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With
all the Christmas lights and decorations on the lawns of neighbors, I
look for the ones that glorify Jesus. I'm a fan of Santa, especially
since I do resemble him, but my favorite Christmas card of all time has
a picture of Santa kneeling at the manger, his hat in hand and a bag of
gifts lying open on the stable floor. Santa is praying and I can feel
his heartfelt thanks in my own heart. With all the secular images of
Christmas, that image of Santa pausing at the manger immediately took my
breath away. What better reminder that this celebration we're so busy
preparing for, is really to honor the most precious gift of God to
mankind!
Christmas shouldn't be a reason to eat, drink and spend too much.
Retailers and advertisers will count on Christmas to help put black ink
in their financial ledgers. Toy and gadget manufacturers depend on the
newest and most popular toys, cell phones, computers, MP3 players,
televisions, bicycles, cars, trucks and motorcycles to be purchased by
the thousands. Christmas day is the biggest for movie theaters and air
travel ticket sales are brisk. I've some wonderful Christmas memories. I
remember the hand-mad and sewn with love flannel shirts mom made for us,
and I can still feel their warmth. Christmas memories always include mom
and grandma Burr's pies, grandma Green's stack cakes and a ham or roast
beef for dinner. I remember one year, my brother and I both received
model airplanes with real engines and I don't think I'll ever forget
those Lone Ranger six guns and holsters with the greenie stick-um caps
that really propelled little plastic bullets from the gun barrels.
But the image that sticks with me the most is that image of Santa
kneeling, hat in hand at the manger. I can't look at a manger without
thinking of those five little fingers baby Jesus' hand. I can hear and
feel the lyrics; "One, two, three, four, five little fingers on His
hand. Son of God, Mary's little man; Born in a manger, gentle as a lamb;
My heart's in the five little fingers of His hand." Mary and Joseph
must have counted His fingers and toes, as all parents do. And, Mary
knew... she knew her baby boy wasn't an ordinary little baby, but the
very Son of God. Mary knew. The Magi knew something special; a
‘perfect gift’ was coming, as they followed the star. The angels
calmed the shepherds as they announced, "unto you this night, a
savior is born." Santa exists in our wish to be giving and loving,
in the bended knees and hearts kneeling at the feet of the Christ. But,
Santa is an imperfect imitation of a perfect gift. Jesus is real and
alive, God's perfect gift of salvation.
Chris was taken to the emergency room with
chest pains yesterday evening, which was found to be a torn muscle.
Lettie had a reaction to medication after surgery Monday. Lori's uncle
Dale has a spot on or near a kidney and will undergo a biopsy. James B's
brain surgery went well and doctors believe all the cancer was removed.
32-year-old Adam suffered a stroke. John may soon have approval for a
settlement of payment terms for State and Federal back taxes. Misty is
suffering once again from bronchitis.
In the name of Jesus, whose birth we
celebrate, I offer thanks, praise and honor Your perfect gift, Father.
No earthly gifts compares to the gift of love in the birth of my savior.
I honor Him in the names, Emmanuel, Prince of peace, Lamb of God and
Messiah, but there is no name that can properly honor Him, no gift I can
give... save myself, broken, submissive and a living sacrifice, willing
to work Your works as His hands and feet. I remember the baby, while
honoring the man, who gave His life so none who believe and accept Him,
would perish. In His birth, death and resurrection Your plan and promise
is given. I am unworthy, and confess my sins, asking forgiveness and
forgiving other sinners. I lift these loved ones and concerns, into Your
arms: Chris, Lettie - Gayla & Barry, Dale, James B, Adam, John,
Misty, June, Johnnie, Wilma, Dianna, Carley, Victoria, Ralph - wife
& son, Susie & Miles P, Doug & Debbie D, Brandelyn &
Brock, Meg, Heather - baby Lilliana - Justin, Baker family, Lisa &
sister, Nancy, John, Paulette - Glen & family, Katy, adoption of
Grace, Pastor Cindee's daughter & family, Barron & TV project,
Don, Dean, Kera, Paul & Diane, Alberto, Heather - Greg & baby
Jesse, Steve V, Tina, Seth, Larry C, Howard's (Jan's stepfather) family,
Becky, Larry S, John & Carolyn, Malinda, Jason, Glenn, Jay &
Rick, Linda, three churches to share building, Delores, Alethea, Gary,
Melinda, Glen, Barry, Lisa, Midge, Nadia, David, Beulah, Aaron, John S,
Ian, Breann - Jesse, Carol, Lynda, Thelma, Mike, Rosetta, Carolyn,
Kaitlyn, Judy, Dan F, Tim, Austin, Pam, Lou, Larry, Pastor Dave,
Margaret, Ruth, Rick, Carla & children, Baby Kurt - his family,
John, Rick, Stan, Bob - Mary & Bob Jr., Lynn, Roger & family,
Tom, Valerie, Judy, Paul, Allen Michael, Irene's family, Lacey, Bobby,
Donald, Amy - her daughters & husband, Lucinda, Summer & family,
Steve, Matt - his 2 year old son & family, Richard, Ma Glenda,
Charlie, Amy, Karen, Tia, Ron, Patsy, Leola, Don, Jack, Wendy, Eula
& her family, Rob & family, Iris, Carrie - Brandon, Judy,
Freddy, Chris & Terri, Arianne, Corey, Robin & husband, Mark,
Georgiana, Martha, T. J., Jerry & Donna, Cubby, Bill, Lillian, Ted,
Elden, Silas, Julia, Cathy - Brandon & Ed, Fran, Kris, Joe, Kristie,
Mike, Pat, David, Dylan, John, Robin & husband, Eric, Ray, Heather -
Scott & family, Warren, Thelma, Victoria, Bergen, Kenny, Dawn, Jeff
& Vicky, Myra, Mary, Frances, Jim, Ron, Doug & family, Phil,
Randi, Jack, Randy, Dick, Larry & Vicki, Pam, Dave, Archie, Gary,
Josh, Lucia, Ruby, Tim, Pastor Rick & Daughters, Catherine, Lisa -
Sam, Sabrina, Bobby, Mark, Woody, Curt, Dustin, Aaron, Donna, Warren,
Larry, Burt, Jack, Cline, Johnnie, John, Lynn, Norma, Olivia, Drew,
Kenny, Our loved ones in need of salvation and guidance, all who are
dependent, depressed or grieving, Those fighting / working for freedom
and safety from terror, neglected / abused / missing children, God's
servants and churches, those looking for work, in rehab programs, our
own families and everyone we hold dear in our hearts. I pray, in His
Holy name.... Amen.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from
the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be
registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they
were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to
her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a
manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same
region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their
flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory
of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the
angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of
great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke
2:4-11 ESV
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