December 28
Jesus is the Reason for the Season!
"If Jesus were born one thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost." - Corrie ten Boom
THE LOAN
I ran short of money while visiting my brother, so he loaned me $50. After I returned home, I wrote him a short letter every couple of weeks, enclosing a $5 check in each one. A couple of months into this, he called me one evening just to tell me how much enjoyed the letters, regardless of the money. I had never written regularly before.
Eventually I sent off a letter that contained the last $5, completing my repayment of the loan. The next week I found an envelope in my mailbox. It was from my brother. Inside was a check for another $50.
If snow could fall in any flavor, what flavor would you choose?
All my relatives know that I refold the wrapping paper from my Christmas presents for use later.
"Aunt Jane," asked one of my young nieces, "why do you save all that paper?"
"I'm doing what's best for the environment," I replied. "So I'm recycling this paper."
But then my daughter pipes up, "Good thing you didn't ask that question five years ago ... then she was just plain cheap."
Courage to Face the New Year
There is an odd little carol which is sometimes sung on this first Sunday after Christmas. It begins:
There's snow on the mountain and ice on the pond,
The Wise Men are home now in the back of beyond.
The Shepherd's have left us; the heavens are dumb;
There's no one to tell us why Jesus has come.
It ends:
But God's in His heaven, and Jesus has come
To show every sinner he's welcome back home,
To be this world's Saviour from hunger and fear,
And give us new courage to face the New Year.
We have courage to face this New Year because of Jesus. He is Immanuel—God with us and for us.
The Light That Brings Discomfort
In 1992 a lighthouse was built in Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic. This is one of the poorest areas in the world. The lighthouse was constructed to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus. 150,000 people were evicted from their homes in a shantytown to make room for it. The intensity of its light means that electricity is rationed throughout much of the city. The light that brings security for some brings discomfort for others.
Jesus is the light that brings revelation and security but also discomfort and suffering for himself and for others. This is the second point that Simeon makes about this Messiah that is different to the expectations of his day.
Mary's Suffering
There are two well-known pictures, each with the same title, "The Shadow of the Cross." One by Holeman Hunt depicts the interior of a carpenter's shop, with Joseph and the Boy Jesus at work. Mary is also present. The Boy Jesus pauses in his work, and as he stretches himself the shadow of the cross is formed on the wall. The other picture is a popular engraving which depicts the Infant Jesus running with outstretched arms to his mother, the shadow of the cross being cast on the ground by his form as he runs. Both pictures are fanciful in form, but their underlying message is true. If we read the Gospels just as they stand, it is clear that the death of Jesus Christ was really in view almost from the outset of his earthly appearance. At first sight there seems little in them about his death, but as we look deeper we see more. It was part of the divine purpose and plan for him from the first, and very early we have a hint of the cross in the words of the aged Simeon to the mother of our Lord: "A sword shall pierce through thine own heart also."
A number of years ago, when Lou Holtz was at the University of Arkansas, he was taking his team to play a bowl game in Tempe, Arizona. The game was to be played on Christmas day. He was asked how he felt about playing a game on Christmas, rather than being with his family. The coach answered candidly: "I would rather be in Tempe. After all, once you have been to church, had Christmas dinner, and opened the presents, Christmas is the most boring day of the year."
It has been said by many that if you preach the gospel, people will beat a path to your door to hear you. I don't think that is necessarily so. Big crowds are not necessarily a measure of whether the gospel is being preached. Paul surely preached the gospel more effectively than most, and he did not always attract big crowds. Often it was the opposite, working mostly with small groups. While Jesus had his share of multitudes, he also had large numbers who turned away from him when they learned what discipleship was all about.
"Texas gained more people than any other state between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008 (484,000), followed by California (379,000), North Carolina (181,000), Georgia (162,000) and Arizona (147,000)," the Bureau says in a press release. "The only two states to lose population were Michigan and Rhode Island. Michigan’s population declined 0.5% (46,000), while Rhode Island’s fell 0.2% (2,000)."
Census data show that the nation's western states have grown the fastest since 2000.
The devil has no great interest in destroying the church, he wants to run it.
A sign for a revival in the church read, “If not now, when? If not us, who? If not here, where?”
Great churches are not built with spare time and pocket change.
I’d rather walk with Christ in the dark, than to walk alone in the light.
With the bailouts, the rise of climate control and alternate fuels mentalities, the promised infusions of socialistic programs, and the liberal cry of “help to all“, do I hear that ominous hum, click, and thump of money being printed? I wonder if I could help the economy by buying stock in printers, paper, and ink. (Is this the “green” everyone is talking
about?)
