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JESUS is the reason the for the season! Hi INDONESIA! Now the CRISIS has been changed to
CHRISTMAS! |
C is for the Christ child born upon this day
H is for the Herald angels in the night
R He's our Redeemer
I means Israel
S is for the Stars that shone so bright
T is for Three wise men, they who traveled far
M is for the Manger where He lays
A is for All the _______
S means Shepherd came
And that's why there is a CHRISTMAS day
[I used to sing this. Dear friends, I have forgotten some of the text. Any one could give a hand?]
"Daddy", she said, her eyes full of tears,
"Will you talk to me and quiet my fears?
Those bad boys at school are spreading a lie
'bout the impossibility of reindeer that fly.
There's no Santa Claus, they say with a grin
there's not one now and there never has been.
How can one man take all of those toys
to thousands of girls and boys?
But I told them Daddy, that they were not right,
that I would come home and find out tonight.
Mama said wait until you come home.
Please tell me now that I was not wrong."
Her Daddy looked at her questioning face
and puffed his pipe while his frantic mind raced.
He had put this off as long as he could,
he had to think fast and it better be good.
Whispering a prayer, he began with a smile,
"well climb on my lap, dear, let's talk
awhile."
"Remember at church how we learned to pray,
asking God to take care of us each day?
And you know how we say grace before each meal?
To this same God whom we know to be real.
Though we never see him, we know he is there
watching his children with such loving care."
"God started Christmas a long time ago
when he gave us his son to love and to know.
A spirit of giving came with that birth,
and God's generosity filled the whole earth.
Man had to name this spirit of giving
just as he names all things that are living."
"The name Santa Claus came to someone's mind
probably the best name of any to find.
There is, you can see, and I think quite clear
Truly a Santa who visits each year.
A spirit like God, whom we never see,
he enters the hearts of your mother and me."
"Each year at Christmas for one special night
we become him and make everything right.
But the REAL spirit of Christmas is in you and in me
and I hope you are old enough now to see
that as we believe and continue to give,
our friend Santa Claus will continue to live."
Observation: "Nothing should be done in haste except catching fleas." That Scottish saying holds much truth for us, especially during the holiday season. Think about it as you read the following legend.
An ancient Scottish legend tells the story of a shepherd boy tending a few straggling sheep on the side of a mountain. One day he saw at his feet a beautiful flower--one that was more beautiful than any he had ever seen before. The boy knelt down on his knees, scooped the flower in his hands, and held it close to his eyes, drinking in its beauty. The boy then heard a noise, and looked up before him. There he saw a great stone mountain opening up right before his eyes. The sun began to shine on the inside of the mountain, and his eyes widened as he saw the sparkling of the beautiful gems and precious metals that it contained.
With the flower in his hands, the shepherd boy rushed inside. Laying the flower down, he began to gather gold, silver and precious gems in his arms. Finally, with all that his arms could carry, the boy turned and started to leave the great cavern. Suddenly a voice said to him, "Don't forget the best."
Thinking that perhaps he had overlooked some choice piece of treasure, the boy turned around and quickly picked up additional pieces of priceless treasure. As his arms literally overflowed with wealth, he began to run out of the great mountainous vault. Again the voice said, "Don't forget the best."
But the boy's arms were filled, and he hurried outside. All of a sudden, the precious metals and stones turned to dust. The boy looked around and saw the great stone mountain closing its doors.
A third time the shepherd boy heard the voice, and this time it said, "You forgot the best. For the beautiful flower is the key to the vault of the mountain."
How Does This Apply to Our Lives?
The boy forgot the best, and lost a treasure. We too can lose a treasure. We get so busy, that in our haste we miss things in life that are just waiting to be enjoyed. As William Feather (1889-1981) said, "Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it." That's especially true during the busy holidays. Slow down, and get your share of happiness this Christmas.
There's another lesson we can learn from the legend about the shepherd boy. Just as the flower was the key to the treasure of the mountain, Jesus is the key to the treasure of the holidays--a treasure of Christmas joy that can last throughout the coming year. But like the boy, you can get so involved in activities and so focused on material things that you forget the best, and lose that treasure.
So this Christmas, remember the best. Jesus is the reason for the season. Don't forget it!
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"For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!" [Mic 5.2] - Luke 2.11
How sad it is for Me to see,
My children when they ignore Me.
I gave them life from the very start,
There should be room for Me within their heart.
I gave them life a second time,
Why do they still remain so blind.
I sent My son to set you free,
Not just to make a day of glee.
You celebrate His birth each year,
Your spirit rejoicing as it draws near.
You give fancy gifts and feasts galore,
Still no one hears Him, knocking at the door.
