THE HOPE OF CHRISTMAS

We tend to romanticize the Christmas Holidays, painting pictures of softly falling snow, families gathered around a brightly burning fire, stockings hung in expectation and children dressed in cozy pajamas, sitting quietly as Dad reads a Christmas story.  The house smells of cinnamon and ginger, peppermint and balsam.  There are heaping plates of cookies and steaming cups of hot chocolate topped with mounds of whipped cream.  If that is your Christmas card, I want to peek into your living room AFTER the photographer is finished.  We pretend that “All is calm; all is bright,” when at times it feels more as if, “Grandma got run over by a reindeer.”

Sometimes our lives are not so “picture-perfect,” even though or perhaps because of a holiday.  The high expectations and demands may magnify the sense of failure.  Pictures of happy families gathered together remind you of great loss and the loneliness is intensified.  There are no visions of beribboned presents, beautifully decorated trees and heaping platters of good food as you view your little tree that no one else wanted, decorated with paper chains, presiding over the meager offerings lying under its crooked branches.  “Holly Jolly Christmas” certainly isn’t your song of choice.

Yes, life is no “Respecter of Holidays.”  In the last two days, three of my friends have lost loved ones; grief cannot be postponed because it is Christmas.  Some of my friends are facing “firsts” after saying goodbye to those closest to them; loneliness does not take a hiatus and return at a more convenient time.  Others have lost jobs and the mountains of gifts have been exchanged for a hot meal and another month’s rent.  Two New York families have changed their “dancing into mourning” because of a deliberate, senseless execution of their policemen husbands.  Life isn’t perfect, the world is in turmoil, yet the “Hope of Christmas” is still alive, beckoning us to come and “Sleep in Heavenly Peace.”

Over two thousand years ago, life was not so “picture perfect,” either.  The world was in turmoil, a heathen government ruled, many people were in want and need; it was in this imperfect setting that God chose to send the “Hope of Christmas.” Galatians 4:4, But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son….

It wasn’t about beautifully decorated homes and light displays, mountains of presents and heaping platters of steaming food, it wasn’t even about families gathered around the fireplace, singing carols of cheer; it was all about YOU and YOUR need.  John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  It was for you that God sent the “HOPE OF CHRISTMAS”!!!

Whatever situation you are facing during this holiday season, whatever lack you may be experiencing, I pray you will find comfort in the “Hope of Christmas.”

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

THE GIFT OF YOU

If you are connected to my face book page, you have read my posts encouraging everyone to give this Christmas season to the many needs and worthwhile causes and allow God to bless someone else through you.  After my latest post, I received an email from one of my dear friends, stating that she wanted to be a blessing but was living on very limited finances and did I have any ideas of ways she could still bless others.  I accepted the challenge and began to think of ways to give to others with zero dollars.

Here are a few ideas and I’m sure my readers have many they could add to the list.  First think of things that come natural to you, things you have mastered and things you enjoy doing; these are your talents and are meant to be shared instead of buried.  Then, allow your mind to come up with creative ways to use all of those talents to bless a friend.  Maybe you have a love for children, offer to babysit for a couple of hours while a young mother finishes her Christmas shopping or a deserving couple enjoys a date night.  Perhaps a friend is recovering from an illness; provide a more comfortable setting for recovery by offering to clean their house or wash their laundry.  Do you know a shut-in that would just love to have a visit?  Your gift is your attention as you sit and listen to them talk for a few hours.  Offer to help someone organize old photographs, take a couple of brightly wrapped shoe boxes and note cards as dividers and you will be amazed at the blessing you both received by a day of reminiscing and storytelling.

Are you a great cook?  Offer your services as “Chef for a Day.”  Your friend supplies the ingredients and you cook their gourmet dinner.  Offer to bake Christmas cookies for a working mom, she can supply the necessary items and you supply the know how and energy; what a blessing to her whole family, that Mom can swing by your house on her way home from work and surprise everyone with fresh homemade Christmas goodies.  Have a group of friends over for coffee and recipe sharing; each person makes their favorite recipe and brings it to share along with printed copies of the recipe.

