christmas
~The holidays are a tough time for some of us, especially those who are grieving. The thought of spending Christmas Day alone weighs on you. But, Tracie Miles has some encouragement for us tonight: She says, “Keeping your focus on God’s presence helps you feel less shattered and alone, it will equips you to handle the emotions of the holidays, and prepare you to be spiritually ready for anything the future holds.”
~Got my nails done for the Christmas party season. The sparkly silver polish on my nails is pretty, but I put my shoes on too soon, and my toes look like those silver icicles you throw in a clump on the Christmas tree. Oops!
~Christmas Time is Here [Vince Guaraldi Trio] from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” – That’s my favorite show to watch during Christmas. It's only on Apple TV these days, so I have the DVD! Such a simple and poignant story of the reality, and chaos of the Christmas season, how we get it all mixed up with perfectionism and consumerism, and then finally finding hope in what Christmas is really all about! [Linus Luke 2]
~__ days and counting! It’s Christmastime! Now, I know that for some it’s a time of sadness, and my heart aches with you. But, the reason we celebrate - the birth of Jesus - is a reason to choose joy in the pain, to feel God’s peace, and to open your heart to the hope in his promise of brighter tomorrows! [It's Christmastime, Evvie McKinney]
~If you’re here for the Christmas music, but you’re not yet sold on the miracle story of Christ’s birth, look up at the sky right now. The Bible says, "The heavens tell of the glory of God; and their expanse declares the work of His hands." - Psalm 19:1 [Here With Me, Joy Williams]
~Lord, this Christmas season, open our hearts to rejoice in the gift of your Son. We want to love you and know you more deeply. Forgive us for the times we set our eyes on things that distract us from you and real reason we celebrate Christmas.
~What are your Christmas traditions? Here's a cute idea for the kiddos: put a bale of hay and carrots outside for the reindeer and sprinkle glitter on the ground nearby so they will spot it from the sky!
~Some ideas for Christmas activities!
-Do an Advent Bible study and out up an Advent calendar.
-Go see a model train display.
-Put out the nativity set.
-Buy gifts for your pastor.
-Make a gingerbread house.
-Drive around looking at lights.
-Bake Christmas cookies.
-Read the Book of Luke.
-Take gifts to neighbors.
-Watch your favorite Christmas movies.
-Make paper snowflakes and string popcorn.
-Have each child donate a toy to a local charity.
-Attend a Candlelight Christmas Eve service.
-Go old school and mail Christmas cards or write a family newsletter.
-Make handmade ornaments.
-Play board games.
-Go caroling in your neighborhood!
~Christmas cheer is hard to muster for some of us, especially when you’ve lost someone special. None of the trappings of the holiday seem to bring joy any more. But, we can hold onto the true joy of the season. Imagine the sound of the angels praising God and the joys of Heaven this time of year. Chin up! One foot in front of the other, and have yourself a merry little Christmas.
~If happy and joyful is a stretch for your Grinchy heart right now, Greg Laurie has some great advice: "Be grateful for what you have and enjoy the in-between moments.”
~Are you old enough to remember going through the Sears catalog to make your Christmas wish list? Then, it was Toys R Us for the next generation. Today it’s an Amazon list. But in any era, it’s important to make a wish list of things that truly matter. Let’s re-evaluate the things that we want this Christmas.
~Hey, if you've been feeling like the Grinch, turn up the Christmas music! Your heart will grow a few sizes. You might even find yourself singing along! The joy melts away the frowns away, doesn’t it?
Have you ever noticed the moment when Linus drops his security blanket in A Charlie Brown Christmas? It’s at the moment – as he’s explain the true meaning of Christmas – when he says, “fear not,” quoting the angel of the Lord. [Linus - Luke 2]
~'Tis the season...for sniffles, and sneezes and stuffy noses! If all your friends are laid up with the crud going around here's a cup of Christmas cold magic you can share with them...or yourself. Raid God's garden and make a steaming cup of steeped ginger, turmeric, lemon and local honey with a dash of black pepper. Speak God's healing over your body! And get back to your Christmas to-do list!
