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Plan of Salvation:
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whoso-
ever shall believe in him should not per-
ish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

What Does Christmas Mean to Christians?

Christmas is the most commercial ferent dates throughout the history
tion of a birth that never took
season in our society, but for a sig- of the Christian Church. In fact, place? Christian apologists
nificant percentage of the popula- even today Christians in some parts
(defenders of the faith) argue in
tion it is also a holiday packed with of the world celebrate Christian on
defense of the Biblical accounts.
meaning. For Christians who take different dates. December 25 is Anti-theists, those who do not take
their faith seriously, Christmas is simply an arbitrary date chosen toa literal view of the Bible, and
the celebration of one of the most celebrate the birth because the ex-
members of other religions argue
important events in history. act date is unknown. from the opposite position. Both
sides resort to textual, historical,
Christians consider Christmas to be The date is non-consequential, any- archaeological, and logical evi-
the celebration of the day Jesus way, since the true significance of dence to support their position. Ul-
Christ was born as a baby. Known Christmas for Christians is not timately, it is up to each person to
in theology as the "Incarnation," it found in the coming of Jesus. It is examine the evidence and decide
signifies that God became human in why He came. The Bible ex- which is the most persuasive.
and entered into His own creation. plains (and Christians believe) that
According to the biblical nativity Jesus is (and was) divine, and that Either way, there is no denying the
narratives, Jesus was born to a vir- He came into the world for the pri- impact that this Christian holiday
gin named Mary in the town of mary purpose of eventually giving has had upon society and upon the
Bethlehem in the Judean country- up His life as an expression of His faith community that celebrates it
side. love and grace. Ultimately, it was for reasons of faith. While many
part of a grand plan to offer for- people complain about the holi-
Though most people identify giveness and life to all who would day’s modern emphasis on consum-
Christmas with the date of Decem- willingly choose to place their faith erism, Christians throughout the
ber 25, Christianity does not actual- and hope in Him. centuries have recognized that
ly claim that Jesus was born on De- Christmas represents a turning
cember 25. In fact, Christmas has Did this Incarnation really take point in history when the Savior
been celebrated on a variety of dif- place? Or is Christmas a celebra- entered the world.

