Tag: holiday

Categories
Christian Living

3 Thoughts About Christmas

Thoughts About Christmas

Christmas is almost here; my mind swirls with a jumble of thoughts as I try to connect the calendar with my celebration of Jesus. Here are three items I’m considering:

1. When my wife and I were in a state of transition between one home and the next. Most of our belongings, including everything relating to Christmas, were safely stowed in a couple of storage containers.

We had no decorations to hang and none of our familiar trimmings to remind us of this season. True, the signals are all around us, but those are just enough removed that the approach of Christmas mostly eludes me.

2. I wrote a blog post for Christmas, titled “Linus Reminds Us What Christmas is All About.” In it, I link to a clip of Linus reading part of the Christmas story from Luke 2:8-14.

This is from the perennial Christmas special A Charlie Brown Christmas, which first aired in 1965. The show was written to counter the secularization and commercialization of Christmas.

In the intervening forty-nine years, things have eroded much further.

3. I just received an email from a friend living in a culture far different from mine. He shared that not many people celebrate Christmas where he is, but his family will, intentionally preparing their hearts to remember Jesus’ arrival on earth.

At first I felt bad for my friend. He will miss out on having the familiar trappings of Christmas around him.

But as I think about it more, I’m envious because he doesn’t have the distractions from a secularized, commercialized distortion of Christmas to contend with.

Like my friend, I need to be intentional about Christmas and remember the true meaning behind it.

Thank you, Jesus! I love you!

Celebrate Christmas in a fresh way with The Advent of Jesus. It’s a forty-day devotional that prepares our hearts to celebrate the arrival of Jesus in an engaging read. Begin your Advent journey now and gain a greater sense of wonder for the season.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Christian Living

Do You Wish People Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

MERRY CHRISTMAS

My wife wishes people a “Merry Christmas,” while I say “Happy holidays.” We both have our reasons for doing so, and we are both right.

It’s important to us to keep Jesus as the central focus of Christmas. One way my wife does so is by wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas”—every chance she gets.

She never says “Merry Xmas” and doesn’t shop at stores that resort to that godless abbreviation. She also never says “Happy holidays”—and gives me a critical glare when I do.

I am, however, quick to say “Merry Christmas” to people who follow Jesus and am happy to return the greeting to others who offer it to me.

My preference, however, is a more intentional “Have a wonderful Christmas,” because the idea of making merry is a bit too jolly for me, obscuring the wondrous love of Jesus and what he came to do.

However, when expressing season’s greetings to people of unknown faith, I prefer a less confrontational “Happy holidays.”

While people of other faiths could take my “Merry Christmas” greeting in a secular sense, they could likewise be incensed at a perceived attempt to proselytize. That would not be my intent; I do not want to offend.

My wife thinks I’m over-analyzing something simple.

I consider it this way: How would I feel if someone wished me a “Happy Kwanzaa,” a created holiday originally intended as an “oppositional alternative” to Christmas?

Someone did, and I was offended. Caught off guard and unwilling to reply with “Happy Kwanzaa,” I blurted out “Merry Christmas.” Sadly, I responded to his confrontation with an equally confronting retort.

I wish I had just smiled and said, “Happy holidays.”

Celebrate Christmas in a fresh way with The Advent of Jesus. It’s a forty-day devotional that prepares our hearts to celebrate the arrival of Jesus in an engaging read. Begin your Advent journey now and gain a greater sense of wonder for the season.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Christian Living

The Four Main Christian Celebrations

Christian Celebrations

Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, and Pentecost

Quick, what are the four main Christian holidays?

Well, there’s Christmas and Easter, for sure. Good Friday would make three. But what’s the fourth one? How about Pentecost?

In my experience, Pentecost doesn’t receive much attention compared to the other three, but it should. Consider the progression:

Christmas

Christmas is when the story starts. Jesus comes to earth in physical form, a baby who will grow up and one day deliver us.

Our forefathers in the Old Testament looked forward to that day, anticipating Jesus and what he would do, even though many assumed something other than what God intended.

Celebrate Christmas in a fresh way with The Advent of Jesus. It’s a forty-day devotional that prepares our hearts to celebrate the arrival of Jesus in an engaging read. Begin your Advent journey now and gain a greater sense of wonder for the season.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the first phase in that deliverance. Jesus stepped in as our substitute to take the hit for us, to do the time for our crime, to pay our fine—all so that we could be reconciled with God the Father.

Jesus did this by dying, the highest penalty, the ultimate price. After dying, what more could he give? What more could be required?

Discover more about celebrating Jesus and his passion to save us in Peter’s new book, The Passion of Jesus. It is part of the Holiday Celebration Bible Study Series.

Easter

Easter is the second phase of Jesus’ one-two knockout punch. When Jesus resurrected from death, he proved his mastery over it. Since he overcame death, we have reason to believe he can do the same for us. How amazing; how glorious!

Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and his return to heaven in The Victory of Jesus. The Victory of Jesus is another book in Peter DeHaan’s beloved Holiday Celebration Bible Study Series. Get your copy today.

Pentecost

Pentecost is the conclusion to this story—and the beginning of a new one. Join me in spending this week contemplating the significance of Pentecost. Then, next Sunday, let’s do a better job of celebrating it, not as a footnote to Easter but as its climax.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Christian Living

When Will Winter End?

when will WINTER end

Always Winter and Never Christmas

In C. S. Lewis’s classic book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the land of Narnia is under duress: it is always winter and never Christmas. As winter drags on this year, I feel the same way.

In Michigan, we enjoy all four seasons and in about equal proportions. According to the calendar, winter lasts ninety days. However, this year our winter weather started sooner, piled snow deeper, inflicted frigid temperatures, and lasted longer.

Everyone I talk to is anxious for spring. Even people who claim winter as their favorite season, look forward to warmer weather.

A couple weeks ago enough snow melted to where our deck was bare (aided by my snow shovel—an act of desperation on my part). On Facebook, I asked about setting out our patio furniture.

The answer was “no.” They were right, of course, and I was rushing spring. Winter will remain with us a while longer, causing us to ask, “When will winder end?”

Yet as I wait for spring to arrive, I focus on the future and forget the present. In some ways, I’ve placed my life on hold, squandering today as I wait for tomorrow. I need to stop doing that.

On Tuesday it snowed some more. Today the temperature is above freezing. I’m declaring an end to winter. And even if that doesn’t happen, I won’t waste another day waiting for something better to come along.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
​
​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

Categories
Bible Insights

Celebrate Jesus Throughout the Year

Celebrate Jesus: Remember Jesus All Year Long

Yesterday was Christmas, a time to celebrate Jesus. Many people went to church to acknowledge the Christ behind Christmas and even more celebrated Jesus in other ways. For my family, the day marked the last of four celebrations.

Now Christmas is over. We put it behind us for another year.

Yet long ago, Isaiah looked forward to Christmas, anticipating what was to come with these familiar words:

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

(Isaiah 9:6, NIV)

Christmas may be over, but the celebration of Jesus continues. We can celebrate Jesus all year long/ We should celebrate Jesus all year long.

Thank you Jesus for who you are and what you did.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Isaiah 8-10 and today’s post is on Isaiah 9:6.]

Read more about the book of Isaiah in For Unto Us: 40 Prophetic Insights About Jesus, Justice, and Gentiles from the Prophet Isaiah available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Christian Living

The Purpose of Christmas

The Purpose of Christmas

For people who follow Jesus, Christmas is a time to celebrate his birth. Yet Christmas is under attack. Some want to turn it into Xmas, others try to band its mention, and others say it doesn’t matter because we’ve already sufficiently removed Jesus from it.

The reaction from Christ-followers is understandable, but the battle is already lost. Consider our Christmas traditions.

How many of them connect with biblical Jesus? Not twinkle lights, mistletoe, garland, snowmen, Santa Claus, reindeer, crackling fires, or hot chocolate.

Not sending cards, decorating trees, drinking eggnog, lighting candles, ringing bells, eating ham, stuffing stockings, baking cookies, or wrapping presents.

Even the date is off base; it’s highly unlikely Jesus was born in the winter, but a time of year when traveling for the census made more sense.

True, some of these traditions do hold meaning, but the sentiment is manmade, not Bible-based. How we celebrate Christmas has little connection with his birth.

Here are the only things I could come up with that actually seem to focus on Jesus:

A Nativity Scene

A manger scene is a fine reminder to that earlier time and the real reason for the season.

A Tree Topper

An angel or star atop the tree reminds us of the angels announcing his arrival and the star the magi saw. But nothing else on the tree, not even the tree itself, connects directly with Jesus.

Christmas Carols

Though the list grows smaller each year, some of the Christmas songs we sing actually mention Jesus’ birth.

Gifts

What about gifts? The magi gave gifts to Jesus, not other people. To follow their example means giving gifts to God, not family and friends. Or what about the “gift” of Jesus?

The real gift was not Jesus’ birth but his victory over death. That would be Easter, another holiday we must fight to protect.

Before you call me Scrooge or Grinch, let me assure you, I am not. I love Christmas because I love Jesus. My goal is for us to refocus Christmas on what truly connects with Jesus and make all other things secondary.

A Birthday Cake for Jesus

Several years ago, my wife began a practice of making a birthday cake for Jesus. We even sing “Happy Birthday”; some years there are candles.

This may seem corny, but it does actually force us, if even for a moment, to focus on the birth of Jesus—and that’s the purpose of Christmas.

Happy birthday, Jesus!

