MERRY CHRISTMAS!
TEACHING CHILDREN THE ‘REAL’ MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
By Carolyn Tomlin
Contributing Writer, B&R
Several years ago, I watched a group of kindergarten children sing “Silent Night” in an assisted living center. With angelic faces and sparkling eyes, these 5-year-old little ones had memorized the first stanza of this beautiful old Christmas hymn. Watching the faces of those in the audience, I saw eyes brimming with tears … perhaps remembering Christmas past when their own children had been in a church program. Or, recalling their own childhood when their family had gone out together and cut a tree from the family farm. [Read more…]
CHRISTMAS — REMINDER OF A LIVING, ETERNAL HOPE
By Bruce Chesser
President, Tennessee Baptist Convention
One of the great words in the English language is the word “hope.” I Peter 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Peter is often referred to as the “apostle of hope.” Some people associate hope with wishful thinking. You hear it in statements like this, “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow” or “I hope I pass the test.” That is not the kind of hope that Peter had in mind. [Read more…]
CHRISTMAS IS ARRIVING RIGHT ON TIME THIS YEAR
By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org
The Dawson family, from left — Jonah, April, David and Luke.
I’m sure most of you are familiar with the song “We Need a Little Christmas.”
Well, as much as I like that song, I believe we need to change the lyrics this year. When it comes to 2020, we actually need A LOT of Christmas.
After the year we’ve had — a year marked with sadness, confusion, tension, fear and uneasiness — I have sensed that most of us are craving Christmas, and the feelings that come with it, more than ever before.
We are starved for the happiness and excitement that this magical season always brings. For me, personally, the simplest of acts — like sitting in my living room, with the Christmas tree fully aglow — has meant even more to me this year than it normally does. (And that’s quite a statement, considering that I’ve always been a card-carrying Christmas enthusiast). [Read more…]
COVID-19 LEADS TO CHRISTMAS CHANGES ACROSS THE NATION
By Aaron Earls
LifeWay Research
NASHVILLE — Almost all Americans celebrate Christmas, but most say COVID-19 will cause some changes to their usual holiday habits.
A new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research found 93 percent of American adults say they celebrate Christmas. That number is essentially unchanged from a decade ago when 91 percent said the same in a 2010 LifeWay Research survey. [Read more…]
TRADITIONS MAY BE ALTERED, BUT FOCUS REMAINS
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Christmas celebrations may look a little different this year for many Tennessee families as they deal with the reality of COVID-19.
But take heart. One thing COVID-19 can’t affect is the reason we celebrate Christmas — the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Christmas is always hard on families who have lost loved ones during the year and 2020 will be no different. As of Dec. 13, there were 5,406 reported deaths from COVID in the state, according to www.tn.gov/health. As this paper is delivered to homes this week, that number will have increased. [Read more…]
WHEN DID THE WORLD HIJACK CHRISTMAS?
By Norman Ridenhour
Baptist Layman & Retired Journalist
Who hijacked Christmas? I went to the store recently and was greeted by aisles of Christmas trees, toys, decorations, lighting and yard displays. In one small section there were a few mangers with baby Jesus along with Joseph and Mary and some sheep. Another with the wise men offering gifts to the messiah.
As I left the store, I wondered how the greatest birth ever was overlooked for the pleasures of excited children who received more gifts on one Christmas than I received in my entire life. What happened to the priorities of Christians? [Read more…]
A NEW TAKE ON AN OLD, OLD CHRISTMAS STORY
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
In a new Cooperative Program video entitled, “It’s a Wonderful CP” Mr. Finch, left, takes a trip in his dreams, and discovers that a world without the Cooperative Program “is a nightmare.”
FRANKLIN — Everyone knows the story told in “The Christmas Carol” about an elderly man named Scrooge who thought Christmas was a waste of time and money.
Now, thanks to the creative talents of Matt Tullos, assistant to the executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Cooperative Program/stewardship specialist, Tennessee Baptists have the opportunity to meet Mr. Finch (just happens to rhyme with another old Christmas curmudgeon named Grinch) through a new video entitled, It’s a Wonderful CP. [Read more…]
DEMONSTRATING WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
Last year a friend gave me a copy of Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Christmas. The book is not new, having been written in 1998. I had heard of the book but this was the first time I actually held it in in my hand and began to read through it.
What makes the book significant for me is that Strobel is a journalist. When he penned the book, he wrote for the Chicago Tribune. He also was an avowed atheist, according to biographical data. [Read more…]
MORE THAN A GIFT
Christmas Food Project is life-changer for some
By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org
Volunteers for the Christmas Food Project organize food and other items during the “packing night” event at Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood.
BRENTWOOD — Purchase, pack and participate.
Those were the three ways that the staff at Brentwood Baptist Church encouraged its members to become involved in this year’s Christmas Food Project — an initiative that focuses on combatting food insecurity in Middle Tennessee.
The church responded in a big way, with roughly 1,000 people attending “packing nights” that were held at multiple locations on the evening of Dec. 13. The large group of attendees — which included members of Brentwood’s main and satellite campuses, along with invited friends and community members — helped pack and prepare boxes that included two weeks’ worth of meals. The boxes, which also included coloring books, a Bible, and other items, were then distributed to in-need families for the holiday season. [Read more…]
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