DECEMBER PAGE-Keeping Christ in Christmas
Hello, Happy Holidays to You.I will be adding to this page as the month progresses. Happy Holidays !
December 20th 2007 Glad Tidings Luke Chapter 1: 5-64
Zacharias came to mind today, and as I looked up the passage, I lingered on the words “glad tidings”. Has someone shared “glad tidings” with you, but you did not believe the good news. Breakthrough, find your voice, and proclaim the “good news” and “prepare ye the way.”
5THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 9According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 23And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. 26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. 56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 57Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
Jesus is Born from : flagranger
A music video featuring the music of Michael W. Smith centering on the nativity of Jesus Christ
December 19th 2007 Come and Worship Him
Matthew 2
1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Matthew 2: 1 – 15 (KJV)
Don’t Cross Christ Out Of Christmas From: dustypuppy
Dwight Mallory 2003
piano by Paul MacDonald
Chorus . . .
Don’t cross Christ out of Christmas
He’s the reason for the season
Gods gift to you and me
When the wisemen followed the star to Bethlehem
It was the Christ-child they came to see.
December 18th 2007
Believing in “Possibilities” As a Child
I remember as a child on Christmas eve not being able to fall asleep at the anticipation of Christmas morning. I would wake up very early, sometimes still dark out, and would crawl around the tree and presents with my sister and brothers. There was a tower of presents for each child. We would wake up my mother and ask her to get up, which she always did happily. My dad would stay in bed, while we opened our presents. All his working life, he only had the major holidays off, never took any vacations, so he rested. Anyhow, what excitement, we girls had to wait while my brothers opened their presents, because they were more physical in their reaction to their presents, then we opened ours. My sister and I always opened the same size presents together, so we could be surprised, since we both would get the same item, but in different colors. Same clothes in different colors, different sizes. Same dolls, different colors, same play jewelry, different colors, etc. We loved it! What a feeling, what joy!
Now as an auntie, I marvel at the joy and innocence of a child. When my older nieces and nephews were children, I loved to watch their faces when they made discoveries and opened their presents. I have more young nieces and nephews that are still making discoveries, and I share their excitement at all the “possibilities” Christmas day brings.
“He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:2-4 (NIV)
This Christmas, let us have the faith and trust of a child, but not just on Christmas day, but every day as a Child of our Father God. Oh that we would with excitement and anticipation contemplate all the “possibilities” that we have in God.
And this from – http://www.lovethissite.com/kidagain/
I would love to be a KID again!!! Wouldn’t you ?
**Decisions were made by going “eeny-meeny-miney-mo.”**”Race issue” meant arguing about who ran the fastest.**Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in “Monopoly.”**Being old referred to anyone over 20.**It was magic when dad would “remove” his thumb.**It was unbelievable that dodge ball wasn’t an Olympic event.**Nobody was prettier than Mom.**”Oly-oly-oxen-free” made perfect sense.**Abilities were discovered because of a “double-dog-dare.”**Saturday morning cartoons weren’t 30-minute ads for action figures.**Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for giggles.**War was a card game.**Water balloons were the ultimate weapon.**Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin.**Older siblings were the worst tormentors but also the fiercest
protectors.**Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot.**The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
My Child…
You may not know me, but I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up…Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways…Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered…Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image…Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being…Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring…Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived…Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation…Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book…Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live…Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made…Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb…Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born…Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me…John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love…1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you…1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father…1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could…Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father…Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand…James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs…Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope…Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love…Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore…Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing…Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you…Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession…Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul…Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things…Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me…Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart…Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires…Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine…Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager…2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles…2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you…Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart…Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes…Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth…Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus…John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed…John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being…Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you…Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins…2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled…2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you…1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love…Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me…1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again…Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen…Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father…Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child?…John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you…Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad. Almighty God
- Anonymous-
December 17th 2007
Visiting Shepherds
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (KJV) Luke 2:15-20 Two phrases jump out at me, when reading the above,
- “They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child”
- “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”
These are two things that we can do not only this season, but everyday. We can treasure the Word of God and think upon the things of God, and what scripture teaches us. Most importantly, we can continue to “spread the word” just as the Shepherds. If you don’t know what to share about your faith or Jesus, you can do one better than the Shepherds, they shared what they had been told about Jesus, but we who know him personally, can share what we know to be true about Jesus through personal experience. “Spread the WORD”.
