Clever Free Methodist

“Merry Christmas!” We say it often this time of year in preparation for December 25 th and recognizing the birth of Jesus Christ. As many times as we greet each other with this phrase, have we ever wondered it’s origin? After all, what is a “Christmas?”   The word “Christmas” comes from an old English phrase “Christes maesse” that means “Christ’s Mass.” We know that “Mass” means “sending forth” which is what God chose to do with His son…send Him forth into the world. John 1:14 , “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”   The word “Mass” was a common term (and still used in some Churches today) for the weekly gathering of worship. In most cases, the Protestant churches today simply call this gathering “Church” or “Worship” in reference to the main, weekly Sunday service.   So, when we say, “Christmas,” we are actually saying “The Mass of Christ” or “The Chu

  God the Father has never stopped His passion of revealing Himself to us so that we can have a loving relationship with Him. We read in Jeremiah 31:3 , “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.” This reminds me of James 4:8 , “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” Our Heavenly Father has no intentions of hiding or making it difficult to draw near to Him for a loving, personal and intimate relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus. Our only requirement is that we want this relationship desperately enough to pursue it. We must make the decision as well as the effort for such a personal relationship. Jeremiah 29:13 , “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” It isn’t a matter of whether or not you have never heard of Him, lost touch through neglect, allowed life’s circumstances to affect your beliefs negatively, or have had your faith awakened to this opportunity. The fact remains, God wants

                                                    “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing.   “Joy to the world” is perhaps one of the more popular Christmas hymns that is probably sung more than once each season. Were you aware of its unique heritage? Written by Isaac Watts in 1719 , it was based off of Psalm 98:4-9, Psalm 96:11-12, and Genesis 3:17-18. The song celebrates and highlights Christ’s second coming (Advent) as the Prince of Peace much more than the first (birth/Messiah).   It speaks as an expression of joy over the marvelous works of God to bring salvation to the world through the babe of Bethlehem who is Christ the Lord. As Psalm 96:11-12 , tells us, “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”   In fact, if you want to get

  There is a very interesting exchange during the conversation between Jesus and Pilate on whether Jesus is really a King. Jesus answers in John 18:36 , “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, and receive Him as Lord and Savior, we too, become a part of that Kingdom that is “not of this world.” Philippians 3:10 , “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” If we are Christians and we now know that we are citizens of Heaven, then it is a logical conclusion to not only say that we are citizens, but to live and show proof that we are such citizens. We should not only talk and act like heavenly citizens, but promote the Good News of this “coming Kingdom” so that others may become aware so that they can give their lives to