It’s definitely the Christmas season! People are filling the shopping malls, making travel arrangements, and putting up decorations. I think I am definitely in the mood for Christmas now. I have been practicing for a small part in our church’s Christmas Musical Drama, Joy, Joy, Joy! I have always hated memorizing parts for a play and I am not confident that I will be able to do it this time – but I’m sure trying.

Tonight at practice, I was amazed at all the others involved in the presentation. One thing that really amazed me was at how much some people have memorized! Two of the narrators have memorized more lines for this than I probably have ever memorized in my entire life. Much of the choir has also memorized their music. Sound, video, and light technicians have to memorize cues to make sure that they do things at the right time. It’s pretty overwhelming just to think about it.

Our church Worship Center has been transformed into a wintery Christmas scene. I am simply amazed at how much work has gone into this year’s Christmas presentation. I guess that a lot of work takes place every year, but I am usually on the spectator side of it. It’s totally different when you are among the cast. Hopefully we’ll have good weather and many people will come out for both showings of the musical.

Now – back to memorization. I remember in college using a few techniques to pass exams, now if I can just remember what those techniques are. I’m glad that the Lord remembered us. This Christmas let’s be sure to remember Jesus.

“And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace“ (Luke 1:76-79).

Vacation literally means to “vacate”. Action to leave behind, change locations, depart from routine, and take a break are implied by “vacation”.

Vacation may mean working extremely long hours in the weeks/days leading up to vacation. Packing half of what one owns to take along. Arranging for pets/flowers/mail, etc., that is to be left behind.

Be sure to take cell phones. Be sure to take credit cards. Be sure to take camera. Take the kids. Did you bring the picnic basket? Ipod? Walkman with headphones? Laptop?

Did you get a room/condo/suite that had at least one TV? Did you watch the TV? Did you keep up with the news? Did you read a newspaper? Did you use the computer? Did you surf the internet? Did you check email? What did you leave behind?

Did you read the Bible? Did you go to church? Did you witness about Jesus and your faith to anyone? Did you honor Sunday as the Lord’s Day?

Vacations are a luxury of the rich. Simply put, if you take a vacation you are among the world’s most wealthy people. Twenty Seven thousand children die each day from starvation. About 1/3 rd of the world’s population will go to bed hungry tonight. Most of the world’s population has no experiential knowledge of vacation. Most of the world’s population is between an existence economy and a survival lifestyle.

As long have there have been wealthy people vacations have been celebrated. Summer homes. Winter homes. Homes in mountains for the coolness. Homes near water for sport and swimming. Multiple homes for the rich also served as security. Moving from home to home prevented enemies from devising plots of murder and mayhem.

Are vacations a sin? No. Vacating is not a sin. An old preacher said: “You need to get 500 miles with the city limits sign in your rearview mirror before your creative juices kick in.”

Jesus took vacations. He often retreated to the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He often rose early and went to deserted places for quietness and meditation. On other occasions Jesus would take his disciples and retreat from the crowds.

There are vacations and then there are vacations. Time away that divides families with stressful activities is not a vacation. Time away that stresses the budget and creates debt is not vacation. Time away that leaves one returning fragmented in mind and heart and physically tired is not a vacation. Time away that neglects prayer, Bible reading and worship and fellowship with believers is not a vacation.

Indulging self to pleasure and spending tithe and mission offering on personal thrills is counter-productive. One cannot leave God behind and come home refreshed. One cannot indulge in carnal pursuits and refresh the soul.

Wisdom calls for balance. Wisdom takes core values wherever wisdom goes. Wisdom takes no time off. Wisdom is consistency between how we dress to meet God and how we dress on vacation.

Vacation is not a time to forsake the essence of life in Christ. When the car is packed up, suitcases are loaded, and all arrangements have been made, is God in the vehicle? Is he welcome to the motel room? Is there balance with budget or is there recklessness? Are children treated special within context of faith, or does guilt drive the machine of pleasure?

On the way home is there excitement? Is there talk of how things will be different because of rest? Is there discussion of how the family will be more involved in ministry? Is there peace in the car? Has time away increased compassion and caring? Has a servant heart been refreshed?

I just had the privilege to take vacation away from my regular duties in the ministry. Our church is gracious enough to give us this time away each year, and I am very thankful for it. I have found that it is a good time to refresh and change the pace of life. All I did was to visit family and friends in Atlanta. I also visited my home church as well. I feel closer to the Lord as a result of spending some quality, uninterrupted time alone with the Lord. I even managed to turn off the cell phone for a few days!

Vacationing is refreshment. How do you vacation? Do you feel successful and closer to the Lord when back to the routine?

I was able to stay in my home church’s Prophets Chamber for a week. It is a nicely decorated apartment that is reserved for traveling preachers and missionaries. What a blessing it was to stay there.

II Kings 4:9-10

Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.