As soon as the tables are cleared, the warmth of Thanksgiving is traded for a swelling tide of material lust.  The wave of advertisements is like a toxic chemical spill creating rabid zombie shoppers who launch themselves out into the darkness, driven by an insatiable hunger for all that is “on sale.”  Through the night, they drag themselves ever more wearily from department store to outlet to discount retailer, consuming everything in their path like a swarm of mindless locusts.  I know of that which I speak, for I was in their midst.

With each passing Christmas, it seems that the battle between the Christ of Christmas and the god of “stuff” grows more fierce.  As Christians, we especially know where our hearts should be focused, yet the wave of consumerism still pulls at us and sucks us in.  We would do well to rediscover the value of simplicity at this time of year.  What follows is an excellent article from Randy Alcorn entitled, “Changing Christmas in our Families and in our Hearts.”  Take time to weigh the wisdom that he shares.

“An alarming number of children from Christian homes grow up grasping for every item they can lay 
their hands on. Children raised in such an atmosphere—which includes most children in America—are afflicted with a killer disease called “affluenza.”

“Consider the typical American Christmas. When the annual obstacle course through crowded malls culminates on the Big Day, what’s the fruit? We find a trail of shredded wrapping paper and a pile of broken, abandoned, and unappreciated toys. Far from being filled with a spirit of thankfulness for all that Christmas means, the children are grabby, crabby, picky, sullen, and ungrateful—precisely because they’ve been given so much.”

“We love our children. So do their grandfathers and grandmothers, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. All of us seem to think that love is measured by giving things. We say it isn’t so, but we go right on acting as if it were. Our children aren’t battery operated. Their deepest needs are spiritual, mental, and emotional, and these needs cannot be met by flashing lights and doll houses. This sometimes dawns on us, but we soon forget. Another Christmas, and again we immerse our children in things. In doing so, we mentor them in a perspective on life directly at odds with the Scriptures we seek to teach them at home and in church.”

“Can we change the pattern of materialism in our homes at Christmastime? Certainly. We can buy far less. We can hand make presents, set a budget, and buy presents in advance to avoid the unnerving jostling through stores. Any change is good if it helps us to focus on Christ rather than on ourselves. We can visit shut-ins or take food to the needy—to focus on giving rather than receiving.

My wife often staged a “Happy Birthday Jesus” party for our girls and their friends. Each child brought one gift personally made for Jesus. (After all, whose birthday is it?) One year, a few nights before Christmas, our family sat around a candlelit table holding hands. Then each of us said what we appreciated about the Lord. After praying together and singing Christmas carols, we shared what we appreciated about each other. It was an unforgettable evening.”

“If a child receives four presents, the gifts can be spread out on each of the four days before Christmas. On Christmas night, after reading Scripture and singing carols, each giver can present his or her gift in turn to the recipient. In the quietness and simplicity of the celebration, we can pray and express our gratefulness to God for his greatest of all gifts, the Lord Jesus. By taking our focus off the human receiver and putting it on the divine giver, Christmas can become a symbol of God’s giving heart rather than people’s grabbing hands.”

“This is only a beginning. You may wish to make more radical changes in your Christmas. When our missions pastor told our church about enslaved Christians in Sudan one November, family after family spontaneously decided to forgo Christmas presents and give instead to free the slaves. My family was among them, and it was a wonderful Christmas, made better by the knowledge that we’d given to what matters instead of exchanging more stuff we didn’t need. But even if you still exchange presents, you can make Christmas different. Don’t be victimized by the world’s materialism. Worship Christ in simplicity.”

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Many of us will either be traveling to be with family and friends or we will be hosting family and friends in our homes over the next several days.  For most of us, this means we will have the opportunity to have extended times of interaction with unsaved loved ones.  While witnessing to those closest to us is often difficult (even Jesus was not welcomed by those who knew Him best (Matt 13:53-58)), we are never excused from seeking to share the gospel with unbelievers.  Thus, I want to give us a few helpful suggestions on how to start evangelistic conversations as we are with unsaved loved ones this Christmas.

