February 14th is probably one of the most loved and hated holidays of the year. It’s loved by elementary-aged kids who can’t wait to hand their crush a valentine, and it’s treasured by those in committed relationships who celebrate the tradition of expressing love through gift-giving and fancy dinners. But it’s hated by those who are reminded that they are spending another day without a significant other...
Let our tired souls be comforted this Christmas morning. Jesus came down from heaven, giving up, for a time, the worship of angels that he rightly deserves, in order to live a perfect life and take away the sins of all those who believe in him!
If you grew up in an agnostic household like I did, you are familiar with the idea of “Christmas isn't about presents, it's about Jesus' birthday”—not as a reminder that we are celebrating God sending his only begotten son to be born of a virgin, live a sinless life, and die for our sins so that we may have a chance to enter God's eternal kingdom—but as a threat. A threat suggesting that if I didn't cooperate, my holiday would be stripped down to this boring Baby God...
If giving thanks is just listing all the happy things and feelings I credit God for giving me, I’m sorely missing the point. I’m missing the foundation of thanksgiving, which is the very nature and character of God...