Why Christmas is Dec. 25

I have had Christian people in the past who don't think we should celebrate Christmas.
(by the way, for some reason I have 3G service for my phone right now so it's easier to post something here)
So anyway, they don't think we should celebrate Christmas because it was a heathen/pagan holiday worshipping the sun.


Here's my thoughts on why Dec. 25 is the perfect time to celebrate the birth of Christ.

First, let me take you back to the time the Apostle Paul went to Mars Hill. He was given the opportunity to tell the people of Athens why he was a believer in Jesus Christ. As he was going to the place to speak he saw statues of all the Greek gods on pedestals. One didn't have a statue, but it had an altar "to the unknown god." And from there he explained that the God of creation had made Himself known. Then he told them about Jesus. All of this is found in Acts 17. You should read it to get the full story.

So what does that have to do with a pagan celebration turned Christian? I think this is so cool!

Way back in the dark ages the people had this sun celebration. They thought that the sun was dying because the days kept getting shorter and shorter. The shortest day of the year is sometimes on December 21, (like this year)but often it is on Dec. 22. So three days later when they realized the days were getting longer and the sun was not dead, they ceebrated! The sun is alive!

I don't have to tell you everything do I? Did you see it? Did you see why Dec. 25 is the perfect day for Christmas?

Just as Paul helped the Atheneans see the truth about worshipping "the unknown god," Christians a thousand years ago showed the Druids, or whoever it was - too hard to double check while blogging on my phone - that their big party three days after the sun had died was a picture of God's greatest gift and of the resurrection of the Son!

How awesome is that?

Merry Christmas!

Go celebrate Jesus' birth and resurrection today!

Yes! The Tree will go on!

It's snowing! And it's a pretty snow, but it doesn't seem to be affecting the streets yet - maybe a little on the bridges.

But we're going ahead with this afternoon's performance.

Hope to see you at 3:00

Dress Rehearsal

A few things I learned at our Dress Rehearsal.

1. There's Thursday night football all of the sudden - although a friend of mine explained that after Thanksgiving the NFL has Thursday night games. Go figure. Anyway, between Titan's traffic and a bad wreck some of my orchestra members didn't get here until rehearsal was half over.

2. Teenage drama is always a possibility (this is why I don't watch Glee - too much teenage angst)

3. Calli Smith takes great photos. (I actually already knew this, but I'll post some here for you to see.)

4. We have some great sound and tech guys. Thanks to Perry for lining up Scott Tadsen for house sound, Ray Torrence for TV sound, Kevin Barron for tree lights and Mike Daniels for house and stage lights!

5. We have some great actors this year: Jesse Kriwox, Paula Williams, Joe DiFiore, Sidney Scott and Brookelyn Ambrose

6. School Christmas concerts always conflict with at least one performance or rehearsal. Glad it was a rehearsal this year.

7. We have some amazing musicians as part of our congregation: Michelle Dickerson, Mary Beth Mathews, Gena Tate (although she is singing not playing this time), Jayson Rivas, Tommy Hall, Brenden Ambrose... ooo, I shouldn't have started this list. I'll accidentally leave someone out.

8. Last, but certainly not least, we have an absolutely wonderful choir full of great singers, amazing soloists, extremely helpful, fun, supportive... now I've lost my good sentence structure... well, anyway, I'm so thankful for all of them.

9, Oh! and WOW!!! I love eating at Olive Garden and Carrabbas and Amerigo and Demos' and Macaroni Grill, but Kristi Huang makes the best lasagna I've EVER eaten! Molto squisito!

Christmas Carol Theology

I love Christmas carols.

They have beautiful, singable melodies. They usually have found memories associated with them, people love to sing them...

But just as important, they have great texts (well, most of them) with fantastic theological truths and statements.

Here's one example (and we're singing it this Sunday morning)

"Hail the heav'nborn Prince of Peace
Hail the Sun of righteousness.
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild, He lays His glories by.
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth.
Born to give them second birth.

Wow! Great, wonderful truths taken straight out of scripture. (and if it wasn't 2 AM and I wasn't typing this from my phone I'd add scripture references for you to look at)

We'll begin worship this Sunday with this carol.

We'll also sing at least a verse of each of these wonderful carols:
Joy to the World ( with Sing for Joy )
What Child Is This?
Away in a Manger
and
Silent Night

How could you miss out?
I'll look for you Sunday morning.

(Now maybe I can sleep!)