Does everyone rave about your beautifully wrapped packages, your professionally decorated tree or nostalgic fireplace mantle arrangement?  It may come easy to you but some of us are challenged in this area.  Suggest to someone that you will come over and teach them the “Art of Gift Wrapping” or help them decorate their tree or mantle.  Even better, look at all of the ornaments and decorations you have collected over the years and no longer use, take them to a friend who may not be having such a merry Christmas and help her decorate and brighten up her life.

You may say, I no longer have patience with children, my cooking skills begin with a can opener and end with a microwave, I have no imagination and could use a decorator for my own house; what about PRAYER?  Be somebody’s Prayer Partner.  There is no greater blessing than knowing you have a friend who is praying for you.  Send a card or an email with an encouraging message.  Receiving a surprise message of encouragement will brighten someone’s day and may help change a situation.  Yesterday, a sweet friend posted on my wall that she “loved me dearly.”  I went through the rest of my day humming a tune and on top of the world.  It doesn’t take too much of your time but it could make a difference to someone who is struggling with life.

The best gift you can give anyone is the GIFT OF YOU, your time, your attention, your smile.  Many times we opt to give money because it is easier, we can quickly check that one off our list, and the effort is minimal when compared to a gift of time.  I challenge every one of my readers, join me this Christmas season to spread a little cheer in more creative ways.  I look forward to hearing all the reports of people you have blessed and the money you have saved by just giving YOU!

DECORATED WITH LOVE

I will admit something that all my friends already know; I am ARTISTICALLY-CHALLENGED.   I see a beautiful picture in a magazine and even with all the ingredients, my living room still somehow ends up looking “lived in” instead of elegant.  I have friends that make quilts, decorate cakes, fashion beautiful bows for their granddaughters, live in beautifully “put-together” homes, and decorate elegant, award-winning Christmas trees.  Me?  I even mess up the helpful hints and finally just settle for “good enough.”

Being “artistically-challenged,” is not something that developed over time; Oh no!  I was born with this “handicap.”  In school, I dreaded art almost as much as I dreaded tumbling in gym class.  Let me do arithmetic, social studies or even practice handwriting but, puhleeze don’t make me draw or paint, model clay or do paper mache.  I have many art horror stories, but this one in particular belongs to the Christmas season.

 My second grade teacher, Mrs. Johnson, had the bright idea that the class would make beautiful ornaments to take home.  First we had to draw a shape of something on cardboard, cut it out, take heavy glue-dipped string, outline the shape, and finally paint it with tempera paint.  I drew a star (probably because anyone can draw a star), painstakingly applied the string and painted it a bright yellow.  It was the most horrible, lopsided, ugliest star ever made and what did my mom do when she found it among my things?  Laugh out loud?  Throw it in the trash when I wasn’t looking?  Console me with, “at least you tried?”  No way!!!  That star was given a prominent place on the Christmas tree, that year and for 49 years since (yep, my mom kept it and still brings it out every Christmas.)

Back to the beautiful, professional-looking, magazine-worthy Christmas trees my friends all post on Facebook…I really tried this year.  I could see it in my mind; the lights twinkled, ribbons swirled and streamed from the top, the color-coordinated ornaments were perfectly placed and this year, my tree would receive all the oohs and ahhs.  Then I opened my ornaments and the memories came flooding over me.  Some are hand-made, others have been given to me by dear friends; there are reminders of the anticipation of two little boys choosing just the right ornament for this year’s tree, one says 1982 and another is from a little girl I taught in Sunday School, years ago.  My tree won’t make it on a Christmas Card; the ornaments were hung through happy tears and the only oohs and ahhs I will receive are from my grandbabies that are still young enough to appreciate a tree decorated with love.

Now we come to the true meaning of Christmas in the heart of all Believers.  I’m sure Mary would have loved to have given birth in elegant surroundings or at least a much more sanitary place.  She may have dreamed of swaddling her baby in soft, hand-woven blankets and placing him in the cradle, lovingly crafted by Joseph.  The family would gather and ooh and ahh at the beauty of this special child, showering him with gifts to mark this glorious day.  But reality changed everything.  Luke 2:6-7 describes the scene, ⁶ So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  The smelly stable, rough-hewn manger and animal sounds were not what she had envisioned. Instead of a loving family, Jesus was greeted by shepherds and angels and a special star to light the night.

