Here are a few things we can do to help keep Christ in Christmas. It starts with us….let’s lead our families in this celebration of our Savior’s birth.
These are taken from thoughtsofasojourner:
1) Start early, especially if you have kids. Get an advent calendar, and involve the kids in using it in the days before Christmas arrives. There are also devotionals written for Christmas, and the month preceding it. I saw one at our local Christian bookstore for either 99 cents, or a couple of bucks.

2) Among your Christmas decorations, a Nativity scene is a must. Therein lies the very reason for the Season. One of the highlights of my Christmas is putting mine out, lighting it up, and as I gaze at it, think about what that first Christmas was like. I don’t get hung up on things like the wise men weren’t at the manger, and things like that. I just enjoy my Nativity scene.

3) If one can afford it, it is nice to pick a family from church or your neighborhood, or even an individual, who doesn’t have much, and take them some gifts, or even a cookie tray. Another neat idea is to do the 12 days of Christmas, and do it anonymously: take a small gift every day for 11 days preceding Christmas, and a larger one on Christmas day.
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(Michael Buice sent me this and I thought it was worthy to post)

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: ‘Daddy, may I ask you a question?’
DAD: ‘Yeah sure, what it is?’ replied the man.
SON: ‘Daddy, how much do you make an hour?’
DAD: ‘That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?’ the man said angrily.
SON: ‘I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?’

DAD: ‘If you must know, I make $50 an hour.’
SON: ‘Oh,’ the little boy replied, with his head down.
SON: ‘Daddy, may I please borrow $25?’

The father was furious, ‘If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don’t work hard everyday for such childish frivolities.’

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy’s questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down , and started to think:
Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he really didn’t ask for money very often The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door.

‘Are you asleep, son?’ He asked.
‘No daddy, I’m awake,’ replied the boy.

‘I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier’ said the man. ‘It’s been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here’s the $25 you asked for.’

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. ‘Oh, thank you daddy!’ he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

‘Why do you want more money if you already have some?’ the father grumbled.
‘Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,’ the little boy replied.
‘Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.’

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

I’m encouraged to all you men who have signed up for the men’s groups.To have 80 plus men be apart of such a needed ministry. I’ve heard many encouraging things coming from the groups. To think as men where we might be a year from now in our walks. I thank you and look forward to being in battle along side of each of you.

Those to are new, we went over the first chapter of POINT MAN. Everyone loves the book. Some I understand have bought it for there kids for Christmas to read. It talks about the fact that we are at battle, whether we like it or not we are in the middle of it.We would like to think that we have no responsibility of where we are as a country. That is where we are wrong as Christian Men, we are the front on the line.Stay strong and love our wives and show the Word to our kids.

Concerning the 1st Chapter of “Point Man,” How did it speak to you and/or your group?

Thanks to the 50 men that were able to come out to the Men’s Accountability Dinner tonight. Tom Fogger shared a great challenge and David and Michael got us off to great start. If you were not able to attend the dinner but want to be in a group please call Michael Buice or David Knight and they will help you find one. We will alsomtry to upload the recording of the story of “The Star Spangled Banner” that Tom played tonight.

Several men asked me this morning if they needed to sign up for the BBQ next week. The simple answer is “yes” I would love to know the general number that we are expecting.  You can also get into an accountability group at that time. If you have some people you would like to have in your group please call or email Bobby, Michael or David with your request. I was real encouraged by the number of men who came up to me this morning and were excited about the groups.

Thanks Guys!

Hey men,
BBQ Dinner to kick off accountability groups. You need to bring $15 for dinner and a copy of the book POINT MAN. We will be using this book in our groups. Dinner is November 10th at 6:30pm in the Family Life Center.

As many of us begin our Accountability groups let us all pray this prayer.
“I will surrender my all to God-no matter the cost-so that I can become more like Jesus Christ-my brother, savior and King. I will seek out a band of brothers, for whose lives and legacies I will fight, so that together we can fulfill our mission to know, love and glorify God our Father.”
“Make vows to the Lord your God, and fulfill them.” Psalm 76:11