Quote from Forum Archives on December 7, 2005, 7:24 pm

Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

 HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman

 

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12/7/05 CHRISTMAS STORIES AND POEMS FOR YOUR FAMILY - Part II

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THE TRUE MEANING OF THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
From "Daily Encouragers"   

 

When you think of the Christmas song, "The Twelve days of Christmas" what thoughts come to mind (other than how to avoid singing it!)?  Perhaps you think: "Boy that's a long song!" Or, "What's with those Lords a leaping, anyway?"  But what most people don't realize is that the "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was created to be a teaching aid. The song is an allegory.  Each of the items in the song represents something of religious significance.  The hidden meaning of each gift was designed to help young Christians learn their faith during a time of persecution. 

*The song goes, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..."  The "true love" represents God and the "me" who receives these presents is the Christian.
*The "partridge in a pear tree" was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God.
*The "two turtle doves" were the Old and New Testaments - another gift from God.
*The "three French hens" were faith, hope and love - the three gifts of the Spirit that abide (1 Corinthians 13).
*The "four calling birds" were the four Gospels which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ.
*The "five golden rings" were the first five books of the Bible also called the "Books of Moses." *The "six geese a-laying" were the six days of creation.
*The "seven swans a swimming" were "seven gifts of the Holy Spirit"  (I Cor 12:8-11, Rom 12, Eph 4, 1 Pet 4:10-11). *The "eight maids a milking" were the eight beatitudes.
*The "nine ladies dancing" were nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians
5:22-23).
*The "ten lords a-leaping" were the Ten Commandments. *The "eleven pipers piping" were the eleven faithful disciples.
*The "twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of the Apostles' Creed.  Are you surprised that this otherwise non-religious sounding song is really a song born out of the Christian faith?  I like surprises like that.  Why? Because it reminds me that even though much of the sacred meaning of Christmas has been covered with the secular, the covering is only paper thin!  All we have to do is pull off glaring garnish and the tarnished tinsel to reveal the brilliant, golden truth. Just beneath the surface of the most crass Christmas imaginable continues to beat the pure, loving heart of Christ. 

 
HOW DOES JESUS COMPARE WITH SANTA CLAUS?
author unknown
 
   Santa lives at the North Pole ...
   JESUS is everywhere.  
   Santa rides in a sleigh ...
   JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
   Santa comes but once a year ...
   JESUS is an ever present help.
  
   Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
   JESUS supplies all your needs.
   Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
   JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart
   when invited.
  
   You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
   JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
   Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
   JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
  
   Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or
   girl, what's your name?" ...
   JESUS knew our name before we did.
   Not only does He know our name,
   He knows our address too.
   He knows our history and future and
   He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
  
   Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
   JESUS has a heart full of love.
   All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...
   JESUS offers health, help and hope.
  
   Santa says "You better not cry" ...
   JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."
   Santa's little helpers make toys ...
   JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs
   broken homes and builds mansions.
 
   Santa may make you chuckle but ...
   JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
   While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...
   JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.
 
   It's obvious there is really no comparison. We need to
   remember WHO Christmas is all about.
   We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas,
   Jesus is still the reason for the season.  
   Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa Claus.

  
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!
 
Twas' the night Jesus came and all through the house,
Not a person was praying, not one in the house.
 
The Bible was left on the shelf without care,
For no one thought Jesus would come there.
 
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.
 
And Mom in the rocking chair with baby on her lap,
Was watching the Late Show as I took a nap.
 
When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what's the matter.
 
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and lifted the sash.
 
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
 
The light of His face made me cover my head,
It was Jesus returning just like He'd said.
 
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
 
In the Book of Life which he held in his hand,
Was written the name of every saved woman and man.
 
He spoke not a word as he searched for my name,
When He said "it is not here" I hung my head in shame.
 
The peoples who's names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to his Father above.
 
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
While all the others were left standing around.
 
I fell to my knees but it was too late,
I waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
 
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I'd known that this was the night.
 
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear,
The coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
 
There's only one life and when comes the last call,
We'll find out that the Bible was true after all... 

 

 

CHRISTMAS LOVE
submitted by Linda J. Stevenson, Roanoke, VA 

 

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations – extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.  My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old.  For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. 