Even children that claim My name,
Most of them are just the same
Oh, I know that some of them would say,
"
Of course! I know the meaning of Christmas
Day."
Then you put Me out of your mind,
'Til you need Me again in troubled times.
Friends and family might believe this to be true,
That Christmas means all the right things to you.
But your Heavenly Father knows all the time,
What thoughts dwell within in your mind.
Is My Son your first thought on Christmas Day?
When you awake do you find time to pray?
If the Bible and gifts were set side by side,
Would you read My Word and put the gifts aside?
As for the children I gave unto you,
Would they understand any better then you?
If the Bible was laying under the tree,
Would they reach for it and shout with glee?
No I'm afraid when all is done,
You would have all, forgotten My Son.
Among the gifts and fancy wrappings under the tree,
The Book of My Word remains forgotten, like my Son and
Me.
Hello dear friend!
Well, as you know, it's time for my birthday again. Last year, they had a real big party for me and it seems like they will again this year. After all, they've been shopping and preparing for it for months now, and there have been announcements and advertisements almost everyday about how soon it's coming! They really do go overboard about it, but it's nice to know that at least on one day of the year some people are thinking about me a little.
You know, it's been many years now since they first started celebrating my birthday. Back then they seemed to realize and appreciate how much fun it is for the little children. Just the same, it seems that most folks are missing the point of it all.
Like last year, for example: When my birthday came around , they threw a big party, but can you believe it?... I wasn't even invited! Imagine! The guest of honor, and they forgot all about me! Here they had begun preparing for the festivities two months in advance, but when the big day came, I was left out in the cold! Well, it happened so many times in recent years, I wasn't even surprised. Even though I wasn't invited, I thought I'd just quietly slip anyway. So I came in and stood off to the side.
Everyone was drinking, laughing and having a grand time, when all of a sudden, in came this fat fellow in a bright red suit, wearing a phony white beard and shouting, Ho ho ho! He looked like he had more than enough to drink, but he somehow managed to weave his way running the floor while everyone cheered. When he collapsed into a big armchair, all the little children went running over to him excitedly yelling, Santa! Santa! I mean, you'd have thought he was the guest of honor and the whole holiday was in his honor!
Then he began telling them the most ridiculous stories you've ever heard!...that he live at the North Pole with a crew of dwarfs and that every year on my birthday he rides in his sleigh pulled by a bunch of flying reindeers, delving presents to children all over the world! I mean there wasn't a word of truth in anything he said! Imagine telling such poor, little, impressionable kids such far-fetched fables!
Finally I just had to leave, I walked out of the door, and it was hardly surprising that no one even noticed that I had gone. As I walked down the street afterward, I felt about as lonely and forlorn as a stray dogs! I could hardly remember the last time I'd felt that low. Maybe you do not think I cry.........
That little manger scene you had put up in the corner of your living room was really touching! It's sweet of people to commemorate my birthday like that. But did you know that nowadays, in some countries, the authorities won't even allow manger scenes to be displayed in the parks, streets, or public places anymore! Not to mention their schools! And I'm not talking about Communist countries! I'm talking about the good old USA. Imagine! What could be more innocent than a manger scene to remind people of my birthday?...and yet they ban it! They've actually passed laws against it and made it illegal! What's this world coming to?
Another thing that amazes me is how, on my birthday, instead of giving me presents, most people give gifts to each other! And to top it all off, it's usually all kinds of stuff they don't even need! Let me ask you, wouldn't you find it odd if when your birthday came along, all your friends decided to celebrate it by giving each other presents and never gave you a thing?
Someone once told me, "Well, it's because you're not around like other people are, so how can we give you a present?" You know my answer to that one: "Then give gifts of food and clothing to the poor, help those who need it. Go visit the lonely!" I said, "Listen, any gift you give to your needy fellowmen, I'll count as if you gave it to me personally!" (See Matthew 25:34-40)
Well sad to say, things are getting worse each year. You can just imagine my shock a few years ago when I began seeing them taking my name out of my birthday greeting and replacing it with an X - What an insult! Think of it!...Xmas!... What if I wrote you a birthday card and said Happy Birthday X! You'd probably never talk to me again! And that's just about how I feel, I mean what more could they do to push me right out of the picture on my own birthday?
It reminds me of what happened recently to a friend of mine, a sweet elderly fellow. He's from the poorer side of town and he's been trying unsuccessfully for years to join the church. But it was a very exclusive church for the proper kind of folks, and they just did not think he was good enough to be a member. I found him one day sitting by the church steps with his head on his hands bowed, and I asked him what was wrong. He told me about it, I put my arm around his shoulder and told him I knew just how he felt. I've been wanting to enter that same church for twenty years and they've never let me in either!