We live in a wishy-washy, come what may, live for the moment, couch potato, fairy tale world with no convictions except we don’t want to be bothered by anyone regardless of what we do - unless there’s quick money in it for us. If we were entirely honest, wouldn't the favorites we sing most lustily sound rather like this? "I surrender some"... "He's quite a bit to me".... "Where He leads me, I sometimes follow"... "Jesus is some of what I need"... "I sort of love you Lord"... "Just as I pretend to be" … “Onward Christian Reserves,” … “Oh For a Thousand Bucks to Sing,” … etc! --- Anonymous
Top ten things to say about a Christmas gift you don't like
10. Hey! There's a gift!
9. Well, well, well ...
8. Boy, if I had not recently shot up 4 sizes that would've fit.
7. This is perfect for wearing around the basement.
6. Gosh. I hope this never catches fire! It is fire season though. There are lots of unexplained fires.
5. If the dog buries it, I'll be furious!
4. I love it but I fear the jealousy it will inspire.
3. Sadly, tomorrow I enter the Federal Witness Protection Program.
2. To think I got this the year I vowed to give all my gifts to charity.
And the Number One Thing to say about a Christmas gift you don't like:
1. "I really don't deserve this."
A mother never forgets the first time she sees her child. She memorizes in her heart the wonder of each tiny feature. She runs her fingertip tenderly across her infant’s silken skin. She checks each finger and toe. Her heart skips a beat as tiny eyes look up at her—helpless except for her protection and care. Mary must have felt the same wonder as she gazed down at her sweet baby boy, lying in His manger bed. Jesus was indeed the Savior of the world, but for those first precious moments, He was simply Mary’s Child.
I’m being auditioned to be a model.
Oh? For the “before” or the “after" photo?”
A doctor was stranded on a ski slope after an avalanche. He stamped out “help” in the snow but it took a week for him to be rescued because no one could read his writing.
T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.
They'd been worn all week and needed the air.
New Year Thoughts...
I suppose when we wake on January 1 the world will look the same. But there is a reminder of the Resurrection at the start of each new year, each new decade. That's why I also like sunrises,
Mondays, and new seasons. God seems to be saying, "With me you can always start afresh."
At age 83, Granddad was admitted to the hospital for the first time. "What is this?" he asked as he held up the bell cord they had fastened to his pillow.
"That's the bell, Granddad," I replied.
He pulled it several times, then remarked, "I don't hear it ringing."
"Oh, it doesn't ring," I explained. "It turns on a light in the hall for the nurse."
"Well!" he replied indignantly, "if the nurse wants a light on in the hall, she can turn it on herself."
Religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of humanity's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. -- Victor Hugo
"If Jesus were born one thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost." - Corrie ten Boom
THE LOAN
I ran short of money while visiting my brother, so he loaned me $50. After I returned home, I wrote him a short letter every couple of weeks, enclosing a $5 check in each one. A couple of months into this, he called me one evening just to tell me how much enjoyed the letters, regardless of the money. I had never written regularly before.
Eventually I sent off a letter that contained the last $5, completing my repayment of the loan. The next week I found an envelope in my mailbox. It was from my brother. Inside was a check for another $50.
If snow could fall in any flavor, what flavor would you choose?
All my relatives know that I refold the wrapping paper from my Christmas presents for use later.
"Aunt Jane," asked one of my young nieces, "why do you save all that paper?"
"I'm doing what's best for the environment," I replied. "So I'm recycling this paper."
But then my daughter pipes up, "Good thing you didn't ask that question five years ago ... then she was just plain cheap."
Courage to Face the New Year
There is an odd little carol which is sometimes sung on this first Sunday after Christmas. It begins:
There's snow on the mountain and ice on the pond,
The Wise Men are home now in the back of beyond.
The Shepherd's have left us; the heavens are dumb;
There's no one to tell us why Jesus has come.
It ends:
But God's in His heaven, and Jesus has come
To show every sinner he's welcome back home,
To be this world's Saviour from hunger and fear,
And give us new courage to face the New Year.
We have courage to face this New Year because of Jesus. He is Immanuel—God with us and for us.
The Light That Brings Discomfort
In 1992 a lighthouse was built in Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic. This is one of the poorest areas in the world. The lighthouse was constructed to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus. 150,000 people were evicted from their homes in a shantytown to make room for it. The intensity of its light means that electricity is rationed throughout much of the city. The light that brings security for some brings discomfort for others.
Jesus is the light that brings revelation and security but also discomfort and suffering for himself and for others. This is the second point that Simeon makes about this Messiah that is different to the expectations of his day.
Mary's Suffering
There are two well-known pictures, each with the same title, "The Shadow of the Cross." One by Holeman Hunt depicts the interior of a carpenter's shop, with Joseph and the Boy Jesus at work. Mary is also present. The Boy Jesus pauses in his work, and as he stretches himself the shadow of the cross is formed on the wall. The other picture is a popular engraving which depicts the Infant Jesus running with outstretched arms to his mother, the shadow of the cross being cast on the ground by his form as he runs. Both pictures are fanciful in form, but their underlying message is true. If we read the Gospels just as they stand, it is clear that the death of Jesus Christ was really in view almost from the outset of his earthly appearance. At first sight there seems little in them about his death, but as we look deeper we see more. It was part of the divine purpose and plan for him from the first, and very early we have a hint of the cross in the words of the aged Simeon to the mother of our Lord: "A sword shall pierce through thine own heart also."