Your life may seem a little lopsided, the ornaments may not be placed perfectly and you may even have a burned-out strand of lights hidden among the branches, but God thinks you are beautiful.  He oohs and ahhs when He sees you because He doesn’t look for elegance and perfection as a place to dwell.  God searches for the little star that others would toss aside and He hangs it in a prominent place on His Tree of Life because it is decorated with love.

MORE THAN “A WORD”, HE IS “THE WORD”

It happens every year after Thanksgiving; a clerk says “Happy Holidays” and offends a customer who wanted to hear “Merry Christmas.” The doorman says, “Merry Christmas” before realizing the patron is celebrating Hanukah or doesn’t celebrate any holiday at all. There have been lawsuits, fired employees, school parties renamed and certain songs banned all because they contained the word, “Christmas.” What is it about a 9 letter word that inspires such strong emotions?

It is never really the word for a word is just an arrangement of letters. No, the emotion is inspired by what THE WORD signifies. The Bible tells us in John 1, “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” THE WORD BRINGS HOPE to a world that was without hope. Ephesians 2:12 tells us, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” THE WORD IS LOVE, John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. THE WORD FILLS US WITH JOY, Luke 2:10 “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Finally, THE WORD GIVES PEACE, Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Yes, there are many catchy religious phrases, slogans, and words flying around during the month of December. We hear that “Jesus is the reason for the season” and “Let’s put Christ back in Christmas.” We declare that “Jesus is the best gift of all” and that “Wisemen still seek Him.” The phrases make wonderful Christmas cards and give us a sense of well-being if we repeat them often enough, but what are we really saying? If we only remember Jesus during the season and put Christ away with the ornaments once the celebration is over; if the “best gift of all” is tossed in the corner with all the other toys and our seeking ends at the manger, the phrases, slogans and carols are just words. This year make the season come alive, after all the wrapping paper has been torn and the gifts are open, thank God for sending salvation to the world. Make Christ more than just the first six letters of Christmas; give him center place in your life. The Bible promises that if we seek Him with our whole heart, we WILL find Him just as the wisemen did more than two thousand years ago. You can allow THE WORD to become flesh in your heart this Christmas.

IT'S THE POWER BEHIND THE STORY!!!

Every year, after Thanksgiving, the controversy begins. Should I say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Is it Christmas Vacation or Winter Break? Can we sing Silent Night or should we stick with Jingle Bells for the School musical program? Should we chance setting up the Nativity Scene in front of the court house, a Christmas tree, Santa and his sleigh, lights? Law suits are filed and millions spent on ads voicing the minority seasonal opinion. The ads this year declared, “No God; No problem!” and “Yes, Virginia, there is no God.” Why is a Christian holiday such a threat to unbelievers? Most Christians are content to mind their own business as the atheist celebrate winter solstice, the Jewish people celebrate Hanukah and other ethnic groups celebrate their traditions, so why do Atheist/Humanist groups feel the need to take away our religious freedom? I am reminded of the story of Irina Ratushinskaya as told by Chuck Colson.

Ten year old Irina Ratushinskaya lived in the Soviet Union city of Odessa. Attendance during atheist instruction time was compulsory, so Irina sat in the classroom watching a rare snowfall. She wanted to be outside enjoying the snow instead of listening to the instructor drone on about the nonexistence of God. The students had been told about a Baptist woman who roasted her child in an oven. Irina knew a Baptist lady who loved and cared for her children. The seventh graders had preformed a play depicting priests as oafs and fools. The Young Pioneers, the teachers, the headmaster, the broadcasters on the radio, the whole country seemed to be against God. It seemed odd that such a furious battle raged against someone they said didn’t exist anyway.

Irina thought, “Can’t they tell they are giving themselves away? Adults tell you there are no gremlins or ghosts. They tell you once or twice, and that is it. But with God, they tell you over and over again. So He must exist—and He must be very powerful for them to fear Him so greatly.” With her childlike logic, she prayed, “Okay, God, if you did not exist, we wouldn’t have to listen to this lecture. So it’s Your fault we’re sitting here missing the snow. If You’re so powerful, make it keep snowing!” It snowed for 3 days, Odessa’s largest snowfall in 60 years. School was canceled and Irina enjoyed the snow. The God her teachers denied had made the snow fall from official Communist airspace.

Irina began to talk to Him secretly at night asking endless questions. Was he kind, all powerful? The Communist state was powerful, but they were not kind. If He was kind but not all-powerful, how could she depend on Him?

