Silent Monks Singing Hallelujah

You may also see this on YouTube.

 

Letter from Jesus About Christmas

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 pagan festival. . . although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

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 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. Decorate a grape vine 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 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. Not just during Christmas time, but all through the year. 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 sends out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family? Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts 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 down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in 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 holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn’t make so much money on that day they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary– especially one who takes My love and Good News 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 and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they 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 and words that you are one of mine.

Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do 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

(Note: I have searched for the name of the author of this letter. Although I found that the letter has been making the rounds in email for several years, I was unable to find who wrote it. Please comment if you know the person’s name and I will be glad to add it to this post. Thanks!)

 

Our obligations as Christians

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12.1-3

Never played sports? That doesn’t matter. You are, at this moment, dressed out (in uniform), on the field, living out the game of life before untold millions who have gone on before. These witnesses – including Abraham, Moses, Paul, Peter and many, many more – have worked and played, planted and harvested, suffered and struggled and given their lives to serve the King of Kings in this very world, on this very field that you find yourself.

Try as you may to remove your uniform and to quietly crawl into the stands to be a spectator, you will not be successful. Players who try to become spectators short-change themselves and the team by holding back their God-given gifts, abilities and time. The team suffers and the advancement of the Kingdom of God is delayed.

We have an obligation to continue the walk of faith (read Hebrews 11) of the witnesses for Christ who have gone before us. The great cloud of witnesses are not in the stands to cheer their favorite and boo another. They are there as living testimonials to the faithfulness of God in their lives.

We have an obligation to each other, to be “like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2.2). When players on the same team judge, condemn, criticize each other, the result is discord and division. This is not love, it is not of God and it is sin. Don’t be the weight, the hindrance, the impediment for your brother or sister in Christ.

Above all, we have an obligation to our God. Hebrews 12 is clear. We are to lay aside the weight and sin that most prevents our progress, play out the game on the field we have been given and keep our eyes on Jesus. In fact, we will forever keep our eyes on Him. That great cloud of witnesses in heaven are still fixing their eyes on Jesus at this very moment.

When you have followed the instructions of Hebrews 12 you will be able one day to confidently say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4.7).