As we approach another Christmas, I would like to reflect on Christmas before and after becoming a Christian. For Christmas before becoming a Christian was a day; to most of us it meant very little. This year, Christmas will come and go, and it may have little or no impact on your life. Christmas to many is the most depressing time of the year. Often, we live in the past, hoping Christmas will never end, thinking somehow life would be better, or have some meaning, if the Christmases when we were children could be revisited. Those are the best times to remember, we think. But as quickly as the decorations go up, they are taken down and boxed away for another year; so likewise our hopes and memories of Christmas past are revived for a moment, but then we are forced to wake up and face life in a New Year ahead. Not much has changed! But I am here to write about myself, and not others: when it comes to Christmas, things have really changed since I have become a Christian. How so?
You would think that after becoming a Christian a minister of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, Christmas would have even greater meaning, but in fact, it does not! What was Christmas like before I became a Christian? I must now pull down the box of Christmas past, and behold it is filled with many sad memories. What made Christmas so bad? Sin! Are you surprised?
My Christmas pasts were not much different from any of yours, per se. I remember the presents under the tree, the abundance of food, the time off from school. I remember when the whole family gathered together—Wait, that’s not true, I don’t remember a time when we were all gathered together, for by then, Ma and Dad had already divorced because of Dad’s drunkenness. My older brothers and sister could tell me about such times, but I don’t recall them. Then my mother remarried, and my step-Dad moved in, which was not so bad, for he was a good man, a good provider, for a family of eight. But Christmas did not change much. It was still without Christ!
As years went by, the drunkenness continued, for my whole family were heavy drinkers. But now I was old enough to enjoy and really get into the Christmas spirit. Things had really changed by the time I got out of high school. In what way? For one, My Dad had died with a beer can in his hand, and my only sister was killed during my first year of college; they called it domestic violence. It happened just after American Thanksgiving. Christmas came that year as usual, but I can say one thing for sure, my poor mother was never the same. An early Christmas present, huh? It was sin that ruined Christmas–my sin, my parent’s sin, all the way back to Adam’s sin. Enough of Christmas past!
What about Christmas present? What has changed? Christmas has not, but I have! How so? The light of the glorious gospel of Christ lit my sin-darkened heart. That’s grace! It is not true that wise men still seek Him, for the Word of God says, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Romans 3:10-11). The Christ of the Bible found me in Los Angeles, California, trying to start a rock-n-roll band, deep in sin: in drugs, drunkenness, witchcraft and astrology, and immorality. Christmas then was just another day to get high, to party, and to jam, but all that would change. How so?
It was not Christmas that changed my life, nor pardoned my sins, nor gave me a new life. It was knowing Christ–The Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World–by a miracle of grace! When I think of the incarnation, the virgin birth, and the accounts of Christ’s birth as faithfully recorded in the Bible for all to read, I do not think of Christmas. I think of God’s unspeakable gift given to humanity, in the person of His Eternal Son: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15).
No one really wants to talk about being a sinner and being in need of salvation at Christmas time. It is “peace on earth, and good will towards men.” Many say, “Christmas brings out the best in mankind.” But, in fact, one must not forget that Christ was born to die, and to die at the hands of sinners. Sinners like you and me! “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Christmas? I can take it or leave it. The observance of a day means nothing compared to knowing, loving and worshipping the True and Living God. You might ask, “Preacher, why be such a grinch?” You see it is not I that has stolen Christmas, but sin! I hope you come to see this, and by God’s grace to call upon the only Name “under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
I ask you not to pity me, or feel sorry for me, as I have opened up my box of Christmas past before you all. If all that you have is Christmas, and with it just a bunch of boxes of memories of Christmas past and that’s all, you are most miserable. One’s future can only be changed as one comes to trust in the Christ of the Bible. Not the Christ of Christmas past, present, or future, but in the risen, exalted Son of God, even the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ or Christmas? Which one do you have? Which one do you love and value more? I pray, as I can say by God’s grace, “It is Christ and Christ alone. He is my all and all.” It is not what Christmas means to me it is what Christ means to me!
Best wishes during this holiday season to all of you from the Newton family, and from Calvary Baptist Church.
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Though we’ve had our disagreements over time I do wish you and yours best wishes during the holiday season.
Pastor Tom
It is really hard to understand how you can claimed to have had such a hard upbringing until you found “the man upstairs”but can not find it in your heart to stop railing on Gay people. They only want what everyone else has somebody to Love.Can’t you understand that nothing they do should have any impact on YOUR life. Go in Peace pastor and leave Canadian Muslims and Gays alone!!!