December 16th 2007
Image is from: http://www.creationsbydawn.net
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”- Matthew 1:20-21
Image is from http://www.patswebgraphics.com
December 15th 2007
I Said A Christmas Prayer For You
I said a Christmas Prayer for you
Because the season’s near.
I didn’t ask for riches
But for gifts so much more dear.
I asked for joyful gatherings
With your family all round,
And for carols to inspire you
With their old familiar sound.
I asked for quiet moments
In your heart on Christmas morn,
For a special time to celebrate
The Savior who was born.
I asked for friends to send their best
That you might know they care;
I asked for peace and love and hope,
And I know God heard my prayer. Author Unknown 
December 14th 2007 ChristHasRedeemed meIndescribable joy Sent his Son
To be born and Die for
Me
A
Sinner
By A. Barela
December 13th 2007
Recently I wrote about the greatest gift of all. The gift of salvation and of eternal life, which began with and through the birth of Christ. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”- Isaiah 7:14
Images are from: http://www.creationsbydawn.net/christmas/anim/anim.htmlAs I stood back and contemplated the Christmas lights outside my home, and enjoyed the display of lights. I was sort of disappointed that they were not twinkling lights. That led me to the thought of the “Gospel tree” which I shared on the 10th of December. No these lights were not twinkling lights, but you know, it is a constant light. Yes Lord, I thought ‘constancy in Christ.” How does that happen? It comes by abiding in Christ. Looking at the Merriam-Webster online dictionary one of the definitions of “Abide” is: to remain stable or fixed in a state. My prayer this day is to be a constant light. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” KJV John 15:4
As I peered down the street at a house decorated with twinkling lights, my next thought went to how in a twinkling of an eye, we will be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 reads: “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” And just that quickly it will occur, the rapture of those truly following Christ. How unbearable a testimony it will be, for those who have called themselves Christians, and remain here after we are lifted up! I look forward with anticipation to that great day, with the same anticipation as a child waiting for the biggest present under the tree, knowing that the gift was promised. Behold - he comes. I so want you to be there when I receive that much anticipated gift, and see you receive yours. Make a decision to be there. See you in the sky in Kairos time.
Suggestion visit: http://trustingingod.com/index.htm
Scroll down the page and select #4: IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE! (Read portions of the Book of Revelations to back ground music of “Mission Impossible” and provoking graphics.)
Merry Christmas to you! May Christ be in all your Christmas “doings”!
We Shall Behold Him – Sandi Patty From: bondservant007
December 12th 2007
For some time now, I have been writing the real life stories of my mother and father, to include her sisters and brothers. My project started when my nephew Michael began writing a screenplay about my father, his grandfather’s life. As I have helped him through the different editions, I began to contemplate their experiences and how so many of us do not take the time to listen or even know the stories of our parents and family members.
My project is called “Nuestros Tiempos – Stories Hidden in Time”. This is a project far from being finished. Here is an excerpt from “Navidad – Christmas Time.”
I would like to share some Christmas memories from my mother, and her two sisters and brother. She tells of the stories of her childhood and that of her brother and sisters. I relive them with her and through her.
She and her two sisters and brother grew up in very meager surroundings in different parts of Mexico. Both her parents came from wealthy families, but both their families disowned them because they did not approve of their marriage. Unfortunately my grandfather Julio, could not provide well for the family, and he died from severe asthma after having worked as a coal miner. My mom was the youngest of the four children, and her dad passed away when she was three years old. Her mother was a young widow, and suffered long hardships.
As meager as their beginnings were, my mom Libby, retells stories of her sisters Esperanza and Francisca and her brother Antonio, and how they managed to entertain themselves. Their stories are sad, and yet when they retell the stories there is laughter and warmth. Stories that are so enriching with so many life lessons. One of the lessons I hear often about is “do the best you can with what you have”.
