“Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.” (Titus 3:5-6, The Message)
“I think that I did see all heaven before me, and the great God Himself!” (Handel, upon completing The Messiah in 25 days)
“It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its Mighty Founder was a child Himself.” (Charles Dickens)
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day, Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet, The words repeat, Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
“The place that the shepherds found was not an academy or an abstract republic; it was not a place of myths allegorized or dissected or explained away. It was a place of dreams come true.” (G.K. Chesterton)
“Open your eyes on Savior’s Day, don’t look back or turn away; life can be yours if you’ll only stay; He is calling you, calling you...on the Savior’s Day.” (Chris Eaton)
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the blessed gift of your Son’s birth, and for the gift of new life in Him. We celebrate and rejoice in the hope of Christmas! Amen.
Merry Christmas!!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Linus and the True Meaning of Christmas
Charlie Brown: “Isn’t there ANYONE who knows what Christmas is all about?!?!
Linus: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ ” (Luke 2:8-14)
“You see, Charlie Brown—that’s what Christmas is all about.”
To hear Linus’ monologue, go here.
In 1965, Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz was asked to create a Christmas special for CBS. When it was time to review the script, CBS executives and producers said it was “way too religious for a secular audience.” The brass advised cutting Linus’ monologue from Luke 2 and other biblical/Christian references, but Schulz insisted that they stay in. The brass said the characters should be voiced by adult actors, but Schulz insisted on actual children. The brass wanted to add a laugh track, but Schulz insisted on a simple combination of piano music and silence behind the voices. The brass eventually acquiesced and agreed to air the special as Schulz had conceived it, but CBS braced for a flop and prepared to write off their losses. What happened? America embraced A Charlie Brown Christmas. It struck a chord in the heart and soul of the nation. It was a smashing success, leading to four additional Peanuts specials and becoming an indispensable part of the Christmas season for millions of people worldwide. Sometimes you have to fight for your principles.
May you join Linus in beholding and rejoicing in the true meaning of Christmas as you celebrate the holiday season!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas Joy - 4 of 5
“Suddenly, God’s angel stood among [the sheepherders] and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.’ ” (Luke 2:9-11, The Message)
“God Evident in the Flesh: This is what is made so profoundly possible for you and for me through the redemption of man by Jesus Christ.” (Oswald Chambers)
Messiah and Master, thank you for the full scope of your life, from birth to death, death to resurrection, resurrection to ascension. Thank you for seeing beyond the false fronts I worked so hard to maintain, into the depths of my yearning for a Savior. You've always known how deeply each human heart aches for real life, for true hope, for lasting peace. Thank you for entering the world so radically to rescue a lost people out of despair and into eternal life. To you alone be highest glory and praise. Amen.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Thoughts On Social Security
The Tennessean (Nashville's morning paper) recently published a letter to the editor that I submitted on one of today's hot topics: the future of Social Security. See what you think of my perspective:
To the Editor:
Reading Rebecca Kelly’s column (Oct. 12, 2007), it sounds as if AARP is desperate to paint a rosy picture of Social Security’s current condition and future prospects. Worse still, AARP’s central idea for sustaining the program is “raising the cap on wages subject to the payroll tax or increasing the payroll tax a half percent.”
Kelly can’t be serious. More taxes on already overtaxed workers and employers? She should know that this federal entitlement has problems that simply cannot be solved by more taxes. If AARP is alarmed at all by Congress’ gross negligence in dipping into the trust fund “surplus” for other projects, Kelly makes no mention of it. Rather than sticking it to current workers to keep its special-interest group happy, AARP’s resources would be better directed against the irresponsible governmental leaders who have siphoned away funds from the “trust.” Heck, AARP might even consider extolling the wisdom of allowing a measure of private investment as a means of boosting the fund.
As for me, a 39-year old with at least 28 years until retirement, I’m not counting on Social Security but am instead fiercely focused on building up a nest egg through personal investments and the 503(b) offered by my not-for-profit employer. Come to think of it, I can’t remember ever hearing anyone in my generation say, “I’m sure glad Social Security will be there when I retire.”Many of us aren’t banking on it. Cynical? Maybe. But when folks like Kelly advocate pouring more of our hard-earned cash into a bottomless bucket that may or may not hold anything in our later years, can you blame us?
To the Editor:
Reading Rebecca Kelly’s column (Oct. 12, 2007), it sounds as if AARP is desperate to paint a rosy picture of Social Security’s current condition and future prospects. Worse still, AARP’s central idea for sustaining the program is “raising the cap on wages subject to the payroll tax or increasing the payroll tax a half percent.”
