Christmas is Life

Well Christmas is right around the corner! It seems that another year is almost at an end and the holiday season is coming to a close. But before I start thinking about New Years and 2012, I thought we should reflect on Jesus, who is the reason for the season. When you think about it, without Jesus we would not have this massive celebration every year that we call Christmas. However, I am so thankful that Christ was born, so that he could die, which makes my salvation possible.
One of the lessons that we have taught in the Next Gen Ministry Department here at Valley during the month of December has been John 1. In John 1 we learn that Jesus has been here since the beginning. Not only was Jesus here since the beginning, everything that exist was made through Him! There is nothing that was made that was NOT made through Him, if it doesn't involve Jesus, then it doesn't exist! This made me realize that Jesus is life! And when I think of the requirements for living, I find them in these four things:

1. Light - Without light things will not grow. We grow in our faith and we grow in our relationship with God because of "the light". The light also brings us out of darkness. It is no wonder Jesus says in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
2. Air - This is really a no brainier. Without air we would cease to live, our earthly bodies would no longer house our souls, our spirits. This is interesting because the Greek for Spirit is the same for wind. This puts John 3:8 into perspective, "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Jesus is the air that we breath.
3. Water - I am an exercise nut. I schedule my activities and weeks around my gym time, and I constantly read about fitness to learn new techniques and info. One thing that I learned early on is the importance of water. If you are serious for gaining muscle, then you better drink 8 bottles a day. If you're not a gym rat like me, guess what, you must still drink water in order to prevent dehydration. Think about it, most of our bodies is water. John 4:10, 13-14 and John 7:37-39 emphasize Jesus as "living water". Jesus told us this, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
4. Food - This is a favorite among many. Food is essential to live, because it carries the essentials fuel and nutrients for our bodies. Going without food is like trying to drive a car on empty. It's interesting that when we eat the bad food we have a rush of energy, but our health and our energy is soon zapped from us and we feel worst than before (this is why NO ONE should EVER eat McDonalds!) In John 6:35 Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." Jesus is the food that we need to fuel us. 

So Christmas is more than just a time to boost retail sales in hopes of jump starting the economy. It is more than just having a reason to get the family together and enjoy a feast. It is also more than a day to watch sports and hope for that expensive gift you've been craving for. Christmas is to celebrate Jesus and the life that He has given us. Jesus says it best in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Remind someone this holiday season that Jesus is life!

What if....

What if the family talked? This is a silly question, I mean it's a no brainier right? Of course the family talks and communicates. Without communication how will the family know who is picking up the kids? Or how will they know what the dinner plans are? Who would be teaching the kids morals and values, and how would they learn them? The value of your answer to this "what if" question lies in the "what about". Let me explain. We know that "the family" communicates on some level, but what is the family communicating about? There is no right or wrong answer because most, if not all functional families love and cherish each other, and fosters some dialogue on a daily basis. I want to share one area of communication that Valley Next Gen Ministries is assisting parents with so they can become the main spiritual influence of their childrens lives:

1. Yak Paks! Every month we provide families with this simple tool that explains what your children are being taught at every level in Next Gen Ministries.
2. Use the information in the Yak Pak to talk about the bible and your faith anytime, anywhere! Deuteronomy 6:5-9 tells us that it is not some rigid, legalistic ritual that you have to do, but simply a way of life! And the best part is, every child is learning the same thing in every class and at Awana! What a way to reinforce what they heard at church.
3. Take an opportunity to do a family activity. Families bond when they spend time together. This may be difficult with sports and other activities, as families may be going in different directions, but it is well worth your time to spend time together weekly. You can try the suggested activity in the Yak Pak or you may  think of your own. Our hope is that time is taken to be together and have fun.
4. Grow up and mature together as a family! The current curriculum that we use will take you through the bible in three years. To help your kids understand the Old Testament as a whole, learners explore it chronologically during the summer and fall quarters. Then winter and spring quarter lessons focus on the New Testament.

Think of the results we could have when we partner together like this! What if....... ?