In my personal time with the Lord I was reading through the Gospel of Matthew and came to the Garden of Gethsemane scene in Matthew 26:36-56.  As I was studying the passage, I began to ask myself, “What if?”  What if these events hadn’t happened?

• What if Jesus had taken this a bit more casually?
• What if Jesus had not followed the Father’s will?
• What if the disciples had reacted differently?
• What if Judas had changed his mind at the last minute?
• What if Jesus had let the disciples fight with swords?

How different things would be if it hadn’t happened the way Scripture records it.  As I thought through the implications of these “What If” questions, I became more energized and appreciative of all Jesus went through for me.  I enjoyed this study so much, I had to pass it on to others and so you will now find the “What Ifs” from the Garden of Gethsemane Discussion Guides in the MinTools.com store.

As I continued on through Matthew, I kept asking the questions.  Here are some more “what ifs”:

• What if they had arrested Jesus publicly?
• What if Peter had not denied Jesus?
• What if Jesus had a fair trial?
• What if Pilate had released Jesus instead of Barabbas?
• What if Jesus had come down from the cross?
• What if no phenomenon had occurred when Jesus breathed His last?
• What if the women hadn’t watched Jesus’ death and burial?
• What if Jesus hadn’t stayed in the grave for three days?
• What if Jesus hadn’t risen at all?
• What if Jesus hadn’t appeared to anyone after His resurrection, or perhaps to just the inner core of disciples?

Lord willing, perhaps these “what ifs” will be turned into future discussion guides.  For now, I hope you take some time to think through these questions.  Perhaps it will help encourage you to see that Easter had to happen the way Scripture tells the story or things would be quite different for you and I today.

A new year begins and so the old songs are put aside until another Christmas comes along.  But, wasn’t it the hope of Christmas that gave us a reason to sing … that put a new song in our hearts and not just on our lips? 

Singing That is Ceaseless

People of the Old Testament times looked forward to the coming Messiah.  Though Jesus still hadn’t come, they still found plenty of reasons to sing.  The psalmist spoke of a new song because of all the marvelous deeds, goodness, and salvation of the Lord and so wrote of ceaseless praise.

“At night His song is with me.” (Ps. 42:8)

“. . . that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Ps. 90:14)

“Sing to the Lord, praise his name … day after day.” (Ps. 96:2)

“I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” (Ps. 146:2)

We look back at His coming, what we call Christmas.  The theme of ceaseless singing continues.

“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:19-20)

We read of angels singing in the end times about how the Lamb is worthy to exercise judgment (Rev. 5:9-14; 15:1-4).

Singing That is Comely

Singing is a means of praising God, of exalting Him, of expressing our joy and thanksgiving to Him. Because it points to the Lord, it is a beautiful thing.  — “How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him” (Ps. 147:1).  Though the calendar date is no longer Christmas, we still sing “Gloria, in Excelsis Deo” … Glory to God in the Highest!

Praising God through singing is not only becoming, it is beneficial.  It is good.

Singing praise brings believers together in unity as we join our voices together. (Col. 3:16)  So, we continue to sing “O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.”

Singing praise brings unbelievers to a recognition of their need for Him. (Ps. 40:3)  Our song continues, “Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing …”

Do you need to continue with the Christmas carols to sing praise to Him?  Of course not.  But, let’s remember to keep singing about Him and not get caught up in the despair and hopelessness around us.  The Lord has come!  The Lord will come again!

Gift-giving and receiving has long been a part of the Christmas tradition.  The very first Christmas gift, came in the form of a baby who was wrapped in swaddling clothes.  Try as we might to describe this gift, we will never fully be able to explain it.

This was a gift motivated by a love so wide, long, high, and deep that we will never fully understand, let alone describe, it. (Eph. 3:18)

This was a gift given once for all, a gift that keeps on giving and is for all who will receive it, difficult to understand and describe its all-sufficiency.  (Heb. 7:26-28; 10:10)

This was a gift given sacrificially for undeserving people, at a cost only One person could ever pay, something beyond our normal life experiences.  (Rom. 5:6-11)

This was a gift given without strings attached, a gift that can only be received through faith because it was given by grace, something our works-oriented brains have a difficult time wrapping around.  (Jn. 1:12-13; Eph. 2:8-9)

How do you respond to such an indescribable gift?  We can start with expressions of gratitude.
         Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Cor. 9:15)

Church Parties.   Work Parties.   Family Parties.
Many of us will do a lot of celebrating over the holiday season.  We’ll sing Christmas songs together, eat too much food, give presents, and be merry.  Even those without much money this year to buy expensive gifts and fancy foods can still have some semblance of celebration.  It’s Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus!  Without Christmas there would be no Easter.  Without Easter (the death and resurrection of Jesus to pay the price for our salvation), we would have no reason for rejoicing.  (1 Cor. 15:14-19)

Enjoy time with family and friends but remember the greatest reason to party.  You see, it isn’t what you have or what you’ve done that brings the greatest joy … not even ministry accomplishments. 