 

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in 10 minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas", I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment – songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love", I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.   Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

 

Those in the front row – center stage – held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas", a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy", and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love".  The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her – a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down – totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". 

 

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake.  But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".  Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that  instant, we understood – the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.  For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:  CHRIST WAS LOVE.

 

 

A CHRISTMAS STORY
By David Moore

 

        It was only five days before Christmas. The spirit of the season hadn't yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking lot of our Houston area Target Shopping Center. Inside the store, it was worse.     

        Shopping carts and last minute shoppers jammed the aisles. Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as my head. My list contained names of several people who claimed they wanted nothing, but I knew their feelings would be hurt if I didn't buy them something. Buying or someone who had everything and deploring the high cost of items, I considered gift-buying anything but fun.

      Hurriedly, I filled my shopping cart with last minute items and proceeded to the long checkout lines. I picked the shortest but it looked as if it would mean at least a 20 minute wait.

       In front of me were two small children a boy of about 10 and a younger girl about 5. The boy wore a ragged coat. Enormously large, tattered tennis shoes jutted far out in front of his much too short jeans. He clutched several crumpled dollar bills in his grimy hands. The girl's clothing resembled her brother's. Her head was a matted mass of curly hair. Reminders of an evening meal showed on her small face. She carried a beautiful pair of shiny, gold house slippers.      As the Christmas music sounded in the store's stereo system, the girl hummed along off-key but happily. When we finally approached the checkout register, the girl carefully placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a treasure.

       The clerk rang up he bill. "That will be $6.09" the clerk said, as the boy laid his crumpled dollars atop the stand while he searched his pockets finally coming up with $3.12.
     "I guess we will have to put them back," he bravely said. "We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow."
     With that statement, a soft sob broke from the little girl. "But Jesus would have loved these shoes," she cried.
     "Well, we'll go home and work some more. Don't cry. We'll come back," he said.

       Quickly I handed $3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, after all, it was Christmas. Suddenly a pair of arms came around me and a small voice said, "Thank you, Sir."

       "What did you mean when you said Jesus would like the shoes?" I asked. The small boy answered, "Our mommy is sick and going to heaven. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus."

      The girl spoke, "My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won't mommy be beautiful walking on those streets to match these shoes?"
     My eyes flooded as I looked into her tear streaked face. "Yes," I answered, "I am sure she will."      

        Silently I thanked God for using these children to remind me of the true spirit of giving. Christmas is not about the amount of money paid, not the amount of gifts purchased, nor trying to impress friends and relatives.

      Christmas is about the love in your heart to share with those as Jesus Christ has shared with each of us. Christmas is about the Birth of Jesus whom God sent to show the world how much he really loves us. 

 

 

AN 1881 CHRISTMAS STORY
author unknown      

 

        Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

       It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted so bad that year for Christmas.

      We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. So after supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though.  I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good it's cold out tonight."

       I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.

       Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick little job. I could tell. We never hitched up the big sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards!  It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on. When we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood---the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something.  "Pa," I asked, "What are you doing?"

       "You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight.

        Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "Why?" 

        "I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."

        That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it.  Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and
told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

       "What's in the little sack?" I asked.

       "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

       We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy?       Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us. It shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?"

       "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?" Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour.  I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children---sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last.

        I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said, then he turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring enough in to last for a while.  Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and, much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks and so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy filled my soul that I'd never known before. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

       I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord himself has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his children to spare us." In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth, save One.

        I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

       Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

        At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two older brothers and two older sisters were all married and had moved away.

        Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, "'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will."

        Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. So, Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

        I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Just then the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

       For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life. 

 

 

TWO BABES IN A MANGER
Author unknown 

        In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:

      It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened.  Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.           

      Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel (cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia), were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.
     The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6-years-old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously.  For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately -- until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger.

       Then Misha started to ad-lib.  He made up his own ending to the story as he said,  "And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give Him like everybody else did.

       But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept Him warm, that would be a good gift.

      "So I asked Jesus, 'If I keep You warm, will that be a good enough gift?'   And Jesus told me, 'If you keep Me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave Me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and He told me I could stay with Him -- for always." 

     As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, Someone who would stay with him -- FOR ALWAYS!

