Oh my! It has beena REALLY long time since I have been out on my blog. I hate that I can't post from work any longer while waiting for reports to print or chowing down my lunch. So much has happened, but it would take eons to fill you in. So let's just move on to the present, shall we?
It's Christmas time already. Can you believe it? That's just so bananas I can't even think about it! Where did the year go?? It's evne looking like Christmas outside today...we received snow during the night, which continued in a rather wimpy fashion throughout most of the day. Not that the lack of an all-out raging blizzard bothers me...oh no. I didn't really want to shovel 4 feet of snow after work. Silly me ;0) I have busted out my "Alvin and the Chipmunks" Christmas cd in my car (who doesn't love their "Christmas Song"?!) and have been caroling quietly at my desk (no, I haven't been singing, just listening to my mp3's on my computer)while visions of sugarplums dance in my head (ha ha ha).
One of my fantastic girlfriends (I got no room to complain about cold....she lives in Alaska!!!) sent this to me this morning, which I loved and felt the urge to share with y'all. It's so right on point and I hope you enjoy it.....
Letter from Jesus about Christmas - - -
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't 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 Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. Stop worrying about the fact that people are claling the tree a 'holiday tree' instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me whenever you see ANY tree. Decorate a grapevine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8. 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, hope and support 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 writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and hist family this year. Then follow up...it will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts that you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of my birth, and why I came to live with you here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you im the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind workd. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas", that doesn't stop you from wishing them one.
8.If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - - especially one who takes My love and Word to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts then drop them off to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and the will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in my presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of My flock. Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and dow what I have told you to do...I'll take care of all the rest.
Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love, and remember: I LOVE YOU>
~Jesus
People get so hung up on the gifts and that parties, the decorations and the shopping and the stuff that doesn't matter that they forget what Christmas is about, why we celebrate it in the first place. The best gift I could ever receieve is for someone to help another who is in need....donate to Sub for Santa, to the food pantry, to a local animal shelter, to the charity of his/her choice; volunteer at the homeless shelter/soup kitchen, the Veteran's hospital or the nursing home; take new toys to children's ward of the local hospital; bring meals to someone you know who is home-bound...things like that. I'd much rather get a gift like that than 'stuff', ya know what I'm saying?? I ahve only so much room in my house for 'things', but my heart has all the room in the world for gifts like those. Sharing our blessings with others is a very worthwhile endeavor indeed.