At the age of 14, Irina had a pivotal moment in her young life. A classmate threw a chestnut across the room. It crashed into an inkwell, splashing a splatter of ink on the wall. When no one would tell who had caused the mess, each student was interrogated individually. When Irina’s turn came, she began to lie, saying she had been looking in her book bag and hadn’t seen anything. The next student looked the teacher straight in the eye and said, “I’m not going to tell you.” This pierced Irina’s conscience. She thought, “I am becoming what THEY want me to be. I shall never lower myself like that again before anybody. I’ll learn how to behave decently from books, I’ll think a lot, and talk to God more. Then my soul will remain my own. Nobody will be able to manipulate me to suit themselves.” She instinctively knew that she would become a servant to one master or another.

Irina began to explore the great Russian books on her parent’s bookshelves. In them she found a reflection of the God whom she knew was kind and all-powerful. The values of good and evil did not change. Pushkin told her the truth lay in Russian Orthodoxy, Tolstoy’s theories left her confused. She had no way to get a Bible and there was nobody trustworthy to ask about Jesus.
When Irina was 23, a Jewish friend gave her an 18th century volume of the Scriptures printed in Old Church Slavonic. She spent a month and a half learning the ancient alphabet so she could read the Bible. Excitedly, she discovered a God she had already come to know.

At 28 years old, Irina was targeted by the KGB for her writings celebrating Christian faith and human rights. She was arrested and sentenced to 7 years of hard labor and sent to the Soviet Union’s notorious gulag. In prison she refused to rat on fellow prisoners or praise the regime. She continued to serve God and record her writings on tiny bits of paper. Human Rights groups and Christians in the West raised an outcry over her case. In 1986, Irina was released from prison and finally made her way, with her husband to the West and freedom.
Irina’s greatest desire was to have children. Because of the torture and deprivation experienced in the Gulag, doctors said a successful pregnancy would be difficult if not impossible. Friends began to pray as the months went by. Finally, in 1992, Irina delivered twin boys, Sergei and Oleg.

You see the Christmas holiday is not the real problem, it is the power behind the reason we celebrate the season that is the real threat. We celebrate that the great God of Heaven robed himself in flesh and came to earth in the form of a tiny baby. 2000 years ago this tiny baby was such a threat to a king that thousands of babies were given the death sentence. The story continues because this baby was born for a purpose. He would become the perfect sacrifice to redeem fallen man back to God. He not only took our place in death but sent His Spirit to give us power to conquer our hedonistic nature.

So when you hear that another lawsuit against public professions of faith has been filed; if you see another anti-God slogan or witness materialism replacing the Baby in the Manger, take a minute and thank God that you know the truth about a baby that grew up to bear the sins of the whole world on a cross and rose again that His Spirit may live in your heart today.

THOU PREPAREST A TABLE

I have always loved the “finer things in life.” Perhaps it was because my chief entertainment as a child was reading. Like most little girls, I would imagine myself living the life of a princess in a palace surrounded by all the luxurious furnishings described in the stories. Christmas was the time of year I could come as close to a Fairy Tale as our simple life afforded. There are pictures of me at Christmas proudly displaying a fruit salad with the cherries placed perfectly on the top. I would set the table with our finest melamine plates (later graduated to Corning dishes), fold the paper napkins just right, with a fork and a knife (it was Christmas) at each setting. Even as a little girl, I yearned for fine china, crystal, and linen napkins. They were not only unaffordable but not very practical for a family with 6 active children.

I was privileged to marry a wonderful man and give birth to 2 babies that were “ALL BOY.” Again, no one wanted to eat pizza off china serving platters and Mountain Dew was just as good out of the bottle; who needs crystal goblets. At Christmas, my men were subjected to the finest table I could afford. Instead of hastily torn paper towels, they had to at the least, use “paper” napkins. I will never forget Phil’s eyes as he sipped Mountain Dew out of fragile crystal.

