Is Christ in Christmas?

"They're trying to take Christ out of Christmas!" That's a comment I hear often in the Christian community this time of year. We get so indignant that someone should say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," But here is the thing:  They never put Christ IN Christmas - we did, coupling the birth of our Savior with a pagan holiday. 

In the 4th century CE, Christianity imported the Saturnalia festival (or winter solstice) hoping to take the pagan masses in with it.  Christian leaders succeeded in converting to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as Christians.

The exact date of birth of Jesus is unknown. In fact, most scholars believe he was born in the spring (shepherds keeping watch over their sheep is a hint). Yes, we Christians choose to put Christ into the pagan holiday. And now we scream so loudly when the "pagans" try to keep him out.

Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter, is another example of us coupling our sacred event with a pagan event. The English word "Easter" is believed to be derived from a spring festival for a pagan goddess, Eostre. And don't forget the Easter bunny and eggs, also pagan symbols that we've try to revamp into a Christian holiday.

Don't get me wrong! I love Christmas! I love having a special time to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, and give gifts to those I love. A time to celebrate family, bake treats, decorate, and sing songs of His birth. I just can't justify getting angry at those who want to take Christ out of Christmas, when they never put him there to start with.

There is no Biblical mandate to celebrate the birthday of Christ. Unlike remembering the Sabbath, or communion, where Christ clearly said, "Do this to remember me," we don't see evidence of a yearly celebration of Christ's birthday. So I think to take a stance against those who happen to utter "Happy Holidays" is arrogant.

And maybe, just maybe, if instead of getting angry we showed them God's love, they might be able to find Christ in us, and then have a reason to say "Merry Christmas" after all.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Crowned

It started out like a normal shopping experience. Two cashiers were checking out customers from one line at the retail department store. The customer, an older woman, was disappointed because they only had 1 sweater left. The sales associate offered, "Let me go check the back room."

I'll admit it. Selfishly, I was annoyed. One less cashier meant a slower moving line. But soon enough I was up to the other cashier and began checking out. As I did, the first cashier, Lori, came back. "I found them!" she exclaimed to the now thrilled customer, continuing, "It was a 'Thank You Jesus' moment."

I finished my purchase and walked away. Lori was clearly a Christian, and showing it both by going the extra mile for her customer, and giving Jesus the glory. This deserved a crowning moment! 

Recently I became award of "Crowned Women's Ministries." It's a lovely ministry that provides crown necklaces as outreach tools. You can either wear one, and give it to someone when they compliment you on it as you share the gospel with them, or give it to someone who needs encouragement. I had mine in my purse, just waiting for the right moment. 

I got back in line.  As I finally made my way to Lori, she remembered me. "Back again, huh?" I handed her the crown necklace in it's pink pouch. "I heard you say 'Thank you Jesus,' and thought it was a crowning moment. I'd just like to remind you that you are chosen, wonderfully made, dearly loved and a daughter of the king," I told her, using the verbiage on the back of the necklace card. 

"You don't know what this means to me!" Then she looked me in the eye, the way you do when you're being serious with someone and said again, "You don't know what this means to me. This is the 5th day that I haven't been crying." She leaned over the retail counter and hugged me, and I said "Jesus loves you" and went on my way. As I walked away I heard her exclaiming joyfully to a co-worker, "Can you believe that?!!"

Honestly, it's scary to put yourself out there as a Christian. The reason I love "Crowned by the King" is that there are so many ways to use it out as an outreach tool. I used it to encourage. I don't know what Lori's been going through, but I know that she's had reason to cry, yet still she was thanking Jesus boldly in a retail store. She deserved to be crowned, and I'm so glad Jesus used me to encourage her.

Who can you encourage today?  Check out Crowned by the King ministries, and learn how you can bless women. I can honestly say I was almost moved to tears, and I was as blessed as my sister in Christ, Lori.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Where is the Light in the Darkness?

Where was God during the Sandy Hook school shooting? How do you explain the unfathomable? I don't have the answers. But I thought I would share something my Pastor said on Sunday.

Jesus is the light of the world. Imagine a lighthouse. It doesn't stop the darkness. It simply emits light to aid navigation in the darkness. Jesus is there to show us the way, even in the darkness of the evil. He didn't stop the evil, but he is still there shining the light, showing us the way if we look toward him.  

A sailor can chose to ignore a lighthouse, and may crash into dangerous coastlines or reefs. And people can chose to ignore the Light, Jesus, and cause the world to come crashing in on themselves and others. 

Jesus came to be our Immanuel - God with us. He is still with us. Even in the midst of darkness, he is shining his light. Seek his guidance, and reflect his light to the world.

 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Everyday Matters Bible for Women - Review

How does one review a Bible? It's not a stretch to say, "This book will be life changing! It's the best book I've ever read." But no, I'm not reviewing the contents of the Bible, rather the features of this Everyday Matters Bible for Women (NLT). 

This is a beautiful Bible and would make a wonderful gift for a woman in your life. It is a hardback bound Bible, with a dust jacket that matches the hard cover. It has a beautiful blue cover, with pink flowers on the front, and my favorite little feature, a hot pink bookmark!

But beyond the cover, this Bible offers so much more. It features twenty-four disciplines—or practices—that position us to receive power and strength to do those things that we cannot possibly do on our own and make everyday life fuller and deeper. Each discipline is represented by a colorful icon whose illustration is a reminder of its meaning.

