Christmas: Bah Humbug or Gloria in Excelsis?

We do Christmas slowly. That is, instead of tearing into presents for a ten minutes rush of adrenaline, we open them one by one and take all morning. We wrap everything, even stocking gifts. If something can be divided into two packages, we do it. Even gum is wrapped.

It happens like this. The question is asked, "Who gets to give the next gift?" Then that perfect gift is found, handed over, and opened as dramatically as possible. Exclamation follows and a huge hug and "Thaaaaaanks; that's just what I wanted!" In fact, we might play with the gift, or try it on, right there. We've seen a half an hour pass before another gift is opened.

You get it, we want it to take some time, to enjoy it, to savor it, not conquer it.

We talk about Christ's birth around the advent carousel the night before, sometimes following a candlelight service, and always accompanied by (imitation) eggnog (called "egg knocker" when the kids were young). That's very special to us.

Now this brings up an important point. Should we really do all of this? The Puritans did not think so, and they had some good reasons. For one thing, they found in the holidays a call to Rome and a high, formal Anglicanism that they felt was the deceiver of so many through the ages. They wanted nothing to do with religious traditions and ceremonies passed down by men. I may have stood right with them in their day, especially in England. After all, Christmas is really "Christ Mass." I understand their concern and applaud them for their courage.

Today Christmas is almost entirely secularized. It is a merchant's most profitable period as eager shoppers raid their shelves. Can we be any more comfortable with a secular Christmas than the religiously-loaded Christmas the Puritans detested?

1. In October Jim spoke in Portugal through the FIEL ministries, based in Brazil. Although there were only 30 or so pastors, this represented what one man said was likely the largest gathering of evangelical pastors in Portugal. In the conference Jim reminded the men that there were likely less Christians and almost certainly less Christian leaders in Germany when the Protestant Reformation began in 1517.
2. Jim is finishing a period of reduced travel (July-Dec). After 17 years of almost nonstop trips, this was a welcome period for developing ministry locally and preaching in the area. There were numerous benefits in addition to these. Recently Jim has taken on two new Bible studies in the Northland of Kansas City. One of these is for families and the other for professional men. Both are growing and producing good changes. Because Jim considers active membership in a church very important, he has agreed to be an elder at the Christ Fellowship of Kansas City also, an exciting group of believers meeting just over into the Kansas side of Kansas City.
3. Jim's articles continue to be used by others. Recently an article on "Learning to Hate Sin" was used by HeartCry magazine. "I Don't Feel Thankful" was put on the Baptist Press. A variety of articles were picked up by other web publishers.
4. Two chapters of the recent book Glory of Christ, were contributed by Jim. This is a Crossway Book including John Armstrong, James Packer and Al Mohler. It can be ordered on our site. A Foundation for Life by Joshua Press of Canada also included a chapter by Jim. Also the 25 year collection of sermons from the Founders Conference include on of Jim's offerings.
5. Jim, along with his two sons, Benjamin and Bryan, will be going to the Dominican Republic at the end of January. They will be joining Dr. Brent Evers and his entire dental office on this mission trip. Please pray.
6. During each week Jim mentors pastors and laymen at various times. Jim has increased his involvement in the lives of key leaders and hopes to do even more in the future. It is paying big dividends.
7. Our Zambian copy of Wasted Faith is now going out to every pastor in Zambia. We are excited about what this will mean in the country where so little literature is available. Please pray for this project. We hope to do more printing in this country in the near future as God supplies the funds. Jim has a desire to ask Polish leaders to do the same.
8. Our web sites continue to receive many hits. We get questions almost weekly from people in need. Here's our home page address www.CCWonline.org.
9. The staff and volunteers of CCW send you a warm Christmas Greeting. We hope that we will be able to serve you even better in the next year. Thanks for praying for us!