Remember Jesus’ words to the disciples after a very successful ministry effort — “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven”  (Lk. 10:20).  Belonging to Him is the greatest reason to party.

In addition to your own salvation through Jesus, seeing others come to be found in Him is cause for great rejoicing. 

Jesus told parables of a lost sheep and a lost coin being found which He likened to the salvation of people, saying “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk. 15:7, 10).  Angels in heaven understand the greatest reason to party.

The father in the parable of the lost son had a party when his son returned home.  His brother did not share the same sentiment.  The father defended his stance saying, “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Lk. 15:32).

Christmas made it possible for our salvation and the salvation of the world.  

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Tim. 1:15)  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.  (1 Jn. 2:2)

Are you compelled by the greatest reason to party?

  with boughs of holly.”

Many of us will deck the halls, trim the tree, and hang the stockings with care.  Most of us rarely think about the customs behind the various Christmas decorations.  We just feel more festive with lights, bells, candles, and evergreens.  There is something about decking the halls that draws us into the holiday.

I can’t help but think about our own lives as Christians.  When people look at us, do they see the light of Jesus?  Do our lives pull them in, giving them a sense of anticipation and hope … wanting to also experience the joy of the Lord? 

Titus 2:9-10, speaking to slaves of that day, says:

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.  —- Or, as the King James Version says, “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”

You might not be a slave, but many of you have jobs.  Do you highlight or underscore the doctrine of God by the way you act and react in the workplace?  Does being a Christian look honorable on you?  Does your life pull people in to the Gospel or repel them?

Let’s remember what most needs to be adorned this Christmas.  Let’s “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”  That Savior came to earth 2000 years ago.  Is it obvious by the way you celebrate Christmas?  Is it obvious by the way you live the rest of the year?

The same is true spiritually.  God has taught us wonderful truths.  We know He is the answer.  We know our help and hope are found in Him.  Yet, without constant reminders, we can forget. This can be especially so during busy seasons of life, like the holidays.  We can get so caught up in what “we” must do during this time that we skip spending time alone with Him until we get through the busy patch. 

Our focus can be so scattered that we fail to turn to Him for direction and strength. But, we do need Jesus’ help at Christmas.  Holidays can affect our personal lives and they can also affect church life.

Maybe we should apply a similar approach of reminding ourselves as we do in other areas of life.

What are ways you can highlight or underscore the truths you need to remember during the busyness of the season?

Here are some ideas:  computer desktop backgrounds, pop up reminders on your computer, 3 by 5 cards strategically located, send yourself a phone message, etc.

Vary your approach as it is easy to soon not see what is constantly before us.  Highlight the truths most relevant for you.

What are some catch phrases you can use as reminders?

Keep in mind, however, that after some time, we can become immune to the significance of phrases we’ve heard repeatedly.  You’re undoubtedly familiar with catchy phrases like “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”  Let’s come up with something new each year.

What about using a to-do list or calendar?

If you are finding it hard to get into the Word or pray during the busy season, why not schedule it or put it on a list?  If those tools are used to remember to do what is important, then plan what truly is important!

Think reminders like this are too mundane for your spiritual life?  Check out the ways God encouraged the Israelites to use as reminders in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

What have you done, or what will you do, to remind yourself to keep focused on the Lord during the holidays, to turn to Him as the source of help and hope, to remain steadfast in your walk with Him?

Here’s an acrostic using the word THANKSGIVING to help us reflect on reasons God’s Word gives us to be thankful.

Truth as it is found in God’s Word
    (Ps. 119:62)
Harvest, physical and spiritual
    (2 Cor. 9:10-11)
Answers to prayer
    (Ps. 118:21; Jn. 11:41; 2 Cor. 1:11; Phil. 4:6)
Nature
    (Rom. 1:20-21)
Kingdom of God that is unshakable
    (Heb. 12:28)
Strength from the Lord
    (Ps. 28:7; 1 Tim. 1:12)
Goodness & Grace of the Lord
    (Ps. 106:1; 1 Tim. 4:4; 1 Cor. 1:4; 2 Cor. 4:15; 9:14-15)
Identity in God
    (Ps. 95:2-7; 118:28)
Victory over Sin through Jesus Christ
    (Rom. 7:25; 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14)
Inheritance yet to come
    (Heb. 13:14-15; Rev. 11:17)
Name of the Lord
    (1 Chron. 16:35; Ps. 69:30; 75:1)
God Himself
    (Ps. 95:2-3; 100:4-5; 118:28)

I encourage you to take some time to read the Scripture in the above acrostic and reflect on these blessings this Thanksgiving.