A long time ago I used to think that the Jesus crucified at Easter and the baby Jesus at Christmas were 2 different people. and I didn't really know who this Jesus person was. I was wrong. I now know them to be one and the same person - Christ Jesus, Savior, King of kings and Lord of lords. So yes, Christmas and Easter are related, whereas the other holidays of the year don't really have too much to do with Jesus (except maybe Valentine's Day in a remote way).
Check back to this page once often, especially during Christmas season, I am always trying to find nice videos and other content to add
"Holiday Stress"
With Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year a lot of things happen. check here for resources, neat articles, including how to handle holiday stress.
To be completely honest, Christmas is not really about presents, trees, Santa, reindeer, Rudolph, snowmen, family, presents, parties, and elves. Most of that came as the result of a Coke advertisement somewhere around the 40's (someone correct me if I am wrong on the year).
Christmas is about Christ Jesus, who came down from his throne in heaven to be born as a baby (God in the flesh), and grew up, ministered to people by preaching God's words, doing God's miracles, healing people, raising them from the dead, making the blind see, and preaching the gospel to the poor (large crowds in fact).
Jesus (Y'Shua - yes, he was Jewish) was born in Bethlehem, and escaped a massacre of all children 2 years and under by Roman soldiers. The cries and lamenting of mothers for their children were heard. after he grew up and his time of ministring, Judas betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver, an amount prophesied about in the Old Testament of the Bible. then he was scourged and crucified by Pilate the Roman governor on a cross (his sufferings on the cross also prophesied "All my bones are out of joint, my tongue cleaveth to the roof of my mouth...they pierced my hands and my feet."), who at first tried to have Jesus freed, but the people and the religious leaders wanted Jesus crucified and instead they chose to release a murderer and robber - Barabbas. Afterward Jesus rose from the dead (which is why we have Easter celebrated). Through all this Jesus didn't defend Himself. "Like a lamb led to the slaughter, he opened not his mouth."
In fact, many important events about Jesus' life were prophesied about in the Bible in many places, and nearly all are fulfilled except I think for some future items, one of which is where Jesus comes down from heaven and his feet touches the Mount of Olives and it splits in two.
why?
So this begs the question: Why would the King of kings and Lord of lords come down from his throne and allow himself to be crucified when he could have called on a legion of angels (even one of which can lay waste an entire city) to have his detractors slain? It's because He loves you and me so much that he was willing to pay the price to pay for our sins on a cruel cross, the most inhumane punishment ever devised by man. He left it up to us to choose to accept His gift of forgiveness of sins (only He can do that).
So what is sin? Sin is not like eating chocolate cake. sin is wrongdoing, like one of the 10 commandments. sin is putting something ahead of God in your life, making idols, taking God's name in vain, breaking the sabbath, hating someone (Jesus called that murder) or just plain murder, lusting after someone (Jesus defined that as adultery in the heart), stealing, lying. Basically, it's doing wrong to God or to your neighbor (the person you interact with is your "neighbor"). We're all guilty. we just have to get to the place where we are willing to admit it to Jesus.
"Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (God's law). God's love isn't the mushy or sexy junk pushed by the world. The greeks at that time had many words for love, and the word used was agape, which means the kind that seeks another's highest good. Sometimes that love includes correction. it is kind of like what parents do for their children, but much much better and with a much different attitude behind the correction. and sometimes there are blessings and favor (especially if you ask and you are His). The favor of God is wonderful! I've been getting my socks blessed off! And I want to be a blessing too. it's fun.
"John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
stories
also, I have a story or two in my fun section.
Christmas wish list blank(PDF)
Here is a very old but useful Christmas wish list blank (1.7MB PDF)as a scanned image or the modernized smaller version (670k PDF) as a scanned top-half image and partial Word document if you are low on bandwidth.
Christmas stationery/card PDFs
google Christmas printable stationery pdf.
google Christmas stationery pdf.
The Christmas Symbols
I am still learning what the Christmas symbols mean. so here is what I remember.
Candy Canes
- the white stripes represents the purity of Christ Jesus
- the red stripes represents stripes He took for us on the cross, which purchased our healing
- the shepherd's crook shape because Jesus is our Great Shepherd
The Tree
The tree represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Jesus (see reference to Easter). it is cut down in its prime, and resurrected (glorified) by decorating it.
Gift Giving
we give gifts to one another on Christmas, because when Jesus arose from the grave, he gave gifts unto men.
