What do you want? This or
THIS
My next-door neighbour is a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
He has it on good information that Jesus was not born in December but sometime in September (exact date unknown).
Armed with this superior knowledge he and his wife do not celebrate Christmas: no lights on the eaves, no decorated tree, no wreathes or special arrangements...... and nothing in September either.
After examining their particular beliefs I can understand why they don't string the lights and fire up the organ; there is precious little to get excited about.
Which puts me in mind of the novice monk who was about to sign up for monastic orders. He was given a tour of the premises by the Abbott. While showing him the treasured parchments by the flickering candle flame, the Abbott suddenly burst into tears. Alarmed, the young monk enquired why he was crying.
The Abbott dolefully replied "All these years my son. All these years, I have mis-read. It says CELEBRATE not CELIBATE."
Amazing what a huge difference a couple of letters can make.
Make sure this year that you have a joy-filled Christmas.
Jubilate.
Ian
After the Newton tragedy, which has enveloped the entire civilised world in a cloud of gloom, it is time to come up for air.
Terrible events attended the FIRST Christmas.
We are told that the psychopath King Herod ordered the slaying of all baby boys in the region of Judea, thinking thereby that he could kill the baby Christ. He failed, as the devil has always failed, to thwart the work and divert the will of God.
Though the sky was dark, a brilliant star still shone over Bethlehem.
Though there was terrible news from the regions of Judea, the Son of God was still born in a stable outside the inn.
Take heart, Christmas 2012 will be as joyful and triumphant as the day when Mary first smiled down upon the gift that God had given to her and all mankind.
In the dark aftermath of Newton a star still shines; a light of hope and salvation that devil and his minions will never extinguish.
Hallelujah for Christmas.
Ian
In the aftermath of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school the question frequently being asked is "Where was God in all of this?"
Let me attempt a feeble reply.
1) He wasn't in the school text books. Creation has been replaced by scientific evolution.
2) He wasn't in the school assemblies. Prayer and hymns have given way to daily announcements.
3) He wasn't in the Christmas celebrations: No creches or nativity scenes are allowed in federally funded schools.
4) His Holy Word was not engraved on the school walls. No copies of the Ten Commandments are allowed in public buildings.
5) The gospel was not taught in the class rooms of Sandy Hook. This would violate the concept of the separation of church and state.
Where was God on Friday?
He wasn't in the Sandy Hook school.He had been mandated to leave.
If you have a better answer please let us know.
Ian
The Newton shooting is but 48 hours old yet the amount of news,analysis and comment has been enough to engulf media outlets world-wide.
In all the reports and commentary, I have heard but ONE reference to EVIL and that from the Governor of Connecticut.
Let me quote
"Evil has descended upon us. Evil invaded the school of Sandy Hook."
What the Governor said is exactly true and deserves to be quoted.
What should also be quoted are the closing words of the Lord's prayer:
"LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL."
Herein lies the heart of America's problem. The children of the nation are forbidden from praying those words in America's schools by virtue of FEDERAL LAW.
Today prayers are being said EVERYWHERE: in churches, homes, civic halls, street corners, everywhere but in SCHOOLS, from which all prayers are banished.
Expect "evil to descend" on those schools again and again until God is recognized as the ONLY ONE who can deliver our children from evil.
In deepest sympathy.
Ian