Melman – your thinking is faulty, first of all. Consider your statement -“Can’t you understand that nothing they do should have any impact on YOUR life”. Is that how one is to determine what is right and what is wrong? Such thinking is too much of putting self and one’s gratification as god. And surely if everyone lived that way, we would destroy ourselves rather quickly.
Since we are created in God’s image and likeness, He is the One that sets the standard of right and wrong, and what should be our primary goal in life. One verse from the Bible sums up God’s requirement from all of us as His creatures – 1Co 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God”.
Melman – what does this mean -“…do all to the glory of God”?
You’re at it again, Newton. Your particular imaginary god is just your imaginary god. Others have different imaginary gods or no gods at all. Your beliefs are your own personal beliefs. They DO NOT apply for everyone. How simple is that?
Thus saith Dr. Furtz – he must be right!
Mr. Newton,
This is probably one of the first times that I don’t completely disagree with your comments. That being said, I still do grow tired of your way of judgement and condemning of others choices or ways of life.
If you are doing whatever it is you are doing for all the glory of God, that’s great. Remarkable even. I highly doubt your God wishes for you to cast judgement upon others. Quoting from the bible to make it fit your schematics does not make you a christian anymore than someone eating poundcake with grampa at Christmas. One could easily google bible quotes referring to whatever poiont you are trying to make and you will find something that fits.
For example:
Google search “bible verses on judgement”
There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
p.s. I think James is referring to God, not the the Almighty Pastor Tom – but maybe I misinterpretted that.
Dr. Furtz do you celebrate Christmas? If you celebrate Christmas then you are celebrating Jesus and He is very real. You might think that Santa Claus is real – I saw him today at Billings Bridge taking pictures with little children and God knows how many Santas I have seen in my lifetime and they all look so very different. There is only one God and he is the everlasting.
I am an RC and believe me I love Pastor Newton’s quotes and he and I have a lot in common. I too am totally against homosexuality. I would never hurt someone who is different but I do not approve of it at all. I am very conservative and more to the right than Harpoon Harpo or G.W. Bush or any of them.
As I’ve discovered over the years it’s best not to discuss religion, politics or sex. You get into too many arguments if you do.
Jules, I celebrate X-mass by getting together with family for a feast, and giving the grandchildren a few gifts. I purged all that Jesus and God stuff from my life over fifty years ago. And what a relief that was! Should have done it sooner. That stuff might be good for you, and that’s fine. But it sure as hell isn’t good for everyone.
You may be part of a very small minority Furtz but you have the same voice or right to an opinion as everyone else. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the coming year.
Jean writes – “..your way of judgement and condemning of others choices or ways of life”. Ok, so is the homosexual life style pleasing to God? Or lets say one who is living in adultery, divorced, etc. Such sinful life styles, just to name a few, are clear life styles of sin, and convey a heart that is not right with God. Jean what happens if these “sinners” continue in their sin, and die in such an unconverted state?
Why is the Lord Jesus called the Saviour? Did He die on the cross to deliver us from hell only or from sin, and from sinful life styles that take us to hell. So when the Lord Jesus declares – Mar 2:17 “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”. Again Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”. Was the Lord Jesus declaring “judgement and condemning of others choices or ways of life”?
From the Word of God comes the knowledge of sin. As a preacher of the Gospel, I am to preach what sin is in God’s eyes, and warn sinners to flee from the judgment and wrath to come. I point sinners to the only Saviour authorized to save. That’s not hate but love – can you see that?
As an RC Jules, you must be horrified by Pope Francis’ reaching out to homosexuals. One of the main tenets of Christianity is compassion. The people who beat their chest and declare their Christian-ess seem to be short in the compassion department. Someone I’ve known for 20+ years came out this year and told everyone he was gay. It wasn’t a shocker for most of us in our circle of friends, some were surprised but none turned away from being his friend. I asked him how long he had to hide it and he said from day one. He was born feeling that way. When I contemplated that, I felt a sense of relief for the guy. It’s too bad someone like this (in the medical profession) who has donated large sums of money to charities, donated his time to treat and educate people in Rwanda, Nicaragua among other places, looks after his elderly parents and has always supported and cheered on his friends isn’t deserving of your’s or Pastor Newton’s compassion.
