A Christmas Poem

A Christmas Alphabet

A is for Animals who shared the stable.
B is for the Babe with their manger for cradle.
C is for the Carols so blithe and so gay.
D for December, the twenty-fifth day.
E for the Eve when we're all so excited.
F for the Fun when the tree's at last lighted.
G is the Goose which you know is fat.
H for the Holly you stick in your hat.
I for the Ive that clings to the wall.
J is for Jesus, the cause of it all.
K for the Kindness begot by this feast.
L is the Light shining way in the east.
M for the Mistletoe, all green and white.
N for the Noels we sing Christmas night.
O for the Oxen, the first to adore Him.
P for the Presents Wise Men laid before Him.
Q for the Queerness that this should have been
     Near two thousand years before you were seen.
R for the Reindeer leaping the roofs.
S for the Stockings that Santa Claus stuffs.
T for the Toys, the Tinsel, the Tree.
U is for Us - the whole family.
V is for Visitors bringing us cheer.
W is Welcome to the happy New Year.
X Y Z bother me! All I can say,
     Is this the end of my Christmas lay.
     So now to you all, wherever you be,
     A merry, merry Christmas, and many may you see!

Author Unknown

From Christmas Poems, Stories and Carols
Random House Value Publishing Inc., 1995.

The Jews are still God's chosen ones

There seem to be many mind sets in the Christian world. The first seems to think that the Jewish people no longer have a place in God's plan and so they should be ignored. The second is those who think that studying the Jewish faith is an excellent way to better understand Christianity.  Others are called to reach out to their Jewish brothers and sisters, pray for them, and reach out to share Jesus with them.

For those who seem to think they Jewish people should be ignored, have not been reading the events which will lead up to the return of Christ. God is NOT done with his chosen people yet. The stage is even now being set for those end events to come to pass.

Those who believe understanding the Jewish faith as a better way to enrich their Christian walk - are totally correct. There are many passages in the New Testament that will come alive when the full richness of culture and faith are revealed.

Lastly, a huge huzzah for those who are reaching out and sharing Christ. God didn't intend for only Gentiles to have Christ, but for His people as well. Remember, Christianity started first with the Jews, then spread to the Gentiles and the rest of the world.

Keep praying for Israel. For those who support God's people will be blessed.

And keep an eye on the sky, listen for the trumpet and shout, and be ready, as events began to unfold for Christ's return.

God Answers Prayer

God answers prayer when you least expect. Recently, I had started a job that I knew, on day two, it wasn't the place for me to be. However, I stuck it out despite having to get up at 4 AM, driving an hour away a bit more in snow, very little money and not being awake in training.

The same day as I started this position, I interviewed for another, which would be a better fit for me. Almost a week later I was called and offered the position. I accepted.

During the days of the job I didn't want, I told God I was thankful for it, would follow His will, and tried my best not to complain. Hard to do when every early morning I'm up I tell myself I can't go on even as I dragged myself out of bed.

The saddest part was telling my trainer I was leaving. He was disappointed. He could see my potential and counted the company lucky to have me. (Unlike my previous job, but I won't go there.)

In a week and half I start training for my new job. I'm excited because I can see all sorts of possibilities as far as a working future is concerned.

It was a good move for me and I'm thankful God opened the door.

God's Plans

God sometimes tell us things or maybe I should say reveals part of His plan for our lives when we least expect it. Who would have thought that one of the biggest events of my future life, which I still don't have permission to share, would come during a meeting with my local writing group?

While I'm excited, I'm also scared. Why? Because I personally don't think I'm ready.

However, the Lord of the Heavens must think differently.

What a wonderful adventure it is going to be!

Same ole, Same ole

Yet again, an add has arrived in the mail from a local Christian store. Disappointing is that the same old books, DVDs and CDs are featured. Nothing new. Does this mean that no new creative projects are coming from various artists, film makers and writers? Or is it simply that there is so much back stock this is the only way to get rid of the inventory?

Difficult to say. With the holidays coming up, one would hope for newer items to give as gifts to friends and family.

Christmas - The birth of Jesus or something else

Christmas is coming. Are you ready for it? Ready for the family dinners, the twinkling tree, and the exchanging of gifts? Or are the images you carry overcrowded stores, angry/rude people and Black Friday Madness?

Our culture has the made the holiday into the most popular toys, latest electronic gadgets and companies watching the ka-ching of their cash registers.

Churches have made it about pageants, musical choirs and nativity scenes complete with a huge star.

The solstice is celebrated by others with the drumming up of the sun. 

Question is, what is Christmas really about? Given the various examples it would depend on whom you asked.

Our modern Christmas trees come from German tradition.

The giving of gifts DID NOT originate with the gifts the magi gave to the Christ child. It comes from the presenting of gifts to a pagan god during the Solstice. It was adapted and changed by the Catholic church.

Fact. It is too cold in the middle east for sheep to be out grazing during December. It is more likely, or so it is speculated, that Jesus was born sometime in September.

The huge star was actually a series of planetary conjunctions noted by many cultures. The Jewish people did not watch the heavens and therefore didn't know what was going on. Another reason Herod had no idea what the magi were talking about. Not to mention Mary and Joseph were living in a house when the gifts were presented. Not the stable as is commonly shown.

The story of the birth of Jesus has had a great deal of mythology added to it. Not to mention at no point does Peter, Paul or any of the followers of Christ say we should make a holiday out of our savior's birth.

So what is Christmas really? Should it really be a celebrated holiday or is it simply a tradition that is a mix of many cultures with roots no one really wants to look at? And what will it morph into in the future?

Enjoy life

Thought for the week.

This is a day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.

Every day we have a gift. Make the most of it. Enjoy life.