Now before giving you these suggestions, I want to encourage two steps of preparation.  First, you should always pray for those you are seeking to engage in gospel conversation.  Pray for them by name, pray specifically for God to prepare their hearts, and pray for personal boldness and for your words to be the words of Scripture.  Second, be prepared to share the true gospel.  You could use the Roman Road or our GRACE outline or another Scriptural presentation.  Remember, true evangelism is sharing the reality of holy God, the standard of God’s law, the plight of human sinfulness, the eternal penalty of hell, the beauty of Christ’s atoning work on our behalf, and the call to repent and believe in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.  That being said, here are some good ways to initiate Gospel conversations:

1.  Show a sincere concern for loved ones by conversing with them about specific challenges and triumphs they have faced during the past year.  It may center around family life, work, or other pursuits, but take time to demonstrate a real interest in them.  Then direct the conversation to eternal concerns by asking a question like “So how are you doing spiritually?”  This question can evoke a variety of responses, some of them less than favorable, but at least it directs them to weigh matters beyond our daily activities and pursuits.  If they do respond favorably, be prepared to lead them to the truth of Scripture, or if you are accused of being “preachy,” at least try to share a personal word of testimony about how your faith in Christ has guided and sustained you in the past year.

2.  Take advantage of the spirit of “tradition.”  Unchurched loved ones are more easily persuaded to attend church at holidays like Christmas and Easter if they consider it a matter of “tradition” as opposed to “devotion.”  Take advantage of their sentiment by attending a service where the gospel will be faithfully proclaimed.  If you are out-of-town, you may need to research the location and service times of a solid biblical church, but it will be well worth it to guide everyone to a biblical service.  Go with them to hear the gospel and then follow up the service with a question like “So what did you think of the message the pastor gave?” It is a great discussion starter.

3.  Use opportunities to pray to share the gospel.  Even unbelievers still tend to practice the tradition of saying “grace” before important holiday meals.  And usually, the one who is known to be a “devoted” Christian is asked to say it for the family.  As you may be given opportunity, be prepared to share the gospel through your prayer.  It is so easy to turn prayers of thankfulness for food into prayers of thankfulness for God’s mercy in saving us from judgment through the sacrifice of Christ.

4.  Look for ways to insert the reading of Scripture into Christmas observances.  Once again, favorable views of “tradition” can open the door to the reading of the Christmas story from Matthew or Luke on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning.  Don’t be afraid to talk to your loved ones about inserting such times of reading into the schedule, and when given such opportunities, don’t be afraid to speak briefly about why Christ came to earth as the baby Jesus.  After such brief devotional opportunities, engage lost loved ones with questions about what they believe about the real meaning of Christmas.

I pray you will use these helpful hints to generate evangelistic opportunities over the next couple weeks.  Remember, if you are in Christ, then you are a child of the King and an instrument of His glory.  Do not hide your light under a bushel, but set it out that it might give light to everyone. (Matt 5:16)  God bless you all, and MERRY CHRISTMAS my beloved!

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

Some popular items:

Boys

Remote Control Cars

CD Players

Watches

Basketballs/Footballs

Tonka Trucks

Hand Held Video Games

Girls

Bath & Lotion Gift Baskets

Jewelry Box

Watches

Earrings

Art Supplies

Parents and/or guardians living within zip codes 36107, 36109, 36110 must first come to the Ministry Center to complete our intake process. Those who qualify will be able to purchase said toys at drastically reduced rates. We will also offer stocking stuffers at a rate of $.10 each.

Our Toy Store is an awesome avenue God graciously provided in answer to my prayer 12 years ago, an avenue that paves the way to begin the healing process of the family unit. It helps restore the dignity and focus of the parents while aiding the children in regaining respect for them. It also teaches priorities and sacrifice. I pray you will join us in making a difference in the lives of many.

Toy delivery deadline is Thursday December 3rd. Toys may be delivered to the church or the Hands of Christ Ministry Center located at 3000 Lower Wetumpka Rd. We are open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Should you have any questions or want to volunteer, please feel free to contact me by phone 262-6438 or by e-mail Chitownladee@hotmail.com.

I am so excited and looking forward to what God has in store for us.

Please keep us in your prayers as we continue throughout the year to minister to, meet needs and exhibit God’s love to all who enter our doors.

Praising Him
Teri McDonald
Ministry Administrator

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church

SOURCE: Morningview Baptist Church