Furtz I saw you celebrate Christmas with an X. One little girl who was 4 years old quite a number of years ago since she is the same age as my daughter asked me if I believed in X-mas or Christmas with a C and I said Christmas with a C absolutely. This little girl was half Ojibway and lived here for a short while with her mom and siblings and it was cute coming out of her mouth. Those kids were mighty poor and I helped them out with clothing and some toys. Some people in the world are mighty greedy. I am happy for you to spend the holiday with your family and nothing like family. The greedy people are not happy at all and money and possessions do not bring happiness. Have a good X-mas Furtz to you and your family.
Thanks Jules. I’m sure I’ll have a ducky X-mas. And I hope you have a ducky Christmas too. ‘Tis the season to be ducky, fah la la la la, and all that stuff…. LOL ROLF
I appreciate your good wishes David. And I hope you and your family enjoy good health and happiness in the new year. We can get back to flinging poo at each other in January. 🙂 All the best.
Though I may agree or disagree with others on CFN I wish everyone best wishes for a Merry Christmas (or whatever you choose to call it or celebrate) and a Happy New Year.
Mr. Reynolds I do not agree with Vatican II at all and if you look it all up you will understand what I am thinking and know about. From Pope John XXIII onwards it is not the real Catholic church at all. I can tell you about it but Jamie will not print it because I tried my best before. I do not agree with any of the Popes at all on many subjects. As for homosexualilty I always figured that it was genetic of some sort (born with it) and I do not hate these people at all and worked with a few here in Ottawa but I do not hang around with them. I knew a few in Cornwall as well and yes they are very nice to talk to and interesting people and one of them was related to a mighty well known former doctor in Cornwall from way back and we had a lot to talk about together. Homosexuality is not anything new and goes way back in the time of Jesus and well before His day. There are plenty of people who are homosexual, lesbian and bi-sexual and I have always believed that it has to be genetic and it is from what I looked up. Nobody chooses to be this way at all – it is something that is in them.
Sounds like a plan Furtz.
Merry Christmas Pastor Tom
“One of the main tenets of Christianity is compassion”. Greg your type of compassion comes from the Liberal camp of politics and not Christianity. This is the socially correct type of compassion which “descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish”.
What is compassion without truth, holiness, and purity? A license to sin? When the Lord Jesus Christ forgave the woman caught in adultery in John 8 that was compassion. But He did not forgive her at the cost of justice for He was to pay for her sins on the Cross, that is why He would say to her -“Neither do I condemn thee…”. Nor did He forgave at the exclusion of purity – Joh 8:11 “She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more”. Many want the former blessing, while totally rejecting the latter.
As to the sodomites with the “good character and works”. This is written for all that trust in themselves and boast in their so called goodness – Luke 16:15 “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God”.
Have you not read – Rom 3:12 “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one”.
Greg – can’t agree with you more. At this time of year especially, compassion is such an important virtue.
The holier than thou nonsense really is tiring.
I’m sure many other will agree, that as a Christian, not only at Christmas time, but throughout the year my charity, compassion and understanding will take me closer to god than any preaching will ever do.
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone. Enjoy this time to surround yourselves with those who matter most, your families, as well as God.
I get the sense Newton that you believe giving a cold man a hairshirt is compassionate.
Merry Christmas to all, enjoy your families, friends and stay well.
Oh Jean! what a warm fussy feeling you make us all feel! Thanks Jean.
Pastor – give it a try. Even the Grinch grew a heart.
Jean – when you become a real Christin, God doesn’t use any of the old -“grew a heart”, but gives each one He saves a new heart. Eze 36:26 “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh”.
And when you get a “new heart” this is how everyone will be – Mar 5:15 “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid”.
2Co 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”.
It’s so much easier and more fun to embrace the Flying Spaghetti Monster and all the positive aspects of Pastafarianism. No need to trash gays, Catholics, Muslims or anybody else. All you need to be at peace with the world is a good feed of spaghetti whenever the urge arises.
..and Dudeists….
Merry Christmas Pastor Newton.
Flying Spaghetti Monster?? Last time I saw that was whena pot exploded on the stove many moons ago.
Furtz and the Great Spaghetti Monster. God is much bigger than any Spaghetti Monster and I don’t know what I would do without His spirit around many a times. For many long years I was lost spiritually and it took a mighty long time for me to come around and that is the truth.
Dudeists or donuts?
Nice interview, sort of, Jules
Thank you Pastor now I can take a bow. LOL LOL. ROLF! Seriously Pastor I enjoyed this and had quite a good time with it. I am shy to a point and like Jamie very much and want everyone to enjoy a good laugh. I haven’t stopped laughing yet – that was really good.