This year, once again, I satisfied the princess hidden deep inside by setting a beautiful table. We dined off of snow white plates atop gold chargers, cranberry cloth napkins and crystal goblets. Prime rib may taste just as good off chinet and it may make more sense to wipe greasy fingers on paper towels but nothing replaces the warm feeling of well being as we gather around an elegant table.As I looked at the pictures I had taken of my handiwork, I was reminded of Psalms 23.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

God has prepared a table for me every day of my life. The blessings He has bestowed upon me are so far above paper plates or even melamine plates, stainless forks and Tupperware cups. I have eaten off china plates, used the finest utensils of pure gold and sipped from delicate crystal. I have the promise of Goodness and Mercy all of my life and a life with Him forever. Truly, My Cup Runneth Over.

MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS PAST

For the first time in 30 years, Steve and I will spend Christmas Eve alone. The pajamas will remain wrapped under the tree, the games will stay on the shelf, the guest room will be vacant, and there will be no eager faces on Christmas morning or anyone to wear the Santa hat. Am I little sad? The passing of one of life’s seasons and the unfamiliar territory of the next brings sadness, some nostalgia but also hope as a new tradition begins. I remind myself there is a reason my kids are so excited about starting their own family traditions; they can’t wait to pass on the feeling of wonder they experienced as children at Christmas.

My antidote for sadness, the blues, depression, melancholy, whatever it’s called, is to go back to the beginning and remember that I have been blessed more than anyone I know. 50 years ago I had the privilege of being born into a family to whom Christmas was the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” My mom had the gift of making every holiday special. We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, 1st day of school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Years’ Day, but no day contained the joy, excitement, anticipation and festive spirit like Christmas.

It would begin in mid-December with the Christmas tree. Sometimes Dad would bring one home; a few times we bundled up and trudged through the woods to cut down the perfect tree. One year an old-fashioned Christmas light scorched a pair of pajamas through the wrapped package, that was the end of real trees; we moved to an artificial tree which didn’t dampen the experience one bit. There were no expensive Radko ornaments that little fingers could damage. There were no “theme” trees with white lights and red and gold ornaments, no designer ribbons or garlands. This tree was lovingly decorated with bright multi-colored lights, a few store-bought ornaments, homemade paper chains and whatever ornament each child had made in art class at school. I hated art; I am actually artistically-challenged; I don’t even know why I brought the misshapen Christmas Star home. Mom must have thought it was the most beautiful star in the world because for at least 30 years it hung in a prominent position on the tree. Mom still probably brings it out at Christmas and tells all the neighbors that Sissy made this one.

Oh, the wonderful smells that came from the kitchen for days. There were cookies, pies, Jam Cake, fudge, and hand dipped candies. Mom always sent boxes of goodies to the neighbors, teachers, doctor or anyone else who may be in need of Christmas cheer. A steady stream of relatives dropped in for a cup of coffee, piece of pie and lively conversation. Packages began to appear under the tree and the excitement continued to grow.

Christmas Eve dawned. We would beg to open “just one” present. We knew what that one present would be, but we just couldn’t wait. Finally, mom would let us open a game just to shut us up. That kept us satisfied until evening. In the evening, the real games began, Dominos with Dad, Monopoly for hours, sometimes days, with Mike, and Candy land with the little kids. One more gift was waiting to be opened; pajamas. We all received new pajamas for the pictures on Christmas morning. Sitting around in our new pajamas, Dad would read the Christmas Story. Every year, he would pause when he came to the passage about Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in the manger and ask why were Mary and Joseph in the manger? As a teenager, I failed to see the humor and thought it was lame. Tonight, I would trade everything under the tree to hear Dad read the story one more time. Finally, it was time for bed. We always sat out a piece of Pecan Pie and a coffee cup for Santa. Santa was sick of all the cookies and milk other kids left for him. At our house he was treated special. Amazingly, Santa’s favorites were the same as Dad’s.

Christmas morning arrived. For me it was usually about 4 a.m. I would wake Mike and we would sit and talk louder and louder to wake up the rest of the family. No one was allowed in the living room until everyone was ready. Bathroom doors would be closed harder, lights flipped on and off, coughing, giggling, anything to get Mom and Dad’s attention. Finally they would begin to stir, never later than 7:00. Mom would get the camera, Dad would give his HO HO HO and we would march down the long hallway to the tree. I realize now how hard Dad and Mom worked to make Christmas special for each of the 6 children. There was always a pile of gifts for each kid, not only things we needed, but something special we had longed for all year. One year I wanted a fur hat with fur balls at the end of the strings; there it was hanging on the tree with the other ornaments. In ninth grade I begged for a long woven cloth purse with fringe hanging from the bottom (it was the early 70’s); again, it was hanging in a special place on the tree Christmas morning.