Well there's an end even to my patience. So I'm going to let you in on a secret............. Now this is something I've been planning on doing for quite sometime, but the way things are going, I think I'm planning on holding my own party! How about that? It's going to be the biggest most fantastic feast you could possibly imagine! It might not happen this year. But I'm sending out the invitations now anyway, because I know you'll want to come. There's going to be room for billions, for everyone who wants to come! Some really famous old timers and celebrities are going to be there and I'll reserve you seat of honor right with them! (Matt. 8:11)
So hold on to your hat because when everything is ready, I'm going to spring it as a big surprise! and a lot of people are going to be left out in the cold because they didn't answer my invitation. Let me know right away if you'd like to come, and I'll reserve you a place, and write your name in large golden letters in my great big Guest Book!
Much Love,
JESUS
In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words: "It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear-for the first time-the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger.
Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.
The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat -- he looked to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger.
Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at his completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately--until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay.
Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?'"
And Jesus told me, "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me." "So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him -- for always."
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him -- FOR ALWAYS
**Judge each day not by the harvest, but by the seeds
you plant.**
Sarceda Family (Thailand)
It rained so hard tonight. I could feel the wind piercing through my ribs. A rainy Christmas eve. It just made me feel sadder and lonelier. It had rained the day he was buried into the ground and I had cried just like now.
I was attracted to this cheerful guy when I first
started helping out in the 'Home for the Disabled' three
years back. He was a very special guy who was almost
perfect if not for his eyes. He was blind. He
became blind when he was 8. He got the high fever then
and the doctors could do nothing. He lost his sight as a
result.
He told me he didn't really mind not being able to see because he could always touch and feel things we normal beings weren't able to. I was really touched by his optimism. Even though he was blind, his eyes were the most soulful eyes that I had ever seen. He was extremely helpful towards others and always did his best to give others what he >could.
He showered his love lavishly on everyone he knew. He was like an angel. He had a kind and unselfish heart. He gave half of what he earned to charity and he would help out at the 'Home' almost everyday.
Whenever we were free from tending to the people at
the 'Home', we would talk to one another for a long time.
He talked about God a lot and how blessed was he to have
found joy in the Lord. He didn't blame God for any
misfortunes that had befallen on him. He said the Lord
had his reasons for not giving him sight and he didn't
blame God for the fact that his parents got killed in an
accident
when he was barely 12.
I felt somewhat ashamed when I heard his words since I had always blamed God for not giving me a prettier face. I bore a grudge against God for not giving this wonderful angel His fullest blessings. I thought that God was unfair to him for taking, apart from his sight, his loved ones away from him. I felt that he truly deserved more.
Luke and I were completely different from one another. He was an optimist and I was a pessimist. He could overlook flaws easily while I would always pick at others' faults. However we did have one thing in common. We both had an undying passion for astronomy. He told me he still remembered how lovely the stars had looked like before he became blind. And how his dad used to tell him about stars, black holes and space before God took him away to Heaven.
One thing he didn't know was that I was silently crying for him all the time while he talked. I knew then that I loved him more than I could ever loved anyone. Luke and I had been together for almost two years. We could hardly bear to be away from one another for less than half a day. We spent most of our time helping out at the 'Home' and 'watching' the stars at a pasture near it. I would tell him the names and shapes of the constellations that appeared in the skies and he would listen carefully with a smile on his face. It seemed like he saw the stars that I told him, behind those soulful eyes that could never see the art of God.
Maybe God thought that Luke was too good for this world. He decided to bring him back to His side. Luke contracted leukemia that fateful 1994. He kept his illness from me and thus I didnt know anything about it at all. It was only when he started looking sick that I noticed something was wrong with him.
When asked why, he would pass his paleness off as a slight flu. I didn't believe his words but I didn't say anything. It was September 1994. I was waiting at the 'Home' for Luke. "A call for you, Calista. It's from a hospital", a helper at the 'Home' passed the phone to me worriedly.
"Yes, hello? This is Calista here. Can I be of any help?" I asked, chewing my lips nervously, sensing bad vibes in my spines.
"This is the Boulevard Hospital. We found your name and this number in Mr Pietra's wallet. He had fainted on the streets just now and someone brought him in. I was hoping that you can come down to the hospital now can help us with the documents."
I hung up the phone and ran all the way in the rain to the hospital which was a mile away. I signed whatever documents that were needed and ran to the ward that Luke was in. There he was my angel, lying almost lifeless on a bed that seemed too large for him.
"Calista, is that you?" He asked when I held
his cold hand.
"Yes it's me", I choked on my words.
"Aww.. please don't cry. Everything will be
alright", he smiled.
