Many have asked, "What is the origin of Christmas?" There are some who are set in the fact that there is no reason for the season. No Baby in a manger, or shepherds and wise men.

While others believe that since the beginning of time when man first sinned God had a perfect plan, and that plan was to be carried out by his son...... Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

That leaves us with the people in the middle. They have looked at both sides of the argument and honestly are just as confused,if not more so, than before.

In an effort to clear up this matter, let's look at the facts and traditions that we carry out at home this time of the year. 

 Christmas Wreaths - our first tradition/ decoration is this festive piece of garland used to decorate the house. Long ago a Christmas wreath was used as a symbol to remind the people when hung, of the promise of eternal life. It also reminds us that God is eternal, like the Christmas wreath He has no beginning and no end.

    Our next topic is Christmas trees. What is a Christmas tree good for? It is good for decorating or putting gifts under the tree most would say. Though most don't probe beneath the surface to look for a deeper meaning. Like the wreath, the Christmas tree is a symbol that points to the reason for the season. The practice of cutting it down and standing it up again is symbolizing the death and resurrection of Jesus. This special tree commonly known as the evergreen also points to the unchanging nature of God. Like this tree that doesn't change its color, or lose its leaves all year long God never changes. He is always loving and always kind, and he will always reign as king.

    Coming up next is the tradition of Gift giving. Now this is one of the most glorified traditions of them all. While children shake the boxes and try to guess whats inside it is rare that they think of the first Christmas gift that was given over 2,000 years ago.  Luke 2:10 - 12 says, "But the angel said do not be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy that will be to all people. This day in the city of David a savior will be born to you, He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign unto you, you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."   So God wrapped His Christmas Gift to kick off the tradition of gift giving, but He wasn't the only one doing the gift giving that first Christmas. Wise men from the east saw a star that marked the arrival of a great king, the long awaited promised savior. They quickly packed their bags, gathered their gifts and went after the star. On their arrival they went and worshiped the king, bowing before him they gave him gifts of gold, frankincense myrrh.

   

The next tradition we will talk about is Saint Nick. Not long after Christ's crucifixion, resurrection,

and assencion, a priest in Greece spoke out loudly against the pagans in the church.  December 25th is now known to the world as Christmas. Then, it was known as the celebration of the sun god. That day the people of greece worshiped the sun god. When they listened to this priest, now known as St. Nick, they realized what they were doing was wrong and decided to replace this day of festivities dedicated to idols with the celebration of Jesus Christ, their new savior. St Nick also went around the country of greece giving to those less fortunate. Some may ask what happened to this story of sacrifice and repentance? As the story carried down through the centuries people started turning away from  God and as they turned, so did the stories, and traditions. What is the result? Santa Claus. 

Now that you have seen the origin of our traditions, and Christmas itself, you have to face the fact that everything in Christmas points to the reason for the season, God's perfect gift that was given so long ago.... Jesus Christ.

Written by Riley Henderson

Choice

There are two kinds of people in this world.One group looks at their lives as living.... and the other as dying. 

We have a choice to make. You have to pick One group, and there is NO in between. The Bible says to speak life over one another. It says the power of life and death is in the tongue. God spoke to the Israelites and said "I put before you life and death, choose life." 

He isn't going to make us choose which one, He died for us so that we could choose life, but that gift isn't a gift if He makes us choose it.

Will we live  our lives for Christ, Or will we die to this world? We have to choose. Your eternity will depend on it...

This day I call Heaven and earth as a witness against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.

                                  Deuteronomy 30:19   

Written by Riley Henderson

Heroes

Those men who were so ready to fight

Those souls so brave and true

Who stood held up their banner high 

They fought for me and you 

They paid the price by and by

To save Red White and Blue

I pray and pray every day their cause was not in vain

That their families hearts won't break

For their souls God did take

So let us all take a stand

And fight for our land

We must form a band 

And give them a hand

We must push ahead

and fight till the end 

For we all know the cause is not dead

God bless you America O' land I do love

We are all in need of help from above


Written By Riley Henderson

"Good Night"

 As the sun dips over the horizon color floods the sky.
 Brilliant shades of  pink and purple collide
exploding into oranges and whites...... we call it a "Sun Set."
He paints a beautiful painting in the sky
all the time whispering "You are mine."
Throughout his work are traces of his love,
as my heart sings, "This is truly from above."
Though this moment won't last for eternity
my soul quakes "God You made me?!"
The grand finale is yet to come
when we'll meet him as one under the "son"
this lullaby is a symbol of his of love
He's showing us the things to come.
As he sets the stars into dance
I whisper, "No way this is a work of chance."
"Good night," He says at the end,
as the last rays of sunlight begin to dim.

Written By Riley Henderson

Which One?

Are you with the inn crowd... or are you one of the stable few?

I recently read this phrase, and it made me stop and think... they give you two categories, you're either one or the other. There is no in between, no, I'm not either one. You are either one... or the other.

In bethlehem almost 2,000 years ago a man and a women were traveling to the man's home town. They had traveled a long time, and the women was expecting a child any hour. You see the ruler of the land [Caesar Augustus] had pronounced a law that every man of the family had to travel to his home town, so that  he could be taxed. It wasn't like it is today, someone didn't just come and knock at your door, ask you ten questions about your family and your life.  You actually had to do something.

