Advent Challenge Day 10

This challenge is now complete, please feel free to browse all of the 

completed tasks via the Advent Challenge tab.

An email to my friend Katy;

Katy,


This might seem like a strange message, but probably no stranger than most from me, please read it all the way through though. 


Christmas, its all about presents, family, drinking too much and having fun right? Wrong. I know the arguments you usually make about Yuletide and the many other midwinter festivals where gifts are given and some religious event is celebrated. But these are not Christmas. The time of year, the presents and all the rest of it are really not that important in Christmas, yes our commercialist society has made them important but it's not what it is all about.


Christmas is about an amazing event that happened over 2000 years ago. A small child was born in humble settings who went on to make a huge difference in the world. Even if you do not believe He was God you must recognise that He made such and impact that we set our calendar's by his birth. But if you take the time to think about what He did in life, who much He achieved in His 3 years of mission it should become clear that He was not working alone. Why would someone who was just a good man not recant and try to save Himself from the cross, why sacrifice yourself if there is no cause. 


Jesus is, was and always will be the reason for Christmas, many people have forgotten that or find it to uncomfortable to think about. I know you do not believe, but we are good friends, we have known each other for years and because of that I ask for one thing from you this Christmas. In stead of buying me a gift could you read the Bible. You are a scientist just like me, do some research into Jesus and discover what His life really was about. Look at the stories of Jesus in the New Testament and when we meet up in the new year we can discuss your thoughts on the matter of Jesus and Christianity.


Missing you loads and I hope everything is going well for you.


Sam


So yesterday the task was to talk to someone about the true meaning of Christmas. There is one friend I have who means the world to me, who has always been there when I have needed her since I first moved away from home. The only thing is that as a scientist she is one of Dawkin's band, a firm and complete denier of all things religious. To be fair on her, until about 18 months ago I was hiding from Christ in the same boat. However as a fellow scientist she is slower to shoot me down in such discussions as I can phrase my arguments in the same way as she does hers. The common ground gives us a neutral ground to discuss all manner of things including faith.

My hope is that one day she will see the change that has occurred in me since I allowed Jesus back into my life and that she will question the cause. I pray that I can be the Christian that lives up to expectations but is still the friend she always knew who can show her the reality and truth of Jesus. How this goes I don't know but maybe this email could be the first step in the right direction.

That brings us to the task I have for today, again I am going to choose today's task as I feel there is another one that progresses naturally on from this one. That task is number 19. Pray for those close to you who do not know Jesus. Please check back tomorrow to see how it goes, but until then, Merry Christmas.