THAT’S WHAT CHRISTMAS IS REALLY ABOUT

by
Maria Kyriopoulos

During the season of high spirits and heart felt wishes of good cheer to friends and family we forget the One who first told us to “be of good cheer”. Christmas is supposed to be focused around Jesus Christ and yet He is the last one on our mind.
When the word “Christmas” is mentioned memories abound of last minute shopping, wrapping paper strewn over the couches, tape stuck to the walls and cranberry sauce bubbling over the stove five minutes before a company of twenty are due to arrive. Of coarse there is no time to think about anything else when Christmas produces such chaos. Every year I put up Christmas lights mainly because it looks beautiful. My Christmas decorations and adorned tree make my house warm and cozy. The gingerbread-scented candles, hot apple cider brimming in our mugs and sugar cookies add to the ambiance and continue the traditions I’ve started in our family. I get so wrapped up in it all that it is a shock to realize that even I, a minister’s wife, can forget the most important ingredient of the season – Jesus Christ, the One who gave us a reason to celebrate.

Perhaps many don’t even stop and wonder why they celebrate or put up trees and lights, and it’s definitely a challenge to try and keep the true meaning of Christmas, as it’s become so commercialized and so material: People are teeming in the malls, planning menus, mailing out cards, (in which, I too participate). No one is really taking the time; to sit around the fire and read the Bible story while pondering the goodness and peace that Christmas should bring.
My mother never went to great lengths to decorate. She even threw the Christmas tree out when we got older. We spent time with family, roasting chestnuts in the fire, singing together, going to church. Simplicity was her motto and we each received one ten-dollar gift (no stockings please!). It was a deeply meaningful time, a central focus to our lives as it was a hundred years ago, when going to church was a way of life not just a once a year outing.

I recently read an article by Rona Maynard, who promoted spending Christmas at home. In her article, the writer explained how she tried spending Christmas abroad, in London, and although not a churchgoer, she went to a church and was disappointed with the service. “[It] had no white-robed choir”. Why go to church just for the sake of Christmas Day? And secondly, her reason was to find a church that had “a world-famous choir” with “not one but three organs”. There was no mention of finding a place so she could worship the Creator but she was looking for “the old-world ritual, the pageantry of the season” instead. In another article in the same magazine the question was asked, “What gift has meant most to you?” Many wrote in with every answer under the sun except the right one - Eternal Salvation.
I also get a little disappointed every year when I see displays of Santa as if he were the true Father of the season. The library display had various forms of “Christmas” books and only one that mentioned the nativity and that a story of children who were working on the play. Where were the books on Jesus Christ and his sacrifice leaving his throne on high to come to a lowly manger?

Christ came at a time when the people were being oppressed by Rome. He came to lift the burdens of the people, saying, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Today, we live in fear with terrorist attacks, illnesses, natural disasters, wars, famines, all over the world, lost loved ones, homes and means of livelihood. Amidst it all, though, the spirit of Christ is sent here to be our peace and salvation. “The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him”. That’s what we sing in ‘What Child Is This’. But do we mean it? When we sing ‘The First Noel’, “With one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, That made heaven and earth of naught, And with His blood mankind hath bought”? In order to have this peace we must first accept Jesus in our hearts.

Though there are many differences between the first Christmas and today’s Christmas, there are a few similarities. As there was no room in the inn then, today there seems to be no room for Christ in our festivities and hearts. Secondly, Herod let out a decree to kill all children born in Bethlehem; people were sent to kill Christ since rumor was that a king was born. Today, people want to remove Christ from his own birthday, to destroy any traces of him starting with one thing at a time. For example: Halifax always sends a Christmas tree to Boston every year ever since they helped them in the Halifax explosion of 1917. But Boston complained that it said “Christmas” tree instead of “Holiday” tree on the box. I’m proud to say that Halifax replied, “If you don’t like it, send it back, but we refuse to label it Holiday Tree.” Three huge cheers for Halifax!!!
Unfortunately a courtroom in Ontario had a Christmas tree and some people were upset because it was a "Christian symbol"(which in fact is not), and they had it removed. If those people chose not to celebrate, fine, but what is wrong with Christian symbolism? Is it that dreadful and offensive? A minister handed out a Christmas tract and was rejected, but the man who rejected the tract his house itself was adorned with enough Christmas lights to supply the whole town with electricity! Why be a hypocrite? If you celebrate Christmas, isn’t it only normal to celebrate Christ’s birth?