The first few years of our marriage, Steve and I spent the night at Dad and Mom’s and continued the Hawks family traditions. As our kids came along and we moved to Michigan, we began the Niswonger family traditions, incorporating the old and the new. As I bid goodbye to what has been for 30 years, I eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for the next 30 years.
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

IT STARTED WITH A CABBAGE PATCH DOLL OR WAS IT A BABY IN A MANGER?

The year was 1983, a chubby cheeked baby doll complete with yarn hair and a birth certificate was introduced to the world. It quickly became the top wish on every little girls Christmas list. Mothers and Fathers would rise up early and stand in long lines for the chance to bring home one of these highly coveted dolls. It became an item on the nightly news; reports of mother’s fighting over the last one on the shelf; newspaper ads offering the more affluent shoppers an opportunity to buy their own Cabbage Patch for a mere $500 to $1,000.

1995 brought Tickle Me Elmo. In the 21st century our wishes have moved into the electronic age. Our wish lists include HD flat screen televisions, I-Phones and something called Wii. Fox News reported that in one town more than a hundred people lined up to have the opportunity to purchase 1 of 18 Wii game consoles. A security guard selected the lucky shoppers to enter the store. The losers stomped off angry that their Christmas dreams were shattered.

Thankfully, these greedy, self-serving tales of Christmas are not reflective of the entire population. There have also been many reports of individuals and groups who have been able to capture the true Spirit of Christmas; the blessing we receive in giving. A church gives each congregant $50 to invest in something or someone; a bank bestows a $1,000 Christmas bonus on each employee with the stipulation that it must be used for a good cause, it cannot be given to a co-worker or family member and the employee is also given a video camera to document what they choose to do with the bonus. The most exciting report started with 1 person at a Starbucks drive thru window. That person paid for his coffee and the next person’s order, the next person paid for the one behind him and it continued throughout the day. This event has now continued for a week popping up in different cities across the U.S. The Wii brings a smile only to the lucky recipient and a frown to those unlucky empty handed shoppers, but giving to others brings a smile to the face of the recipient and a lasting sense of fulfillment to the giver.

It didn’t really start with a Cabbage Patch Doll, a Rubik’s Cube, I-Phone or any other “can’t live without” gadget that will be replaced with the “latest and greatest” in 6 months. The Spirit of Giving started over 2000 years ago with a Baby in a Manger. Isaiah said “For unto us a Son is born, and unto us a Child is given. John said “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son. The beautiful thing about God’s gift is that it isn’t available to just those with enough money, or those lucky enough to be first in line but as John 3:16 continues, “ That Whosever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. God’s gift is available for whoever will receive it today.

IT'S NOT SO DIFFERENT

Once again it is the Christmas Season; once again the “Merry Christmas” controversy rears its ugly head. We are greeted with Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, town square no longer features the nativity scene, school children sing winter carols and a political ad becomes a news item because of its blatantly Christian message. Today we push Him aside when we forget to celebrate Him in our festivities.

In 1977 Joan Ewing wrote a song, with the words, “It’ll Be Different. “

The first time You cameTo a stable long ago
They pushed You aside
For they really didn't know
Who had come to their world
To save and to heal
So they followed You
And Your cross to the top of the hill

But it'll be diff'rent
The next time You come
Wait and see
You got a lot of lonely children
And one of them is me
You know we want to see You
We're never really at home
So if You're waiting to be invited
Lord Jesus please come

It is a beautiful song, but I wonder if society will be so different when Jesus comes the second time. The world seems at times to be a mirror-image of a world 2000 years ago. The Jews were looking for the long awaited Messiah, but couldn’t accept that the Messiah would come in a way that was outside their little box. Today our box consists of believing that the God we’ve created would never allow evil and suffering or require anything that differs from our selfish desires. Authors are writing books with titles like “God is Not Great” or “The God Delusion.” The great delusion is not the ignorant belief in God, Mr. Dawkins; it is the delusion that causes mankind to believe that we are okay on our own with no need of a Savior.

