned whenever Christmas rolled around. So last year, I was delighted to discover I was going to have a baby in December. Here was the excuse to skip Christmas and dispense with the gifts, cards, and other seasonal exertions.

According to plan, my son Gabriel was born on December 13. But instead of warding off Christmas, as I had hoped, my little boy took me to the very heart of it.

It happened on Christmas Eve, when my family went to see the children’s musical put on by our church.
In the darkness, Gabriel on my lap, I watched the familiar story unfold. “No room,” the Bethlehem innkeeper told Mary and Joseph. The weary travellers found refuge in a stable, just in time for Mary to give birth to a boy – the Son of God.

Singing with exuberance, the children on stage bopped around Mary, who was cuddling a swaddled plastic doll. “I should have let her borrow my baby,” I thought idly. And then, it dawned on me. Mary’s son Jesus had been a baby boy just like the little guy in my arms.

Suddenly, baby Jesus came to life for me. Gone was the plastic doll. Gone were the porcelain Jesuses of my childhood. He was no longer a well-painted figure with a shining halo, a peach complexion and a maddening smile, but a real baby – soft, tiny, with a hazy gaze and wrinkled skin. A baby who needed to be nursed, diapered, rocked and kissed.

What an amazing thing! God had become human. He left the magnificence of heaven for a makeshift bed in a stable full of hay and manure. He made himself vulnerable so that all people would know God was not too great or too remote to be touched by human love.

As the play ended, I understood Christmas as an invitation from the baby Jesus to love Him from the depth of my flawed human heart, just like I loved my Gabriel.

The audience applauded and the lights came back on. People slowly left, but before I joined them, I gave Gabriel a happy hug.

My little guy with the angel’s name. He helped me grasp the essence of Christmas and understand that the baby in the manger was real. That night, the peace I had always longed for filled my heart.

Take a look at your life.  How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times.  There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget.  In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new.  What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Living with hope

If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

Story from A Christmas Digest, © 1998, reprinted with permission

If making homemade goodies is one of your favorite holiday activities

The book Low-Carb Sweets and the Art of Self-Indulgence is bursting with desserts ranging from Brownie Fudge Pie to Cranberry Nut Bread and the best news is there isn’t a drop of flour or sugar in any of the treats.

Nutritious and tasty treats are possible

In fact, most of the goodies are so loaded with protein and fiber, one could consider them a healthy meal. (For example, a handy Christmas brunch waffle has more protein than two eggs and twice the fiber of two pieces of toast.)

The best news is that these indulgences are not only delicious but contain less than 5 grams of carbohydrates. This is an extraordinary feat, considering that a regular piece of chocolate cake can contain more than 60 grams of carbohydrates.

Some of these recipes are so low on the glycemic scale that they proved to be safe and didn’t spike sugar levels when tested by diabetics.

Low Carb Macadamia Fudge
Recipe taken from Low-Carb Sweets and the Art of Self Indulgence by Sharon Allbright. (Reprinted with permission.)

Take your taste buds on an exotic adventure with this delicious candy. The combination of chocolate and macadamia nuts is bound to take you to the land of “Too Good to Be True.”

A big bonus with this easy recipe is that it requires no cooking and can be made in minutes. The second that chocolate craving crashes on the scene, whip up a batch of fudge, roll into balls and begin experiencing sweet satisfaction in less than 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons chocolate whey protein powder
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup of soft butter
1 teaspoons vanilla or chocolate extract
2 tablespoons canola or mild tasting oil
3/4 cup Splenda (a non-sugar sweetener) or sweeten to taste
3/4 cup chopped macadamias (or other nuts)

Directions:

Combine first 6 ingredients in a food processor until well mixed. Add the nuts and mix by hand.

Put fudge on a buttered plate and flatten with the bottom of a glass until about 1/4 – inch thick. (You can also form balls by hand.)

A ground-breaking cookbook

This groundbreaking book is the creation of former health columnist, Sharon Allbright, who professes to loving desserts, but wasn’t willing to accept the weight gain, blood sugar plunges or guilt associated with her indulgences.

Four years later and two dress sizes smaller, she published the cookbook that has already jumped to the top ten in its Amazon.com category and is one of the top selling books in health food stores.

According to the author, “These recipes are not only simple to make but also time friendly.” In fact, the Macadamia Fudge can be put together in less than five minutes, in case of an emergency “chocoholic attack!” Try out the recipe above and see for yourself!

