Tag: Christmas

Top 10 Christmas Movies Of All Time

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It is that time of year again. Actually, I’m already a little late because the Christmas movies have already started.

My criteria?

My ranking is based 1/3 on each movie’s strength against similar Christmas movies in the same time slot, 1/3 on a computer ranking generated through a secret algorithm and 1/3 on the NCAA coach’s poll.

So, here it is: my top ten (10) Christmas movies of all time.

1.    A Christmas Carol (1951)

Dickens was one of the greatest writers of all time, and in my book this is the best Christmas movie of all time.  It’s a story of repentance and redemption.  Best line:  Scrooge to Cratchit:  “I suppose you’ll be wanting the whole day off for Christmas!”  I try this line on my employees every year.  It’s always good for some nervous laughter. Continue reading “Top 10 Christmas Movies Of All Time”

Why God Spoke To The Magi

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If you are like me, you read the Christmas story in Matthew 2 and you wonder why God spoke through the stars to Astrologers (and that’s essentially what the Magi were) about the birth of Christ.

I mean, let’s face it, man has invented a lot of silly religions and beliefs, but Astrology has to be near the top of the list . . . followed closely by Scientology, a religion created by a science fiction writer (L. Ron Hubbard).

The question of “Why the Magi?” is a puzzling one. A recurring theme throughout the Old Testament is the tendency of Israel to run after pagan gods, followed by the discipline of the Lord persuading them to return to the one true God. Continue reading “Why God Spoke To The Magi”

3 Ways To Find The Christmas Spirit

Christmas is only three days away, and with the work you are trying to get done before the Christmas break, the gift-buying you still have to do or with preparing for the upcoming Christmas travel to be with friends or family, you may feel Christmas is about to slip past without you having engaged the Christmas spirit.

I fight this every year for all the reasons I just mentioned, but I’ve also learned a few tricks that help me step out of the powerful current of holiday busyness and commercialism to a quiet place on the shore.

Here are three things I do to make sure I don’t miss the true spirit and celebration of Christmas: Continue reading “3 Ways To Find The Christmas Spirit”

How God Spoke In The Christmas Story

God is the Great Communicator.  The Bible says, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets at many times and in various ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son…” (Hebrews 1:1-2).

As Francis Schaeffer said, “He is there and He is not silent.”  He certainly was not silent in the circumstances surrounding the birth of Christ.

Tradition says Jesus was born in a cave; He would be buried in a cave-tomb.

When Jesus was born, His mother wrapped Him in swaddling cloth, the same type of cloth used to wrap the dead before burial. (Luke 2:7). When the magi came to worship Jesus, they brought Him myrrh, an aromatic gum resin used for embalming.  (Matthew 2:1-12). Continue reading “How God Spoke In The Christmas Story”