STORIES:
~A GI's Christmas card to his baby girl in 1944 captured fear, heartbreak, and hope just before the Battle of the Bulge during World War 2. Vincent, a 23-year-old private serving in Europe wrote a note to his family back in Boston. To his 8-month-old daughter, Carol, he said, "Maybe this will be your first letter? At least from me. I hope you are eating and doing everything Mommy asks you. To his wife, Betty, he wrote, "This card is for you, too. I hope you didn't mind me addressing it to Carol? I love you both very much and wouldn't trade you for all the money in the world. I will be thinking of you and long to picture myself there with you. No matter where I will be at the time." He closed with a cheery salutation. "Don’t forget to make the tree look swell. Merry Christmas and God watch over you both. Love you both. Santa Vin." Good news. Vincent was among the lucky ones. He survived the Battle of the Bulge. He survived World War 2 and returned home to Boston to live a full life. His daughter Carol was the oldest of his and Betty's 11 children — and then 25 grandchildren. His granddaughter, Kerry, posted a photo of the card on social media on Dec. 5 (2023) — exactly 79 years to the day after he wrote it. She says, "It’s a Christmas letter. But it's actually much more than that. It’s a love letter. It’s a goodbye letter." "White Christmas" does not mention the war, but the Bing Crosby anthem from that era so captured the hearts of the soldiers abroad that it became, and remains, the most popular song in human history.
GI Christmas Card
~Have you ever heard the legend of the candy cane? It goes something like this: An old candy maker wanted to teach local children the true meaning of Christmas so he created the confection to tell them all about Jesus. He flavored it with peppermint to remind them of the spices the wise men offered. The hard candy represents Jesus as “the rock." The white stripes symbolize his sinless life, while the red stripes remind us of the wounds he endured. It's shaped like a shepherd’s hook because Jesus is the Good Shepard. So, hang them all over your tree or tuck them inside your stockings as a sweet reminder of why Jesus came to earth and what he did for each of us.
~An elderly neighbor became a Christmas angel to 2-year-old Cadi. Cadi’s dad, Owen, had always considered Ken, the older man next-door, a "real character." But Owen didn’t realize just how special the bond between Ken and his family was until the Ken passed away. Soon after, a knock came on Owen’s door. There stood Ken’s daughter with tears in her eyes. She held a big, plastic bag filled to the brim with surprises – 14 years’ worth of Christmas presents for the toddler who apparently held a special place in his weathered old heart. [Elderly Christmas Angel]
~Have you ever wondered where silver tinsel came from? Remember throwing it in clumps all over the tree when you were little? Well, apparently, 8-legged furry critters are behind that legend from long ago. [The Legend of the Christmas Spider] *can edit for length to 1:50
~How do you keep the focus on Christ during the Christmas season? When Emily and her husband were married, her mother-in-law gifted her a beautiful olive wood nativity set from Jerusalem. She says, "Because of its sentimental value, it’s never seen the light of day. This year, it’s coming out of its dusty box – and we’re going to carefully play with it, and talk about each figurine's role in the story of Christ’s birth." Just like his action figures, her 4-year-old calls them his "guys." These are true superheroes! Mary. too!
~Jenny had the best time with her family during ta holiday get-together. They watched Christmas movies, drank hot cocoa, and played their favorite family board game, WaHoo. It’s similar to Sorry. When her 4-year-old grandson would move his piece closer to his home base, he would squeal with excitement, saying, “I’m almost to my home!” What if we got that excited about the birth of our Savior and the promise of our home in Heaven?
VERSES:
~Matthew 2:10 (NLT)
“When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!”
~Matthew 2:9-11 (NLT)
"...the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 1When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
~Luke 2:10 (NIV)
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
~Luke 2:11 (NLT)
“The Savior–yes, the Messiah, the Lord–has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
~Luke 2:12 (NIV)
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
~Luke 2:13-14 (NLT)
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'”
~James 1:17 (NIV)
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
~Romans 15:13 (NLT)
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
~Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)
“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
~Galatians 4:6 (NLT)
“And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.”
~Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation--
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life--
of whom shall I be afraid?”
~1 John 5:11 (NLT)
“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
~John 1:14 (NIV)
“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
~Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
~Romans 6:23 (NLT)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
~Romans 12:10 (NIV)
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
TRIVIA
~Question: Which popular Christmas beverage is also called "milk punch?" Answer: Eggnog
~Question: What did the other reindeer not let Rudolph do because of his shiny red nose? Answer: Join in any reindeer games
~Question: Where was baby Jesus born? Answer: In Bethlehem
~Question: The movie Miracle on 34th Street is based on a real-life department store. What is it? Answer: Macy's
~Question: What do people traditionally put on top of a Christmas tree? Answer: An angel
~Question: In Home Alone, where are the McCallisters going on vacation when they leave Kevin behind? Answer: Paris
~Question: In the classic Christmas movie, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch was described with three words. What are they? Answer: Stink, stank, stunk
~Question: In which modern-day country was St. Nicholas born in?Answer: Turkey
~Question: What words follow "Silent Night" in the song? Answer: Holy night
~Question: Which Hollywood actor played six different roles in The Polar Express? Answer: Tom Hanks
~Question: In Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, what was the first name of Scrooge?Answer: Ebenezer
~Question: Which country did eggnog come from? Answer: England
~Question: What is Ralphie’s little brother’s name in the movie A Christmas Story? Answer: Randy
~Question: Which Christmas song contains the lyric "Everyone dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way?" Answer: "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree"
~Question: What are you supposed to do when you find yourself under the mistletoe? Answer: Kiss
~Question: Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree? Answer: Germany
~Question: What was the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time? Answer: Home Alone
~Question: Whose eyes are all aglow in "The Christmas Song?" Answer: Tiny tots
~Question: How many gifts in total were given in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song? Answer: 364
~Question: In the movie A Christmas Story, what was the name of the neighbors whose dog ate the Christmas turkey? Answer: The Bumpuses
~Question: How do you say "Merry Christmas" in Spanish? Answer: Feliz Navidad
~Question: Visions of which food danced in children's heads as they slept in the poem "'Twas The Night Before Christmas?" Answer: Sugar plums
~Question: What gift did the Little Drummer Boy give to the newborn Christ? Answer: He played a song for him on his drums
~Question: What is the best-selling Christmas song ever? Answer: "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby
~Question: Who wrote, "Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more?" Answer: Dr. Seuss
~Question: What was Frosty the Snowman's nose made out? Answer: A button
~Question: What is the name of George Bailey's guardian angel in It's A Wonderful Life? Answer: Clarence Odbody
~Question: In the 1964 movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, what was the name of Rudolph's elf friend? Answer: Hermey
~Question: What popular Christmas song was actually written for Thanksgiving? Answer: "Jingle Bells"
Parade
QUOTES
~It’s hard to imagine that our savior, the king of kings, came to earth as a helpless human baby. He had to be fed and changed like every other other child. J.I Packer says, “The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the Incarnation.”
~“Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man - His unspeakable gift of His Son, and the gift of man to God - when we present our bodies a living sacrifice.” - Vance Havner
~“The great challenge left to us is to cut through all the glitz and glam of the season that has grown increasingly secular and commercial, and be reminded of the beauty of the One who is Christmas.” - Bill Crowder
~“Our God is the God of the unexpected. Few things could be more unexpected than the King of heaven being born in a stable.” - Bill Crowder
~“Rejoice, that the immortal God is born, so that mortal man may live in eternity.” - Assorted Authors
“The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity--hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory--because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.” - J.I. Packer
~“All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” - David Jeremiah
~“You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father's face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.” - John R. Rice
~“If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: "God with us." We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!” - John MacArthur
~“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” - C.S. Lewis
~“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” - Corrie Ten Boom
~"Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world." - C.S. Lewis
~“So God throws open the door of this world—and enters as a baby. As the most vulnerable imaginable. Because He wants unimaginable intimacy with you. What religion ever had a god that wanted such intimacy with us that He came with such vulnerability to us? What God ever came so tender we could touch Him? So fragile that we could break Him? So vulnerable that His bare, beating heart could be hurt? Only the One who loves you to death.” -Ann Voskamp
~Got my nails done for the Christmas party season. The sparkly silver polish on my nails is pretty, but I put my shoes on too soon, and my toes look like those silver icicles you throw in a clump on the Christmas tree. Oops!