It is a time of year when everyone can come together in the same mindset, seeking to help others, to give gifts, to be more openhearted to each other; there is nothing wrong with that. Nothing better than the spirit of Jesus can bring people together. Have you ever seen a Jew, a Greek, an Arab, a Turk, a German hug and be good friends? I have and I could bring you to more than one church and find all nations united under one roof (that’s more than the United Nations has accomplished).

I even feel closer to people this time of year, and somehow bold enough to approach and reach out to them. Maybe next year I won’t buy my kids five gifts each and shop for more decorations; maybe I’ll spend the money to buy gifts for those who are in greater need. And perhaps I don’t need to spend so much time decorating the tree and house so lavishly; I’ll take my children to sing carols to some lonely widows nearby instead. We should all try to do that, and not just once a year but also every day. a couple years ago, I baked some cookies and handed a box full to some neighbors, on top of each box I placed a Christmas tract. Last year I made homemade cappuccino. It only takes a small effort and a creative idea to reach out to some people who need to hear the good news. Let’s not keep Christmas to ourselves but share it with others.


When Leonardo De Vinci painted, “The Last Supper”, he asked a friend to give his opinion on it. His friend said the cup Jesus was holding was so wonderful and real. Leonardo then, took his brush and brushed over the sparkling cup. He did not want anything to detract from the figure of Christ. So let it be with Christmas that its commercial, material side does not consume us so much that we forget about Him, that we allow it to remind us of His love bringing our hearts and minds closer to Him.

Peculiar People

Okay, so i'm wierd. At least the message I heard last week made me feel normal being wierd. David's men were wierd like Abino : his pleasure is the spear. He killed 800 guys within minutes or couple of hours. He enjoyed his spear a little too much and killing a little more than that. They were just a bunch of rejects that no one wanted -- not even king Saul wanted. But God was able to use them.
Jesus draws the outcasts, the wierdo's -- (just look at my church). But i have often wondered why I felt so peculiar growing up. I went to greek school where everyone had to do their cross, learn about the 12 gods... and i went to an english public school at the same time where singing about santa claus was "normal". Growing up in a christian home, I never fit in the public school or greek school.... I never believed in santa, I only knew one God not 12 false ones. Looking back, perhaps God was training me to never get used to fitting in. Now i am a greek city girl in an anglo countryside. So being "different" is a way of life for me. We will never fit in in the world, but God gives us other peculiar people to "fit" in with as we strive to do God's service.

Whether I do not fit in or feel like a reject it is so reassuring that God thinks me useful. My gifts mean nothing to this world but God is the one who gave them to me to be used for His glory and honour.

Whenever I try to estimate myself according to the world I fail. I finally realized that in God's eyes I was worth dying for worth being used for Him. Not because i am so worthy but because His worth is in me. He has placed His gifts in me, He can make me useable. With His Son in me that is all He sees, and I pray that's all the world will see too.

Christ magnified in my body.

The Wilderness

I was reading in Deuteronomy, with an attitude of: Oh I hope God gives me something out of that book! I should of read it expecting God to speak to me, nonetheless, he did. Deut 8 what an amazing chapter. It answers many questions a Christian will have if he indeed is trying to follow the Lord.
Sometimes the Lord leads us in the wilderness, a dry, hungry place. It is to humble us to see what’s in our heart. Will we keep God’s commandments in bad times? Do we love God enough in the rough valleys? When we don’t know how we will pay the next bill, or if we’ll ever stop breathing all that carbon monoxide from the smoke of our woodstove and die of lung cancer instead? Or when the van breaks down and the chimney has fallen down the roof or you’re lying in bed with your kids with no heat in the dead of a winter storm night wondering if you’ll fall asleep or even wake up at all?

Deut 8:2,3 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

He suffers us to be hungry sometimes, but he feeds us with manna (God’s Word) to show us we need his word more than meat. Job 23:12 “…I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” To prove to us we can survive in those trials (hunger pangs), if we read and practice God’s Word.
I remember when I was pregnant and 1 hr away from home, boy was I hungry. I had no money and no food on me, but the Lord provided. I never said a thing to a soul but a good Christian brother, bought me a Mcdonald’s hamburger. And though I never ate one in my life or wished too before that moment, I gobbled it down with no problem. Praise God!

Sometimes God leads us through dessert to chastise us. He wants to teach us to fear Him and walk in His ways.
But then (my favorite part): vs7-9 For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, …a land of.. water..oil of olive..honey.. eat bread without scarceness…
No dry brown water from the well! No more walking into the house as if you stepped into a huge walk in freezer and beware lest you touch anything and stick to it!

