From that experience, or your own, you can probably identify some answers drive religious people crazy: Santa, gifts, Elf on the Shelf, and so on. They will shout – it’s about Jesus!
You can also probably identify some answers religious people would love. Jesus is the reason for the season. A saviour was born. God is with us.
You can see how polarizing Christmas can be! It is a religious occasion that is solemn, deep and meaningful, and yet it is also a cultural reality with rampant consumerism, time with family, funny traditions and oddities like eggnog and mistletoe.
You might think Chiristmas shouldn’t be polarizing, and that this is a new reality. But Christmas and its effect on the world was polarizing not just today, but 2000 years ago. We’ll see how later this week.
Question: How much of Christmas do you think is religious, and how much is cultural? How much Santa, how much Jesus?
Reminder: We have a great Christmas event coming December 14th, 2013: The Original Christmas Party. Hope you’re coming!
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We pray and reflect about this week's topic.
Prayer is simply talking to God. If you've never prayed before, just pause for a moment to prepare. You might close your eyes, or just turn off some distractions like the car radio. Then, talk to God, either aloud or just with your thoughts.
We use this structure to help us pray as a community:
ACTS
A - Adoration - We tell God why we want to talk to him.
C - Confession - We apologize for times we've rebelled against him and hurt ourselves, others or God directly.
T - Thanksgiving - We give thanks for God's gifts, especially the gift of his grace.
S - Supplication - We ask for things we need.
Then we say Amen!
S