The second segment of this unique book, “The Art of Self Indulgence,” came to light through the author’s experiences with this seemingly utopian eating style. “It turns out that years of dieting can make one feel guilty eating sweets– healthy or not,” reports the new “Queen of Low Carbs.”

Tips on breaking barriers of self-denial make this not only a soul-satisfying cookbook, but also a plan that can transform healthy eating into a “sweeter way of life.”

Take the next step:

Don’t be afraid to have people over: Easy entertaining.
Have a simple, beautiful Christmas
Is fasting healthy?

Need to talk? Power to Change offers a free mentoring program where you can talk privately with a trained mentor.

This is supposed to be a season of joy and happiness, but many people don’t feel it. Many people suffer from bouts of depression or the blues at different times during the year. During the holiday season people encounter memories of loved ones they have lost through death or divorce or friends who have moved away. People experience stress and difficult family reunions over the holidays. Depression is a growing problem. In fact, psychologists have said that we live in an “age of depression”.

There are many causes for this mood disorder. Reasons for depression range from grief, divorce, major changes, lack of sunlight or physical exercise, a general disappointment with life or friends, low self-worth, relationship, spiritual or anger problems, false beliefs about life and God, trauma from the past, deficiency of neurological chemicals and more.

What are some of the symptoms of depression? Check to see if you have been experiencing any of these symptoms:

1. Loss of appetite. Weight gain or loss.
2. Depressed affect. Children & Adolescents: cranky, irritable, angry/explosive outbursts.
3. Diminished interest in or enjoyment of activities.
4. Psychomotor agitation or retardation.
5. Sleeplessness or hypersomnia.
6. Lack of energy.
7. Poor concentration and indecisiveness.
8. Social withdrawal.
9. Suicidal thoughts and/or gestures.
10. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, excessive or inappropriate guilt.
11. Low self-esteem.
12. Unresolved grief issues.
13. Hallucinations or delusions.

If you have 3 or more of the above symptoms which have lasted for over 2 weeks, you should seek medical help or professional counseling. You can find a counselor or go to the nearest mental health center.If you are suicidal please contact 911 (in the USA or Canada) or go to a hospital emergency room.

How do you move beyond depression?

Usually people who are feeling depressed are not doing what would help them feel better.

• Talking about your feelings with someone is very beneficial. Exploring with someone, especially a counselor, what is underlying your feelings can help you begin to problem-solve.
• Seeing your doctor for a physical exam and telling him/her about your depression can lead to further treatment for physiological causes. You may need to consider taking an anti-depressant.
• Regular exercise and proper diet, spending time with family and friends and reaching out to others is very helpful. Seeking a relationship with God and praying to Him brings hope and encouragement when you are feeling down-hearted.

If you or someone you know are trying these activities and still stuck in depression, it is wise to seek out professional Christian counseling.

Is there a spiritual dimension to depression?

Is there a spiritual dimension to depression that gets overlooked when we rush into taking medication? In other words, in our effort to “hurry up and feel good” do we possibly miss out on important lessons that God might be wanting to teach us? There most certainly is always a spiritual dimension to depression. In the book of Psalms in the Bible, David, one of the Kings of Israel wrote:

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Most people who walk in my office feeling depressed are spiritually hungry. Many have a general sense of distance from or disappointment with God. They struggle with periods of doubt about God’s love for them and begin to question whether He will help them through their problems. Some people express anger towards God wondering, “how a good God can allow suffering?”. Or they question whether God exists. This spiritual vacuum can actually be the basis for some of the hopelessness and despair they feel.

Depression is a complex disorder.

Since human beings are very complex it is necessary to address all the underlying causes of depression such as: low self-esteem, losses, physical pain, relationship or financial issues, guilt, shame, trauma, dysfunctional family issues, along with the spiritual and physiological reasons.

Medication can give people more motivation and energy to get through a depressive period in their life but it will not be a cure-all for depression. One must take steps to fight depression on all fronts: spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally and relationally.

The great news for this holiday season and throughout the year is that God does exist and whether you realize it right now or not, he loves you very much.  You are not in this alone. If you are looking for someone you can place your trust in, a foundation to build upon, you can find that safe place whether you’re in a relationship right now or not.  Place your trust in God and his promises.  Anchor your life to the hope that he brings.