A number of years ago, when Lou Holtz was at the University of Arkansas, he was taking his team to play a bowl game in Tempe, Arizona. The game was to be played on Christmas day. He was asked how he felt about playing a game on Christmas, rather than being with his family. The coach answered candidly: "I would rather be in Tempe. After all, once you have been to church, had Christmas dinner, and opened the presents, Christmas is the most boring day of the year."
It has been said by many that if you preach the gospel, people will beat a path to your door to hear you. I don't think that is necessarily so. Big crowds are not necessarily a measure of whether the gospel is being preached. Paul surely preached the gospel more effectively than most, and he did not always attract big crowds. Often it was the opposite, working mostly with small groups. While Jesus had his share of multitudes, he also had large numbers who turned away from him when they learned what discipleship was all about.
"Texas gained more people than any other state between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008 (484,000), followed by California (379,000), North Carolina (181,000), Georgia (162,000) and Arizona (147,000)," the Bureau says in a press release. "The only two states to lose population were Michigan and Rhode Island. Michigan’s population declined 0.5% (46,000), while Rhode Island’s fell 0.2% (2,000)."
Census data show that the nation's western states have grown the fastest since 2000.
The devil has no great interest in destroying the church, he wants to run it.
A sign for a revival in the church read, “If not now, when? If not us, who? If not here, where?”
Great churches are not built with spare time and pocket change.
I’d rather walk with Christ in the dark, than to walk alone in the light.
With the bailouts, the rise of climate control and alternate fuels mentalities, the promised infusions of socialistic programs, and the liberal cry of “help to all“, do I hear that ominous hum, click, and thump of money being printed? I wonder if I could help the economy by buying stock in printers, paper, and ink. (Is this the “green” everyone is talking
about?)
We live in a wishy-washy, come what may, live for the moment, couch potato, fairy tale world with no convictions except we don’t want to be bothered by anyone regardless of what we do - unless there’s quick money in it for us. If we were entirely honest, wouldn't the favorites we sing most lustily sound rather like this? "I surrender some"... "He's quite a bit to me".... "Where He leads me, I sometimes follow"... "Jesus is some of what I need"... "I sort of love you Lord"... "Just as I pretend to be" … “Onward Christian Reserves,” … “Oh For a Thousand Bucks to Sing,” … etc! --- Anonymous
Top ten things to say about a Christmas gift you don't like
10. Hey! There's a gift!
9. Well, well, well ...
8. Boy, if I had not recently shot up 4 sizes that would've fit.
7. This is perfect for wearing around the basement.
6. Gosh. I hope this never catches fire! It is fire season though. There are lots of unexplained fires.
5. If the dog buries it, I'll be furious!
4. I love it but I fear the jealousy it will inspire.
3. Sadly, tomorrow I enter the Federal Witness Protection Program.
2. To think I got this the year I vowed to give all my gifts to charity.
And the Number One Thing to say about a Christmas gift you don't like:
1. "I really don't deserve this."
A mother never forgets the first time she sees her child. She memorizes in her heart the wonder of each tiny feature. She runs her fingertip tenderly across her infant’s silken skin. She checks each finger and toe. Her heart skips a beat as tiny eyes look up at her—helpless except for her protection and care. Mary must have felt the same wonder as she gazed down at her sweet baby boy, lying in His manger bed. Jesus was indeed the Savior of the world, but for those first precious moments, He was simply Mary’s Child.
I’m being auditioned to be a model.
Oh? For the “before” or the “after" photo?”
A doctor was stranded on a ski slope after an avalanche. He stamped out “help” in the snow but it took a week for him to be rescued because no one could read his writing.
T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.
They'd been worn all week and needed the air.
New Year Thoughts...
I suppose when we wake on January 1 the world will look the same. But there is a reminder of the Resurrection at the start of each new year, each new decade. That's why I also like sunrises,
Mondays, and new seasons. God seems to be saying, "With me you can always start afresh."
At age 83, Granddad was admitted to the hospital for the first time. "What is this?" he asked as he held up the bell cord they had fastened to his pillow.
"That's the bell, Granddad," I replied.
He pulled it several times, then remarked, "I don't hear it ringing."
"Oh, it doesn't ring," I explained. "It turns on a light in the hall for the nurse."
"Well!" he replied indignantly, "if the nurse wants a light on in the hall, she can turn it on herself."
Religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of humanity's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. -- Victor Hugo
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