John 3:16 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Sometimes we as Christian can be counterproductive in how
we voice our opinion. We mean well but sometimes fall into the same trap as
those we disagreeing with. Imagine if you will a letter from Jesus to give us
some guidelines.
Dear children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that
folks are taking my name out of the season.
Maybe you’ve forgotten that I wasn’t actually born during this time of
the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate my
birthday on what was actually a time of a pagan festival. No worries, I do appreciate the sentiment
though and being remembered anytime.
I don’t really care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just GET
ALONG and LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having
said that, let Me go on.
If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t
allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of the Santa’s
and snowmen and put up a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all my followers did that there wouldn’t
be any need for a Town Square scene, because there would be hundreds of them
all around town!
Please, stop worrying about the fact that people are
calling the tree a “holiday tree” instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree
and at any time of the year. Decorate a
grape-vine and leave it up all year if you wish and remember I am the true
vine, and my Father is the gardener. I
am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will
bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My
birth here is my “wish list”. Choose
something from it.
1. Instead of
writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated,
write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time
of year. I know, they tell Me all the
time.
2. Visit someone
in a nursing home. You don’t have to
know them personally. They just need to
know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of
standing by the water-cooler with your colleagues complaining about your boss
and how stingy he was with the Christmas bonuses this year, why don’t you go
into his office with a gift card and tell him that you’ll be praying for him
and his family this year. Then
follow-up. It will be nice hearing from
you again.
4. Instead of
giving your children a lot of gifts they really don’t need, spend time with
them instead. Tell them a story of My
birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them how
much I love them!
5. Pick someone
who has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Instead of
griping about a retailer in town saying “Happy Holidays”, be patient with the
people who work there. Give them a warm
smile and a kind word and even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry
Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Think about those who have to work over the
holidays and bring them a plate of cookies to tell them you appreciate them for
their hard work. Take it one step
further…when you go out to eat after church on Sundays, rather than look down
your nose at all the people who “missed church” because they had to work, when
that waitress takes your order, pray for her and thank her for her service to
you and then leave her a good tip…not the chintzy ones you have been leaving. My children should always be generous!
7. There are
individuals and whole families in your town who not only have no “Christmas
Tree”, they have no presents to give or receive. If you want to make a difference this Christmas,
support a local charity that provides clothes, food, and shelter to those who
are homeless or who help families in crisis.
Don’t just send them a check at Christmas either, support them year
round. If you can’t afford to support
them with a monetary donation, give them your time. Volunteering your time is just as helpful!
8. Support a
missionary, especially one who takes My Love and Good News to those who have
never heard My Name.
9. Finally, if you
believe that I am the real “reason for the season”, how about spending more
time with Me rather than spending time complaining about how commercial
Christmas has become? Live every day
like you believe that I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE, and remember I am
with you always!
All My Love,
Jesus
Dear Lord, help us be the one that shows Your love in the
way You would have us react. Help us not turn others from You but bring them to
You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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