~Christmas Time is Here [Vince Guaraldi Trio] from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” – That’s my favorite show to watch during Christmas. It's only on Apple TV these days, so I have the DVD! Such a simple and poignant story of the reality, and chaos of the Christmas season, how we get it all mixed up with perfectionism and consumerism, and then finally finding hope in what Christmas is really all about! [Linus Luke 2]
~__ days and counting! It’s Christmastime! Now, I know that for some it’s a time of sadness, and my heart aches with you. But, the reason we celebrate - the birth of Jesus - is a reason to choose joy in the pain, to feel God’s peace, and to open your heart to the hope in his promise of brighter tomorrows! [It's Christmastime, Evvie McKinney]
~If you’re here for the Christmas music, but you’re not yet sold on the miracle story of Christ’s birth, look up at the sky right now. The Bible says, "The heavens tell of the glory of God; and their expanse declares the work of His hands." - Psalm 19:1 [Here With Me, Joy Williams]
~Lord, this Christmas season, open our hearts to rejoice in the gift of your Son. We want to love you and know you more deeply. Forgive us for the times we set our eyes on things that distract us from you and real reason we celebrate Christmas.
~What are your Christmas traditions? Here's a cute idea for the kiddos: put a bale of hay and carrots outside for the reindeer and sprinkle glitter on the ground nearby so they will spot it from the sky!
~Some ideas for Christmas activities!
-Do an Advent Bible study and out up an Advent calendar.
-Go see a model train display.
-Put out the nativity set.
-Buy gifts for your pastor.
-Make a gingerbread house.
-Drive around looking at lights.
-Bake Christmas cookies.
-Read the Book of Luke.
-Take gifts to neighbors.
-Watch your favorite Christmas movies.
-Make paper snowflakes and string popcorn.
-Have each child donate a toy to a local charity.
-Attend a Candlelight Christmas Eve service.
-Go old school and mail Christmas cards or write a family newsletter.
-Make handmade ornaments.
-Play board games.
-Go caroling in your neighborhood!
~Christmas cheer is hard to muster for some of us, especially when you’ve lost someone special. None of the trappings of the holiday seem to bring joy any more. But, we can hold onto the true joy of the season. Imagine the sound of the angels praising God and the joys of Heaven this time of year. Chin up! One foot in front of the other, and have yourself a merry little Christmas.
~If happy and joyful is a stretch for your Grinchy heart right now, Greg Laurie has some great advice: "Be grateful for what you have and enjoy the in-between moments.”
~Are you old enough to remember going through the Sears catalog to make your Christmas wish list? Then, it was Toys R Us for the next generation. Today it’s an Amazon list. But in any era, it’s important to make a wish list of things that truly matter. Let’s re-evaluate the things that we want this Christmas.
~Hey, if you've been feeling like the Grinch, turn up the Christmas music! Your heart will grow a few sizes. You might even find yourself singing along! The joy melts away the frowns away, doesn’t it?
Have you ever noticed the moment when Linus drops his security blanket in A Charlie Brown Christmas? It’s at the moment – as he’s explain the true meaning of Christmas – when he says, “fear not,” quoting the angel of the Lord. [Linus - Luke 2]
~'Tis the season...for sniffles, and sneezes and stuffy noses! If all your friends are laid up with the crud going around here's a cup of Christmas cold magic you can share with them...or yourself. Raid God's garden and make a steaming cup of steeped ginger, turmeric, lemon and local honey with a dash of black pepper. Speak God's healing over your body! And get back to your Christmas to-do list!
