Category Archives: Christmas

by | December 30, 2016 · 9:29 am

Blues and Better

The following post was originally posted in 2013. The truth of it is even more relevant today.

Post-Christmas Blues

At some point in your life you have probably experienced the “blues” after Christmas. You know, those sad, melancholy feelings that come after all the expectations of Christmas day are over? They’re the “now what?” feelings.

Well, it took a while, but sometime this afternoon I began to feel depressed and kinda sad. In one way I was glad everything was over, but then I was also sad that there was nothing more to look forward to.

Next on the list? Clean house, clean carpet, paint a cabinet, plan sermons, clean a garage, wash windows and blinds, and wonder how to repay what we just borrowed to make people happy for one day.

Post-Christmas Perspective

But if you have experienced the blues after Christmas, be thankful. Being sad that the expectations of this world only bring temporary happiness is a good thing – actually, it’s a great thing! It means that there is something else…something more…something better…something that won’t get old the next day…something that will leave you never having to wish for anything ever again.

C. S. Lewis wrote, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

The post-Christmas blues are just reminders that I haven’t made it home.

“I’ll Rise”

Several years ago I wrote a song talking about a place better than this one, a place called Heaven. This year, standing beside a Christmas tree and surrounded by crumpled wrapping paper, my daughter wanted to sing it.

You can believe that this world is all that there is, and that’s OK. If you are right, then an infinity of nothingness won’t bother either of us. However, since no experience in this world, even the best Christmas present, can satisfy for long, I am going to assume there is better place, somewhere beyond the “blues.”

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by | December 24, 2016 · 12:14 pm

Emotions of Christmas

Melancholy

Even though Christmas time is full of happiness and joy, there are also moments of melancholy. Just to be sure, I looked up that word and it actually means what I thought it did: “pensive reflection or contemplation.”

Every year that goes by we tend to lose people we love, and that includes pets, too. We lose people, animals, our hair, our smooth skin, and bunches of other things; yet there still remains a joy that’s unexplainable. At least that’s the way I feel.

Have you ever heard Mannheim Steamroller’s version of Silent Night? Every time I hear it I feel both melancholy and reverent at the same time. It also makes me really miss my dad.

Melancholy is also how I feel when I watch the following video I made 5 years ago. A few things have changed since then, the biggest of which is the loss of our little dog, Nugget. Christmas at the Baker home is not the same without him, and that is sad.

Worshipful

But even though I have my moments of melancholy pensiveness, I look forward to the holy, reverent, worshipful experience of a midnight Christmas Eve service. Honestly, if all we ever did was go to tonight’s service at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, that would be enough for me. Singing Silent Night in a cathedral-like auditorium at midnight while holding candles is chillingly awesome!

You see, no matter what we may have lost here on earth, because of Jesus we have everything in eternity to gain! When the world lay cold and dark, the Lord became flesh and light came into the world “with the dawn of redeeming grace.”

There are many reasons why some people find Christmas to be a time that brings sadness and pain upon the remembrance of loss. However, when we take the time to contemplate the wonder and glory of God’s grace, that He would put on flesh and be born in a manger, the great I AM, so that the lost might be found…

Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)! That’s Christmas! Because of that Baby born in a manger, melancholy may endure for a season, but JOY comes in the morning!

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by | December 23, 2016 · 1:39 pm

From Fear to Joy

An Update

It is truly wonderful to sit down and type on a real keyboard, not an iPhone! I finally picked up my computer yesterday, new hard drive and all, and just plugged it in. It’s like Christmas came early 😉

The only downside is that my wife now thinks I will never get anything done around the house, because I will be here clicking away for the next two days 😦 Wait! why a frowny face? Typing is good for the soul! 🙂

Actually, if you want to know the truth, we have a whole house full of life that has to be packed and moved by December 29th; I don’t have time to sit and write a lot. We were finally able to secure a place to live just yesterday, so we will be moving out of the parsonage after Christmas. What a way to spend your Christmas break, right?

Fear

There is a great temptation to fear the future. For example, I recently suffered two/third’s cut in annual pay with no idea how I’m going to make that up; we are moving into a house that is not ours and is only guaranteed through April or May; and the company I drive school buses for is now facing huge law suits because of the Woodmore bus crash. The future is definitely uncertain.