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. - KJV. (see reference to Easter)
cartoons
or try some cartoons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 xians, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65,
carols
Try some Christmas carols! Check out this ray-traced Christmas image...
videos
The YouTube videos (I had a choice up until 12/2011) have been embedded in such a way that they do not offer related videos. This eliminates offensive material.
That's My King
The Living Nativity
The Innkeeper's Dilemma
Love's pure light (new song)
peanuts
Music Video O Holy Night
Do You Hear What I Hear?-Tim Hawkins-HILARIOUS - Comedy Videos
Jesus Is The Reason - Cute Videos
Phil Keaggy Wishes You A Merry Christmas - Today's Christian Videos - a little guitar music
Jubilee Christmas
The Truth About Christmas
The Christmas Shoes
Merry Christmas
Snow Starts Falling
Retooning the Nativity - IgniterMedia.com
Johnny and Chachi's Christmas Medley - Igniter Media
Office Christmas
Christmas A Day that Should Be Remembered (The Way 255 - Photo Essay by...
The Christmas Soldier
The REAL Christmas video - Inspirational Videos
Talking Nativity Animals: Christmas Story 1-4 - Today's Christian Videos
Mary Did you know ? - Neville Peter
An Angel promises a son to Mary Animation - iLumina Bible
Angel Announces that Jesus is Born Animation-iLumina Bible
Mary Did You Know
Story of the Nativity 2.0 - Inspirational Videos.
Ever wonder how the story of the Nativity might be told if one were to do it through the use of social media, web, and mobile? Check it out as the story of the Nativity gets told through Amazon, Foursquare, Google Maps, gMail, Wikipedia, Youtube, Twitter,
and Facebook.
12 Days of Christmas- A MUST Share! - Today's Christian Videos
Silent Monks Sing Hallelujah - Today's Christian Videos
Where's the line to see Jesus?
Incredible Christmas Concert by The North Point iBand - Music Videos
Holdman Christmas Lights Display/Show
Youtube video emailed to me from my friend at Christmas
recipes
Trim & Terrific™ Holiday Recipes, by Holly Clegg, courtesy CBN (requires registration). She has a recipe book "Gulf Coast Favorites"
poems
You may want to copy and paste these poems into your word processor and read these to your family on Christmas Eve or near Christmas. They are public domain.
The Christmas Gift for Mother
In the Christmas times of the long ago, There was one event we used to know That was better than any other; It wasn't the toys that we hoped to get, But the talks we had--and I hear them yet-- Of the gift we'd buy for Mother.
If ever love fashioned a Christmas gift, Or saved its money and practiced thrift, 'Twas done in those days, my brother-- Those golden times of Long Gone By, Of our happiest years, when you and I Talked over the gift for Mother.
We hadn't gone forth on our different ways Nor coined our lives into yesterdays In the fires that smelt and smother, And we whispered and planned in our youthful glee Of that marvelous "something" which was to be The gift of our hearts to Mother.
It had to be all that our purse could give, Something she'd treasure while she could live, And better than any other. We gave it the best of our love and thought, And, Oh, the joy when at last we'd bought That marvelous gift for Mother!
Now I think as we go on our different ways, Of the joy of those vanished yesterdays. How good it would be, my brother, If this Christmas-time we could only know That same sweet thrill of the Long Ago When we shared in the gift for Mother.
by Edgar A Guest(1881-1959), When Day is Done
A Christmas Carol
God bless you all this Christmas Day
And drive the cares and griefs away.
Oh, may the shining Bethlehem star
Which led the wise men from afar
Upon your heads, good sirs, still glow
To light the path that ye should go.
As God once blessed the stable grim
And made it radiant for Him;
As it was fit to shield His Son,
May thy roof be a holy one;
May all who come this house to share
Rest sweetly in His gracious care.
Within thy walls may peace abide,
The peace for which the Savior died.
Though humble be the rafters here,
Above them may the stars shine clear,
And in this home thou lovest well
May excellence of spirit dwell.
God bless you all this Christmas Day;
May Bethlehem's star still light thy way
And guide thee to the perfect peace
When every fear and doubt shall cease.
And may thy home such glory know
As did the stable long ago.
by Edgar A Guest(1881-1959), When Day is Done
ON GOING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
He little knew the sorrow that was in his vacant
chair;
He never guessed they'd miss him, or he'd
surely have been there;
He couldn't see his mother or the lump that
filled her throat,
Or the tears that started falling as she read
his hasty note;
And he couldn't see his father, sitting sorrowful
and dumb,
Or he never would have written that he thought
he couldn't come.
He little knew the gladness that his presence
would have made,
And the joy it would have given, or he never
would have stayed.