My mom recounts how Christmas morning would come, and being children, they still hoped something would appear on the table Christmas morning. My mom Libby tells of a bittersweet memory, as she and her sisters, Francisca and Esperanza, seeing that again this Christmas morning there were no gifts to open, would sit in a circle, and take an old cloth, and each one of them would bundle one of their knees up to their chest, and pretend these were baby dollies that had arrived that Christmas morning. Oh the joy of comparing babies, and my mom Libby, remembers the long hours they would spend cradling and cooing to their babies (knees). She interjects that sometimes they had the luxury of having found on old newspaper, which they carefully poured over, and cut out the faces of beautiful ladies or girls. They would lick the backside of the print, and apply the “faces” to their knees. They made up long stories of where they had been and the gifts their babies had received that Christmas.
Tears well up in my eyes and I get choked up often, as my mother retells her stories, at how much they had to endure, and how much they went without, but my mothers says, “yet, we were happy.”
She tells how their mother, my grandmother Maria, went to great pains to acquire sticks of cinnamon and bay leaves. Spices were a luxury, let alone the fresh cream or milk. She would make them this delicious hot drink on Christmas morning. This was their only present on some years. My mom’s eyes twinkle as she tell of the delight of drinking this treat and she inhales as if remembering those days long ago. She says they would linger over their “tea” on Christmas morning.
I have been blessed to listen to the stories about these four siblings. I cherish and hang onto those stories. Here is my grandmother’s recipe for this delicious hot drink:
- pan holding six cups of water
- one stick of cinnamon
- two bay leaves
You must watch the tea, and when it comes to its first boil, you must take it from the fire. Boiling it over much causes it to become bitter. Serve it up in the mug of your choice, sweeten to taste, and add a spot of milk. My mom suggests that you add evaporated milk, and as to the sugar, the sweeter, the better. A reminder from my mother, Libby: ‘Enjoy the tea, and count your blessings this Christmas.”
December 11th 2007
The following story is used by general permission from “Heartlight” which is a website blessing and provides resources for positive Christian living and encourages the sharing of articles and images. Please drop by their site, and be blessed and encouraged. The address is: http://www.heartlight.org.I chose this story because it brought my sister-in-law Linda to mind, who has been far from home for so long. She is part of my family now, and she says the same. Still I know that she longs for home, close to her sisters and mother and nephews. As I read this I thought of the loss of her father as well these 20 years or so also. We lost are dads so close to each other. I also think of all the loved ones who have gone on to be with the Lord this year, so many in such a short time. I think of my Gutierrez cousins and Aunt, and daughters who are having their first Christmas without Topi, and how their hearts will ache at the empty space. I think of my Lopez cousins who are grieving for their father who is on life-support, and the finality of saying goodbye. I think of my uncle and Rodriguez cousins who lost their mother a few years back. Then there are the Rodriguez cousins in Mexico who lost three members of the family in the space of one year. I think of the ladies from heart-to-heart and the family losses they have shared, as well. As you read the story, you might think what a sad choice Alma made to include in the December Page, but there are so many hurting during this time. Then there are so many people who are alone and have no one to share Christmas with. As you read the end of the article, hope springs eternal in our hearts. Read on and be blessed… (This article is from Lynn Anderson’s moving book entitled Longing for a Homeland: Discovering the Place You Belong.) All these people … did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. (Hebrews 11:13-14 NIV) It’s Christmas and I want to go home. I miss my folks. The nostalgic song “I’ll be home for Christmas” is sung not about a “place,” but about our people. Come Holiday Season, most of us spare no expense to get with our family around the tree. Like most people I “go back home” to see family as often as possible. Yet strangely, each visit seems less and less like “going home.” First, my siblings and I felt our life-paths growing ever further apart. Different circles. Different life issues.Then Mother left us. For two year’s Parkinson’s had left her staring into space. But that last morning in her hospital room she partly emerged from the fog and even laughed with us. Great moments. But at noon a nurse called saying Mom was gone! After that, “going home” was never quite the same. But we still had Dad. At eighty, people took him for sixty. Then, cancer struck, moving from lungs to bones to brain, leaving