The contemporary language of the New Living Translation combines with content from today’s foremost Christian leaders to help readers understand and apply spiritual discipline.

Every discipline is explored in four ways:

• Everyday Matters. Two-page articles introduce major themes and focus on an essential part of understanding and practicing a discipline.
• Everyday Profiles. Profiles of twenty-five Biblical women highlight a particular discipline.
• Everyday Q & A’s. Short articles delve into a difficult aspect of the spiritual practice and offer practical help on incorporating the discipline into your daily life.
• Everyday Reflections. Selections illustrate ways to personalize and apply God’s Word to your own situation.

More than 300 articles and features by more than 140 of today’s most well-known Christian leaders and writers, including: Kay Warren, Priscilla Shirer, Elisa Morgan, Nancy & John Ortberg, Richard Foster, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Lauren Winner.

Special Features include . . .
• 4-color throughout
• Color-coded icons identify each Spiritual Discipline addressed in contributors’ material
• How to Use This Bible in a Small Group Study 

 The only negative about the Bible is that the Chapter names are printed on each page in a pale gray font. Because the names are not prominent in a dark font, it would make navigating the chapters difficult for someone who is not familiar with the layout of the Bible. 

Overall, I give the Everyday Matters Bible for Women 4 out of 5 stars.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Filled Up and Prayed Up

'Tis the season for family events, and lots of them. Most of the time family events are wonderful. Still, sometimes they can leave you feeling stressed and sad if you don't have the "perfect" family. (Who does?) Unmet expectations, and baggage from our past are dragged into the "fun, festive" events of the season, making for some rough interactions. But I've learned a secret.  If I'm filled up and prayed up - I don't get fed up!

Filled up is simple. I don't look to my extended family to define my worth. So what if they make that little jab, don't notice all the hard work I did preparing, or don't like the gift that I thought they'd love. I have filled up my "love tank" with my value through God's eyes. These are just a few the verses I fill up with, but you should pick your own.

"Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." Psalm 27:10

"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will 

take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, 

but will rejoice over you with singing” Zephaniah 3:17

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 

God’s special possession...." 2 Peter 2:9

Second I make sure I am prayed up. Before an event, I spend special time in prayer. I ask God to guard my mouth against saying anything to hurt any of my family, and to guard my heart against harmful words that may be aimed at me, intentionally or unintentionally.  I pray for my family members to not be hurt as well. I pray that I may remain an adult, and not revert back to childhood family dynamics. I pray.

Now, I truly enjoy family events...usually. But even when I am weary, I am no longer hurt. Because I know who I am and who I am no longer. I am a daughter of the King of Kings...and He thinks I am to die for!

Why not try getting filled up and prayed up before you next family event?  It truly makes a difference, and you'll discover when you're filled up and prayed up, you won't get fed up and let down.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

The Real Thing

I remember when I used to drink caffeine free soda. I convinced myself that it tasted the same, but when I went back to real soda.  Mmmm, there was a difference. The fizz, the burn, the buzz.  Real soda trumps caffeine free.

I remember when I used to eat fat free frozen yogurt. I convinced myself that it was the same as ice cream, but when I tasted real ice cream. Oh, there was a difference. The smoothness, the richness, the flavor. Real ice cream trumps frozen yogurt.

I remember when I thought that going to church was enough. I convinced myself that it was enough to believe in God, and go to church, and be a "good person." But when I started a relationship with Jesus, spending time in the Bible, with real prayer (just talking to God!), and praise (honoring him with my words) - Gracious, there was a difference. The relationship, the love, the peace. Relationship trumps religion.

Have you missing out on the Real Thing? Accepting Jesus as you Savior is a wonderful thing. But the relationship is what makes a difference. Once you experience spending that time with Him, and fullness that accompanies it, you'll never want to go back to lesser things.

Spend some time in the Bible today. (I recommend reading Isaiah 55). Read it out loud and feel the words. Drink in God's love, feel the joy and peace. Praise him. Experience the Real Thing, taste and see that the Lord is good.

I've recently started a new job, and my blogging has dropped off as a result. 
Please accept my apology for not writing consistently, as I start balancing 
the additional role of working mom in my life. 

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

The High Cost of Free

FREE!!  It's a word that gets our attention. What could be better than free? Lately, I've been considering the high cost that often comes with free.

The other day, as I grocery shopped, I saw Pretzel M&Ms on sale, buy one jumbo bag, get one FREE! The M&Ms weren't on my list. But suddenly I was contemplating not having just one bag, but TWO JUMBO bags of M&Ms at my house. After all, one was FREE!!  But then I considered the 10 pounds I'd lost over the past 6 weeks, and realized that while "free," I would be paying a high cost with my weight. There was a price to pay for those free M&Ms. I left them at the store.

Adam and Eve paid a high cost with their "free" will. God told them not to eat from a certain tree in the garden. And though all the other trees were available, they were "free" to decide to eat from that tree, even though God said no. They did. The cost they paid was separation from God, leaving the perfect garden of Eden, and bringing sin into the world.

We too have free will. We can choose to accept Jesus as our Savior, or not. Many people every day choose by "free" will not to accept him. And the cost associated with that "free" is death. Eternal death. 

The cost of sin is death. And that is a high price to pay. But we sinners can be made free in Christ, by using our free will to accept his free gift of eternal life. The high cost of our freedom was paid by Christ, so that we can be free, indeed.

So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. John 8:36

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com