But fear is nothing new. Take the time to read the Christmas story in its entirety and you will find several times where true, bone-shaking fear engulfed many. First there was Zacharias in the first chapter of Luke, then Joseph in Matthew chapter one, and then Mary and the shepherds in Luke 2. Each of them, when confronted with angelic messages, were greatly troubled. And why not?

Have you ever been confronted by a real angel in all its glory? Me neither. I have gotten messages from God, though. Yep, I sure have. For example, resigning the pastorate of one church without anywhere else to go was a clear message from heaven saying, “Trust me.” At first the message brought fear, but when I heard His voice saying, “Fear not,” I was able to begin to enjoy the thrill of a new chapter in life.

Joy

Believe me, I have every reason in the world to worry about the future. I had every reason to tremble in fear when I learned I would be homeless by the end of the year. But just like the shepherds tending their sheep, I have been comforted with the knowledge that my Savior was born. He was the fulfillment of the promises of God, and the promises of God are still true.

“This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? … 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. … 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Mat 6:25-26, 28, 33-34 HCSB

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future. If Joseph and Mary could carry on with life after such shocking announcements, surely I can carry on with wondrous expectation.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – Jesus

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by | December 12, 2016 · 10:05 am

Christmas Monkey

The Least of These

This video from a few years ago is one of my favorites. It features my youngest daughter, Haley, wrapping a warm blanket around a shivering Mr. Monkey, and me doing a little guitar in the background. Katie did the camera work.

The message of the video should be obvious, and one that we should take to heart. I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to share it, too!

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by | December 1, 2016 · 11:09 am

How We Know Jesus Was a Gift from God

A Christmas Sermon Outline

Have you ever been given a gift, or seen one under the Christmas tree, that needed no card or tag informing you who sent it? Maybe the meticulous wrapping was a clue to who the wrapper was.

I know Christmas is still 24 days or so away, but some of you might need something to preach or teach between now and then. Therefore, please accept as my gift of an outline I prepared, “How We Know Jesus Was a Gift from God.”

Please, feel free to use it 🙂

“How We Know Jesus Was a Gift from God”

I.  Because of When THIS Gift Was Given

·   Galatians 4:4 “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son…”

II.  Because of How THIS Gift Was Wrapped

·   Luke 2:12 “And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

·   Philippians 2:7 “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

·   Hebrews 4:15 KJV – “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.”

III.  Because THIS Gift Was Truly Free

·   John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He GAVE…”

·   Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace…it is a GIFT of God, NOT of works…”

·   Romans 3:24 “Being justified FREELY by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

IV.  Because THIS Gift Was Exactly What We Needed

A.  To Bring Us Life – Luke 2:11 “Unto you is born, in the city of David, a SAVIOR…”

B.  To Bring Us Joy – Lamentations 3:22-23 “His mercies are new every morning”

V.  Because of the Love that Went Into It.

·   1 John 4:9 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

VI.  Conclusion:

A.  Accept the Gift of Jesus

B.  Give Thanks! – 2 Cor. 9:15 “Thanks be to God for this unspeakable Gift!”

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by | April 10, 2016 · 5:51 pm

What It’s All About

Folks, if you don’t get anything else from my blog, please understand this: It’s about the Cross. 

“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 

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by | December 23, 2015 · 10:40 am

Shopping – Evidence We Need Jesus

Last Minute

I will confess, in just a little while I will be going out to do some last-minute shopping. Yes, I know it’s going to be hectic and crazy out there, especially if any Black Lives Matter protesters plan on clogging our local mall. Nevertheless, the shopping has to be done.

Fortunately for me, I am not on a mission to buy a bunch of stuff for everyone on my list; all I need to do is find a couple of things for a couple of people, and that’s it. The only other things I may buy today are a cup of coffee and stamps (yes, there are going to be some late Christmas cards this year).

The Perfect Gift

But this whole shopping thing got me to thinking: will we ever find the “perfect” gift? So often people spend hours and hours navigating traffic, long lines, websites, and clearance racks trying to find a gift that is just right, one that is just “perfect” for the recipient. Color, size, flash, style, and price all play a part in trying to determine how the gift will be received – will they love it or hate it? Who knows?

