Merry Christmas

You know, today I'm homesick for a Home I've never seen before; for a Place where there is always the magic of Christmas, where love blankets us all around, where fellowship is deep and pure, and where light shines from the Father of Light, the Prince of Peace, the Saviour of those freed by His blood; no more suffering, no more sin, no more parting, no more death; joy and peace are the air we breathe; work is an overflow of the love of God that fills and overflows everyone.

May we have a taste of it this Christmas through our thanksgiving for Jesus and our fellowship with family and friends, and may we pass it on to everyone we meet.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Have you ever contemplated how you were made not only to want to, but to be able to communicate? Even without verbal skills, babies, the deaf, stroke or accident victims all find ways to ensure others understand them. In fact, some studies say that only 7% of our communication is verbal with 93% non verbal.

If you are on Facebook, it will not take long for you to be amazed at the variety of fan pages that form and are followed.

 Fan pages, such as—

• Coughing when you walk by smokers and hope they get the message
• I like watching raindrops race across my window and silently cheer for them
• Having a 100% sarcastic conversation with someone who thinks you're serious
• Kicking Snow/Sludge off cars

And this does not cover groups, atheletes, actors, musicians, companies, and countries that create their own followings. Not only can you join one of these pages, you can also show that you "like" when a friend has joined a group or page.

What is it that makes us want others to know what we like, from the quirky to the fanatic? Even with the most shy, introverted person, there is someone that he or she would like to have know what is exciting or of interest.

Communication is one of our easiest snares. It leads to gossip, slander, bursts of anger. Yet, it can be the most powerful way to encourage the struggling, nudge a child towards godly character, warn against danger. It has equally strong potential in good as in bad.

My father said it this way: "The real power to build up or destroy lies caged behind our teeth."

The Bible warns—

The tongue is that kind of flame. It is a world of evil among the parts of our bodies, and it completely contaminates our bodies. The tongue sets our lives on fire, and is itself set on fire from hell. (James 3:6)

and exhorts us to be cautious with our power—

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Interestingly, the last words of Jesus on earth instructed the disciples to communicate—

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations....Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...(Matthew 28:19-20a)

We reveal what we worship by what we talk about and by the attitude in which we pursue it. If we truly love Jesus, it is going to come out of our mouths (directly and indirectly), our actions, and our attitudes.

As I tell actors, do not worry as much about how you say a line. The most important thing is how you relate to it. If the situation and dialogue is real for you, the audience will feel and picture it too. You can say it as flowery as you want, but if it is superficial to you, it will be felt superficially.

So too, it is our focus on Jesus, not just at Christmas and Easter but every day, that will cause those around us to hear the message (verbally or non verbally).

"We guard our tongue in company by guarding our thoughts in solitude." ~Dr. Tim Trumper

What you feed your mind and heart on is what will come out in words and in life. Make sure what your life shouts from your place of influence is something the whole world should hear.

Magical: Mysteriously Enchanting

What is it about childhood that makes this time of year so magical?

While I was growing up, from '77 to '84 we lived in Minnesota. For me, those are my favourite memories of Christmas. We have a large family. In MN, all the family was together. This spelled lots of laughter, as my older siblings are some of the funniest people I know.

Around this time, we'd assemble our fake Christmas tree. It may not seem magical to you, but as a family activity, it was one of the best.

Christmas morning, my parents made a rule that Kevin would get up first and make the fire (that kept us from waking my parents too early). When it was going, he'd come up to get me (I remember laying awake listening for his footsteps coming up the stairs), and we'd sit before our stockings (me peeking, but Kevin much more disciplined). At a set time, 7:00, I believe, we'd wake Mom and Dad and, eventually, the rest of the family.

Mom always made fresh sticky buns for Christmas morning, and, later in the day, Dad made the egg nog. We'd open our presents. And an aunt, uncle, and cousins would come for dinner. There was snow, Christmas carols, and lighted services at church. The atmosphere smiled around you.

There was a suspense building up to Christmas day that went far beyond the gifts.

Jesus understood the ingrained mystery that children accept about Him, but we, who have to have all the answers, often miss.

"But when Jesus saw [His disciples turning the children away], he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.' And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them." (Mark 10:14-16)

Jesus- mystery in the flesh, God made man; Immanuel, God with us!

Scholars in ancient times understood many things about the prophecies of Jesus coming, but they also confused details of the Messiah's coming, so much so that they missed it. Even the disciples, with Him everyday, misunderstood numerous teaching of Jesus until after His resurrection.

Scripture clearly teaches essential truths that we can know about our Messiah. However, much mystery still enshrouds our Saviour; mystery which excites expectation of things yet unseen. Our hope!

My wish for all of us this Christmas is that we may return to the joy of God sending the long-promised Messiah, and that we may also embrace the mystery of our Lord and return to the magic of Christmas.