IF CHRISTMAS TELLS US ANYTHING .......

Some people are a little out of it because they are recuperating from a Christmas celebration that covered too many miles and made too many stops in too short a period of time.

So just in case you missed out on the true meaning of Christmas, I offer this choir singing Michael  W. Smith's musical theology lesson about Christmas.

COME CHRISTMAS EVE, WHAT WILL YOU SEE?

Jimmy Stewart (one of my favorite actors of all time) once appeared in a movie called Mr. Kreuger's Christmas.  This is a clip from that movie.  Here's my question, "Come Christmas Eve, what will you see--about yourself, about your world, about the Christ?"  My Christmas Eve sermon is "If Jesus Had Not Come..."  What is the difference in your life because Jesus came?

REMEDY FOR A STALE CHRISTMAS

Just in case the Christmas story has grown stale, this re-telling by some kids from New Zealand ought to rewarm your heart,

MONDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS - THE END (?) OF A WAR, PACKERS, IT'S NOT ABOUT TEBOW, AND SIX MORE DAYS

The war in Iraq ended early on Sunday morning as the last batch of approximately 25 American military tricks and tractor trailers carrying Bradley fighting vehicles and armored cars carrying 500 US troops crossed the border into Kuwait. Quoting the report by Reuters:

"The war launched in March 2003 with missiles striking Baghdad to oust President Saddam Hussein closes with a fragile democracy still facing insurgents, sectarian tensions and the challenge of defining its place in an Arab region in turmoil. As U.S. soldiers pulled out, Iraq's delicate power-sharing deal for Sunni and Kurdish factions was already under pressure. The Shi'ite-led government asked parliament to fire the Sunni deputy prime minister, and security sources said the Sunni vice president faced an arrest warrant."

Now the post-war analysis begins as historians and politicians try to assess the success and/or failure of this war.  The fact that the war in Afghanistan continues with Americans continuing in harm's way will temper any assessment. And no one should forget that the war on terrorism has not been won. Neither the Bush or Obama administrations dare make such a claim. Nearly 4,500 Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis lost their lives in this fearsome conflict.

America continues to be the one nation willing to expend its own lives in the defense of freedom for persons around the world.  It is an admirable reputation which once again confirms the will and the worth of a democracy.  As much as people wish to castigate or critique America, we are the one nation that can be depended upon.

We should not forget that it has been at a price.  And now that this war is over (?) it is essential that we care for the men and women of the American military and their families--and help them deal with the even deeper price they have paid than anyone.  That will be the true test of the character of Mr. Obama and the person who will hold the office in January 2013.

The Packers finally lost yesterday to the Kansas City Chiefs.  A season of perfection will elude them, but at this point I am looking for them to hoist that Super Bowl trophy at season's end.  The Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow did not defeat Tom Brady and the Patriots.  I suspect Tim will be as gracious and as faith-filled in defeat as he was in victory,  Hopefully his detractors won't make over this either.  In the end, it's not about Tebow, it's about the Broncos (and it's not about Tebow, it's about Jesus Christ.)

And remember - just six more days until Christmas!  It will mean a lot more if He has been resident in your heart throughout this year.

IF JOSEPH AND MARY WERE ON FACEBOOK

Bought this video for my church from Igniter Media.  It's only a week to this celebration.

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

For much of my adult life I have been a reader and fan of Peanuts and its creator, Charles Schulz.  Part of the attraction to me has been its subtle and sometimes not so subtle theological reflection.  Above and below are are just a few of my favorite panels:

Many of us are familiar with his most circulated theological statement known as A Charlie Brown Christmas.  This animated special has been a part of the CBS Christmas line-up for more than a decade.
I don't watch it every year, but still delight each time I encounter it. In 2010, when CBS decided to drop it, ABC picked it up through 2015.

Recently I read how A Charlie Brown Christmas almost didn't make it.Charles Schulz wanted to use the King James Version of the Christmas story in the cartoon and some television execs thought that would be inappropriate and offensive and wanted to hold off airing the special. Schulz stood his ground.  Read the story itself. national

FERVENCY - MY KIDS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY - GOD'S !!!!

FERVENCY is the name of the youth worship band from the Church of God of Landisville, which I am privileged to serve as Lead Pastor.  These kids chose their name because of their attitude towards Jesus Christ and sharing the Good News.  Last Saturday night they performed at local high school talent show, a distinct honor rarely afforded openly Christian groups.  This is their performance.