He WILL take care of us and bless us. We won’t lack anything. (I get unlimited supply of pure olive oil shipped from Greece). He does it because when we are full (vs. 10) we will be thankful to God we will appreciate His goodness more. We will be motivated to serve Him.
But when we have eaten and are full and built goodly houses (thank God for my new home!) Beware! Let us not forget all the goodness God has given us and be thankful always.

Beauty of Holiness

The outside of the tabernacle wasn't much to look at. It was made with goats hair! It was probably nothing special to look at at. But inside it was beautiful; everything was gold and arrayed with blue,purple, linen... Just like us real ugly on the outside but the real beauty is inside of us -- Jesus.
The antichrist (King of tyrus a type of him) is said to be perfect in beauty. On the outside only. But full of wickedness within.

When we enter the outercourt we make a sacrifice ; confess our sins.
A continual burnt offering there was; pray without ceasing.
We wash our hands in the laver; we allow God's forgiveness and blood to make us clean.
Then we go in the holy place:
The bread; Reading of God's word daily. Quote promises be thankful.
Candlestick; renewing of our spirit.
Altar of Incense; our prayers are a sweet smelling sacrifice.
The Holy of Holies; Jesus who maketh intercession for us.

Psalms 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

There is beauty in holiness that comes from within. Only when we confess our sins and allow the blood to wash us white can we be holy. And that is beautiful because it reflects all of God's love and faithfulness. And it begins by prayer.

Never Alone

Sometimes I have to fight feelings of loneliness. You can be alone but not feel lonely. It is something I sometimes struggle with even when I am surrounded by people. I don’t think its right I think it more of a pity party. I wonder what Jesus really felt when he was on earth. Lonely is the path he chose and the one I chose. I made the choice of following God’s footsteps. No one has forced me to be where I am today. Jesus was amongst people but He spent time alone too. He even was left alone on the cross even by God almighty. At least no matter what I feel I know I am NEVER really alone all because of what Jesus has done for me.
Jesus was also betrayed; I have by people who were “blood” related and those who were not, in the ministry and without. I know the church we were part of turned back on us in the past and at the same time my mother was dying. I did not remember receiving phone calls to see how I was. Not even from cousins or aunts or those who were my closest friends. I don’t want to sound pitiful and I don’t hold it against anyone I am just stating the facts. Too many expectations are not very fruitful. I heard once that the more expectations you put on people the more likely you are to be disappointed. I hope no one expects much out of me because they will surely get disappointed.
The Lord has expectations of me and I really want to go thru with them, I don’t want to stand before him ashamed I don’t want to disappoint him but I know I do everyday. To much is given much is required. He has given me so much and I know he expects more from me than others. I just hope his patience has not run thin with me yet because I am slow at learning and sometimes I need a good kick in the rear from time to time.

Exodus 24:2 And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.

When you go closer to God you will find the crowd around you getting thinner and thinner.

Job must have felt lonely, losing not everything but everyone but his wife and even his friends were no help.

But John 16:32 says, “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”

No matter what I feel inside I know that I am never alone

Be Filled With The Spirit

The more we are mistreated cause of our love and faithfulness to Christ, the more Christ manifests his acceptance of us. If we love God with all our heart we will not allow those mistreatements of the world’s to hinder our pouring out of precious oil to our Lord.
One way to do that and one way to love Christ more is to be broken-hearted.
When trials and afflictions break our hearts it is then that we turn to Him and count Him more precious more worthy. Repentance of sin and lowliness of heart, not being self-sufficient but leaning on Christ will bring us closer to Him therefore more able to withstand the wiles of the world or devil. Trials and troubles are not so terrible after all; if we allow God to use them for His glory and honor.

Christ poured his soul unto death for us – can we not pour out our soul (our precious oil, our Spirit) unto Him?

The more we allow God to fill us up with His Spirit the more Sprit-filled we are, then the more we have to pour out to Him.

Let God fill us with His Spirit then let Him break us and allow the ointment of oil to be spilled for Him.

Trials of our Faith...

