''When a man does a
piece of work which is admired by all we say it is wonderful, but when we
see the changes of
the day and night, the sun, the moon, the stars in the sky, and the
changing seasons upon the earth, with their
ripening fruits, anyone must realize that it is the work of Someone
more powerful than man.''
''Chased by Bears''... Santeee-Yanktonai Sioux
''MERRY CHRISTMAS!''...
Put down that present now,..Go Grab that ''Cup O' Joe''...or make up
some of that ''Hot Chocolate''
from O'l ''Grammy's'' secret recipe,..Fix that ''flap' on them
'Long-johns' and if you have a Fireplace throw a ''Log'' in
it,..''Burn'm if you gottem''...as they say in ''Boot-Camp!''
''Stand-Down'' with the Unwrapping for a bit and Stay Away from that
''Mistletoe!''...We need to hear a ''Little Christmas''
Story first!,..A ''Tribute'' to the 'Baby Jesus' per say,..and a note
about ''Christian's and Christmas''...how We Celebrate
it, and the ''Truth'' behind the ''Tree!''...
Luke-2:8-14...''And there were Shepherd's living out in the fields
nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An
angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them.''Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of
great joy that will be for all the people. Today,
in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the
Lord. This will be a sign to you, You will find a
baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'' Suddenly a great
company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying..''Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace to men on whom His favor rests.''
That's a story to tell your kids or grandkids this morning!...Don't
wake them just yet!,..Lets read on,..and No ''Humbug's!''
Every year, I hear concerns about the ''validity'' of celebrating
Christmas by 'opposing religious' groups..
Some say the origin of Christmas is pagan, others say the ''Bible''
points out that that the Christmas tree is idolatrous!
And of course that O'l Santa is a ''Dangerous Fairy Tale!''...Lets get
to the ''Facts!''..
Yes,..it was a ''pagan'' holiday worshiping a false god, But!..to
counter this festival,.The church established a rival
holiday to push out the dying ''Roman-Greco gods'' of
antiquity,..therefore celebrating the ''Birth of Christ''...
Funny,..we celebrate our birthday with cake and candles giving praise
to our self, no says anything about that!
And as far as the ''Christmas tree''...Read Jeremiah-10:2-4,..( a
little homework )..it lets you know about way back when,
trees were cut out of a forest and adorned with silver and gold and
fastened with a hammer and nails so it would not fall,
but those were ''wooden idols'' used in worship,..
Christmas trees used in ''celebration'' to the Lord were adorned with
apples as a reminder of the ''Garden of Eden'' being
the tree of life,..or back then commonly called the ''Paradise
tree''...it became a family tradition as everyone gathered
to celebrate the ''Tree of Life'' in baby Jesus..He is the ''Fruit of
Life'' per say...
And now,..O'l ''Santa Claus!''...Don't bash ''Jolly O'l Saint Nick''
just yet!..( I found out at six years old,..it was my Dad!
dressed as ''Santa'' as he hosted the neighborhood Christmas street
party! )
Now,..about the ''Original Santa'', also known as ''Sinter Claus'' of
the Dutch,..he was a real person,..Later called a ''Saint''..
Saint Nick,.who went around in real life and gave food and presents to
the poor,...Something we need now!
So!,..O.K.,..Go get a ''re-fill'' of your favorite libation,..put a
little Cinnamon in that ''egg-nog'',..You can 'spike it'' later!
Luke-2:19..''Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her
heart''
We can't forget the ''Miracle of the Birth'' and the ''Mother Mary'',
who at 'Twelve or Fourteen'' was given this little
''Gift of Life'' as she herself was still just a child...Such
responsibility, to bring into this world the ''Son of God!''
Yup,..I'll stop ''Blabbering'',..I hear the kids in the neighborhood
stirring and I know you all need to be getting ready for
the days festivities,..BUT again,..Take just a minute of your
day,...Bow your head,..bend your knee,..
''Give Thanks'' to the ''Baby Jesus''....Tell Him ''Happy Birthday''...
His ''New Life'' allowed YOU also to have a reason to celebrate...You
too will have a ''New Life'' in heaven!..it's Your
Christmas Gift from GOD,..Take it,..Embrace it...Give Thanks..
Here is a few ''Parables'' to ponder over with that ''Special egg-nog!''
''God came to live with Us, so that we might live with Him''
''The hinge of history is found on the door of a Bethlehem stable''
''Embrace the good news, Jesus is a non-exclusive Savior''
OK Now,..You can go stand under the ''Mistletoe'' now!....''MERRY
CHRISTMAS!''
Pray for ''Our Warriors'' whom are serving in 'Harms Way' and in posts
all over the world!
''Happy Birthday Jesus''...We truly have been Blessed in Your Name.
May We Always be able to say..''May God Bless America'',..for it is in
''GOD We Trust''
Sherrie and I hold All of You in Prayer,..Every Day..
HOLD THIS THOUGHT!...''Mens lives lead to certain ends,..But can the
end be changed if a mans life changes?..Scrooge..1934'
Pastor Frank..the ''Preacher'' and Sherrie...