Mind blow. Maybe the Who’s from Whoville gave the Grinch a new heart just like you say Pastor.
Should I start quoting Dr. Seuss?
I went on the Dudeist website last night. http://dudeism.com/ I like their philosophy and attitude. Thinking seriously about becoming an ordained Dudeist priest, but I’m gonna check with His Holy Noodliness first just to play it safe.
Seem like more empty election promises. Seems to me this new council and mayor promised that if they got elected the first thing to be done is scrap the 40% pay raise for themselves. Seems that was not even brought up at the first meeting and probably never will be. Seems like Cornwall people were fooled again. Everyone who voted are watching close to see if they do follow through with this promise. If they do not scrap this 40% wage hike for themselves like they promised then what can we believe of this new council and mayor. Hope its not another 4 years same as Bob Kilger
Dr. Furtz I came on and cliqued on your strange and funny religion and I laughed so hard here that I cliqued the wrong key to come back to this. LOL LOL. ROLF! You are something else I will say that for you. You have to be as wacky as I am. The only difference is that I came back to the Good Lord. Maybe we should get you one of those Indian type of guitars of India and you can go with those weird sandals and that dress all over Cornwall and elsewhere preaching that weird religion. LOL LOL. ROLF! One thing is that you would surely have a terrible problem in the winter and any cold and windy day would blow that frock up past your waist. What a site that would be for sore eyes. LOL LOL. ROLF! ROLF! This is funnier than the write up that Jamie made for me. I can’t stop laughing here. This is way too funny.
Okay, I cleared it with The Flying Spaghetti Monster (not a jealous god) and I am now a certified ordained Dudeist priest! So if any of you fine CFN readers need someone to officiate at a wedding or funeral etc. I’m good to go. Haven’t set my fee schedule yet, but I guarantee the lowest cost in eastern Ontario. LOL LOL ROLF! ROLF!
As a Dudeist Rabbi I welcome you to the faith Furtz 🙂 The city of Cornwall sadly is still refusing to allow me to open a council meeting. I have asked Oren Cole of the Sally Ann who sets up the schedule if I have to write about religious intolerance in our fair city. He is not a dude nor does he abide….
Jamie have you joined the ranks of the wacko club? Dearest Dedeist Wacko Rabbi. LOL LOL. ROLF! I am fit for the Royal Ottawa Hospital just reading this is hilarious. I am laughing uncontrollably. I hope I don’t press the wrong key again. LOL LOL. ROLF!
Thanks Jamie. If we could find an ordained Dudeist Imam, maybe we could set up a multi-faith wedding/funeral officiating service. 🙂
I saw your comment on the Dudeist site. Please tell me that they don’t still do the prayer BS at Council meetings. I thought that stuff was dispensed with years ago.
Yup every meeting and three were invited to the inauguration at the civic complex.
Really Jamie? Even in the backward little township where I live, they got rid of the religious foolishness from council meetings years ago.
A prayer is said before every Cornwall city council meeting. I think they rotate amongst the various religios, etc.
They do. When I applied last term I was referred to Pastor Oren Cole of the Sally Ann. He never put me on the list. I sent him a note after three clergy were invited to the complex. He appears to be refusing to put me in the rotation.
That’s nuts! They actually pray to some imaginary god at each Council meeting? This ain’t the sixteenth century, folks.
Santology anyone? Ho! ho! ho!
Yes Furtz it is of God, country and family and God is always first and He is not no imagination. I remember the oath that my daughter took in Brownies and that was the oath about God, country and family. Prayers used to be said I the public high schools and we all stood up no matter what the faith. The Jews stood up out of respect even though it wasn’t their prayer – they didn’t recite it but they stood up. At St. Michael’s Academy we had some Protestant students and some even went to religion class even though they had a study period – it was their own choice. Society today has gone down hill and I made a pact with the Good Lord that if something happens to me I don’t want to come back to this world. This is not the world that I belong.
Get serious Jules. Believe in whatever god you want. That’s totally cool. But there’s no place for that stuff in the council chambers or parliaments of Canada. Even our Prime Minister Harper has stopped tagging his speeches with “God Bless Canada”.
Furtz -“But there’s no place for that stuff in the council chambers or parliaments of Canada”.
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one”. Psa 14:1-3
Hey Furtz, we agree. I think with our society wanting to be “all-inclusive” we have to drop these religious specific ceremonies a city councils, parliament, etc. I’m not saying that “all-inclusive” is best, but whatever.