Set the Story Straight, The Christmas Story

Workout for the Week: Set the Story Straight, The Christmas Story

Memory Verse: Acts 17:11 (NIV)

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

Meditation Passage: John 1:1-18

Key Thought: Be a Berean. Go to the Word for your truth.

Our stack grows higher every year. We love Christmas movies. The collection ranges from recent films like Elf and Jingle All the Way to classics like The Bishop’s Wife and White Christmas. Movie watching begins on Thanksgiving with Miracle on 34th Street and usually winds down with The Nativity Story or The Little Drummer Boy on Christmas Eve.

We’re not alone in our love for movies, but I’ve noticed a problem.

Too many of us get our knowledge of the Christmas story from the movies.

And it’s not accurate.

Mary on a donkey? (The Nativity Story)

Sorry, you won’t find it in Scripture.

The Wise Men at the stable? (The Little Drummer Boy)

Nope. The Magi didn’t show up until Jesus was a toddler. Mary and Joseph had their own digs by that time.

So, how do we set the story straight? Here are some training tips to kick off this first week of Advent.

Read your Bible. You can find the Christmas story in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2. Don’t skip the genealogy and the part about Elizabeth and Zechariah. You’ll find hidden gems in those passages.

Celebrate Advent. It’s not to late to start, and who doesn’t love candlelight? Advent provides opportunities to explore different aspects of the Christmas story. Between Google and Pinterest, your options are limitless.

Put up a nativity scene. When the kids were little, we had two, a pretty one for me and one the kids could handle. Do me a favor. Please place your Wise Men in route to Jerusalem, not kneeling at the stable with the shepherds.

Men, it’s your time to shine. While Mom is cooking and shopping, lead out on the spiritual side whether you have kids at home or not. Your wife will love you for it. Moms, if you’re going solo, set the tone for the holiday by making first things first. It’s amazing how the gimmes disappear when Christmas centers on Jesus.

Nail your spiritual workouts this week and change your corner of the gym.

Tweetables:

Too many of us get Christmas info from the movies. And it’s not accurate. Click To Tweet
Mary on a donkey? Sorry, you won’t find it in Scripture. Click To Tweet
The Wise Men at the stable? Nope. The Magi didn’t arrive until Jesus was two. Click To Tweet
Men, it’s time to shine. Lead out this holiday. Click To Tweet

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