25 Dec Celebrating Christmas and New Year
This week’s blog continues looking at both CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR.
Our focus is on why CELEBRATE them? Hmm-let’s think. We’ll start with Christmas then.
A lot of people celebrate Christmas because of the time they get to be with their family, the presents they give and receive, parties they get to go to-but Christmas is so much more than that. It is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. The name ‘Christmas‘ comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). We are essentially having a birthday party to mark the birth of Jesus-so there is a spiritual dimension to Christmas if you are a follower of Jesus Christ.
The ‘she’ in the verse above is Mary-and I talk a little about her in Team Talk. Jesus was born on earth for a purpose-so that we could be delivered of our sin/mistakes-in order to have a close and wonderful relationship with God. That is something to celebrate!
This next image is quite thought provoking.
So now leaving you with some Christmas ‘Gifts’ to watch!
Kids & Christmas – Learning The Meaning of Christmas Though The Eyes of Children:
ESPC Youth Group Presentation 2014:
When Jesus Shows up at Christmas!:
A great Christmas Song-Mary, Did You Know? – Pentatonix
And finally the fantastic Hillsong Youth Online Christmas Service.
Moving onto NEW YEAR
There’s a lot of history surrounding the reasons why we celebrate January 1st and some of these are rooted in all sorts of festivals that are not necessarily Christian. But did you know the bible encourages us to celebrate every day?
However I still feel January 1 is a special day to celebrate. It’s a good time to think about the year ahead and be in a place of faith for God to do great things in your life and in the lives of those close to you. It’s probably especially important now as 2020 has been such a difficult time for so many. So let’s now look forward.
What about areas of your life that maybe need some adjustment? It’s a good idea to always ask the Lord to help us be more like him and let the Holy Spirit helps us to develop our character.
And I hope you all have a fantastic New Year’s Day!
Now leaving you with some New Year’s ‘Gifts’ to watch!
New Year Prayer – Prayer for a New Beginning:
Kids share their New Year’s Resolutions-you’re yours are better!:
New Year and New Beginnings with God:
This week’s Team Talk on CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR is presented by……-CLAIRE!
FRIDAY NIGHT YOUTH – Thanks to all who came to the Youth Christmas Event. Great to see you all. Our next meeting (Years 7 to Year 13) will be on Zoom January 8th 7:30 pm- If you need more details regarding this event, please contact the church office. I will also send a link out to parents/carers in due course.
RELENTLESS (Sixth form and Young Adults) – The next meeting will be in January. Naomi will be contacting the group directly.
So have a FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR EVERYONE. THAT’S NOT JUST FOR NEW YEAR’S DAY BUT THE WHOLE OF 2021! YOU ARE BLESSED!
Claire and the VCC Youth Team
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