      And the Americans? They had learned the lesson they had come there to teach -- that it is not what you have in your life, but Who you have in your life that really counts. We all should give thanks for the people that "keep us warm" in life; and for all of God's many blessings to us: freedom from want, life, love, togetherness, and for the enduring love of Jesus Christ, the one person who keeps us warm and safe for always.

      "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever.  Amen."   Philippians 4:19-20 (NASV) 

 

 

CHRISTMAS --- A GIFT ALL WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson 

 

       Christmas morning of my fifth year I woke to find a wooden rifle under the tree, carefully carved by my dad, complete with a dowel barrel and a hole for my trigger finger. I can almost smell the fresh paint mingled with the fragrance of pine branches. And though I don't recall
playing with it, I remember the awe I felt in knowing my dad made it just for me.

      Not all gifts, however, are so personally intended. After that horrendous brown vase I got at a Christmas party, at least I had the perverse joy of watching someone open "How to Raise Rhesus Monkeys" that had been foisted off on me the year before. Then there's a punch-out calendar to sit on my desk reminding me all year long to buy Farmer's Insurance. And the mortuary that gives away bottles of hand lotion  every year--my family always calls it "embalming fluid."

      What takes the joy out of giving are the obligatory gifts - the expected office exchange, the box of candy you keep by the door to hand the Smiths when they come to call as you know they will, once a year. And don't forget the gift for great Aunt Hattie whom you haven't liked since she pinched your cheeks when you were little.

      Really difficult are the gifts that come with long invisible strings dangling from them, gifts so very expensive that you could never afford to reciprocate.  Gold and diamond jewelry from a suitor. You don't want to hurt his feelings, but .... I wonder how Mary and Joseph felt as they watched richly robed wise men kneel before their child offering alabaster jars of precious myrrh, inlaid boxes heavy with the scent of frankincense, and iron-bound chests laden with gold--gifts fit for a king. How could they possibly repay?

       I guess the most troublesome gift at Christmas is the Child Himself. What do we say? We smile nicely and pat the humbly-wrapped present. "How nice of you, God, to have been so thoughtful," we mumble politely. But the Gift lies on the dresser unopened year after year. Perhaps because we don't expect to find much inside except a useless religious trinket. Perhaps because we don't feel any need for God just now. Perhaps because we know that if we unwrap the Gift we'll be obligated to the Giver beyond what we can ever repay.  And so it sits ... and so it sits until in loneliness, in pain, in utter desperation we tug at the ribbons and tear off the wrappings, hoping against hope we'll find inside what we've longed for. And so it is.  Unconditional Love!

      God sent a gift one Christmas morn, a wondrous gift, a precious gift. God sent a gift one Christmas morn by peasant maid and craftsman hand.  God sent a gift one Christmas morn and wrapped it up in swaddling clothes, For me, He did. Yes, for me He did. God sent a gift one Christmas morn and wrapped it up in swaddling clothes. For me. Tomorrow is not promised us, nor any other day, so let us make the most of it.  It is only once that we pass this way.

 

 

CHRISTMAS FROM THE HEART
A story by Nancy as posted in Sermon Fodder

 

