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
