Uncommon Christmas Words: “Sacrifice”

As with the other three, this fourth and final word of the series seems entirely out of place in our Western mindset, especially at Christmas. Of course, we are willing to endure the obligatory levels of sacrifice that correspond to the season: long lines at the stores, holiday traffic, buying gifts, etc. But these are [...]

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Uncommon Christmas Words: “Submission”

The virtue of submitting is not prized in our culture.  In fact, the suggestion that a person should submit to another would make some people bristle.  Submission to authority is not natural—it is not it is not found in our genetic code—it hasn’t been since Adam and Eve took that fateful bite in the Garden. The evidence [...]

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Uncommon Christmas Words: “Slavery”

As Americans, we value freedom—indeed, wars have been waged in defense of our freedom.  From our nation’s birth, we have cherished, advocated, and defended freedom.
 
So introducing the notion of slavery, particularly at Christmas time, may seem odd at best and repulsive and offensive at worst.
 
But look at the passage from Philippians 2 again:
 
Have this mindset [...]

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Uncommon Christmas Words: “Selfless”

From the title, you can see why I identify this word as uncommon, particularly during the Christmas season.  If it were common, there would be no thought given to writing gift lists for Santa, no mall-parking-lot yelling matches, no stampedes at store openings on Black Friday, and no store employees injured or killed in such [...]

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Uncommon Christmas Words

 
What are some words that you commonly associate with Christmas?  And I mean right now—right smack dab in the middle of the season—not the other 11 months of the year.  Some common associations that may come to mind: holiday music, Christmas tree, tree decorations, store decorations, church programs, parties, gifts, shopping, deadlines, Christmas cards, family, [...]

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