Merry Big Picture Christmas!

Merry Christmas Bloggers!!!!!!!!!

Hope you guys have a terrific time as you celebrate the Birthday of your Savior!! I recomend to you if you have a chance to read the book The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren I think it will greatly enrich the way you celebrate this season. Also, Casting Crowns has a wonderful new Christmas album called "Peace On Earth."

Do you wonder what it would be like to celebrate Christmas year round? No, hear me out, I don't mean buying Christmas presents every day, we would all be without a penny in our wallet. Nor do I mean we should keep stockings on the mantle or eat food that make our sides pop out. I'm not talking about keeping age old traditions all year long. What I'm writing about is a big picture Christmas! I love this time of year, but I'm learning that celebrating the Savior is not really a season of the year, but for those of us who are redeemed by Christ, our big picture Christmas is ever lasting. I know this idea has occurred to others, but I admit that it has really hit me this year. For some, Christmas is only something that gives warm and fuzzes in December, but as Christians the hope of Christmas is Christ, and that hope is ours forever! We can have a big picture Christmas. There are so many lessons provided for us in the Biblical account of Christmas that I can never seem to just focus on one part of it. I am glad our hope does not end with Jesus in a manger or even Jesus on a cross, I rejoice that the tomb is empty, and the reality of Christmas is forever! http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matthew+1&version1=49 16Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, (I)who is called the Messiah.
17So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the (J)deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the (K)deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
Conception and Birth of Jesus
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His (L)mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was (M)found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
19And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned [c](N)to send her away secretly.
20But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "(O)Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been [d]conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21"She will bear a Son; and (P)you shall call His name Jesus, for He (Q)will save His people from their sins."
22Now all this took place to fulfill what was (R)spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23"(S)BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH (T)CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "(U)GOD WITH US."
24And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,
25[e]but kept her a virgin until she (V)gave birth to a Son; and (W)he called His name Jesus."MT. 1:16-25 God is with us! I wonder how many people in the world know that Jesus is the reason for not just for the season, but for All Hope?! Am I prepared to share that Jesus is the reason for the for the hope I have?

Just wondering what are some of your Christmas traditions? Do you find that they enrich or hinder you from focusing on Jesus? We are having 18+ people at our house tonight for dinner and gifts. I always try to remember that the presents I get, are a symbol of the greatest gift I already have! Merry Christmas!!