      When I was 14 years old (same age as my daughter is today), my Mom and I didn't have money for a Christmas dinner, much less gifts.
      I knew she was sad about it and I was determined we wouldn't let it get us down.  Homemade gifts are nice but I wasn't very imaginative and too broke for supplies.  I decided to give my Mom something I treasured myself -- the one nice piece of jewelry I owned, a gold cross necklace.
      I cleaned it, made sure there were no knots in the chain and wrapped it in the prettiest paper I could find. I was so excited. I couldn't wait for her to open it.
      Single moms have it hard (as I know first hand now) and I really wanted to see her smile.  We always opened our gifts on Christmas Eve night and that afternoon, I could wait no longer.
      I asked if we could "have Christmas" early.  I anticipated that Christmas more than when I knew I was getting a lot of nice gifts.  I didn't expect to get
anything that year.  It was about giving.
     I handed her the little box, hugged and kissed her and wished her a Merry Christmas.  I waited anxiously for her to open it but she just sat there with the box in her hands and looked at it.
      I remember the look on Mom's face was a mixture of sadness and serenity. She knew her greatest gift to me was her love.  After what seemed a long time, she looked at me and said, "I have something for you too."  She reached into her pocket, pulled out another small box, placed it in my hands, and told me although it was not much, it was filled with love.
      I was quite curious and little scared.  I knew money was tight and hoped Mom hadn't spent money on something we couldn't afford.
      There was a little velvet box inside and when I lifted the lid, there was a tiny ring with a diamond chip in the center.  In a note, she told me the ring was
23 years old, she hoped it brought me good luck...and "I love you."
      I got a huge lump in my throat and looked at her. She smiled and told me it had been her wedding band from my dad.  It was now mine.  I slipped it on my finger and hugged my Mom.
      She opened my gift and when she saw the necklace, big tears filled her eyes.  She asked me to put it on her. She held the necklace and told me she thought it was our best Christmas ever.  I could only nod my head in agreement.
      This Christmas, I give thanks for Mom and treasure every memory we shared. You see, my Mom has advanced Alzheimer's disease and no longer knows me.  But I look at "our" ring and remember her gentle, wise spirit and give thanks God blessed me with her.
      But that's not the end of the story.  Our home was burglarized four years ago.  One of the items stolen was that little ring.  I had left all my jewelry at home for safekeeping because it was Memorial Day weekend and I was going to the lake.  I was totally heart broken when I found out the ring was gone.  Of course, so were her diamond rings, my wedding band, engagement ring, etc., but it was THAT ring I grieved for the most.
      I wrote a letter to our local paper and begged whoever stole it to "PLEASE return it by mail anonymously."
      A few weeks went by with no response and then one day a police detective showed up at my door.  He held out a Kleenex and asked me to identify the item inside. It was my ring!  I have never found out where or how he got it but it remains on my finger to this day.
       So as we all go through the holidays, let us remember it's what we give from the heart that holds the most value. 

 

 

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A JESUS!
from Daily Wisdom

 

     Over one hundred years ago, in 1897, one of the most famous letters ever written, was sent to the editorial page of the New York Sun. A small child named Virginia had written the editors of the paper asking if, indeed, Santa Claus really existed. She asked: "I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'if you see it in the Sun, it's so.'
Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?" The answer, from editorial writer Francis P. Church, was that yes, indeed, there is a Santa Claus. His reasoning was that; The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. This line, and the rest of his response have been repeated now, for over 100 years.
     Recently, there have been many news reports about Nativity scenes being challenged in court by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union. They claim that these creches are dangerous to the community, and a violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. According to previous Supreme Court decisions, government entities cannot display a Nativity scene unless it is part of a larger, secular display, one that might include items such as Santa Claus, candy canes, reindeer, etc.
     It is hard to imagine that such a controversy would have existed 100 years ago. In 1998, in St. Ann, Missouri, the ACLU has forced the city to remove a Nativity scene that has been displayed every year of the city's existence - 50 years. In light of this, today's Virginia might write a newspaper with this question: "I am 8 years old. Some grownups, including a group called the ACLU, say that putting up a manger in front of our city hall is dangerous. Is it dangerous because Jesus is real, or because He doesn't exist? Please tell me the truth, is there a Jesus Christ?"
     Now, I can't speak for Mr. Church. The former son of a Baptist minister died in 1906. However, much of his original answer to Virginia can also apply to those who would have you believe that displaying a Nativity scene is dangerous, or, that Jesus himself might never have existed. After all, a Nativity scene is depicting an actual event. What is so dangerous about that? Or as Virginia might ask, Is it dangerous because he is real, or because he doesn't exist?
     Church's reply today, much like the one 100 years ago, might sound something like this: "Virginia, these people are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe what they do not see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
     Yes, Virginia, there is a Jesus Christ. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. He really did live almost 2000 years ago, and his life was based upon love, and generosity, and kindness. Not only did He exist, but He continues to live. Denying His existence does not make Him less real. Just because you can't see Him, doesn't mean that He is not alive. People who
choose to remember His birth in a tiny stable in Bethlehem are not a danger to others, even those who do not believe that He is the Son of God. Putting up a manger scene is no less threatening than celebrating the Independence of our country, or a memorial to the end of World War II, or honoring men like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or Dr. Martin Luther King with holidays. All of these events and people have shaped our country and our lives, and denying the existence of any of them would not make them any less real. No Jesus? Thank God He lives, and lives forever. It has been 2000 years since He walked the earth as a man, and a thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, He will continue to make glad the hearts of those who believe in Him.