He didn't know how hungry had the little
mother grown
Once again to see her baby and to claim him
for her own.
He didn't guess the meaning of his visit
Christmas Day
Or he never would have written that he
couldn't get away.
He couldn't see the fading of the cheeks that
once were pink,
And the silver in the tresses; and he didn't
stop to think
How the years are passing swiftly, and next
Christmas it might be
There would be no home to visit and no mother
dear to see.
He didn't think about it--I'll not say he didn't
care.
He was heedless and forgetful or he'd surely
have been there.
Are you going home for Christmas? Have you
written you'll be there?
Going home to kiss the mother and to show
her that you care?
Going home to greet the father in a way to
make him glad?
If you're not I hope there'll never come a time
you'll wish you had.
Just sit down and write a letter--it will make
their heart strings hum
With a tune of perfect gladness--if you'll tell
them that you'll come.
by Edgar A Guest(1881-1959), A Heap o' Livin'
At Christmas
A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season's here;
Then he's thinking more of others than be's thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.
When it's Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part;
He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart.
All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile
And the true reward he's seeking is the glory of a smile.
Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.
If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I'd wait
Till he'd fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate.
I'd not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf,
On the long days and the dreary when he's striving for himself.
I'd not take him when he's sneering, when he's scornful or depressed,
But I'd look for him at Christmas when he's shining at his best.
Man is ever in a struggle and he's oft misunderstood;
There are days the worst that's in him is the master of the good,
But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside
And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.
Oh, I don't know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.
by Edgar A Guest(1881-1959), Just Folks
The Christmas Box
Oh, we have shipped his Christmas box with ribbons red 'tis tied,
And he shall find the things he likes from them he loves inside,
But he must miss the kisses true and all the laughter gay
And he must miss the smiles of home upon his Christmas Day.
He'll spend his Christmas 'neath the Flag; he'll miss each merry face,
Old Glory smiling down on him must take his mother's place,
Yet in the Christmas box we've sent, in fancy he will find
The laughter and the tears of joy that he has left behind.
His mother's tenderness is there, his father's kindly way,
And all that went last year to make his merry Christmas Day;
He'll see once more his sister's smile, he'll hear the baby shout,
And as he opens every gift we'll gather round about.
He cannot come to share with us the joys of Christmas Day;
The Flag has called to him, and he is serving far away.
Undaunted, unafraid and fine he stands to duty grim,
And so this Christmas we have tried to ship ourselves to him.
by Edgar A Guest(1881-1959), Over There
Christmas, 1918
They give their all, this Christmastide, that peace on earth shall reign;
Upon the snows of Flanders now, brave blood has left its stain;
With ribbons red we deck our gifts; theirs bear the red of pain.
They give their lives that joy shall live and little children play;
They pass that all that makes for peace shall not be swept away;
They die that children yet unborn shall have their Christmas Day.
Come! deck the home with holly wreaths and make this Christmas glow,
And let Old Glory wave above the bough of mistletoe!
Come! keep alive the faith of them who sleep 'neath Flanders snow.
Ye brave of heart who dwell at home, make merry now a-while;
The world has need of Christmas cheer its sorrows to beguile;
And blest is he whose love can light grief's corners with a smile.
Ring out once more, sweet Christmas bells, your message to the sky,
Proclaim in golden tones again to every passer-by
That peace shall rule the lands of earth, and only war shall die.
Let love's sweet tenderness relieve war's cruel crimson clutch,
Send forth the Christmas spirit, every troubled heart to touch;
Blest will be all we do for them who do for us so much.
by Edgar A Guest(1881-1959), Over There
A Christmas Greeting
Here's to you, little mother,
With your boy so far away;
May the joy of service smother
All your grief this Christmas day;
May the magic of his splendor
Thrill your spirit through and through
And may all that's fine and tender
Make a smiling day for you.
May you never know the sadness
That from day to day you dread;
May you never find but gladness
In the Flag that's overhead;
May the good God watch above him
As he stands to duty stern,
And at last to all who love him
May he have a safe return.
Little mother, take the blessing
Of a grateful nation's heart;
May the news that is distressing
Never cause your tears to start;
May there be no fears to haunt you,
And no lonely hours and sad;
May your trials never daunt you,
But may every day be glad.
Little Mother, could I do it,
This my Christmas gift would be:
That he'd safely battle through it,
This to you I'd guarantee.