STORIES:
~A GI's Christmas card to his baby girl in 1944 captured fear, heartbreak, and hope just before the Battle of the Bulge during World War 2. Vincent, a 23-year-old private serving in Europe wrote a note to his family back in Boston. To his 8-month-old daughter, Carol, he said, "Maybe this will be your first letter? At least from me. I hope you are eating and doing everything Mommy asks you. To his wife, Betty, he wrote, "This card is for you, too. I hope you didn't mind me addressing it to Carol? I love you both very much and wouldn't trade you for all the money in the world. I will be thinking of you and long to picture myself there with you. No matter where I will be at the time." He closed with a cheery salutation. "Don’t forget to make the tree look swell. Merry Christmas and God watch over you both. Love you both. Santa Vin." Good news. Vincent was among the lucky ones. He survived the Battle of the Bulge. He survived World War 2 and returned home to Boston to live a full life. His daughter Carol was the oldest of his and Betty's 11 children — and then 25 grandchildren. His granddaughter, Kerry, posted a photo of the card on social media on Dec. 5 (2023) — exactly 79 years to the day after he wrote it. She says, "It’s a Christmas letter. But it's actually much more than that. It’s a love letter. It’s a goodbye letter." "White Christmas" does not mention the war, but the Bing Crosby anthem from that era so captured the hearts of the soldiers abroad that it became, and remains, the most popular song in human history.
GI Christmas Card
~Have you ever heard the legend of the candy cane? It goes something like this: An old candy maker wanted to teach local children the true meaning of Christmas so he created the confection to tell them all about Jesus. He flavored it with peppermint to remind them of the spices the wise men offered. The hard candy represents Jesus as “the rock." The white stripes symbolize his sinless life, while the red stripes remind us of the wounds he endured. It's shaped like a shepherd’s hook because Jesus is the Good Shepard. So, hang them all over your tree or tuck them inside your stockings as a sweet reminder of why Jesus came to earth and what he did for each of us.
~An elderly neighbor became a Christmas angel to 2-year-old Cadi. Cadi’s dad, Owen, had always considered Ken, the older man next-door, a "real character." But Owen didn’t realize just how special the bond between Ken and his family was until the Ken passed away. Soon after, a knock came on Owen’s door. There stood Ken’s daughter with tears in her eyes. She held a big, plastic bag filled to the brim with surprises – 14 years’ worth of Christmas presents for the toddler who apparently held a special place in his weathered old heart. [Elderly Christmas Angel]
~Have you ever wondered where silver tinsel came from? Remember throwing it in clumps all over the tree when you were little? Well, apparently, 8-legged furry critters are behind that legend from long ago. [The Legend of the Christmas Spider] *can edit for length to 1:50
~How do you keep the focus on Christ during the Christmas season? When Emily and her husband were married, her mother-in-law gifted her a beautiful olive wood nativity set from Jerusalem. She says, "Because of its sentimental value, it’s never seen the light of day. This year, it’s coming out of its dusty box – and we’re going to carefully play with it, and talk about each figurine's role in the story of Christ’s birth." Just like his action figures, her 4-year-old calls them his "guys." These are true superheroes! Mary. too!
~Jenny had the best time with her family during ta holiday get-together. They watched Christmas movies, drank hot cocoa, and played their favorite family board game, WaHoo. It’s similar to Sorry. When her 4-year-old grandson would move his piece closer to his home base, he would squeal with excitement, saying, “I’m almost to my home!” What if we got that excited about the birth of our Savior and the promise of our home in Heaven?
VERSES:
~Matthew 2:10 (NLT)
“When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!”
~Matthew 2:9-11 (NLT)
"...the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 1When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
~Luke 2:10 (NIV)
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
~Luke 2:11 (NLT)
“The Savior–yes, the Messiah, the Lord–has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
~Luke 2:12 (NIV)
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
~Luke 2:13-14 (NLT)
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'”
~James 1:17 (NIV)
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
~Romans 15:13 (NLT)
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
~Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)
“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
~Galatians 4:6 (NLT)
“And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.”
~Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation--
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life--
of whom shall I be afraid?”