Unfortunately, because of the stress of it all, much gift-giving has been reduced to whatever is on sale or the ultimately non-personal gift card. The fact is that the “perfect gift” is an illusion, or a sign, rather, that there is something just beyond our grasp – the real perfect gift.

Already Given

You see, here’s the thing: the only “perfect gift” has already been given; all other gifts pale in comparison. Jesus – the meaning of the season – was the Perfect Gift from God to man, making all other gifts mere reflections.

Seriously, what other gift can compare to the One that was delivered in Bethlehem?

  • He was given at the perfect time (Galatians 4:4);
  • He was wrapped like no other gift could ever be (Luke 2:12; Philippians 2:7);
  • He was exactly what everyone in all the world needs (Luke 2:11);
  • He was the greatest expression of love the world would ever see (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9).

There’s nothing you’re going to find at any mall or specialty store better than what was already given two thousand years ago. Our search for the “perfect” gift is nothing more than a sign – that there’s always something better, something that can’t be purchased, something only grace can provide.

Have a merry Christmas!

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by | December 10, 2015 · 9:46 am

The Least of These

Monkey Videos

It crossed my mind just today that it would be great to do another Monday Monkey video for this Christmas. But I have to admit, for some reason or another my creative mind has numbed. Call it producer’s bock, I guess.

If you would like to take a look at some funny, creative, and totally idiotic videos, click on the Monkey Archive tab above. However, one video that is not included in the archive is the one you are about to see.

The attached Monday Monkey video was made 2 years ago, when Haley was a little younger and when she still had long hair. Ah, memories 😦

There is a message to this video, so feel free to share it.

Remember those who are in need. Merry Christmas!

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by | December 3, 2015 · 6:32 pm

The Tree Meaning of Christmas

I would like to thank President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for reminding us that the true meaning of Christmas is not what most Christians have thought.

clip-art-charlie-brown-christmas-tree-charlieNo, according to our President and First Lady, the message of Christmas (and Charles Shultz’ “A Charlie Brown Christmas”) is that “tiny trees just need a little love.” Jesus has nothing to do with it.

Believe it or not, if we look at the “original” translation of the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah, we will see why the Obamas believe this.

“For unto us a seedling is born, unto us a tiny tree is given: and the government shall be upon its branches: and its name shall be called Woody, Conifer, The mighty Balsam, The evergreen Fir, The Prince of Pine.” – Isaiah 9:6

You see, we Christians have gotten it all wrong. Christmas is not about the birth of “our Saviour, which is Christ the Lord;” it’s about the birth of a seedling in need of nurturing and decorating, which will bring peace on earth and goodwill toward men.

Again, just read this version of the Christmas story and you’ll see how other translations have gotten it all wrong.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a seedling, which needs to be loved. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the twig wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger made of his dead relatives.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” – Luke 2:8-14

Thank you, Mr. President! You’ve changed everything!

 

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by | November 25, 2015 · 5:47 pm

Sharing Is Caring (Especially for Bloggers)

Gift Ideas

Do you want to know what to give me for Christmas? Well, besides a Walther CCP, a flight in a WWII era bomber or fighter, dinner for two at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, or an upgrade to my LOGOS Bible software, let me suggest something simple and cheap…share one of my posts!

photo (74)That’s right, if you want to give a simple gift to your favorite blogger, share one of his posts with others on your blog and/or social media! It cost’s nothing, and all you’d need is to wrap it in syrupilly-sweet words of praise as you ask others to check it out.

Simple and cheap! What could be better?

The Challenge

So, this is my challenge, and request:

Share (a post), and share a “like.” 

This is time of year when many bloggers see lower-than-normal visits to their sites, driving many to drink, seek professional help, or yell at their dogs. Therefore, why not take just a moment and share some posts you’ve liked with your friends? Doing so will help maintain a poor, lonely blogger’s stats during the cold and dreary months of the year.

And remember, what goes around comes around.

Also, the next time you read a decent, well-written blog post, don’t forget to “like” it. Even better, why not leave a comment? Sometimes a nice comment could mean the difference between a bad day and a great day. You just never know how far-reaching and life-altering an encouraging word can be. And that’s no joke.

Bloggers are people, too.

Now, if you do have access to a P-51 Mustang or want to treat me to an expensive steak dinner, then who am I to refuse? But if you can’t, a simple “like” and share will make my day!

Sharing is caring :-)

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