For some of us, thankfully, it will be different. Hebrews 9:28 says He will appear the second time to them that look for Him. Whether we say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, Jesus is going to return. We can ignore the nativity and celebrate with trees, lights, and Santa, you may skip Christmas altogether and go straight for Kwanza, but it will not stop His return. Jesus will RETURN the second time, but He will APPEAR only to those who are looking for Him. Jesus, the world isn’t so different from your birth, but this time you have a small welcoming party just waiting for the angel to herald your coming.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE MALL

Friday afternoon, I volunteered to be in charge of the donation table at the local mall for the Saginaw Rescue Mission. The mall was bustling with shoppers but very few people wanted to take the time to give a donation. To pass the time, I began to observe what kind of people come to the mall. The table was set up across from a Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Jewelry Store; this presented a great opportunity to view a variety of characters.
Here are some of my observations:

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE COME TO THE MALL?
There were mall-walkers with measured strides, children in strollers or wagons and lead around with harnesses. A woman in a wheelchair, a man with a cane and a senior citizen tooling around on an Amigo. Mothers & sons, fathers & daughters, sisters, grandparents with grandchildren, mommies and mommies-to-be; cell phone talkers, security personnel, lonely people, friends in groups chatting excitedly, or sharing a joke. Couples who have spent years together holding hands and couples newly discovering each other, arm in arm. Couples together yet far apart... Caucasian, black, Asian, Hispanic, Indian, Mid-Eastern. Bearded and clean-shaven men; bald men, men with ponytails, short hair, long hair, spiked hair, braided dreds, newly coifed, straight and curly. Hair colored black, brown, red, pink, orange, gray, white, streaked, and two-toned. All joining in the hunt for the world’s greatest bargain.

WHAT DO PEOPLE WEAR TO THE MALL?
Some dress for this all important occasion, others prefer “come as you are” not realizing the personality secrets they are revealing to anyone who will take the time to observe them. I merely observed, you can make the conclusions. There were men and women in dress suits, sweat suits, Army fatigues, torn jeans, camouflage shirts and pants, miniskirts, clothes too small, clothes too big, fur coats, and men in shorts oblivious of 30 degree weather. Many wore Christmas sweaters announcing the season. Team apparel trumpeted team loyalty; Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, San Francisco 49ers jacket, Army, GMI, Grand Valley State, University of Virginia and Syracuse University sweatshirts, University of MI and MI State jackets, but NO OHIO STATE. Their feet were shod with high heels, tennis shoes, fashion boots, snow boots, and work boots, pointed, square and rounded toes. Heads were topped with knit caps, baseball caps on sideways and backwards, fur-lined hoods, earmuffs, felt hats, fishing hats, hunting caps, bandannas and kerchiefs, elf hats, tan hat with feathers, wigs and pink hats on cancer survivors.

HOW DO PEOPLE ACT AT THE MALL?
Some walked fast, as if on a mission; others strolled leisurely peeking into store windows, enjoying the decorations, balls of red, gold, and green, hands in pockets or arms swinging free. People loaded down with shopping bags; bags from stores I’ve never seen. A lady carrying shopping bags layered 3 deep on each shoulder and 2 of various sizes in each hand. Others clutched just one precious package; the one they had searched for diligently, containing the promise of so many dreams. Shoppers ignoring kiosk vendors offering hand cream samples and novelty toys. Excited and exhausted faces, frowning and smiling, afraid to make eye contact; not wanting to be greeted, but unable to resist a friendly smile. Hugging old friends, making new friends; drinking coffee and soft drinks, eating cookies, pretzels, frozen yogurt and other mall culinary delights. Teens with I-Pods singing and dancing, moms checking lists, dads checking wallets. Frustrated parents with screaming children afraid of the bearded man in the red suit. I wonder, how does a man who sits in a mall all day provide toys for anyone?

To a casual passerby it was a typical Friday at the mall but to the more observant soul the faces shown with the wonder of a first Christmas, memories of Christmas past or the boredom of “just another Christmas.” Pausing just a moment, I heard the joyful sound of Christmas music mingled with the dull, distant roar of voices, the click of heels, squeak of canvas shoes, and the plodding of winter boots, babies screams and heartfelt laughter. There were hundreds of strangers brought together by perfect timing with little in common but a need for love, a smile, a hug, a good bargain and most importantly a Savior. Let us not forget the Reason for the Season.