And I'd pledge to you this morning
Joys to banish all your cares,
Gifts of gold and silver scorning,
I would answer all your prayers.
by Edgar A Guest(1881-1959), Over There
The Approach of Christmas
There's a little chap at our house that is being mighty good--
Keeps the front lawn looking tidy in the way we've said he should;
Doesn't leave his little wagon, when he's finished with his play,
On the sidewalk as he used to; now he puts it right away.
When we call him in to supper, we don't have to stand and shout;
It is getting on to Christmas and it's plain he's found it out.
He eats the food we give him without murmur or complaint;
He sits up at the table like a cherub or a saint;
He doesn't pinch his sister just to hear how loud she'll squeal;
Doesn't ask us to excuse him in the middle of the meal,
And at eight o'clock he's willing to be tucked away in bed.
It is getting close to Christmas; nothing further need be said.
I chuckle every evening as I see that little elf,
With the crooked part proclaiming that he brushed his hair himself.
And I chuckle as I notice that his hands and face are clean,
For in him a perfect copy of another boy is seen--
A little boy at Christmas, who was also being good,
Never guessing that his father and his mother understood.
There's a little boy at our house that is being mighty good;
Doing everything that's proper, doing everything he should.
But besides him there's a grown-up who has learned life's bitter truth,
Who is gladly living over all the joys of vanished youth.
And although he little knows it (for it's what I never knew),
There's a mighty happy father sitting at the table, too.
by Edgar A Guest(1881-1959), The Path to Home
Being Dad on Christmas Eve
They've hung their stockings up with care,
And I am in my old arm chair,
And mother's busy dragging out
The parcels hidden all about.
Within a corner, gaunt to see,
There stands a barren Christmas tree,
But soon upon its branches green
A burst of splendor will be seen.
And when the busy tongues grow still,
That now are wagging with a will
Above me as I sit and rest,
I shall be at my happiest.
The greatest joy man can receive
Is being Dad on Christmas eve.
Soon I shall toil with tinsel bright;
Place here and there a colored light,
And wheresoe'er my fingers lie
To-morrow shall a youngster spy
Some wonder gift or magic toy,
To fill his little soul with joy.
The stockings on the mantle piece
I'll bulge with sweets, till every crease
That marks them now is stretched away.
There will be horns and drums to play
And dolls to love. For it's my task
To get for them the joys they ask.
What greater charm can fortune weave
Than being Dad on Christmas eve?
With all their pomp, great monarchs miss
The happiness of scenes like this.
Rich halls to-night are still and sad,
Because no little girl or lad
Shall wake upon the morn to find
The joys that love has left behind.
Oh, I have had my share of woe--
Known what it is to bear a blow--
Shed sorrow's tears and stood to care
When life seemed desolate and bare,
Yet here to-night I smile and say
Worth while was all that came my way.
For this one joy, all else I'd leave:
To be their Dad on Christmas eve.
by Edgar A Guest(1881-1959), The Path to Home
A Boy at Christmas
If I could have my wish to-night it would not be for wealth or fame,
It would not be for some delight that men who live in luxury claim,
But it would be that I might rise at three or four a. m. to see,
With eager, happy, boyish eyes, my presents on the Christmas tree.
Throughout this world there is no joy, I know now I am growing gray,
So rich as being just a boy, a little boy on Christmas Day.
I'd like once more to stand and gaze enraptured on a tinseled tree,
With eyes that know just how to blaze, a heart still tuned to ecstasy;
I'd like to feel the old delight, the surging thrills within me come;
To love a thing with all my might, to grasp the pleasure of a drum;
To know the meaning of a toy--a meaning lost to minds blase;
To be just once again a boy, a little boy on Christmas Day.
I'd like to see a pair of skates the way they looked to me back then,
Before I'd turned from boyhood's gates and marched into the world of men;
I'd like to see a jackknife, too, with those same eager, dancing eyes
That couldn't fault or blemish view; I'd like to feel the same surprise,
The pleasure, free from all alloy, that has forever passed away,
When I was just a little boy and had my faith in Christmas Day.
Oh, little, laughing, roguish lad, the king that rules across the sea
Would give his scepter if he had such joy as now belongs to thee!
And beards of gray would give their gold, and all the honors they
possess,
Once more within their grasp to hold thy present fee of happiness.
Earth sends no greater, surer joy, as, too soon, thou, as I, shall say,
Than that of him who is a boy, a little boy on Christmas Day.
by Edgar A Guest(1881-1959), The Path to Home
The Christmas Story
The Christmas Story from Both sets of Bible Chapters from Matthew and Luke 2
Great for reading to your family or to a group. KJV not copyrighted except in the UK, so you are wecome to print it out, just make sure you turn the menu off.