He is the well deep enough to draw from when you need peace, hope and wisdom, insight and love, endurance and faith. He gave His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for all our sins.  Everyone feels unworthy sometimes, but God thinks you’re worth it—even worth the death of His Son.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desires of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus will come into your life, and forgive you of your sins forever, just as he promised.

The holidays can be challenging. If you need someone to talk to, come talk to a mentor.

One Christmas, I came across an article in a local newspaper by an articulate columnist named Bill Johnson. His column was titled, “A Lesson in Catching the Christmas Spirit.” Johnson began his search for the Christmas spirit at the Christmas tree lots, which, he believes, “by their very nature are hotbeds of the Christmas spirit. Nobody goes there if they don’t have it, so I went to one, hoping that some would rub off.” But the only people he found there were mortgage bankers looking for trees for their offices.

On the way to the local mall, Bill ran into a family dressed festively and figured they must have the Christmas spirit. Upon questioning, the mother said, “Let’s see, yesterday we put up the tree, put up the lights on the house, and played all of our Christmas CDs. I’d say we have the Christmas spirit.”

Unsatisfied, Bill headed for the mall’s Santa, reasoning, “If he can’t get you in the spirit, nobody can.” Finding the long line of children, he thought, “This is what Christmas is all about.” Still something still didn’t feel right. On a lark, he asked an employee of the mall, “Where might I find the Christmas spirit?”

“It’s in your heart,” she said, barely glancing up. “It feels warm and glowy, like a mother’s love for her child. You can’t buy it at any store here, and you can’t get it from anybody else. It’s in there,” she said pointing to Bill’s chest. “It’s in your heart.”

One strand or two

The mall worker had a popular answer the common question: “What is the Christmas Spirit?” It’s inside of us somehow, in some way, most people reason. We just have to find it. But when does the Christmas spirit hit? Is it when we unpack our decorations and start playing the music? How many decorations do you need before you officially have the Christmas spirit? Does it take a Christmas tree? One strand of lights? Two? Three? How many times do I need to watch the How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Carol, or It’s a Wonderful Life before I enter into the Christmas Spirit?

At this time of year, we seek to outshine and out-dazzle our neighbor with our Christmas spirit. More lights, more ornaments, a bigger tree, brightly colored presents, and more of them. Flashing lights and moving figurines. The more decorations, the greater our Christmas spirit. So goes the conventional wisdom.

As I thought about Bill Johnson’s question, I decided to re-read the Christmas story, the one in Luke’s Gospel. But this time I tried noticing the reactions of those who had just learned of Christ’s birth. Maybe I would stumble across the Christmas spirit in embryo.

The first we see reacting are shepherds, who, we are told, “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20).

Shepherds in those days weren’t the pastoral, gentle-eyed, soft-spoken fellows that our Hallmark friends have portrayed. Shepherds were crude, rude and hardy, and you wouldn’t want your sister dating one. The only way I can draw any kind of accurate picture is this way:

Imagine a room full of men drinking beer, making lots of disgusting male noises, and watching a football game. They are cheering on their favorite teams with great gusto and excitement. There’s lots of yelling and words being tossed about that aren’t used in polite society. That comes close to describing first-century shepherds.

The celebrating these shepherds were doing wasn’t exactly artistic praise spoken by highly cultured men, nor the quiet reflective praise given by articulate men in expensive clothes. There wasn’t an anchormen among them.

When the Bible says that they were glorifying and praising God, it is describing something like the last second of a playoff game, in overtime, when the home team wins and the whooping and hollering starts. That was the only kind of “glorifying” it’s likely they knew.

Further on we find Simeon, a much different character. He was a holy man who walked with God. What did he do with the Christ Child? He “took him in his arms and praised God” (v. 28). Here is a much more dignified response, but certainly one with a great depth of excitement and feeling.

But then what of Joseph and Mary, who by this time had a pretty good idea they had one special child on their hands. “The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him” (v.33).

The rough around the edges shepherds whooped and hollered in the middle of the night, the holy Simeon reverently praised God, and Jesus’ own parents were just amazed at what was happening. In retrospect, it seems that everyone’s reaction was a little different, each according to their personalities and occupations.

Drawn to celebration

“How can we ever have the Christmas spirit,” I wondered, “when it seems everyone responded differently?” The more I thought about it, the more I realized that we could never hope to recapture that first Christmas spirit anymore than we could recapture the excitement of our wedding day, or the birth of our children. They are strictly one-time events.

