(graphic crated at AZQuotes.com)
My husband and I have had influenza this past week, so my post today will be somewhat brief.
Fade, Fade, Each Earthly Joy
Fade, fade, each earthly joy;
Jesus is mine.
Break ev'ry tender tie;
Jesus is mine.
Dark is the wilderness,
Earth has no resting place,
Jesus alone can bless;
Jesus is mine.
Tempt not my soul away;
Jesus is mine.
Here would I ever stay;
Jesus is mine.
Perishing things of clay,
Born but for one brief day,
Pass from my heart away;
Jesus is mine.
Farewell, ye dreams of night;
Jesus is mine.
Lost in this dawning bright,
Jesus is mine.
All that my soul has tried
Left but a dismal void;
Jesus has satisfied;
Jesus is mine.
Farewell, mortality;
Jesus is mine.
Welcome, eternity;
Jesus is mine.
Welcome, O loved and blest,
Welcome, sweet scenes of rest,
Welcome, my Savior’s breast;
Jesus is mine.
-- Mrs. Catherine J. Bonar
I am reminded of my own Gramma, who did celebrate Christmas, but she got to where she did very little in her own house because she realized how much extra trouble it was and that what was done would need undoing later, and she didn't want to commit that much time and effort to it. She didn't need things to prove she loved the Lord, or that He was her joy.
Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
What level of vanity have you spent on "the season"? How much time, money, and effort have you spent on things that have little or nothing to do with the actual birth of Jesus Christ and things of eternal value?
May I ask you a personal question? Could you enjoy celebrating Jesus' birth without all the trimmings and decorations, without all the traditions and rituals?
Earthly joys are all going to fade away and not be remembered someday anyway. Only those things of true eternal value will last, and we don't need earthly things to prove our relationship to Jesus.
What will be of lasting value?
Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
1 Peter 3:3-4 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
We can choose to live with less of earthly joys and more of eternal joys now - today - by what we choose to spend our time and efforts upon, but it will take conscious effort and sacrifice. How will you minister Christ in this world today, tomorrow, any day?
Only Jesus can satisfy your soul.
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Here is a lovely presentation of this hymn by my friend, Stephanie, at The Enchanting Rose.
QUERIDA HERMANA: ME SIENTO MUY REFLEJADA EN SU COMENTARIO, TANTA CELEBRACION PAGANA, TANTOS GASTOS EN DINERO, TANTA HIPOCRECIA, TODOS SE SALUDAN DICIENDO FELIZ NAVIDAD¡¡¡ Y A LO MEJOR EN ALGUNOS CASOS, NO SE VISITAN EN TODO EL AÑO Y LLEGA EL 25/12 Y ESTAN A LOS BESOS Y ABRAZOS, O SE INSULTAN O HABLAN MAL DE UNA PERSONA Y DESPUES FESTEJAN CON ELLA, HAY QUE SACARSE LA CARETA DE HIPOCRITAS, TANTA IDOLATRIA DESEMPOLVADA, TANTAS LUCES DECORATIVAS Y AHORA VUELTA TODO A GUARDAR EN CAJAS, PARA EL PROXIMO AÑO. HAY QUE TRISTEZA HERMANA, JESUS MISMO DESDE EL CIELO, DEBE MIRAR EN QUE SE HA CONVERTIDO SU NACIMIENTO, SEGURAMENTE ESTARA DICIENDO: ESTE PUEBLO CON LABIOS ME HONRA, PERO SU CORAZON ESTA MUY MUY LEJOS DE MI, SIGUIENDO TRADICIONES DE HOMBRES. ME MOLESTA ESTA EPOCA, POR LA HIPOCRECIA DE LA GENTE, POR LAS MENTIRAS PAGANAS. JESUS VEN PRONTO POR FAVOR.¡¡¡ BENDICIONES HERMANA.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is much hypocrisy in the celebration of Christmas. Although we do not celebrate, I keep telling other Christians in my writing, if they say they are celebrating Jesus' birth, they should do so in a way that honors Him. So much of what is done is wasteful and empty. There are some who are trying to change, and for those few I am glad. Some other few stop altogether, which I appreciate much.
DeleteYes, we also look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ! Amen!
Hi Mary, I appreciate your thoughts on how we commemorate the birth of Christ. My husband and I are in agreement about not celebrating it the traditional way. We just don't see how Christ is celebrated by giving each other gifts - what about Jesus? We both want to change up how we do things around Christmas, but like you said, it will take guts and courage. We had a wonderful Christmas, but I anticipate that we will do things differently next year. Thanks for commenting on my blog (How the Gospel is Wrecking My Life at WelcomeHomeMinistry.com). I responded to your comment. It was a pleasure having you drop by. :-) Your blog is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and commenting, Tiffiney. I'm so glad that you and your husband are thinking about ways to make your celebration more focused on Christ! We have chosen not to celebrate at this time of year at all as we don't believe Jesus was born in December. But, through my writing I keep encouraging and telling Christians who do celebrate to make it about Jesus Christ only. Since you're celebrating His birth, how would He want that done? What would He want it to look like? I have written quite a bit on this subject over the last years. :-)
DeleteIf we want to make a difference we have to be different - a peculiar people who "...shew forth the praises of him who hath called [us] out of darkness into his marvellous light:" I'm excited for you as you seek to find ways to make your celebration more Christ-honoring. It will be an interesting challenge, and I'm sure it will bring you blessings you don't expect.