I looked at his pale face and it broke my heart. "Luke", I sobbed. "Why is God so unfair to you?" I bawled out on his chest.
He stroked my hair and said softly, "God is fair, my love. He's gonna take me to a far better place called Heaven. Don't you agree?"
I didn't answer him as I was lost in my own thoughts. I really didn't know what was going to happen to me without him in my life. Moreover, I had this dreary feeling about going to hospitals ever since I was young. I felt so lost and detached from the world. Why must God take away my one and only true love?
Three months had passed ever since Luke was admitted into the hospital. It was December and Christmas was nearing. My visits to Luke had grew lesser over the three long painful months. Each time I visited Luke, we would have nothing much to talk about. There was always this awkward silence between us. I didn't know what caused it but I guessed it had something to do with the atmosphere in the hospital. Luke had lost his cheerfulness over the months. He was always too tired to talk. At times, he would try his best to listen to me while I talked to him but the pills they fed him always put him to sleep before I could finish. We drifted apart somehow although I still loved him a lot. I had only visited him once during December since I was busy working and the 'Home' needed helpers desperately.
It was the 24th of December. I realised that I had not
visited Luke for almost three weeks! How funny time
seemed to fly when you were busy. I had prepared a gift
for Luke for the past two weeks. It was a piece of
cardboard pasted with 3D star stickers. I called the
constellation that I made up 'LoveLuke'. I hurried to the
hospital with the gift in my hands. I walked briskly to
Luke's ward. On the way there, I felt a sudden fear in my
heart. I didn't know why but somehow, it made me hurry my
pace. To my ultimate fear and worst nightmare, Luke was
not in his ward. He was gone!
I ran to the counter and asked for Luke but was handed a package and a letter instead. I opened the letter with my tears flowing down like mad.
'My beloved Calista, Please don't cry when you get
this letter. I just want to let you know that I will be
happier at the place where I'll be going soon. God and my
parents are waiting impatiently for me. I'm looking
forward to see them again. I know how busy you've been
these past few weeks and I really missed you terribly. I
know how much U dreaded coming to the hospital although U
never said anything. I felt it. To tell you the truth,
I've thought of ending my life at times to end the pain
and loneliness that my illness had brought me. However, I
remembered that life is bestowed by the love of God and
it would be a terrible mistake to kill myself just to
escape misery. Now, I'm glad God decided to take me away
earlier. I don't want to be a burden to you and I can't
thank you enough for all the love and patience that you
had given me through the hard times and the good times. U
love me just the way I am even though I can't even do a
small thing like watch a movie with you. Please don't
blame God for taking me away. He does it because He loves
me, just as much as He loves you. Don't ask why all the
time. Things are planned and they are meant to be this
way. Don't keep thinking
that God is unfair and stop bearing grudges against him.
God is a fair God. Everything that you lost today will be
compensated in another way tomorrow. Just keep on
believing.
Remember that I'll always love you even when I'm not by your side. U're the most beautiful person that I've ever 'seen' in my life, even though u r always complaining about the way you look. Beauty comes from within. Just to tell u that u will always be a part of me that I can't live without. Thank you once again for your sweetness and your wonderful unselfish love.
P.S. I'm sorry that I can't celebrate Christmas with you. Here's a gift I've prepared for you ever since the start of December.'
Love,
Luke.E.Pietra.
I tore open the package, sobbing all the while. Inside it was a picture made up of tiny stickers of stars. On top of the black paper was written 'LoveCalista'. He too had made up a constellation for me. I knew how much effort and time he must have put in in making the gift since he wasn't able to see. I cried my whole heart out that night at the hospital.
It was Christmas Day, 25th of December 1994. Luke was laid into the ground. The rain was coming down hard. Nothing could describe my sadness. I was filled with remorse. In my busyness, I had neglected Luke. I should have spent more time with him. I didn't even get to see him for one last time before he died. I didn't really treasure him until he was gone. I missed him so much now. I wanted so much to hug him and to tell him how much I loved him. But it was all too late. I had let time slip by and it would never come back to me. I had lost Luke forever. Forever, that word suddenly sounded so strange to me as I watched Luke's coffin being lowered into the ground.
I cried for the man who taught me the ways of life. The one person who changed my views towards many things. The angel who taught me to overlook others' flaws and to see the beauty behind imperfections. The one who told me to accept whatever cards that were dealt to me. Now this one person had left my side forever. Gone like the two pieces of pictures that carried the words `LoveLuke' and 'LoveCalista'. They were buried together with the memory of Luke.
Treasure what you have now before it becomes a regret, when it becomes too late. Time always slips us by when we least realize it. Let the people you love know what they mean to you, because you never know what might happen....... life is too fragile.
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