Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
I wish everyone a blessed Christmas as we celebrate the Savior's birth! I hope that your Christmases are wonderful and Christ-filled.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The Advent of our King
The season of Advent is nearing its end and the season of Christmas will be here soon. But, it's ot Christmas yet. While some people seem to think that Christmas starts right after Halloween and others consider the day after Thanksgiving the start of Christmas, I do not. While I am perfectly content to consider the day after Thanksiving the beginning of the holiday season (and a perfect time to start decorating the housee), I don't want to lose the wonder, marvel, and reflection of Advent.
Advent is a time in which I focus on my sin and the need for a Savior. Yes, I said it. I am a sinner. Those words sting and are not easy for my often perfectionistic self to say. After all, who wants to admit that they are not perfect? Certainly not me. But that is what the season of Advent is about. It is a time for me to reflect on my sinful nature and the fact that I do not deserve anything and cannot achieve anything on my own. I need a Savior. I need someone to take my sins and bear the punishment for them. I need Christ.
After all, isn't that what Christmas is all about? If we didn't need a Savior, what reason would the Father have to send his Son to have a human birth? Christmas is meaningless without the realization that it is only necessary due to our fallen nature. Christmas is meaningless if I am not a sinner in need of a Savior. As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, don't lose the importance of Advent. As John the Baptist said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2, ESV)
Advent is a time in which I focus on my sin and the need for a Savior. Yes, I said it. I am a sinner. Those words sting and are not easy for my often perfectionistic self to say. After all, who wants to admit that they are not perfect? Certainly not me. But that is what the season of Advent is about. It is a time for me to reflect on my sinful nature and the fact that I do not deserve anything and cannot achieve anything on my own. I need a Savior. I need someone to take my sins and bear the punishment for them. I need Christ.
After all, isn't that what Christmas is all about? If we didn't need a Savior, what reason would the Father have to send his Son to have a human birth? Christmas is meaningless without the realization that it is only necessary due to our fallen nature. Christmas is meaningless if I am not a sinner in need of a Savior. As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, don't lose the importance of Advent. As John the Baptist said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2, ESV)
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
While I don't plan on usually posting book or movie reviews, I am going to post a little about The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. This is a spoiler alert. If you haven't seen the movie and don't want to find out anything about it, STOP READING NOW! With that warning...
I really was disappointed with the movie version of VDT. While more pieces of the plot line existed in this movie than in Prince Caspian, the most major theme was distorted. The movie looked at a theme of temptation and the inability to resist temptation due to the green mist (which is NOT in the book). While temptation certainly exists in the book, the book is not as much about temptation as it is about the depravity of humans and the redeeming power of Christ (Aslan) through baptism (Eustace's de-dragoning) and Word (the appearances of Aslan to the various characters). In the movie, the characters are not totally responsible for their actions, as the evil mist caused them to act certain ways. However, in the book, each character is held responsible for his or her actions. Only Aslan can save. In the movie, however, the characters defeat the mist on their own with their quest. This seems to be so anti-Lewis and his ideas for the themes of the books.
I strongly debated whether to even see this movie after being so disappointed by Prince Caspian, but I decided to see it anyway because of the change of both the director and distributer. However, I am pretty sure I will not be seeing any more (if they are made). I simply can't take the intense pain while sitting in the theater anymore. (And my fellow patrons probably don't want me sitting there either, as I tend to madly flail my arms in disgust when I am frustrated.)
I really was disappointed with the movie version of VDT. While more pieces of the plot line existed in this movie than in Prince Caspian, the most major theme was distorted. The movie looked at a theme of temptation and the inability to resist temptation due to the green mist (which is NOT in the book). While temptation certainly exists in the book, the book is not as much about temptation as it is about the depravity of humans and the redeeming power of Christ (Aslan) through baptism (Eustace's de-dragoning) and Word (the appearances of Aslan to the various characters). In the movie, the characters are not totally responsible for their actions, as the evil mist caused them to act certain ways. However, in the book, each character is held responsible for his or her actions. Only Aslan can save. In the movie, however, the characters defeat the mist on their own with their quest. This seems to be so anti-Lewis and his ideas for the themes of the books.
I strongly debated whether to even see this movie after being so disappointed by Prince Caspian, but I decided to see it anyway because of the change of both the director and distributer. However, I am pretty sure I will not be seeing any more (if they are made). I simply can't take the intense pain while sitting in the theater anymore. (And my fellow patrons probably don't want me sitting there either, as I tend to madly flail my arms in disgust when I am frustrated.)
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