Try these healthier holiday cooking tips

A generation or two ago, people ate
more food with a lot of fat, but they
still weighed less than people weigh
today. It was probably because they
were involved in physical work in-
stead of sitting at a desk. Or maybe
they ate less every day. Whatever
the cause, tweaking Grandma's reci-
pes is a great idea.
Some examples:
* Refrigerate the gravy and scoop
off the hardened fat before reheat-
ing and serving.
* Use less bread in turkey dressing ground nutmeg. Puree the ingredi-
and more onions, garlic, celery and ents and sprinkle the nutmeg on top.
vegetables. Moisten with chicken or
vegetable broth and applesauce. * For dessert, make pumpkin pie
using two egg whites for each
* Make mashed potatoes with skim whole egg and replace cream with
milk, chicken broth, garlic powder fat-free evaporated milk. Replace
and Parmesan cheese instead of heavy cream in cheesecakes and
whole milk and butter. Some reci- cream pies with evaporated milk.
pes call for fat-free sour cream. Top cakes with powdered sugar,
fresh fruit or fruit sauce.
* Try a new recipe for eggnog: four
bananas, 1 1/2 cups skim milk, 1 * Remove the skin from roasted
1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt, 1/4 turkey before eating it or placing it
teaspoon rum extract and some on a serving dish.
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Witnessing During the Holidays By Rev. John Sorensen The Christmas Story
The Christmas season is a wonderful God to prepare their hearts to hear the In December, we see stories about And she brought forth
Christmas flowers, Christmas shop-
her firstborn son and wrapped
time to share with family and friends Good News and to create opportunities ping, Santa and Christmas music,
why Jesus was born on this earth. After to share the Gospel. him in swaddling clothes and laid
but St. Luke's Chapter 2 explains
him in a manger, because there
all, we are celebrating the birth of the the reason for the season.
Messiah. That’s good news! However, 2. Send Christmas Cards that share a was no room for them in the inn.
sharing our faith with family members Christ-centered message. Don’t be And there were in the
can often be more difficult than shar- afraid to include your favorite Scrip- same country, shepherds abiding
ing it with strangers. ture or a prayer. More people are open in the field, keeping watch over
to hearing about Jesus at Christmas their flock by night.
What holds us back? Is it fear? Rejec- than any other time of the year.
tion? Or perhaps it’s the idea that our And, lo, the angel of the
family simply won’t believe us? 3. Invite them to your church for a Lord came upon them, and the
special Christmas program or service.
glory of the Lord shone round
Well, not everyone in Jesus’ family Church attendance spikes at Christmas
about them; and they were sore
believed at first either. People in His and Easter, and many churches use that
afraid.
hometown questioned Him: “Isn’t this opportunity to present the Gospel in an And the angel said unto
Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22), and His easy-to-understand manner to people them, Fear not, for, behold, I
own brothers told Him to leave Gali- who don’t know Christ. bring you good tidings of great
lee, because they did not believe Him joy, which shall be to all people.
(John 7:3-5). 4. Ask Permission to Share the Gos- For unto you is born this day in
pel with them personally and privately. the city of David a Saviour, who
But Jesus’ family did come to believe Christmas is the perfect time to share The Christmas story is Christ the Lord.
Him – later. Although we don’t know the reason why Christ was born on And it came to pass in And this shall be a sign
the details of how or when they came earth, to die for our sins and give us those days, that there went out a unto you; Ye shall find the babe
to believe, Jesus’ brothers were present the opportunity to join Him in Heaven. decree from Caesar Augustus wrapped in swaddling clothes,
with the disciples in the upper room to We can offer them the opportunity to that all the world should be lying in a manger.
pray after He ascended into Heaven receive the greatest gift of all. taxed, each in his own city.
(Acts 1:14). They were counted among And suddenly there was
the believers. 5. Be patient. Jesus’ family didn’t And Joseph also went up with the angel a multitude of the
believe Him right away, but His four
from Galilee, out of the city of heavenly host praising God and
brothers did eventually accept Jesus as
Nazareth, into Judea, unto the saying, Glory to God in the high-
What happened? Jesus’ brothers had city of David, which is called
grown up with Him. They had lived Christ. Keep praying. Continue sharing Bethlehem, because he was of the est, and on earth, good will to-
with Him. Yet, they did not believe. the Gospel. You never know, this year house and lineage of David, to be ward men.
They knew Jesus, but they didn’t know may be the year they believe. taxed with Mary, his espoused They made haste and
Him as Lord and Savior. At some wife, being great with child. found Mary and Joseph and the
point, they met the real Jesus and had Rev. John B. Sorensen, D.D. is the babe lying in a manger, they
their first encounter with the Messiah. President/CEO of Evangelism Explo- And so it was, that while made known abroad the saying
sion International, headquartered in they were there, the days were which was told them concerning
So what can we do to reach our own Arden, N.C. EE has been a leader in accomplished that she should be this child.
family members? equipping Christians to share their delivered.
faith for more than 50 years. For more
1. We can pray. The Holy Spirit is the free tips and resources,
One who tugs at people’s heart and visit evangelismexplosion.org. The Christmas
draws them to the Savior. We can ask
Conundrum
Six action skills to keep healthy and happy
Staying fit and happy are Achievement should not be
two keys to living healthy and inde- mocked and technology is achieve-
pendent. ment. If tech makes your eyes cross, it
Below is a list of six skills really is time to take a computer class
everyone should work on as they age: or learn to properly use a cell phone.
1. Stay strong. Knowing how to use a computer and
Maintain your strength and cell phone is a modern key to safety,
balance by doing some simple weight security and and social health.
training. Going to a gym makes it a 4. Gather helpers.
social event, but you can lift weights at Everyone needs some help- Jesus had no servants,
home, too. Just fill a plastic gallon jug ers and that doesn't just mean family. yet they called him Mas-
with water, lift 10 times, rest, lift 10 Identify those you can call to help with ter.
times. Add a repetition as your strength cleaning, meal prep or home mainte- He had no degree, yet
grows. nance. Budget money to pay for regu- they called him Teacher.
2. Reach out. lar assistance. It's wise, not weak! He had no medicines, yet
Even people who have been 5. Manage medications. they called him Healer.
very social throughout their lives find Here is one place that tech-
He had no army, yet he
that, as they age, they need to expand nology can be a huge help. Lots of
their list of acquaintances and friends. medication management items are was feared by kings.
Social activities keep the available online. Find a system that He won no military bat-
mind fresh, your mood elevated and allows you to keep medications in one tles, yet he conquered
curiosity keen. place and lets you know at a glance much of the world.
One key idea here is ex- whether you have taken them. He committed no crime,
panding your view of the people and 6. Invest in safety and simplicity. yet they crucified him.
places that might be of interest. A good Throw out the stuff you He was buried in a tomb,
idea is try many social events and so- don't need. Don't be too sentimental, yet he lives today.
cial gatherings without judging them. but keep the things that you really care Christians celebrate his
Try a variety of things, including gym about. Add good lighting. Install safety birthday on December
visits, church, and senior center events. bars in the bathroom. Make sure walk- 25th.
3. Use technology. ways are clear.