I was having a discussion with my husband about God allowing suffering. I used to fear about my next trial before it came. What I didn't know then but know now is that each trial though seems difficult at the time, it passes and strengthens me. So when the next trial comes knocking at my door, I am much more capable much more stronger because I am much more reliant on God. Once I've seen Him bring me through tough times my trust in Him grows. I develop a peacable comfort during those times that can not be explained but felt. Amidst the turmoil churning in my heart, the deep anguish of my troubled soul, I feel a supernatural strength, a closeness to God. The bible likens our sorrow to a woman travailing in birth, but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. It was only during my last labor with child number three that I realized how helpful breathing techniques could be. When the contraction begins and the pain seems too strong to bear, that is when you should not tense your muscles but relax as much as possible while you begin to breath properly. It was the hardest thing to do! Just when I felt the pain the worst that is when I felt the need to tense up the most. But when I fought that feeling and relaxed the pain lessened to the point where it was bearable! I realized just minutes ago that it was the same with our trials. When we feel the most pain the most turmoil-- that is when we need to be still and lean on Christ. Our flesh fights but when we allow our spirit to win what victory what peace engulfs us and the pain is hardly there!

Freedom Is Becoming Obsolete

I watched a documentary called "Expelled". It shows how we are becoming comunistic. A bunch of scientists that are atheists(into Darwinism) try to go about science by placing their world view above science instead of vice versa. Evolution is a theory not a fact, 1st law of Biology and 2nd Law of thermodynamics must become obsolete first. I have never seen a wrist watch created by itself. Everything is made with an intelligent designer behind it all. We are having a problem at the schools here because children are wearing religious t-shirts and not rainbow ones. Where is our freedom? Freedom of speech and expression has been part of our world because of people who wanted religious freedom. I don't recall atheists giving headway to anything so liberating. In fact atheistic countries all are comunistic and allow no freedom to the individual. In fact Darwinism creates eugenics(selective breeding) just like Hitler did. These atheists want to eliminate religious freedom(selective breeding). They are allowed their distorted sense of view because of God fearing individuals that have fought for freedom. I haven't seen yet an atheist who has fought for his/her country. I only know of one place that unites Arab with Jew, Greek andTurk, etc... under one roof and that is church. We must fight for our freedom, stand up for the right to preach the truth, and it begins with one person - You.

Maria.

It Was Worth It All

Faced with sore abuse and scorn
Death for life, die to be born
On this cross i am made unknown
And from my father left all alone
My own disciple denied me thrice
But what am i to do but pay their price
Left there to bleed -- all my love
I was the promise seed
They saw in my disfigured face
That I wanted them to bathe in my grace
They saw in me their eternal life would be a bliss
To know it really began from just a kiss
Hurting me now when will this pain end
But once your heart opens letting me come in,
It was all worth it
It was worth it all.

Let Him Have His Way

Since writing Move Me, I have experienced tremendous pain. I did ask God to allow whatever brought me closer to Him in my life. Last night I could not sleep because of the pain, I found myself reading "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. If God has put his call on you He will do to you as He has not with other people. God is breaking us, molding us, whatever he chooses. Why He is doing it, we don't know. We must let Him have His way.

Move me Lord

Standing on the edge of the cliff, facing the cold waves crashing against the rocky shore hands held open feeling the breeze sweep across everything standing still. A promising taunting as if daring to move the cliff underneath me.
"If you can move this mountain, just please won't you move me!"
Whether its the whisper of death's sudden cold chill, the laughter of sweet fellowship or the burning incense of prayer, as long as it moves me closer to thee Lord...

Move me into thine embrace
Help me run this race
To leave this world with a trace
Of God's forgiving grace

Up That Lonely Hill

I went for a jog, on my way back I decided to walk up the hill and then begin jogging on the flat road up ahead. As I began the walk up I felt my muscles exert tremendous effort and the realization of how tired I really was, kicked in.
A thought struck me about the Lord. He walked up a hill much higher than this one, he was much more tired than I and he bore a cross on his shoulders. If I did not continue my significantly small trek towards my house I would never get home. Eventually my husband would drive around and look for me. But if Jesus gave up and never finished that long walk none of us would have gotten home – that is, our heavenly home. Would someone come looking for Jesus and take him up to the hill? And if anyone loved him enough they may not have let him finish that walk up, knowing it was his death. They might have thought it a favor not to help him up Golgotha hill. It was important for him to go on even with no help (but God’s help).
We must continue, never giving up never waiting for a rescue, sometimes a rescue may ruin us. We must keep climbing up and not looking but heavenwards for help. We may never get rescued but we must go on nonetheless. We must never let anything stop us from “getting there”.
Hebrews 12:1,2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”