 

 

12 Voices of Christmas ~ Devotionals ~ This is a great site! You can read these devotions or listen to them online. http://www.backtothebible.org/christmas/12home.htm 

 

A CHRISTMAS POEM

Author unknown - Contributed by Norma Lyon of New York 

'T'was the night before Christmas and all through the town 
Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found. 
 
The people were all busy with Christmas time chores 
Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in stores. 
 
No one sang "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed". 
Instead, they sang of Santa dressed-up in bright red. 
 
Mama watched Martha Stewart, Papa drank beer from a tap. 
As hour upon hour the presents they'd wrap.
 
When what from the T.V. did they suddenly hear? 
'Cept an ad ... which told of a big sale at Sears. 
 
So away to the mall they all flew like a flash... 
Buying things on credit ... and others with cash! 
 
And, as they made their way home from their trip to the mall, 
Did they think about Jesus?  Oh, no... not at all. 
 
Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things.

No time to remember Christ Jesus, the King. 
 
There were presents to wrap and cookies to bake. 
How could they stop and remember who died for their sake? 
 
To pray to the Savior... they had no time to stop. 
Because they needed more time to "Shop till they dropped!" 
 
On Wal-mart! On K-mart! On Target! On Penney's! 
On Hallmark! On Zales! A quick lunch at Denny's! 
 
From the big stores downtown to the stores at the mall;
They would dash away, dash away, and visit them all! 
 
And up on the roof, there arose such a clatter,
As grandpa hung icicle lights up on his brand new step ladder. 
 
He hung lights that would flash.  He hung lights that would twirl. 
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus... Light of the World. 
 
Christ's eyes... how they twinkle!  Christ's Spirit... how merry! 
Christ's love... how enormous!  All our burdens... He'll carry! 
 
So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight,
Let's put Christ back in Christmas and enjoy some good nights! 

 

 

A PROMISE IS A PROMISE
The pastor of the church was looking over the cradle when he noticed that the baby Jesus was missing from among the figures. Immediately he turned and went outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant, Jesus.  So he walked up to the boy and said, "Well, where did you get Him, my fine friend?" The little boy replied, "I got him from the Church." And why did you take him?" The boy said, "Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus and I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would give him a ride around the block in it." 

 
GRANDMA'S HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!
        When Joe stopped the bus to pick up a little boy for preschool, he noticed an older woman hugging him as he left the house. "Is that your grandmother?" Joe asked.
        "Yes, she's come to visit us for Christmas." "How nice," he said. "Where does she live?"
"At the airport," the little boy replied. "Whenever we want her, we just go out there and get her." 

 

 

A CHRISTMAS TRUE OR FALSE QUIZ
Can you separate fact from fiction in the Christmas story? 

Test your knowledge by answering "T" or "F" to each statement.

Answers are at the end of this newsletter.

 

1. There are no records of Joseph speaking in the Christmas story.

2. The wise men were three kings from the orient.

3. The little drummer boy came to the manger after the other shepherds.

4. The star did not appear above the manger.

5. Jesus' ancestors include a prostitute, an adulterer, a woman who committed incest, and a non-Israelite.

6. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary first and then he appeared to Joseph.

7. Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

8. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of a decree by Caesar Augustus.

9. The wise men followed the star as it moved from their eastern land to Israel.

10. The wise men did not arrive on the night of Jesus' birth.

11. God sent a choir of chubby angels to announce Jesus' birth to the shepherds.

12. Shepherding was considered a very noble occupation.

13. Both Joseph and Mary were told that the baby was to be named "Jesus."

14. When Herod heard about Jesus he was the only one concerned about this new king.

15. The wise men found Jesus lying in a manager in the town of Bethlehem.

16. After the angels announcement the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see Jesus.

17. Joseph married Mary immediately after the angel appeared to him.

18. Some of the shepherds doubted and refused to believe the message they heard from the angels.

 

 

BIBLE PROCHECY FULFILLED
from "Who Is This Man Who Says He's God?" ~ from Radio Bible Class ~ www.rbc.org  

 