stroke-like symptoms. So Carolyn and I packed hastily and set out from Texas for Saskatchewan, Canada. This was two and half weeks before Christmas. We spent those weeks at my father’s bedside. I am his only son, so although Dad could not speak his eyes followed me constantly. His condition remained unpredictable. Christmas drew closer and our grandchildren were expecting us in Colorado Springs. We felt torn, not wanting to disappoint either Dad or our kids. Finally we decided to rush to Colorado for Christmas, and then hurry back to Dad. I awkwardly attempted to explain this to him. But Dad shook his head and finally mumbled, “I — won’t be — here.” “Of course you will Dad,” I assured. But he turned his face away, as I kept repeating, “Only a few days.” Oddly, the last words I said to my father, I spoke to the back of his head. We loved each other enormously, but I was leaving him and he was leaving me. Home was slipping away at frightening speed. Obviously, I am not alone in this “homesick” feeling. It is the story of the human family from generation to generation beginning the day Adam was driven from his splendid garden home. Ever since then all the sons and daughters of Adam have been “away from home.” Homesick. I hear a tent corner flapping in the desert wind. Hear the murmured prayers of old men, far from home. Adam. Abraham far from Ur. Moses far from Egypt and Midian stumbling alone up Mount Nebo. “These all died in faith, never having received what they had longed for.” As will the lot of us. Wandering. Searching. But never finding the homeland. Whole nations become collectively homesick. Europeans leaving family embraces and sailing westward, homeless. Africans torn from loved ones to live homeless among strangers. American Indians herded from vast homelands to holding pens called “reservations.” Israeli settlers dragged from the Gaza Strip. Fact is, of course, staying put would not heal this universal grieving because Home is not a people! No human relationship lasts forever. And not all Christmas home-thoughts are happy ones. The dreaded call reached me in Colorado Springs the day before Christmas. My father had passed away. I felt dead and torn. In one moment grateful for children and grandchildren around me. The next moment, guilt ridden that I was not by Dad’s side at his last hour. The day after Christmas, Carolyn and I climbed in the car again for the two-day drive back to Dad’s funeral. The first day, beautiful weather. The second day, ominous clouds formed, a north wind rose, and the temperature fell 60 degrees in two or three hours. By the time we reached the Canadian border, we were driving into an old-fashioned blizzard. Yet we drove on. After all, Dad’s funeral was set for the next day. Night settled in as we checked into Canada. Snow grew thicker. Wind rose steadily. Temperatures kept falling. Visibility near zero. Our car radio warned travelers off the highways. The storm was to last for days. But, since “home” was now only a hundred miles up the road, we crept urgently along between those lines where the edge of the dark pavement met the vast whiteness. Periodic flurries wrapped us in total white out. Eventually the dark pavement disappeared under a layer of slick whiteness and I drove straight into the ditch, high-centered in deep snow! With the highway now closed no help was likely to come along. And we were miles from anything. Even worse our light clothing could not begin to protect from such savage weather. We would not likely outlast our half-tank of gasoline by more than a few hours. It sounds melodramatic in retrospect, but Carolyn and I actually began trying to shape our good-byes to each other. Then out of the lethal white fury, a large freight truck appeared. At risk to himself, he hooked a cable to our car and snaked us back onto the pavement. Rescued. By now our only alternative was to drive on. However, ice had gathered on our accelerator cable, freezing the car at only two speeds: wide open and off! So we would yank the car into gear, gather speed to fifty miles an hour, then coast in neutral to a near stop — and repeat the process. We limped along like this for several miles, till through the blur we spotted the glow of a light, which turned out to be at the cross-street of a little village. We could see no buildings, just the circle of whiteness surrounding that pool of light. But out of nowhere a car pulled up beside us. A window slid open and a young male voice said cheerily, “You’d better get off this road. We have a heated implement shed for your car and my mother has a hot supper on the stove.” Next morning, snow had let up a bit, the highway was freshly plowed, but the temperature was now thirty-five below, with wind gusting to thirty-five miles an hour. However, our car now ran perfectly, so, we thanked our “angels” and pushed on to Weyburn, Saskatchewan, in time for my Father’s funeral. By the time of Dad’s death, the town of Weyburn had shrunk and my parent’s once thriving church had dwindled to a remnant. A mere handful of people braved the brutal weather for the funeral service. So in my