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Subject: Celebrating Christmas
Date: December 21, 2000 Return to Chat Archive Menu
Practical Ways To Celebrate Jesus, The Reason For The Season
Have you ever had the opportunity of watching a young child's eyes sparkle as they sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and blew out the candles on His cake? In a refreshing way, young children can reveal enthusiasm as they celebrate Jesus's birthday. How can we as adult women help our families and friends practically celebrate Jesus during this season?
1. How can we ruse above the busyness of the season?
2. How does our attitude reflect our heart?
3. What are some practical ways to keep focused during the season?
4. How can we display Jesus' love over Christmas?
5. What are some ways that we can reach out to our neighbors at Christmas?
6. How can we encourage hurting people to celebrate Christmas?
7. How can we make celebrating Jesus an everyday occurrence?
Dear Heavenly father thankyou for this season we can celebrate
sarah Dear Jesus we thank you for loving us so much
spud We celebrate the birth of your son
spud We want to this season to be more than gifts and all the frills we ask that tonight that you be glorified and that we be more in tune to you!
sarah God you are an awesome God
spud Yes You are! You are magnificiant and almighty!
sarah Help keep our families safe this season and always
sarah Help us to feel that sense of love that only you can give us
spud Father teach us your truth tonight as we talk about celebrating you! We commit this eventing to you. We ask that your spirit would be here. We ask this in Jesus name Amen!
sarah amen
spud Why don't we begin with our disscussion this evening!
cwt sounds good
sarah can i ask where everyone is from
spud Let's discuss how we can rise above the busyness of the season? Let's begin
spud Everyone's input is valid!
spud It can get very busy with all the running around that we forget what really is the reason for the season!
cwt by keeping our focus on the right thing
spud How do we do this?
spud This is a great answer though!
spud It does take discipline to do this.
spud I think it also helps to spend time with God and seek him!
cwt I think by remembering that Jesus came to earth to save us and that is the reason we celebrate not all the gifts. Even thougth that is fun too.
spud Sarah what are some ways that you have rose above the business?
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cwt often we think we need to be busy in this season and the true meaning gets pushed aside
spud this is so true!
sarah wow --the business surround me everyday ---i have two beutiful childern--and i work two jobs --the Lord blesses me everyday with patience and love and understanding
cwt you sound very busy
sarah does that sound crazy
spud That's really neat that you are experiancing patience and love.
cwt I have three children and no job and I feel busy you must be incredible busy
sarah well most of the time-----lol
sarah actually my daytime job leave me with 6-10 kids---i run a daycare
spud I know there are season's in our life when we need to busy but in our business we need to smell the roses!
sarah yes---amen to that
cwt and not feel guilty if we take time to be quite
spud Your so right!
sarah in a hot bath relaxing---sorry i was dreamong of that day soon
sarah lol
cwt that does sound good
sarah His word tells us so masny thing that can make our lifes better
cwt that is so true
sarah He is my strength
sarah He is my joy
spud Now that we've shared about ways we can rise above the busyiness how does our attitude reflect the heart?
sarah So amny of my friends joys are sold because of the way they live ----in a hurry--run--run--
spud It really does. Last night I was so busy getting ready for our Christmas party that after everyone was done eating I got up and started doing the dishes. My attitude was one of I needed to get it done before they all left. Instead of enjoting there company!
cwt I think when we go into the season with the right perspective our attiude towards events and people will be good
spud this is so true!
cwt when we focus on what Jesus did for us it will make us more willing to help others
sarah i think this bitter cold weather here makes everyone crabby---does that sound crazy
cwt alot of times the weather affects how people feel
sarah it has been -40 to -80 below for over a week
cwt where do you live?
sarah it makes it hard to get out and get things done
sarah south dakota
sarah bbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
cwt that's cold
spud Wow!
spud What are some practicle ways we can stay focused this season even with the wheather and all?
sarah i think the whole $$$$$$$$$$ thing gets everyone tooo
sarah get to know God better
sarah love God
sarah Serve God
spud How do we do this>?
spud Focus on others rather than what we want!
sarah read His wrok and to apply it to our lives
cwt by keeping Christ the center of our celebrating
spud This is so true we do need to apply the word of god to our hearts!
spud yes
cwt and by sharing this truth with others
sarah i feel that we should work on ourselfs first so we can be a good example of what God can do in anyones life
cwt that is so true sarah
spud I've heard of families doing an advent candle for the month of December.
cwt our chruch does that but that would be neat at home
spud I think I would like to start doing this next year!
cwt that would keep the whole family focused
spud My husband always talks about it.
cwt I think I would too
spud Another idea would be is to reinact the nativity season with your family!
cwt that could be alot of fun
spud I know it might be hard if your children are small.
spud When putting out the nativity scene you can also make it a family affair also by reading the christmas story.
cwt I always like to read the christmas story on christmas morning
spud When were at my parents for Christmas we do this also.
sarah i will be back ---I am going to put my childern to bed---hopefully not to long
spud How can we display Jesus love over Christmas?
cwt by donating gifts and food to people in need
spud It seems at christmas this is a great opportunity to display his love.
spud Alot of times we have all these ideas but we don't always do them
spud This is where we need to allow the spirit to control us.
cwt also we can have people in and share with them about Jesus and what he means to me
spud Do you have any examples where you have displayed jesus love this christmas?
spud One of my examples is I gave my fitness tabel instructor a bag of carmel popcorn with a hand made name tag and the Christmas digest
spud She was so thankful. She's not a christian.
spud It really needs to be in the right attitude!
cwt that's really neat
spud I find that at times I do all things for people and expect something in return, This is the case because my love langruage is gift and little cards.
cwt I can be that way too spud. It's hard sometimes to hav the right attitude
spud I think this year it's been a real learning for me!
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cwt that's neat spud
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spud What are some practicle ways we can reach out to our neighbors.
spud Hi swirl welcome
Swirl hi every one.
spud We are discussing practicle ways to celebrate christmas
spud Were glad you have joined us.
spud Have joined us before?
cwt by inviting them to diffent outreach things that may be going on at our church
Swirl I accidentally just logged out. I'm back for now.
spud Great! have joined us before?
cwt or by having them in for coffee and sharing with them
spud Like I said earlyier we are discussing ways in which we can reach out to our neighbors at Christmas.
spud Swirl do have any ideas?
Swirl caroling?
spud That's great!
spud It certainly get's people into the season!
spud Another way is inviting them for a christmas meal!
cwt that would be fun
spud Another way is to choose one neighbor and give them a gift for 12 days before christmas. Do in without them finding it out it was you!
cwt another idea would be to hand out those christmas digests door to door
spud What are Christmas digests?
cwt they are little magazines put out by campus crusade for christ and they share the true meaning of christmas
spud Let's wrap up soon. Before we do this why don't we pray. Swirl do you have anything we can pray for you this christmas season?
Swirl not really. just so that it goes good for everyone.
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cwt and you too. Have a great Christman
spud Why don't we begin then!
cwt ok
spud Dear heavenly Father, may are attitudes be right this Christmas.May we look to you and focus on you. Give us love for those around us!
cwt Father thankyou for tonight. Help us to stay focused on you through this busy sesason.
cwt thank you that we can celebrate your birth and your salvation. We love you.
spud Show us ways in which we can reach our friends. Father I also want to thank you for Swirl help her to keep her focus on you this christmas, may she experiance you in a real way. May we all experience your joy and peace.
spud We love you Jesus and we commit this evening to you. Amen!
cwt Amen
spud Swirl where are from?
