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Not Interested In The Nativity?

Christmas Watching for Jesus Tradition

Source: CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA: A HISTORY by Penne Restad

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2011-12-06

Scripture: Titus 2:13

Author: Illustration Exchange
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ILLUSTRATION

Scripture is silent on the actual date of Jesus’ birth. Various early church leaders suggested dates as early as March and as late as November. In conjunction with the celebration of the winter solstice and the pagan festival of Invictus Sol (the sun god), the early Church finally settled on celebrating the coming of the true Light of the World on December 25th.

But even if they had known the date, says University of Texas historian Penne Restad, the earliest Christians simply weren’t interested in celebrating the Nativity. “They expected the Second Coming any day," writes Restad in her 1995 book CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA: A HISTORY. To celebrate Christ’s birth would have seemed to them pointless.”

APPLICATION

Certainly, most theologians and Christians today would not find celebrating the birth of Christ as pointless. Nevertheless, we can take a play out of the early Christians’ playbook and devote ourselves to watching for his imminent return even as we celebrate his first coming.

“…we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:13).
 
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Traditional Turkey

Thankfulness Tradition Motivation

Source: Reader's Digest November 1999, p. 85

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2011-11-26

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:24

Author: A.C. Stokes, Jr.
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ILLUSTRATION

We visited our newly married daughter, who was preparing her first Thanksgiving dinner. I noticed the turkey thawing in the kitchen sink with a dish drainer inverted over the bird. I asked why a drainer covered the turkey. Our daughter turned to my wife and said, “Mom, you always did it that way.”

“Yes,” my wife replied, “but you don’t have a cat!”

APPLICATION

 
Why do you observe certain traditions? Do you participate in the holidays with an engaged consciousness of their original significance? Or, do you find yourself going through the same motions you observed while growing up? Rote tradition may satisfy our need for a connection to our childhood, or for a reassuring sense of the familiar, but this shouldn't be mistaken for a vital spirituality.  Don't mindlessly perpetuate the traditions of your parents. Before you rattle off a prescribed list of blessings (for health, for home, for family, etc.) this Thanksgiving—consider them, ponder them, meditate on them. Be sure to take the time to express your humble gratitude to the One Who made them all possible.
 
“But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24).
 
Illustration Exchange

We're All a Bunch of Turkeys

Tradition Mercy Thankfulness

Source: MCHENRY'S STORIES FOR THE SOUL, p. 287

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2011-11-07

Scripture: Titus 3:5

Author: Raymond McHenry
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ILLUSTRATION

During his years in the White House, President Harry Truman began an unusual Thanksgiving tradition. Every year since, United States presidents have used the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to pardon a turkey. A preselected bird is brought into the rose Garden and the Commander in Chief grants that big bird a pardon. The saved turkey is then ushered to a Virginia farm where he is granted immunity from the carving knife. 

Dr. Raymond McHenry has served as pastor of Westgate Memorial Baptist Church. He earned his Master of Divinity and his Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Bible Seminary.  Through his books and quarterly newsletter, IN OTHER WORDS, he has become a highly respected compiler of biblical illustrative materials.

APPLICATION

This crazy ritual always provides levity for those who watch, but it also gives each of us a great reminder. First among the many things for which we should be thankful this Thanksgiving is our own pardon. Our merits haven’t gained this favor. It is simply by God's mercy alone that we are saved.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).

Scribbled Prayers

Prayer

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2023-05-29

Scripture: Luke 18:6 ; Romans 8:26

Author: Abe Nelson
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Thank God For Spiritual Spring!

Poetry Renewal

Contributed By: Neal Pollard | Date Posted: 2023-05-11

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22 ; 2 Corinthians 4:16

Author: Neal Pollard
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The Godly Mother

Motherhood

Contributed By: Chris Huff | Date Posted: 2022-05-20

Scripture: Matthew 23:37 ; Luke 23:34

Author: Chris Huff
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We Cannot Control Our Enemy

Preparation Enemies

Contributed By: Thomas Bevers | Date Posted: 2020-10-22

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10 ; Psalms 23:4

Author: Homer Adams
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What's Your Favorite Pair Of Shoes?

Christlikeness

Contributed By: Neal Pollard | Date Posted: 2020-03-08

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21 ; 1 Corinthians 11:1

Author: Neal Pollard
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The World Celebrated A Full Tomb

Resurrection Easter

Contributed By: Howard Harden | Date Posted: 2019-10-06

Author: Howard Harden
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Living In Glass Houses

Criticism Golden Rule

Contributed By: Neal Pollard | Date Posted: 2019-09-15

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Author: Charles Panati
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