Good Friday

As you know, today is Good Friday. The day we celebrate Jesus' death, which seems rather weird to say. But we do celebrate. Not like other holidays, where there's food and fun, but in a more solemn way. And, although it's sad that Jesus died, he came back to life. That He thought us worthy of dying for is in itself a thing to celebrate.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" -which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." Immediately one of them ran and for a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
(Matthew 27:45-50)

Finding Jesus, but He was never lost.

LOLcats never usually give me anything more than a laugh, but I have been pondering this one for a few days. It's so true, when it seems like nobody is near, Jesus is really just on top of the bookcase waiting for us to find him. He is always there, he was never lost, we were.

Christmas or mas?

Ah, only a few more days until Christmas. Just the thought of the food, the presents, and the fun is making me happy. But too often -far too often- we forget what the season is really about. And what I have been wondering lately, is that if someone doesn't believe in God, then why do they celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is the day where we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. All Christians know that. Christmas = Christ + mas. The most simple way to say it is this:
If you take away Christ from Christmas, what do you have? Christmas - Christ = mas. And what, now, exactly, is a mas? I don't know either. So if all of these people -people who don't believe in God- aren't celebrating Christmas, what are they celebrating?

I truly just don't get it. Christmas has become too commercial, too material. It's too much about 'Santa Clause' and presents. And worse- it's not even enough about giving. So many times this year, I have been asked what I want. I don't really want any stuff. I want to become a better Christian, but that is not a gift one can give. People are forgetting what the season is truly about- the birth of Jesus.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2: 6-7)

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2: 16-18)

So all of you, please remember the story behind the holiday. And I would appreciate comments; I love hearing other's points of view. Thanks!