Newsletter Vol.2, #48—December 17, 2006
Matthew 10 5These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
A Christmas Story
Terry W. Benton
On December 25th a little boy was born in a stable in Bethlehem. Jesus was the little baby born that day. Jack Frost caused a blizzard that day and all the wise men, a few shepherds, Joseph, Mary, and Round John Virgin, along with the animals were gathered snuggly into that same stable. A little drummer boy was tapping on his drum while his mother was cracking pecans with a nutcracker. The smell of cinnamon and eggnog filled the air. The sound of bells jingled as someone was putting some bells on a single horse and sleigh, getting ready to give the kids a fun ride in the snow. A reindeer was sniffing the little baby Jesus, and Jesus touched the reindeer’s nose with his small, infant hand, and the reindeer’s nose started glowing red. The three wise men (who were identified as Kris Cringle, Santa Claus, and Saint Nicholas) wondered how they would get back to the North Pole, when suddenly Frosty the Snowman came in and announced that the reindeer could lead a team of reindeer into the air. Santa Claus hurriedly built a sled from some of the wood of Jesus’ manger, gathered some of the toys they had brought to baby Jesus, and decided to share the toys with other children around the world.
Every year on Jesus’ birthday we continue to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, the three wise men, Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and we dream of a white Christmas, even though it rarely snows in the south this time of year. Each year Santa Claus continues to ride his sleigh, lead by Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, and brings gifts to every good boy and girl. All the children are thankful that Jesus was born on Christmas day because they get lots of gifts. All the businesses are thankful for all the sales generated by Jesus’ birth. Even to this day churches will display the manger scene of Jesus, his mother and so-called father, the three wise men, and some shepherds, and will sing that Jesus was born on Christmas day.
If anything in the above story is wrong or inaccurate, there is no need to concern yourself with the facts. The main fact is that Jesus was born on December the 25th, and we should join with all the denominations in making this fact known at this time of year. So what if it is not entirely accurate! Who cares? If we can sing this to the world as “fact,” then all the other “facts” mentioned above can be equally taken as “fact.” If we are free to treat one thing as fact when it is really error, then we can treat all the other things as fact. So, if my brethren can sing that “Jesus was born on Christmas day,” then we can tell the story just as it is told above. So, don’t be a Scrooge. Tell the story just like it is above. Or, tell the world the truth that Jesus’ birth has nothing to do with Dec.25th, nothing to do with fantasy, and everything to do with reality in another time of the year. Separate truth from fiction, reality from fantasy. Enjoy the season of fantasy and family fun and sharing, but don’t pretend that Jesus’ birth has anything to do with this specific time of year. His birth, life, death, and resurrection are not things to celebrate in one season above another. He is a daily celebration. But, if we are free to promote the myth of Jesus’ birth in December, then we can make up any story we would like. If not, why not? What would be wrong with telling the story just as it is told above? terrybenton@charter.net
A Wonderful Message
by George Carlin
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch tv too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
and always remember: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Children “in church”
A little boy was in a relative's wedding. As he was coming down the aisle, he would take two steps, stop, and turn to the crowd. While facing the crowd, he would put his hands up like claws and roar. So it went, step, step, roar, step, step, roar, all the way down the aisle. As you can imagine, the crowd was near tears from laughing so hard by the time he reached the pulpit. When asked what he was doing, the child sniffed and said, "I was being the Ring Bear."
One Sunday in a Midwest City, a young child was "acting up" during the morning worship hour. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
One particular four-year old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am."
A Sunday School teacher asked her little children, as they were on the way to church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."