Yes, Christmas is here and with it is Isis, unemployment, our debt and whatever else that’s bad. Yet we know that Jesus was born and he grew up to die on a tree for our sins. So we have peace in our hearts this christmas time. It’s too bad that everyone doesn’t accept that fact. I hope and pray that you do.

Last Sunday our pastor read a paragraph comparing Jesus with Santa. I loved it and decided to bring it to you so I asked him for that paragraph, and here it is:

1. Santa lives at the North Pole. Jesus lives everywhere..
2. Santa rides in a sleigh. Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.
3. Santa comes only once a year. Jesus is a very present help.
4. Santa comes down your chimney. Jesus stands at the door of your heart and knocks.
5.  Santa fills your stockings with goodies. Jesus supplies all your needs
6. You have to wait in line to see Santa. Jesus is as close as the mention of his name.
7. Santa lets you sit on his lap. Jesus holds you in his hands.
8. Santa has a belly like a bowl full of  jelly. Jesus has a heart full of love.
9. Santa’s little helpers makes new toys. Jesus makes new lives.
10. Santa puts gifts under your tree. Jesus became our gift and died on a tree.

I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a great new year!

I don’t know but Mary and Joseph must have been upset when they knew the Son of God would be born in that stinky barn. They had suffered much grief at home when folks wanted to kill her for getting pregnant before she was married, and now this! Still I know they rejoiced when the baby was born.

The wisemen had journeyed hundreds of miles to find the King of Kings and must have had thoughts  of giving up, but they kept going. When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy, the Bible tells us. Should we, who know now that Jesus was born in order that He would die for our sins be dreading Christmas as some do? And some of us are so busy we haven’t even thought about the child who was born that night.

Let me tell you a true story, and may it make us joyful this Christmas season. During the first World War, on Christmas Eve, the battlefield was strangely quiet. As the soft snow fell, the young men were thinking about homes and families.

Softly, one of the men began singing “Silent Night”. Others began to join in. When they finished, they were astonished to hear the song echoing across the foxholes across no man’s land. In their own tongue, the German soldiers were singing, “Silent Night. The air was soon ringing with that song sung by both American and German soldiers.

How different the world would be if we could join together around that song that goes like this: “Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm, Holy Infant so tender and mild.” If only we could  love one another, no matter what color we are or what language we speak. Let our Christmas be like the one those soldiers celebrated that night so long ago. May your Christmas be exceedingly beautiful!