soul-numbing grief, this depressing town felt morose beyond expression. At the cemetery, winds blew between the tombstones with such cruelty that even the family did not leave the van. And as soon as the pallbearers set Dad’s casket on the lowering device, they scuttled for cover. The funeral director and I stayed a few minutes. When he tripped the switch to lower Dad’s casket, the frozen lowering device would not budge. He fumbled with the mechanism, but I saw the waxen frostbite claiming his face. So I urged, “You can come back and finish this when the weather breaks. Dad is all right. He always loved a good blizzard anyway.” Then we both sprinted to the warmth of the hearse, leaving the casket exposed in the vicious cold. I still sometimes dream that I see the body of my father dressed in a suit with no overcoat, lying out in a blizzard. Two days later, the skies still gray and the temperature still brutal, Carolyn and I loaded up and drove out of Weyburn southward, in gloomy silence. Eventually, I mumbled, “I don’t think I ever want to come back here again.” I felt as disconnected from any known permanent sense of belonging as I have ever felt in my life. Homeless! I was coming to the devastating discovery that as precious as our families are, home is not a people. People just won’t stay with us. Nor we with them.
Oh, how I longed for a home. Still do. Especially at Christmas I smell the smells, taste the tastes and hear sounds of that home, with Mom and Dad, like it was when I was a child. But, we all leave each other eventually. No human relationship is permanent. None.
What is infinitely more sobering: even if people could stay, no human relationship is ultimately fulfilling. Not the warmest parent — child relationship. Not the closest friendship. Ah yes! Even in the most intimate and “ideal” marriage we are still destined to a certain degree of loneliness and homesickness.
Where oh where then is home?
Here, I believe, is the answer: Home is where God is. Only our heavenly Father stays permanently. And only He fulfills completely. “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.” (Psalm 90:1) “How lovely is your dwelling place, Oh God almighty. My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:1-2) Only with God are we fully at home.
And Christmas reminds us that the one who is the Christmas story, left his home at the Father’s side and became “homeless.” “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58) Immanuel he is called, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) Identifying with our homelessness. But mysteriously, at the same time this Homeless One is the way to the Father’s house. “I am the way home,” he said, “No one comes to the father except by me.” And “I will go and prepare a place for you among the many mansions of my Father’s house.” (John 14:2-6)
So, with you, Oh my Heavenly Father, “Surely goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6) So I have made a decision. And I am resolved. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)
Home. Take me home for Christmas.
December 10th 2007 
The Gospel Tree
There once was a shining Christmas tree
Standing out where all could see.
Its brilliance captured every eye
And seemed to cheer each passer-by.“The lights are so bright”, they would say
And hesitate to walk away.
The tree stood proud ablaze with light
For every light was burning bright.Then one bulb was heard to say
“I’m tired of burning night and day;
I think I’ll just go out and rest
For I’m too tired to do my best;
Besides, I am so very small
I doubt if I’d be missed at all.”Then a child lovingly touched the light
“Look, mother, this one shines so very bright.
I think of all the lights upon the tree
This one looks the best to me.““Oh my goodness,” said the light
“I almost dimmed right out of sight.
I thought perhaps no one would care
If I failed to shine my share.”
With that a glorious brilliance came
For every light had felt-the same.Our Gospel, like this Christmas tree
With little lights which are you and me.
We each have a space that we must fill
With love, and lessons and good will.
Let’s keep our tree ablaze with light
With testimonies burning bright.For our Gospel is a living tree
That lights the way to eternity.Author Unknown
December 9th 2007
Who Started This Christmas Thing Anyway?
by Anonymous
This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing
both her children asking for everything they saw on the many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids. She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season:
overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming,
taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don’t forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card. Finally the elevator doors opened, and there was already a crowd in the elevator car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed, she couldn’t take it anymore and stated, “Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot.”From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet, calm voice respond,
“Don’t worry, we already crucified Him.”
