2008-12-01T12:27:07-05:00 GCI info@gospel.com http://www.gospel.com/feeds/topics/christmas http://thinkchristian.net/ 2008-12-01T12:27:07-05:00 The Friday after Thanksgiving is usually one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the US. This year, despite terrible economic conditions, Black Friday spending was up 3%. As many of you may have seen in the headlines, the rush to buy discounted TV’s, computers and other things lead to the trampling death of Jdimypai Damour, a Wal-Mart seasonal employee in Long Island, NY. So I guess the question I’m trying to ask is, how do we handle this as Christians? I see a lot of stuff saying buy less, which is probably a good thing, but most of us will still be in the stores buying gifts. Where were the people trying to help Jdimypai after he was knocked over? Most news accounts say people didn’t stop to help. How can we take a consumer event like a busy shopping day and use it to show how Christians are supposed to live differently? Picketing doesn’t count. http://hutchcraft.com/Life-Issues/Angels/Whatever-Happened-to-Peace-on-Earth 2008-11-19T14:45:28-05:00 The phrase "peace on earth" wasn't invented by a greeting card company. It was part of the birth announcement of the first Christmas, delivered by angels from heaven to shepherds in the field watching over their sheep. Luke 2:13-14 from the Word of God says, "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.'" http://hutchcraft.com/A-Word-With-You/Your-Most-Important-Relationship/Strange-Words-For-a-New-Mom-4423 2008-08-28T14:15:17-05:00 Following the Jewish custom, Mary and Joseph brought their baby boy to the temple to be circumcised, just eight days after that first Christmas. God had someone waiting for them there - an old man named Simeon who had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the One he called "the Lord's Christ." He actually held the baby in his arms and praised God for sending Him. http://hutchcraft.com/A-Word-With-You/Your-Most-Important-Relationship/The-Real-Christmas-People-4681 2008-08-25T10:29:49-05:00 Maybe even in these countdown days to Christmas, you can pray for God to open up some amazing opportunities to tell someone about Him - why He came, why He died, and what He does when we open our life to Him. http://circuitriter.gospelcom.net/article/?article_id=93 2008-08-20T23:55:05-05:00 Do you pay attention to the Bible or to tradition at Christmas time? What is the real focus of Christmas? Get a clue here as you peek into the manger. http://hutchcraft.com/A-Word-With-You/Your-Most-Important-Relationship/The-Christmas-Promise-that-Changes-Every-Equation-4160 2008-08-18T12:21:43-05:00 There are those three words - "God with us." A God, who like my father with the bully, is bigger than everything that's bigger than you are. And that awesome God is with you as you face whatever is bigger than you are. The decisive difference of God's presence with you isn't just portrayed here in the Christmas Story - it's all through the Bible. http://hutchcraft.com/A-Word-With-You/Your-Most-Important-Relationship/Playing-Your-Part-in-the-Christmas-Story-4161 2008-08-18T12:20:37-05:00 As we count down to Christmas, I'd like to invite you into the Christmas Story. To play the part my wife was playing. You won't have to crawl around the floor saying "baaaa" - but you will be asked to be what Jesus says we are - sheep. http://hutchcraft.com/A-Word-With-You/Your-Most-Important-Relationship/Whatever-Happened-to-Peace-on-Earth-4162 2008-08-18T12:19:35-05:00 The phrase "peace on earth" wasn't invented by some greeting card company. It was part of the birth announcement of the first Christmas. The one delivered by angels from heaven to shepherds in the field, watching over their sheep. http://hutchcraft.com/A-Word-With-You/Your-Most-Important-Relationship/The-Name-on-the-Gift-4163 2008-08-18T12:18:46-05:00 I can't think of anything more exciting for you this Christmas than to look at the gift and realize that it's got your name on it. The gift God sent Jesus to give you, that is. http://hutchcraft.com/A-Word-With-You/Your-Most-Important-Relationship/Christmas-Eagles-5202 2008-08-04T12:28:15-05:00 Both Mary and Joseph were blasted out of their comfort zones to be the ones through whom Christ would come to the world. It's still that way today. This Christmas season, God's been stirring up your nest, asking you to do something in obedience to Him that is not comfortable, that doesn't look safe.