THE COUNTERFEIT CHRISTMAS
The main problem with Christmas is not the way we trivialize angels and shepherds nor is it the season of the year. I seriously doubt that Jesus really cares whether we celebrate His birth in December or June.
Nor is the problem other religious alternatives to Christmas. While Kwanza, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice may have replaced the Christmas program in our public schools, they alone wouldn't weaken the Church. Just look at China and how the Body of Christ remains extremely strong in such an oppressive place. It’s when where true believers face the greatest challenges to their faith that they demonstrate Christian perseverance (aka grit) that puts the American church to shame.
The problem is not even the pagan roots of many popular Christmas customs. While these unholy roots may contribute to the spiritual complacency, the real crisis is more personal than that.
Our root problem has to do with our view of God and our lack of personal relationship to Jesus. We have been taught to think of the King of the universe more like a "Super-Santa" than a jealous God who holds us accountable to His Word. We forget that His grace towards us is designed to conform us to His image, not meet all our wish-list wants.
He grieves when we, His people, turn worship into self-indulgence -- or pretend to please Him while we serve ourselves. His lowly birth in Bethlehem’s sable points to the hardships our Savior was willing to bear for our sake. Without diminishing His glorious stature as THE Eternal King, His humility prompts us to give Him our lives, surrender to His will, endure persecution and fix our hope on the greatest PRESENT ever; Himself.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
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Dr. Eric A. Hansen
Eric Hansen has been the Lead Pastor of iWorshipCenter (www.iWorshipCenter.org) in Springfield, Illinois for 12 years and has over 20 years of ministry experience.
Eric is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. His BA is a double major in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Studies, with a Master’s Degree in Theology and Doctorate in Divinity.
Dr. Hansen is the President and Lead Apostle of Five Fold International (www.FiveFoldInternationa
l.org). This organization credentials individuals and oversee churches. FFI releases trained Christian workers; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to their mission field to advance the Kingdom of God. Ministers and ministries range from Louisiana, Texas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Illinois and all internationaly; Asia, Africa and Central America.
Eric is a leader of the Illinois Apostolic Prayer Network. He is the founder and CEO of www.SavingChildren.org, a not for profit international relief organization and he also serves on the Board of Directors of "Casa Angelina" an orphanage for 500 children in Guatemala run by Ivan Tait Missions. Other Boards of Directors on which he serves:
www.JoyRevolution.com
www.DeafCellChurch.org
www.ChathamWorshipCenter.
org
www.LostAndFoundMinistrie
s.net
Living with Power (the television ministry of www.iWorshipCenterorg) can bee seen weekly, coast to coast and in all of Canada on the Dish Satellite Network. The one hour program is also aired three times a week on local cable channels. The TV program is also seen weekly on broadcast television, FOX 55 and ABC affiliate WAND 17 and WCFN 49. Eric hosts a one hour long weekly radio on radio 1240 AM, WTAX and a two hour post-modern, rock music program on WDBR, 104.7FM.
Eric is the church’s main worship leader. Recently they completed their fourth live CD recording entitled, “Possess the Land.”
In Springfield, Eric serves as Executive Secretary for the Sangamon Country Regional Planning Commission and he is a Commissioner on Springfield’s Police Community Review Commission. He and his wife Cheryl have been married for 23 years. Cheryl is a credentialed minister as well, an associate pastor at the church, an RN cancer nurse and a trained classical pianist with a new CD which was just released and available on-line. Together, they are the parents of one teenage daughter, Hannah Jean Hansen.
Member Since: 12/5/2007
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