Christmas Day A Brief Defense
There are folks who, upon reading the last sentence of the above paragraph, would not have a clue as to what all of it means. All too many people in our world have little knowledge of what is meant by "God" and have no understanding of why they might need a "Savior." But, we who are of the Christian faith know and would like others to know what we understand to be the pathway to eternal life. The large majority of us would love to see every individual on this planet share the Christian faith, but we are not prepared to force anyone to accept our Jesus as his or her "Savior." Instead, we choose to lead by example, to share our faith, to teach and preach the Gospel of Good News, namely that Jesus Christ was born, lived a sinless life and died a cruel death. But, He rose from the grave after three days to live again then, now, and forevermore and that, by personally trusting Jesus, salvation is imparted to all who believe in Him. Whether other religions like it or not, Jesus is "Savior of the World." Whether atheists or agnostics like it or not, Jesus is "Savior of the World." Whether anyone has a clue to the existence of a higher being or not, Jesus is "Savior of the World." It's not the exchange of presents or the gathering of families for a special meal or the spirit of generosity shown at this special time of the year or the combination of these and more that makes Christmas Day special. No indeed, as likely none of these would have any merit, apart from that of goodwill, had not Jesus been born. Long ago, the date of December 25 was set as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus, "Savior of the World," but the actual date of Jesus' birth is uncertain. In fact, the exact year is not known, and scholars debate His birth as approximately 4 B.C. to 6 B.C. What makes Christmas Day a special day? Why, it's the day we celebrate the birthday of the "Savior of the World." We don't all, Christians that is, celebrate Christmas Day the same way or have the same Christmas traditions. But, we probably would not be uncomfortable joining other Christians to celebrate according to their customs and traditions. Jesus, "Savior of the World," would hold us together in a bond of love. Why, we don't mind if non-Christians want to join in our celebration, and in most instances we encourage it. Sadly, many non-Christians would rather we not celebrate at all. Today, America suffers from an internal strife rooted in religious liberty, and the celebration of Christmas has in recent years been a focal point of controversy. Consider the following, which is borrowed from The Federalist Patriot newsletter, issue 04-51/52, http://FederalistPatriot.US:
Now, on a somewhat lighthearted but still serious note, and from the same publication:
Clearly, America "ain't what it used to be," but it's presently the greatest nation on planet earth. Jesus, contrary to the vocalizations of some in America's pulpits and airways, didn't promise his followers a rose garden in this life. A careful reading of his teachings makes it very clear that his followers will endure hardships, strife, trials, even tribulations, but the reward for trusting him is His free gift of eternal life, or as we like to say, "the rewards are out of this world."
Christmas 2004 By Barbara Carter This morning's paper (12/18/04) contained an article about too much stress at Christmastime. How true the facts are that I read there. Just last evening I was talking with Rayanne about what all we still have to do before Christmas gets here. She was so stressed, and I tried to encourage her to take some time to just relax. I could hear my words, but do I really do what I was suggesting she do? Today's activities include, laundry, cooking (the family still wants to eat), cleaning out the pantry, visiting the nursing home, going to the Christmas musical at church, and finding time to prepare for my four-year-old Sunday School class activity. After pouring myself a second (or third) cup of coffee, I went into the living room for just a moment of quiet time before starting on the list of activities. I turned on the Christmas tree lights and sat down. The flood of lights in the room and the quiet did provide a calm to my hurried mind. The past month has been quite busy: Wayne has not been well for over a month now, and even though he has been a really good patient, this has been heavy on our minds day and night. I pulled the Christmas tree out of the box and assembled it, mostly by myself. Wayne did help fluff the limbs and put up the trunk of the tree. Wayne and Jason laughed at me because it took me three days to get the lights on the tree. Rayanne, Sarah Sue and Felicia tell me that each limb should be wrapped with lights back to the trunk to give depth. Well, I started out with the 800 lights we had on the tree last year, but I ran out about half way up the tree. Wayne found an unopened box of 100 in our attic, and a trip to Dollar General produced three more strands, which I wound on the top portion of the tree, and ran out again. However, with the angel atop and by spreading the lights loosely through the top limbs, I decided it was enough. Our 800 light tree of last year is a 1200 light tree this year, so if you enter Woodland Hills Subdivision and see a glow on the horizon, it just might be our illumined tree. My Christmas shopping is basically done, with the exception of a couple of small gifts, which I think I have covered. What remains to be done now is just finishing up the house, cooking and doing the routine daily chores. I hope to take off a little time from work at Habitat to enjoy the Christmas season at home. One of the top priorities is getting Wayne to feeling better and trying to follow the de-stressing suggestions I read in this morning's paper. Even though this newsletter won't arrive in time for the implementation of these suggestions for this Christmas, perhaps readers can clip this and save it for next year. The Northeast MS Daily Journal article on the front page of the Religion Section, by Errol Castens, listed the following hints for a less stressful holiday.