Some people are attracted to Christmas the same way they’re attracted to parties, laughter and large, popular events. Everyone seems to be having fun, and the excitement is contagious. It’s a welcome relief from the grind of everyday living.

People share the wholesome emotions of excitement and anticipation, and they find themselves drawn toward the celebration as they would to a Disney movie, even though they don’t really know what it’s all about.

The event that fills us with so much joy and gladness that we celebrate it each year, with more attention than for any other event, is the entrance of Jesus Christ into our world. It is the living proof that, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The real Christmas spirit

And that is what brings us back to the question that Bill Johnson and the entire world are asking: What is the real Christmas spirit anyway? I believe I finally know.

When everything is said and done, and everyone’s differences are accounted for, I believe the real Christmas spirit is a deep-seated lingering joy in knowing that the story is true!

This means that some will come very near to the celebration, and yet never have it. They’ll experience the fun and excitement, but never make the connection between their celebration and the event itself. They will be like people at a wedding who celebrate with more energy, laugh louder, and drink more than anyone else, and yet they’ve never met the bride and groom. They have no real interest in the marriage. Their real interest is in the celebration. Take away the party and you remove the celebration.

That, Mr. Johnson, is where I believe the difference lies between those who have the Christmas spirit and those who don’t. For those will real Christmas spirit, if you removed their trees, and their lights, and their poinsettias, and their decorations, and their presents and their food and their music. . .the story would still be true, and their joy would still be there!

That’s why it is possible to celebrate the Christmas spirit by re-reading and pondering the impact of the Christmas story, moving away from the hoopla long enough to remember what it is all for; or when surrounded by family and friends, with music and noise and laughter. Each to his own personality. I hope this year Mr. Johnson goes looking again and discovers “that” Christmas spirit.

Celebrating Christmas

Do you know the importance of the baby in the manger? The little child born in the town of Bethlehem was God himself, come to Earth to save the ones he loves. The baby in the manger was real and all of the things the Bible says about him are true. You can know the peace that comes from knowing that you are loved, that you are forgiven and that there is a God who not only exists, but knows that you exist too and is interested in your life.

God sent his son, Jesus to come into the world to redeem it. His sacrifice on the cross paid the price for all of the sins you or I will ever commit. He makes it possible for imperfect humans to have a living relationship with a perfect God.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Is this the life for you?

If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.

This article is from In Search of the Real Christmas Spirit published by Discovery House Publishers.

In our family December 1^st is one of the most sacred days of the year.

It happens almost the same way each year.  I untangle the outdoor Christmas lights which mysteriously get entwined no matter how carefully I lay them in their tote. (I have long believed that sometime during the year these cords awake from their slumber and play several games of Twister until they are so entangled they can’t move).  Once the Christmas lights are in place with the star at the center, I move indoors to assemble the tree.

Traditions are vital to families

Yes it is fake but hey, this is our tradition and we like it.  I discovered I could disassemble it with the lights still on it, place it in its box and presto next year save time and some frustration.  Then the girls, and now my son-in-law, set out to decorate the tree, amid comments like, “Remember when I made this one? No you didn’t I painted that. Look at the bottom, I have my name on it” or “Do we still want to put these on the tree?” My dear wife is in the kitchen adding her perfect touch to this day. The smells of corn chowder and fresh buns waft (always wanted to use that word) through the house.

Dr. Bill Doherty, Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota described the importance of traditions saying:

There are so many ways for families to move apart and not connect that if you just go with the flow the flow is going to do disperse you. . . . The biggest reason that it’s important to have some family rituals and traditions is to be able to make sure you have an opportunity to connect on a regular basis.

Family traditions are an anchor in busy times, something to look back and something to look forward to.

As we sit down for our meal and look at the tree lit up in our dark front room, we feel a connectedness that good traditions bring to a family.  Traditions don’t just happen, they take effort which is why we keep December 1^st sacred.  It comes first before school, work, meetings or appointments.   We have the whole year to make sure our schedules are clear that day so we are all free to spend the day together.

Over the years our traditions have evolved and as our family continues to grow they will change and flex.  What makes a great tradition? When with fondness and a touch of nostalgia a family member says “We always…” Traditions are sacred to us and we always look forward to starting our celebration of Jesus birth with our sacred day December 1.

