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[angmaytrang 1998]

  CHRISTMAS SPIRIT..

   
  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.---------------Philippians 2:5

  How would you define "the Christmas Spirit"? Would it be a friendly smile between 
  s'trangers,  the sound of familiar carols, a tree with twinkling lights in a sea of brightly wrapped packages, or just that good feeling you get this time of the year?
N'one of these elements captures the real meaning' of the phrase. They represent feelings that may be a response to the commercialism that d istorts the real spirit of Christmas.
J.I.Packer goes to the heart of this matter in his book Knowing God. He writes, "We talk glibly of the Christmas spirit, rarely' meaning more by this than sentimental jollity....It ought to mean the reproducing in human lives of the [temperament] of Him who for our sakes became p oor, ....the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves p oor----spending and being spent-------to enrich their fellowmen, giving time, thought, care, and concern to do good to others....in whatever way there seems need."
In Philippians 2, Paul described the God of heaven and earth as l'aying aside His divine glory and becoming our s'ervant by d'ying on the cross for our s'ins. Then he urged us to duplicate that s ame mind o f humble service to others. That's the true Christmas spirit.--------Dennis De Haan
If we look beyond the manger
To the cross of Calvary,
We will know the reason Christmas 
Bring such joy to you and me.--------------D.De Haan
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  CHRIST BE OUR LIGHT

  1. Longing for light, we wait in d'arkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us you own, your holy people, light for the world to see.
2. Longing for peace, our world is t'roubled. Longing for hope, many d'espair. Your word a'lone, has power to save us, make us your living voice.
3. Longing for food, many are h'ungry. Longing for water, many still t'hirst. Make us your bread, b'roken for others, shared until all are fed.
4. Longing for shelter, many are home'less. Longing for warmth, many are c'old. Make us your building, sheltering others, walls made o f living stone.
5. Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong. Let us be s'ervants to one another, making your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the d'arkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.
   
   


   
  "The fruit of the Spirit is love.., joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control"........Galatians 5:22-23
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