The Bible does not sneak up on its New Testament readers and spring a new message on them.  No, the idea that a Messiah would visit the earth is not a surprise to anyone who is familiar with the Old Testament.  There were plenty of signals from the prophets that this would happen.  In fact, there were many specific facts about the Messiah's life predicted in the Old Testament that were fulfilled by Jesus,  The following chart gives just a sampling:
 
PROPHECY               REFERENCE                FULFILLMENT
Born of a virgin           Isaiah 7:14                      Matthew 1:23
Born in Bethlehem     Micah 5:2                        Matthew 2:5
Found in Egypt           Numbers 24:8                Matthew 2:15
Heals many                 Isaiah 53:4                     Matthew 8:16
Crucified                     Isaiah 53:12                    Matthew 27:38
No bones broken       Psalm 34:20                  John 19:33-36

 

 

ANSWERS TO CHRISTMAS QUIZ

1. T  There are no records of Joseph speaking in the Christmas story.  I'm sure he said something, but there is absolutely no record of him speaking at all.

2. F The wise men were three kings from the orient.  The number of wise men is not mentioned.  They were not kings.

3. F The little drummer boy came to the manger after the other shepherds.  What little drummer boy?  There is no mention of a drummer boy in the Bible.

4. T The star did not appear above the manger.  It appeared above the house where Joseph's family was living (Matthew 2:9-11).

5. T Jesus' ancestors include a prostitute, an adulterer, a woman who committed incest, and a non-Israelite.  Rahab was a prostitute, David & Uriah's wife were adulterers, Tamar & Judah committed incest, and Ruth was from Moab. Matthew 1:3,5,6.

6. F The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary first and then Gabriel appeared to Joseph.  Trick question.  Mary was first, but we don't know the name of the angel who appeared to Joseph (Matthew 1:20).  It might have been Harold.  You know, "Hark the Harold Angel Sings."

7. F Mary rode a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  A donkey does not appear any where in the Biblical account.  She probably walked.

8. T Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of a decree by Caesar Augustus. Luke 2:1-5

9. F The wise men followed the star as it moved from their eastern land to Israel.  Apparently not.  The wise men saw the star in the east (Matthew 2:2).  But it did not take them to Jerusalem.  In Jerusalem they asked for directions.  Once leaving Jerusalem the star appeared again and led them to the house in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:9).

10. T The wise men did not arrive on the night of Jesus' birth.  The wise men arrive sometime after Jesus is born (Matthew 2:1).  Jesus is called a child, rather than a baby (Matthew
2:11).  He may have been as old as two (Matthew 2:7,16).

11. F God sent a choir of chubby angels to announce Jesus' birth to the shepherds.  Actually God sent an army of warrior angels.  See Luke 2:13. "Company" and "host" are military terms.

12. F Shepherding was considered a very noble occupation.  In first century B.C., shepherding was close to what we would consider garbage collecting. Shepherds were unable to remain ritually pure according to Pharisaic laws and so were considered unclean.  Yet God chose them for His birth announcement.

13. T Both Joseph and Mary were told that the baby was to be named "Jesus." Yes.  See Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31.  Babies were always named by their father. God the Father gives Jesus his name.

14. F When Herod heard about Jesus he was the only one concerned about this new king.  All Jerusalem was disturbed by this news of a new king (Matthew 2:3).

15. F The wise men found Jesus lying in a manager in the town of Bethlehem. Jesus was in a house by this time (Matthew 2:11).

16. T After the angels announcement the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to see Jesus.
Correct.  They were excited!  They did not hesitate.  They did not pass "Go" and stop to collect their $200.  Luke 2:15-16.

17. T Joseph married Mary immediately after the angel appeared to him.  Yes. His obedience was quick, cheerful and complete.  Matthew 1:24.

18. F Some of the shepherds doubted and refused to believe the message they heard from the angels.  They went to see the baby right away, they spread the word, and they praised God for what they had been permitted to see and hear.  No doubt there.  Luke 2:15-20.
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Distributed by Cybersalt Communications http://www.cybersalt.org

 

   Please remember to pray for each Heart to Heart lady as you receive your newsletter.

                                   God bless you and your family in a special way!

(¨`·.·´¨)                             Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift!

 `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨)                      HAVE A BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

      `·.¸.·´                                       Your Heart to Heart friend,           

                                                                    Lois

 

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