For the rest of the trip down the elevator, it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.Don’t forget this year to keep the One who started “this whole Christmas thing” in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think how different this world would be.
December 8th 2007
Visit these precious Christian sites Holiday Pages which will help you celebrate the true ‘reason for the season’ !
For Christmas Devotionals visit: http://peggiesplace.gospelcom.net/Christmasdevos.htm
Christian children’s book author and illustrator shares online children’s book, devotions and one year of weekly illustrated Bible studies for kids & teens:
Gifts In A Jar:
http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/jarrecipes.html
Christian website for busy moms – find quick and easy recipes, plus soothing inspirations and scriptures:
http://www.busymomsrecipes.com/ Inspirational stories and poems:http://www.fathershands.com/cards/
Image on this page are from: http://www.hellasmultimedia.com
December 7th 2007
Legend of The Candy Cane
A Candymaker wanted to make a candy
that would be a witness for his Lord,
so he made the Christmas Candy Cane.
He incorporated several symbols for
the birth, ministry, and death
of Jesus Christ.
He began with a stick of pure white,
hard candy. White to symbolize the
virgin birth and the sinless nature
of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the
Solid Rock, the foundation of the
Church and firmness of
the promises of God.
The candymaker made the candy in the
form of a “J” to represent the precious
name of Jesus, who came to earth as our
Savior. It could also represent the
staff of the “Good Shepherd ” with which
He reaches down into the ditches of the
world to lift out the fallen lambs who,
like all sheep have gone astray.
Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain,
the candymaker stained it with red stripes.
He used three small stripes to show the stripes
of the scourging Jesus received by which we
are healed. The large red stripe was for the
blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we
could have the promise of eternal life.
Unfortunately, the candy became known as
a Candy Cane – a meaningless decoration seen
at Christmas time. But the meaning is still
there for those who “have eyes to see and ears
to hear”. I pray that this symbol will again
be used to witness to the wonder of Jesus and
His great love thatcame down at Christmas
and remains the ultimate and dominant force
in the universe today.
Author Unknown
December 6th 2007
Do you know God has a free gift for you? It doesn’t come in a box or in fancy wrapping paper with a bow. You don’t have to do anything to earn the gift, and you cannot buy it. That gift is the gift of Salvation through his Son Jesus, purchased with his blood. He will be found by those who seek him. This season choose to believe that he was born for you, died for you and rose from the grave for you. Receive this gift; receive Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior.
And the angel said unto her,
Fear not, Mary: for thou hast
found favour with God.And, behold, thou shalt conceive
in thy womb, and bring forth a son,
and shalt call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called
the Son of the Highest: and the
Lord God shall give unto Him the
throne of His father David:
And He shall reign over the house of
Jacob for ever; and His kingdom
there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How
shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her
The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and
the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:
therefore also that holy thing which shall be
born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
LUKE 1:30-35
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring
forth a son, and they shall call
His name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 1:23
But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law,To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to [a]atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God's sons].(Amplified) Galatians 4:4–5
Share that Gift with “Operation Holiday Thanks”
Great family activity: Show your appreciation and share your season’s greetings with a recovering service member.
Simply send your holiday cards to:
Operation Holiday Thanks
c/o E.D. Hill
FOX News Channel
1211 6th Avenue
17th floor
New York, NY 10036
They will make sure your cards are distributed to a number of military hospitals!
December 5th 2007
Mary Did you Know? From: YouTube - wldldycat
MARY, DID YOU KNOW? Lyrics
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know, that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered,
Will soon deliver you!
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Will give sight to the blind man?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know, that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod
And when you kiss your little baby,
You’ve kissed the face of God?
Oh, Mary did you know?
Mary did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear,
The dead will live again,
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
Praises of the Lamb?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know, that your baby boy
Was Heaven’s perfect Lamb
And this sleeping Child you’re holding
Is the Great I Am
Oh Mary.
Written by Mark Lowery (Gaithers’)
December 4th 2007 Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, and Jewish people across the world, will light the first candle of the Menorah to commemorate the Maccabees’ victory. The lighting of the candles symbolize the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Temple.