So they were walking and looking for an inn. there was a lot of people..... some people would call it a crowd. and they were about to check the last inn in town, and again they got the same answer..... no more room. Do you ever get that answer? "Oops! There just isn't any more room in the inn crowd. Or, "You just didn't make the cut.... sorry." Yet they begged. Joseph was desperate to get Mary somewhere  to rest. The Inn keeper was compassionate, and seeing the situation offered them an alternative... a stable.
The stable was not crowded. There were very few there. Maybe a few animals... but nothing else.
There... not at a palace, a king was born. Correction... not A king. The King. The King of Kings.

So who are you with? the world or Jesus? Its not easy to sleep in a stable. In the long run you will live in Heaven for your mild suffering here.

Written By Riley Henderson

Something to Think About

What would you say a man's rights are? The right of opinion, the right to be right? Or maybe the right to protect himself and himself and his family?
       Whatever right you have, or you think you have is all a part of the human nature, the nature that says, "I want what I have coming to me."
    There has been one man in the history of the world who has given up his right. He had false witnesses testify against him. He was charged for a crime that he didn't commit, and he was told this "crime" would end in his death, but he said nothing. He was beaten without mercy. Whipped without ending, and put on a cross, but did nothing. He was mocked, spit on, and the only material possessions he owned in this world [his clothes] were gambled for. Yet He showed NO sign of hatred.
    Every right that you could possibly have this man gave up. Any pride you could have, he laid it down. Every ounce of blood in the human body, he shed. Any love you could give, he doubled.
   Who are these lowdown dirty con men who could kill this man of perfection?
            Your answer: you and I
        The perfect man? Jesus Christ
Our sins put him on a cross, he wouldn't have gone if we hadn't done it. So He had to go to the cross. You might say, "I didn't  ask him to!" But you didn't have to. The truth is you have been searching for a ticket off the train of death, and on to the train of life. But the cost is a price you can't pay. Perfection. Jesus did.  He came and lived a perfect life, and because the price of our sin was death, he died on the cross. He is not asking for anything, He's giving the ticket to you all you have to do is receive it.
Don't deny him his right to be with you, He paid a terribly high price so you could.

Written By Riley Henderson

In the Midst of the Night

As you step into a quite forest...
A moment of stillness and peace floods over you.
The silence is overwhelming then...
a squirrel chirps,
a spring gurgles
as a bird sings.
For the sun is rising!
God's a beautiful thing!

Written By Riley Henderson

God's Magic

Trees dance in the moonlight.
Forests come alive.
animals scurry before people hurry.
As the snow comes softly down.

Written By Riley Henderson

God's Painting

A meadow filled with flowers.
A sky painted with a brilliant blue.
Gurgling, joyful crying out in the morning.
Mornings glory.
A bird cries out his song to the creator.
God's painting is alive, and ready to be displayed.

One Day

One day, God will answer
all the little questions we
have asked.
One day, God will explain
all the theories of life.
One day, He will remind
you of everything he had done.
One day......
Oh that glorious day.

Written By Riley Henderson

Perfect = ?

Thief = When He comes to steal us away in the night.
Protector = The shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep.
Provider = 5,000 hungry people 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.
Miracle Maker = deaf, blind, and crippled. At his touch hearing, seeing, and walking.
= 1 perfect man... Jesus Christ.

Written By Riley Henderson

Sleep

As you wake up.
A midst of dreamless sleep
washes away.
As a fog settles its heavy
arm around you.
A cloak of comfort soothes you.
As you drift back to sleep.
Peace settles inside you.
Your pillow turns to a cloud.
As you enter into an enchanted world.

Written By Riley Henderson

Rain

A mist covers you like a sheet.
As its ice cold arm sneaks and
slithers its way down your neck.
A drop of crystal clear water slides
down your forehead.
And drips off the tip of your nose.
As a shiver runs down your spine,
you shake it off bravely.
Continuing your journey homeward.

Written By Riley Henderson

Morning

As you peek your nose
Just above the warmth of the covers
That surround you,
It goes icy cold.
Yet, you hesitate to put it back in.
For you smell the wonderful makings of breakfast.
Just as your mother calls you to the table.

Written By Riley Henderson

Vivid

A cloud of dust arises on the horizon
As horses come galloping through.
Speckle, sorrel, paint, and solid.
Not one quite like the other.

Written By Riley Henderson

Time

When will time turn back its hand?
When will time knock on your door?
Be prepared its presence is sudden and unexpected.
Its sound hollow and foreboding.

Written By Riley Henderson

Memories

A empty house for years since
That has held so many childish myths
The echo of children's screams down many halls
Makes you wonder what this world is at all
A well used pot and iron pan
Turns back times icy hand
You go back to greater days
When life was not such a maze
A empty house for years since.......

Written By Riley Henderson

Who Made our Nation Great?

Who made our nation great? Many people have asked this question. The answer usually follows as George Washington, Sam Adams, or the Green mountain boys. These people were in fact a huge part of our nation being pieced together in Liberty and Justice for all. These people were heros in our eyes but more importantly they are heros in Gods eyes. Does in God we Trust sound familiar to you? Does anyone   realize that the four corners of our nation were planted on not just biblical principals.... i.e. don't lie, don't murder, share. They actually based it on God. The God of the Bible. Not only God but his son Jesus Christ who died for my sins, your sins, and everyones sins. That same being that was made King of our nation so long ago is now an outcast today. He is standing there knocking on the door, but the echoing is getting fainter and fainter. In a few years will we hear him? Will his desperate call be heard? Will we stand him up on his dinner invitation?

" I stand at the door and knock if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into dine with him and him with me."
                                      Revelation 3:10
Answer the door, he's brought dinner, He doesn't care how dirty you're house is, or what a mess you are. Wake up America your groom is waiting, be ready for him.
                                                                                            Written By Riley Henderson