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December 17th, 2013

12/17/2013

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The Humble Birth

I was visiting an elderly woman in her home when she commented that most people associate sacrifice with Good Friday and Easter. She went on to say: “Actually the greatest sacrifice is seen at Christmas.” In Philippians 2:6-8 the sacrifice of God is clearly revealed. Listen to these words.

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!” NIV

 Imagine the drop in position from sitting in the heavenly throne room draped with glory to a baby born in a manger. He set aside his power and glory to become like us. He came knowing that he must live a life of obedience, suffering and death. Now that is huge sacrifice!

Take time to worship our Savior this Christmas season. Thank him for his great sacrifice!

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December 06th, 2013

12/6/2013

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Ho! Ho! Ho!

It 'tis the season for a lot of celebrating. Unfortunately, we are all aware that our celebrations of Christmas often neglect the real focus of Christmas. We forget the precious gift that has been deposited in the sinful world. We neglect the one who gives us hope. Every year we vow again to be more Christ-centered during the Christmas season. Every year we get sucked back into the rat-race of overspending, overeating, and over-committing our time.

John Piippo has written an insightful blog deconstructing our Christmas celebration. I invite you to take a look at it:  http://www.johnpiippo.com/2007/12/deconstructing-holidays.html 

Did you read it? Now instead of making hollow statements about how we ought to change our focus during Christmas...just do it! Figure out one way to start the process of recovering a God-centered celebration. Then, do it! 

Send me an email. I would love to hear your creative way of refocusing upon Jesus during the Christmas season.

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    Author

    These blogs posts were written by our recently retired pastor Ed Owens. Ed now serves as an interim consultant for American Baptist Churches of Michigan and National Chair of Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries.

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Photos used under Creative Commons from Waiting For The Word, akio.takemoto, midiman, damn_unique, Phillie Casablanca, by Victoriia Z, Podknox, daniellelorenz