“It’s hard to believe Christmas is already here.” This statement has become a cliche in Western culture, and usually centers around the busyness of the holiday season; parties, shopping and year-end deadlines leading the charge. Although cliches tend to get under my skin, this year I can’t help but think this phrase over and over. The past few weeks have been busier than usual, yet I feel a slight tension regarding both the Advent preparations for Vintage21 Church and celebration of Christmas for my family. Today holds errands, setup, and a frantic attempt to close the year out. As celebrations begin tomorrow, there are many thoughts, details, sights and sounds to distract us from the reason we gather. What are your plans to reflect on God’s gift of Immanuel? We should consider what we will read, when we will pray and thank God, what services we will attend. Show up early to the Christmas Eve service, not only to ensure a seat but to reflect on Jesus and pray. If you are a parent, consider questions to ask and discuss with your children. If we leave these things up in the air, we’ll find ourselves in a church service on December 26th realizing we replaced our worship of God with peripheral items.
This Advent season we studied Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus found in Isaiah 9:2-6, specifically centering around the names Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This in-depth look at each name of Jesus heightened my awareness of God’s plan and deepened my understanding of His nature. All month I wrote about each of these in effort to prepare my heart and yours for celebrating the Incarnation for more than one service on Christmas Eve. It’s been a challenging time for my family as we deal with loss, and the themes we find in Advent- longing, anticipation, and hope for a Savior – have been comforting to me personally. I hope this Advent season has been a time of reflection and worship for each of you.
As we make final preparations for Christmas, here are some posts you may want to revisit:
- Advent: More Than A Manger – Advent is the perfect season to teach the full Gospel. Does the church do so?
- Christmas: The Worst Cover Song Ever – Like Michael Bolton stripping away the heart of classic soul songs and shellacking them with power-ballad lacquer, the secular world has removed the soul from the song of Christmas.
- Redeeming Christmas – Shame on us if we allow society to settle for a consumeristic Christmas! Who will redeem this holiday, if not the church?
- Mighty God or Helpless Babe? – How can it be that this baby born in a manger is “Mighty God”?
- Jesus, The Everlasting Father – Jesus as “Everlasting Father”? I thought he was the Son?
- It’s The Most Delusional Time Of The Year – If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, if we have received hope, love and peace through the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts, why don’t our lives reflect this?
CHRISTMAS EVE //
DURHAM // 5pm
Pastor Todd’s home, 606 Wofford Rd., 27707
RALEIGH // 5pm, 6pm
Raleigh West Campus, 117 S. West St., 27603
Matt Stevens is the Worship Pastor for Vintage21 Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Contact him via Twitter: @MattStevensNC
Matt,
Thank you so much for writing this during the holidays. Rarely do I find myself anticipating a blog of any type but you have been a consistent joy to read. The birth of Christ is one of my favorite stories in all the Bible but often I just let it work its way into my Christmas traditions, alongside gifts and bacon on Christmas morning. You challenged me this season and I am thankful for it.
Oh and one more thing… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhnYPecc1YE
Thanks, Ethan. I love that your Christmas morning tradition consists of two things: gifts and bacon. Also, that clip of GOB is what you can expect for our Christmas Eve service. Looking forward to it!