Why do people sometimes refer to Christmas as “Xmas”? The Greek word for “Christ” is “Christos”; “Ch” in Greek is the letter X (pronounced kai). “Xmas” therefore can be a short form of “Christos-mas” or “Christmas.”

In the Old Testament, the “name” of God denotes His presence and personality, His character and power. God told Moses that His name is Yahweh, which means “the One who was, is, and ever shall be.” God’s people are invited to know and trust the eternal, never-changing, omnipresent Lord of the universe.

Why are candles a part of our Christmas traditions? We light candles to welcome the Light of the world into our hearts.

When you light a candle this year, as a part of your Christmas celebration, remember He who has come to shine in every heart that is receptive to Him.

Why do Germans say froeliche weihnachten at this time of the year? In Iraq they say, idah saidan wa sanab jadidah. Koreans say sung tan chuk ha. Eskimos wish each other jutdime pifdluarit ukiortame pivdluarito. Americans say, “Merry Christmas.”

More than 2 billion people around the world will celebrate the birth of Christ again this year. We are all part of one faith family. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to that promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29).

There are more Christians in Africa than in America. Christianity is growing most quickly among people who don’t look like Anglo-Americans. More than 82,000 people come to Christ every day, but only 6,000 are in Western Europe and North America, combined. Will you share the message of Christmas with someone today?

Let us give thanks –

            For failure that compel us to discover our weaknesses.

            For enemies who give us the benefit of truthful criticism.

            For children who help us realize how much we do not know.

            For competition which forces us to strive for perfection.

We ought to be thankful

            That the neighbors do not know all the truth

            That the Lord did not tell us what was coming

            That we have not played the fool more frequently

            That the public is so good natured with us

            That our children never saw our school report cards

            That we cannot see ourselves, sometimes, as others see us

Gratitude shouldn’t be an occasional incident but a continuous attitude.

Righteousness in your heart produces beauty in your character.

Keep out of your life all that will keep Christ out of your mind.

God didn’t save us by grace for us to live in disgrace