JOY TO THE WORLD

When was the last time you had a feeling of pure, unrestrained joy? Has it been too long? Can you even remember? The dictionary defines joy as an emotion of great delight or happiness, elation caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; rapture or bliss. We get so caught up in our everyday life that we forget to take time to experience joy. After a while, we forget what joy feels like or where we can find it.

My granddaughters reminded me of what it feels like to experience the joy of discovering something exciting for the first time. Laughing at nothing just because you want to hear yourself laugh; finding a hidden ornament on a tree; eating a bowl of ice cream together just before bedtime; wrapping your arms around someone so you can share a little joy with them.

In the book of Psalms, David tells us that there is fullness of joy in the presence of the Lord. David also experienced times when life became overwhelming, but he never forgot the source of all joy. He asked God to restore unto him the joy of salvation. David reminded himself during discouraging times that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

During this wonderful time of year, don’t let the shopping, parties, programs, family expectations take the place of experiencing real joy in the Reason for the Season. Take a few minutes to smell the baking cookies, light a scented holiday candle, taste a chocolate-covered cherry, enjoy the decorations, share a smile with someone you love, or throw your head back and sing this song at the top of your lungs.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

DAY 7

Yesterday, my husband and I decorated the outside of our house for the Christmas season. I am a minimalist when it comes to outside decorating. Partly because I know how much Steve dreads this yearly event, partly because I get tired before my ideas run out, but mostly because I hate the obscene displays that some people put in front of their homes. I have a 4 ft. wreath decorated with pine cones, lights and a beautiful red bow mounted at the peak of the garage. Steve was so gracious when he had to get out the 20 ft. ladder to mount a higher hook, hang the heavy wreath and attaché the extension cord so it was tastefully out of sight. The porch railings are draped with evergreen (imitation, for the environment) roping, threaded with rope lights, the posts are wrapped in more greenery and tied with cheery red bows. I have a small Precious Moments nativity scene nestled in the landscape and a smaller wreath hanging on the front door. That’s it, that’s all!!! I couldn’t wait until nightfall. The switch was flipped and unlike National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, they all worked. It was a beautiful sight.

As mentioned above I hate the garish displays that some people cram onto their lawns. We have moved from millions of lights on every tree and bush, lighted sleighs with all the reindeer, plastic santas and snowmen to lighted wire trees, deer, or carolers. One homeowner in our lovely town has a large tractor tire buried on its side in his front yard. In the middle he has a lighted reindeer reaching for the sky. Last year he even had angels on each side of the tire serenading the deer. This of course inspired Steve to write the next great country song “Angel on the Tire.” Listen for it at the next CMA awards.

My personal outrage is the blow-up ornaments. These range from inflated teddy bears, snow globes with animated figures to Santa on a motorcycle. I actually heard a TV commentator call it “Yard Art.” While they may be fine as advertising at specialty shops or the mall, leave them there!!! Every time I pass a yard filled with these vinyl monstrosities, I have the urge to carry a sharp stick. Is there anything worse? YES!!!

What drives me to the brink? People who decorate their trees with Easter eggs, ghosts and pumpkins complete with pink and yellow lights in spring and orange lights in the fall. Is nothing sacred anymore? Leave the lights for Christmas!!! Tulips, lilies and daffodils are beautiful Easter decorations, fly your flag on the Fourth of July and if you must a jack-o-lantern or two on the porch for Halloween is enough.

I ‘m not sure the exact origin of decorating with lights inside and out. Some say it represents the star that guided the wisemen, others use them to guide Santa’s sleigh. I’m sure if I dig deep enough there is some pagan symbolism, but I love them because it makes everything so warm and inviting. They signify the beginning of a season in which we celebrate the occurrence of an event that would change the world.

On this last day of my week of thankfulness, I am thankful that I have eyes to see the beautiful holiday displays, yes; even the ugly, obscene vinyl globes which I’m sure are environmental hazards or at least hazards to my mental health. I am thankful that I have ears to hear Christmas music, praise and worship music, the old hymns and even country music. I am thankful I have legs and feet to walk through the leaves or wade through the snow. I am thankful I have hands and arms to hold a child or bestow a hug. I am thankful for every breath and every heartbeat. Most of all I am thankful that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”