Celebrate Christmas in a fresh way with The Advent of Jesus. It’s a forty-day devotional that prepares our hearts to celebrate the arrival of Jesus in an engaging read. Begin your Advent journey now and gain a greater sense of wonder for the season.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Bible Insights

Thoughts on July Fourth and Freedom

July Fourth

Today is the fourth of July. Everywhere in the world, it’s the fourth of July.

However, in the United States it’s a special one, it’s the Fourth of July, a national holiday, officially known as Independence Day: the day we celebrate our freedom as a country.

Freedom is important to Jesus, too. Once, when teaching at the synagogue, he read from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah proclaims freedom for the captives, the nation of Israel (Isaiah 61:1).

Jesus reads that text and says he fulfills it (Luke 4:16-20). But the captives he proclaims freedom to is not just Israel but everyone, including you and me.

Though it took a war for the United States to find freedom, freedom through Jesus is much easier, we just need to believe and follow him.

That’s real freedom!

Read more about the book of Isaiah in For Unto Us: 40 Prophetic Insights About Jesus, Justice, and Gentiles from the Prophet Isaiah available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Read more about the book of Luke in That You May Know: A 40-Day Devotional Exploring the Life of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke, now available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Christian Living

Welcome to Summer

welcome to summer

Technically summer doesn’t start for another month (June 21). Summer then lasts for three months (until September 21).

Though the Summer Solstice and Fall Equinox formally mark the beginning and ending of the summer season, the weather and our response to it shows we don’t care too much about the official dates.

From a practical standpoint, many people in the United States view Memorial Day Weekend (this year, starting on May 25) as the beginning of summer and lasting until Labor Day (this year, September 2).

This perspective means summer started this past weekend!

Although spring is my favorite season, summer follows as a close second. Fall isn’t too bad either, except that it foreshadows winter, my least favorite time of the year.

My energy level and, therefore, my ability to tackle projects and complete tasks is highest in the spring and summer. In the fall I try to bring major projects to completion, before my energy wanes.

Winter is a time when I place a hold on accepting new assignments and making commitments.

Less this appears I’m writing off a big part of the year, let’s compare this to our energy cycle during the day. I’m a morning person and that’s my time to make things happen.

When I’m at my peak, I can complete something in minutes that might take an hour or more to do when I’m tired—and it still might not be my best work.

Therefore, I do important things when I’m at my peak and save less important things for later on. It doesn’t matter if the span is a day or a year—my goal is to work smart.

Regardless if summer is your favorite season or not, I wish you a great one!

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
​
​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

Categories
Bible Insights

Praise to Mothers

happy mothers day

Happy Mother’s Day

With Mother’s Day coming up, I want to salute all moms by commending one mom in particular. The Bible simply says she was the wife of Manoah. Though we don’t know her name, we know her son’s name: Samson.

God promised to give a child to this childless wife of Manoah. Before his birth, God gave special instructions for the lifestyle this boy was to live.

However, the instructions for living a set-apart life were not just for Samson, but also for his mom while she carried him.

If she did not do her part, then Samson might not have been able to do all God had planned for him.

A godly, obedient mother established the spiritual framework for Samson to move into his calling and to rescue God’s people.

To Manoah’s wife—and all moms everywhere—thank you for giving your children life and a future.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Judges 13-15, and today’s post is on Judges 13:2-14.]

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
​
​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

Categories
Christian Living

Celebrate Easter as a Spiritual Holiday

celebrate Easter

We’ve Lost Christmas as a Spiritual Celebration. Let’s Not Lose Easter Too

This spring some groups have banned Easter egg hunts—not the activity but the name. Concerned pundits decry this as political correctness gone awry or the timid majority kowtowing to the vocal minority.

Although “spring egg hunt” sounds lame, this new label doesn’t dismay me. What do eggs have to do with the resurrection? Let’s remove the myth of Easter so we can focus on the meaning.

With the significance of Christmas lost to commercialization and consumerism, the reason for the Easter season could suffer the same fate. May it never be.

I’m not sure which bothers me more, chomping off the ears of a chocolate bunny or biting off the head of a chocolate Jesus. Let’s forever sever all connections between the Easter bunny, Easter eggs, and Easter candy with our Easter savior.

This week, I’ve sent many an email signing off with “…and have a great Easter.” Saying “Happy Easter” seems cliché, being too easy to voice without thinking.

It’s not that I’m a non-conformist (well, perhaps I am a bit), but I do want to point people to the true meaning of Easter: a risen savior who overcame death to give us life.

Today, may we celebrate Easter with a God-honoring, Jesus-focused passion.

Have a great Easter!

Discover more about celebrating Jesus and his passion to save us in Peter’s new book, The Passion of Jesus. It is part of the Holiday Celebration Bible Study Series.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.