All in all, I think Christmas of 2004 will produce a very good Christmas memory for me.
Christmas Bicycle By Kay Grafe On Sept. 2, 1945, the document of surrender in World War II was signed aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This marked the end of the Pacific phase and the end of the war. Shoe rationing and tire rationing ended. However, sugar reserves had reached rock bottom, so a family's sugar ration was cut 25 percent. I was very young and all this meant to me was no pies and no Double Bubble bubble gum. I stopped by Hemphill's Drug Company on the day a shipment of Double Bubble arrive. My 25 cents bought 25 pieces. The treasure didn't last because Mother said, "March right back up town young lady and return 20 pieces. You must share with others in town." By December of 1946, the country had spiraling inflation and shortages of metal products. Industries were reversing their production of war-related parts to peacetime commodities. Housing was scarce. Mother took a job. She also rented our two bedrooms to different couples. Our bills were mounting and Daddy was in the hospital. Mother and I shared the hideaway bed in our living room. That year I wanted a bicycle for Christmas more than anything I've ever wanted in my life. My friends had bikes handed down from older siblings. Since rubber was no longer rationed, old tires were replaced and my friends peddled up and down the sidewalks of Forest. Being an only child had its drawbacks - I felt a sense of isolation. "Come sit next to me," said Mother, sitting on the sofa listening to Lowell Thomas on the radio. "I can't locate a bicycle. They're still scarce, but we really don't have the money. Bicycles are expensive." She sighed and hugged my neck. That was that. I was 8 years old. Mother couldn't help not having the money, so I didn't cry. Mid-December I walked through the hardware store on my way home from school, and there it was; the most beautiful bicycle I'd ever seen. I flew down the sidewalk to Noblin's Dry Goods, where she worked. Mother listened. "We can't afford a bicycle anymore than we can a car." I stopped by Mr. Carl's hardware store almost every afternoon just to touch the glossy blue fenders. A week before Christmas the bike disappeared. "Some fellow from Newton bought it this morning." He said. Christmas day the shiny blue bicycle sat next to my Christmas tree. Years later I learned that Mr. Carl called my mother and offered to let her pay $1.50 a week until the $30 was paid off. There was no fellow from Newton, only a kindhearted storekeeper who observed an 8-year-old girl polishing the fenders of a dusty blue bicycle with the hem of her skirt. Kay Grafe, [email protected] - Lucedale, MS
Bodock Beau I Still Believe In Santa Claus
I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I
remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister
dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know
that!" ~ Anonymous ~ Submitted by Lamar Carter - NYC NY Share this article with a friend.
Copyright © 2000 - 2004 RRN Online.
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The
official date of this publication is December 25, 2004. I hope that most
regular readers find this issue among their regular mail and email prior
to Christmas Day, but I can't be certain I'll meet my mailing deadline of
Wednesday. I don't presume this issue to be of special significance, among
all other issues this year, except for the date itself and the significance
Christmas Day has for all peoples of the world. Though Christmas Day is
especially important to Christians, it is of no less importance to people
of other faiths, in that God sent his Son, Jesus, to be born as "Savior of
the World."
