O Holy Night sung by Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine
Ooh yes it was
Ooh it is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah
It was a holy holy holy, oh oh oh

The magi

I have wondered what the Magi really looked like.  It seems silly but that has been a thought I had. I also wonder how many wise men actually went to Israel to see Baby Jesus.  Interestingly enough, the Bible doesn't say how many wise men there were.  However, there are only three presented because of the number of gifts given to the Baby.  What is also interesting are the "races" of the three "Magi" from the East.  The older two magis are Caucasian (one European, one Semitic) while the youngest one was a black African.  The names were not even mentioned in the Bible as far as I can tell.  I guess the Bible felt that those details were not as important as the fact that they were a part of a prophecy about the coming of the Newborn King.  When they saw and followed the star indeed.

How I see Christmas and the holidays, plus these illustrations of Santa

I love these illustrations of Santa Claus.  What is so great is that color does not matter when it comes to the joyous smiles of the faces of children.  I too like kids and I do love Christmas.  It does seem contradictory to what I have written about Christmas for the past few days.  I still have my doubts that Christmas is a Christian holy day.  It isn't as the world celebrates it with the commercialism and the pains that tend to go with buying gifts.  However, every day should be a holy day.  We as believers should observe Jesus' birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection daily.  I guess having said that, I wondered  still how Jesus views Santa Claus and children being joyous because of gifts and Santa.  We as believers could and should use this day for not the commercial and superficial but to share Jesus with others.  That was what I did a few, maybe a couple of, years ago.  I am not so sure if I have accomplished anything such as leading others to the Lord, but I wondered even more what God thought of what I did.  What is more important to the Lord, I wonder?  This is something that requires more prayer from me for there is a lot that I have to be wise about.  It makes no sense to dis Halloween because of it pagan roots but celebrate Easter and Christmas despite their own pagan roots.  In this case, it should be all or nothing, though most of the world will see differently.  That is also something to think about.

Letter to the Church

Focus on Jesus

 "Baby Jesus" (as a black American)

I have read some advice given to me and it is such sage advice that needed to be shared.  It is about focusing on Jesus and the rest will take care of itself.  Maybe I have been too hung up on the paganism and the commercialism of Christmas.  Is the religious aspect of Christmas ring hollow for me?  I would like to think that it is not the case.  I guess that this concern would or would not rather have the evidence that I prefer to religious "O Holy Night" than "Jingle Bell Rock".  Sure they are both wholesome songs, but "O Holy Night" carries a much a deeper meaning for me.  "Jingle Bell Rock" is a fun song, but that is just that: a fun song to sing and party to without a care in the world. I guess it is this religious aspect that would have a much deeper meaning and should to us all.

To end the confusion,

Lord Jesus,

In the very end, every knee shall bow down to You.  I believe that if Santa were real, then it would include him as well.  Lately, I find myself questioning and being interested in how I should celebrate Christmas if at all.  Should I even bother to celebrate it because of its pagan origins?  Does it even matter?  There is no Christmas in the Bible, but Your Birth is.  I get that there is no comparison, but if it is a pagan celebration then how did Christmas become a holy day observed by Christians everywhere, including myself.  If I am not supposed to celebrate it, then how should I bide my time on that day?  How should I be a witness to others on this time of the year?  How did a day that has so many pagan origins become Christianized I guess?  Have I been deceived?  How and when should I truly commemorate Your life. death, and resurrection?  By the way, when exactly were You born out of curiosity?  I am thankful that You answer prayer.  I give You thinks, O Holy One, in Your name,

Amen.

Now that is something to think about.

 Yuletide-Santa with Reindeer

 Yule Log

 Fruitcake Recipe

 Black Jesus

 Family celebrating around the tree

Maybe I should read up more on the pagan customs of old and their origins of Christmas.  Also, Jeremiah 10:2-4 does mention about the idolatry of the pagans, to be separate from them, including the idol that is vaguely familiar to the Christmas tree.  Revelation did also say that we as believers were to come out of the religion of harlotry, the world system, and of false religion so that we should not share in her sins.  We are to obey God's Word and we MUST be born again in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven.  Now I am confused about one thing: does celebrating Christmas as I know it even validate paganism or is it really a holy day that Christians can partake in?  I know that I don't HAVE to celebrate Christmas, but since I believe that it is a celebration of Jesus' birth, then I wonder what is still wrong with that.  I know that Santa is not in the Bible; after all, Santa isn't real. Jesus IS indeed real; that is the difference.  The problem is, maybe I should view Christmas in a whole new light.  Maybe I should set every day to celebrate His life and pay special emphasis on his birth on that Day.  I don't know.  I still question why I should or should not celebrate Christmas.  Is there really a spirit of Christmas or is that based on pagan idolatrous history as well? On the other hand, when I think of Christmas, I think of gifts, love, holiness, joy, and peace.  I believe the problem for me isn't the pagan origin, though I don't consider myself a pagan, but that it is focused on the commercial aspect.  I think or at least would think that that is just as big a sin if not a "greater sin" that even the pagan origins.   I believe all of these things are something to think about.