~1 John 5:11 (NLT)
“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
~John 1:14 (NIV)
“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
~Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
~Romans 6:23 (NLT)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
~Romans 12:10 (NIV)
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
TRIVIA
~Question: Which popular Christmas beverage is also called "milk punch?" Answer: Eggnog
~Question: What did the other reindeer not let Rudolph do because of his shiny red nose? Answer: Join in any reindeer games
~Question: Where was baby Jesus born? Answer: In Bethlehem
~Question: The movie Miracle on 34th Street is based on a real-life department store. What is it? Answer: Macy's
~Question: What do people traditionally put on top of a Christmas tree? Answer: An angel
~Question: In Home Alone, where are the McCallisters going on vacation when they leave Kevin behind? Answer: Paris
~Question: In the classic Christmas movie, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch was described with three words. What are they? Answer: Stink, stank, stunk
~Question: In which modern-day country was St. Nicholas born in?Answer: Turkey
~Question: What words follow "Silent Night" in the song? Answer: Holy night
~Question: Which Hollywood actor played six different roles in The Polar Express? Answer: Tom Hanks
~Question: In Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, what was the first name of Scrooge?Answer: Ebenezer
~Question: Which country did eggnog come from? Answer: England
~Question: What is Ralphie’s little brother’s name in the movie A Christmas Story? Answer: Randy
~Question: Which Christmas song contains the lyric "Everyone dancing merrily in the new old-fashioned way?" Answer: "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree"
~Question: What are you supposed to do when you find yourself under the mistletoe? Answer: Kiss
~Question: Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree? Answer: Germany
~Question: What was the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time? Answer: Home Alone
~Question: Whose eyes are all aglow in "The Christmas Song?" Answer: Tiny tots
~Question: How many gifts in total were given in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song? Answer: 364
~Question: In the movie A Christmas Story, what was the name of the neighbors whose dog ate the Christmas turkey? Answer: The Bumpuses
~Question: How do you say "Merry Christmas" in Spanish? Answer: Feliz Navidad
~Question: Visions of which food danced in children's heads as they slept in the poem "'Twas The Night Before Christmas?" Answer: Sugar plums
~Question: What gift did the Little Drummer Boy give to the newborn Christ? Answer: He played a song for him on his drums
~Question: What is the best-selling Christmas song ever? Answer: "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby
~Question: Who wrote, "Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more?" Answer: Dr. Seuss
~Question: What was Frosty the Snowman's nose made out? Answer: A button
~Question: What is the name of George Bailey's guardian angel in It's A Wonderful Life? Answer: Clarence Odbody
~Question: In the 1964 movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, what was the name of Rudolph's elf friend? Answer: Hermey
~Question: What popular Christmas song was actually written for Thanksgiving? Answer: "Jingle Bells"
Parade
QUOTES
~It’s hard to imagine that our savior, the king of kings, came to earth as a helpless human baby. He had to be fed and changed like every other other child. J.I Packer says, “The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the Incarnation.”
~“Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man - His unspeakable gift of His Son, and the gift of man to God - when we present our bodies a living sacrifice.” - Vance Havner
~“The great challenge left to us is to cut through all the glitz and glam of the season that has grown increasingly secular and commercial, and be reminded of the beauty of the One who is Christmas.” - Bill Crowder
~“Our God is the God of the unexpected. Few things could be more unexpected than the King of heaven being born in a stable.” - Bill Crowder
~“Rejoice, that the immortal God is born, so that mortal man may live in eternity.” - Assorted Authors
“The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity--hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory--because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.” - J.I. Packer
~“All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” - David Jeremiah
~“You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father's face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.” - John R. Rice
~“If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: "God with us." We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!” - John MacArthur
~“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” - C.S. Lewis
~“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” - Corrie Ten Boom
~"Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world." - C.S. Lewis
~“So God throws open the door of this world—and enters as a baby. As the most vulnerable imaginable. Because He wants unimaginable intimacy with you. What religion ever had a god that wanted such intimacy with us that He came with such vulnerability to us? What God ever came so tender we could touch Him? So fragile that we could break Him? So vulnerable that His bare, beating heart could be hurt? Only the One who loves you to death.” -Ann Voskamp
