This is a deep topic. I will provide more information over the coming year in preparation for Christmas 2014.
For now, let me post some comments I made recently:
I just came through the 4th year of “Waves Of Praise” on Christmas Day. It Was The Lord Who Clearly Asked me to do this. I wondered about it because I have done in-depth studies of, and follow the Feasts. What He Showed me was amazing.
On Christmas, a pagan holiday, people think more about Him and His Birth (even though its not His Birthday,) than any other time except Easter or Passover. People who almost never go to churches pack them on Christmas Eve or Day. Plays, pageants, musicals, and choirs are put on that pull people in to hear about Him, worship Him and praise Him. He Told me that ANY day His people think about Him is a good day.
It is a season filled with love and giving, and reaching out to the poor and needy. It is a season people often step outside of themselves and their own little worlds, to remember others. It is a time of the year that donations are at their highest, often helping to carry on the work of God in churches and ministries for the coming year.
For 24 hours at 3pm in each time zone, people just gathered together for the Waves Of Praise movement – to praise Him, worship Him, and forget commercialism, wrappings, presents and family feuds. Which brings up another thing. Families are often reunited during the Christmas season, with hearts reaching out past their past hurts. So, how can we say that God isn’t in this? Sounds like people are walking more like Yeshua at this time of year than at any other.
He Honors the intents of our hearts, and is more about the spirit of the law than the letter of the law. Also, many tv programs, movies and public concerts center on Him and His Story. Yes, as the Body of Christ, we must remember that God Ordained the 7 Feasts. We are beginning to restore the celebrations of the Holy Feast Days of The Lord. After all, Jesus Celebrated them every year for the 33 years He Was on earth. That means, He Celebrated The Sabbath on Friday nights and Saturdays over 1700 times in His Life (33 years x 52 weeks.)
But, He Is not about ritualism or legalism. In fact, a few years ago, He Reminded me to purchase my ticket for a Seder meal. I kept thinking I still had time, being caught up in the work He’s Asked me to do. Eventually it was too late, and all Seder meals in this area were completely sold out. I literally was upon my bed weeping and weeping as if I’d lost my Best Friend. I understand the importance of keeping the Feasts and the inherent blessings. He Came to me, and Said, “I Was Told you were weeping. You still have time to go to the store and get the things you need to celebrate a Seder meal at home. So, I quickly ran to the store. Step by step, He Took the lengthy Seder service and Collapsed it into 30-40 minutes, covering all the basic points. ” He Did away with legalism, and ritualism and Helped me to give Him Honor. I will never forget this. Relationship with HIM is and always will be more important than dates on a calendar – pagan or God’s Calendar. It is all about honoring Him, and praising Him. At Christmas, people even get bold about “making sure Christ is in Christmas, ” and “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays.” This cements it in people that they need to stand up for their belief in Him, and perhaps it’s a form of training for these end times.
One last thought: God IS NOT about lights, trees, ornaments, wrappings or running up credit card bills. He’s NOT about causing families to go beyond their means. He’s NOT about the latest electronic things, or the latest video games. Most of them He Wouldn’t Want you to have because of their content. God IS NOT about feeling “less than” if you can’t afford to buy presents. Remember, He Had One Garment and no place to Lay His Head. The commercialism of Christmas has to go. It’s all about manufacturers hyping up Christmas so that people will feel awful if their children don’t have the latest Elmo or whatever. News flash: Elmo’s not going to Heaven! Make next year a simpler Christmas, more reflective of your Savior. Buy somebody in Africa or elsewhere a goat, a lamb, or a cow. Let your whole family get involved of “how we can help others” instead of “I HAVE to have this toy!” Raise up a child in the way they should go……
May The Lord Bless you!
Patty Thomas, Founder
Waves of Praise, The Miracles Of Jesus Ministry