Here we are again at the beginning of the month of  December when we celebrate “Christmas.”  Are you one of the people who dread this time of year and just wish it would be over?  Do you feel like you are going through the motions of the season because you don’t want to let your family down or that you wouldn’t be a “good Christian” if you didn’t?  Are you tired of the great festival of greed and excess the holidays have become?   Have you noticed that instead of bringing us together, the divisions that separate us seem to grow even deeper during this season?  So what do we do?

Well I have a suggestion.  Let’s realize that the busyness and excess surrounding the holiday called “Christmas” are not part of the Christmas story or the message of Jesus.  Let’s take the myths and fables out of our celebrations.  And finally, let’s stop worshiping the baby in the manger and start following the life and teachings of Jesus, the way shower and master teacher.

This month we are going to be looking at the life and teachings of Jesus and how they apply to the lives of his followers in the world today.  My personal preference of translation of the Bible for my personal study is the King James version because I love the language, but I have chosen to use the New International Version (NIV) for this series because it is easier to read.

Each day’s post will end with an opportunity to dig a little deeper into the lesson, by considering a question or questions.  I encourage you to think about these, live with them for a while.  Journal about them or post your thoughts to the comments. Please get active in this discussion, we really want everyone to gain a real understanding of what it is we are celebrating during this holiday season.

Yes, this may be challenging, but it will be life-changing if you allow it.  Please join us in this great adventure into the life of Jesus.

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Dig a Little Deeper:

During the month of December Christians celebrate light and Jesus. 

Why? 

How do our celebrations reflect the light and life of Jesus?