"Knowing the certainty of things you have been taught."

What I used to stress about more than anything was putting Christ back in Christmas. Oh, don't think that I think he ever left, but do know that I know that we have often turned our backs on him, neglected him, or just put him on hold, and there's no potential to do it more than at Christmas, because that is when we start to think of others and their wants and needs, all in the name of Jesus. I used to pity my mother when she would talk about getting an orange in her stocking (a sock) and if they were really lucky, a peppermint stick and an old handmade rag doll, which she always cherished. They grew up in south Georgia, and life was simple in a complicated way. (Literally, the dolls were made from old rags that had accumulated throughout the years, probably left over from quilting, etc.) The point here is, she and her siblings were always thankful for the little they got. I think that's the way it is supposed to be, and it's not always.

I just looked online at the news and discovered Rachel Duffy's column on "Christians to Blame for a Secular Christmas." Here is a portion of what she had to say: "If Christians truly desire to bring sacredness and religious significance back to Christmas, then it's silly to look to retailers or the First Family. Instead, let it begin, as charity does, at home. Families can start by reintroducing the season of Advent and the spirit of reflection and spiritual preparation that once occupied the four weeks leading up to Christmas.

Instead of allowing ourselves to get swept up in the whirlwind of "holiday" parties, useless gift exchanges and harried shopping, we can use those weeks to prepare our hearts and homes in meaningful ways for the Prince of Peace. Make time for family prayer, singing and the lighting of the Advent wreath. Choose cards and decorations that have religious significance.

How many homes have a prominently displayed nativity scene at Christmas time? My guess is not too many. The same goes for Christmas carols. Does your playlist include more Frosty and Santa Baby than Silent Night and Handel's Messiah? How about keeping those lights on and the tree in the house for the twelve days of Christmas - you know the twelve that follow Christmas day. Or consider caroling or having a Christmas gathering after December 25th? We have only ourselves to blame when we lose these beautiful traditions.

Should Christians be concerned about the secularization of Christmas? Sure they should. I resent school "winter" concerts, "holiday" parades, and the ridiculous fear that prevents people from wishing each other "Merry Christmas!" with total abandon.

But Christmas starts with us. In our hearts. In our homes. And in a very simple decision to reclaim the silence, joy, and quiet simplicity of that first Christmas in Bethlehem when God chose to speak to mankind in the small cry of a newborn baby."

I feel compelled for the next few weeks to give myself and readers a reminder of "the reason for the season." The Christmas Story was prophesied in the Old Testament many times, most notably in the books of Psalms and Isaiah (7:14; 50:6; 53). Most of my New Testament references are from Luke, because I love the way it starts out:

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

It just makes sense to "know the certainty of the things you have been taught, " doesn't it?

It really began with God, the creator of heaven, earth, its contents, and all mankind, having a very special plan since before the beginning of time. God knew His image-bearers, MANKIND, would someday grow tired of paradise here on earth, and take their eyes off Him. We all know the story of Adam and Eve and the fall of man. (If not, Google "The Book of Genesis." ) The first and classic case of, "I want to do it MY way." We've paid for that decision that put up a barrier between us and God, (sin, which is turning away from God) ever since.

The GOOD NEWS (Gospel) is that God foresaw it all and knew the very day and hour that He was going to save us from eternal death, because that is the result of sin. He knew that it would require Him making a personal appearance to get our attention, because you see, through the course of time, His children began to create other gods in a desperate attempt to restore their broken relationship with Him. (This helps explain that deep yearning that is never satisfied fully, but can be satiated in ways that benefit us and others when we seek Him, or that drive us further away from Him when our attention is drawn away from Him through other man-made gods...money, addictions/habits, position, power; you get the idea.) His Word tells us that He is a jealous God, protective of His children, as any good parent would be.

There's more. Meditate on this until the next blog: "I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For I am the Lord your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar --the Lord Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand--I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, 'You are my people.' "