Take the next step:

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Those who’ve seen Jean Louis Gerome Ferris’ painting commemorating the first Thanksgiving are likely to be misled by the artist’s rendering.

The Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts on Dec. 26, 1620.  Lacking sufficient provisions and shelter for winter, most settlers became ill within weeks.  Ten of the 17 husbands and fathers died with the “first infection,” and of the 17 wives, only three were alive after three months.  By April, more than half of the population had died of disease or famine.  These bleak circumstances were punctuated by other forms of human tragedy.  For example, William Bradford’s wife drowned as they disembarked from the Mayflower, leaving him a widower with a 1-year-old son.

Summer of 1621 brought a welcome reprieve from the harsh environment.  The Wampanoag Indians taught the Pilgrims to plant corn because the wheat they’d brought from England wouldn’t grow in the rocky ground.  The colonists also learned how to hunt and fish in their new surroundings.  Yet that fall, when they gathered for their first Thanksgiving, they were aware that the trials they’d encountered were not over.  In fact, a month later the settlers were restricted to half-rations.  And it was several more years before this small band enjoyed lasting freedom from hunger.

As the Pilgrims grappled with hardship, how were they able to maintain the spirit of gratitude toward God that resulted in the three-day celebration we honor by our Thanksgiving holiday? What can we learn from these forefathers that will help us remain thankful in a modern-day world when discouragement, calamity and heartache invade our lives?

Trust in God’s provision

The Pilgrims cultivated a habit of gratefulness long before they sailed to America’s shores. Traditionally, they set aside days of communal thanksgiving throughout the year to acknowledge God’s mercies and praise Him for His faithfulness.  This religious practice had deeply ingrained an attitude of thankfulness that could not be shaken by life’s events.  Whether expressing gratitude for everyday survival or a situation deemed the special providence of God, their trust in the Lord’s goodness and divine plan allowed them to find solace and strength to face adversity.  They understood that their endeavors were of eternal consequence and drew purpose from the belief that their accomplishments were, according to the Mayflower Compact, “for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith.”

What a contrast this outlook is with that of today’s culture.  In a recent Barna poll, 92 percent of people responded that they are “self-sufficient.”  Another survey revealed that many Americans feel the main purpose in life is personal fulfillment.  Given these perspectives, it’s not surprising that individuals often feel overwhelmed by emptiness and despair when difficulties arise. Counteracting the resulting sense of hopelessness and lack of control may seem a daunting task.

However, we have the same choice that our predecessors had: We can depend entirely on ourselves, or we can turn to the Almighty for help. Knowing that a right spiritual perspective is critical when dealing with painful setbacks, Gov. John Winthrop concluded a message to his fellow settlers with Deuteronomy 30:20. Winthrop said, “For He (the Lord) is our life and our prosperity.” A thankful heart sees each day through the lens of God’s providential care.

Fellowship of support

In addition to being bound together by faith, those who came to this new land were linked by a physical interdependence that is uncommon today.  With few resources, the colonists bore one another’s burdens in a manner that we can only imagine.  In view of this necessity, an essay titled A Christian Model of Charity called on the colonists to “knit together in this work as one man…make one another’s condition our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together.”  In this way, the writer said, they would “keep the unity of the Spirit.”

This bond of brotherhood was reflected by the more than 50 Pilgrims who attended the first Thanksgiving feast.  The group spanned generations, from toddler Oceanus Hopkins to 53-year-old William Brewster, and hired servants to seamen.

Approximately 90 Wampanoag Indians joined the festivities as well.  Although they differed greatly from the Pilgrims in culture and religious beliefs, they too valued fellowship and hospitality.  Their willingness to share their food and expertise with the new arrivals had helped ensure the Pilgrims’ survival.  Now the Wampanoags participated in the time of rejoicing as the settlers harvested their first crops.

There’s an old saying: “Shared joy is double joy, and shared sorrow half the sorrow.”  Thanksgiving through the centuries has provided unique opportunities to express love and appreciation for others, as well as to come alongside those in need. Even on those occasions when we are hurting, we can find consolation in doing something for others.  Thankfulness is multiplied as we reaffirm our sense of community and bridge our differences through Christ’s love.

The Pilgrim’s gratitude flourished against the ravages of circumstances because they held fast to their belief in a sovereign, loving Creator and found comfort and support in one another.  Whether then or now, in an uncertain world, the relationships we have with God and those around us are enduring reasons to give thanks.

Take the next step:

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