Kelly can’t be serious. More taxes on already overtaxed workers and employers? She should know that this federal entitlement has problems that simply cannot be solved by more taxes. If AARP is alarmed at all by Congress’ gross negligence in dipping into the trust fund “surplus” for other projects, Kelly makes no mention of it. Rather than sticking it to current workers to keep its special-interest group happy, AARP’s resources would be better directed against the irresponsible governmental leaders who have siphoned away funds from the “trust.” Heck, AARP might even consider extolling the wisdom of allowing a measure of private investment as a means of boosting the fund.
As for me, a 39-year old with at least 28 years until retirement, I’m not counting on Social Security but am instead fiercely focused on building up a nest egg through personal investments and the 503(b) offered by my not-for-profit employer. Come to think of it, I can’t remember ever hearing anyone in my generation say, “I’m sure glad Social Security will be there when I retire.”Many of us aren’t banking on it. Cynical? Maybe. But when folks like Kelly advocate pouring more of our hard-earned cash into a bottomless bucket that may or may not hold anything in our later years, can you blame us?
Monday, December 10, 2007
Christmas Joy - 3 - Simeon
“‘For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 30:17a)
“God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation; it’s now out in the open for everyone to see: A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel.” (Simeon, embracing the infant Jesus in the temple, recorded in Luke 2, from The Message)
The story of Simeon is a stirring part of the Christmas account. I’d encourage us all to re-read it in Luke chapter 2 and put ourselves in Simeon’s place. The Word says that he had “waited for the consolation of Israel,” and I suspect he had waited in agony of spirit, in desperate longing for the hope and healing and comfort that would bring deliverance to God’s people. The Holy Spirit had come to Simeon and had promised, “You will not taste death before you’ve seen the Messiah.” The Spirit then led Simeon into the temple, and when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to present him to the Lord, Simeon knew. This was the One. Hope incarnate. Salvation in the flesh. Simeon took into his arms this bundle of fragile Deliverance, swaddled against the elements, and held him tenderly, and blessed him, and rejoiced. Behold, a “God-revealing light” to the Gentiles, and the glory of all Israel. Hallelujah!
Ah, LORD, I imagine your servant Simeon rejoicing at the fulfillment of your promise to him, breaking into tears of joy as he held his Savior, the infant Jesus. Thank you, O LORD, that this same sweet hope and comfort is available to me today. Through Christ…Amen!
“God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation; it’s now out in the open for everyone to see: A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel.” (Simeon, embracing the infant Jesus in the temple, recorded in Luke 2, from The Message)
The story of Simeon is a stirring part of the Christmas account. I’d encourage us all to re-read it in Luke chapter 2 and put ourselves in Simeon’s place. The Word says that he had “waited for the consolation of Israel,” and I suspect he had waited in agony of spirit, in desperate longing for the hope and healing and comfort that would bring deliverance to God’s people. The Holy Spirit had come to Simeon and had promised, “You will not taste death before you’ve seen the Messiah.” The Spirit then led Simeon into the temple, and when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to present him to the Lord, Simeon knew. This was the One. Hope incarnate. Salvation in the flesh. Simeon took into his arms this bundle of fragile Deliverance, swaddled against the elements, and held him tenderly, and blessed him, and rejoiced. Behold, a “God-revealing light” to the Gentiles, and the glory of all Israel. Hallelujah!
Ah, LORD, I imagine your servant Simeon rejoicing at the fulfillment of your promise to him, breaking into tears of joy as he held his Savior, the infant Jesus. Thank you, O LORD, that this same sweet hope and comfort is available to me today. Through Christ…Amen!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Christmas Joy - 2 of 5
“While they were [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.” (Luke 2:6-7, The Message)
His Birth in Me: “ ‘My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you…’ " (Galatians 4:19) Just as our Lord came into human history from outside it, He must also come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a ‘Bethlehem’ for the Son of God? I cannot enter the realm of the kingdom of God unless I am born again by a birth totally unlike physical birth. ‘You must be born again’ (John 3:7). This is not a command, but a fact based on the authority of God. The evidence of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that ‘Christ is formed’ in me. And once ‘Christ is formed’ in me, His nature immediately begins to work through me.” (Oswald Chambers)
Redemptive and righteous God, just as you entered the world through birth, so you call all of humankind to new birth in You. May the timeless truth of John 3:7 speak into the hearts and minds of all who have not yet opened the gift of new life that the Christ child’s birth represents. Amen.
His Birth in Me: “ ‘My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you…’ " (Galatians 4:19) Just as our Lord came into human history from outside it, He must also come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a ‘Bethlehem’ for the Son of God? I cannot enter the realm of the kingdom of God unless I am born again by a birth totally unlike physical birth. ‘You must be born again’ (John 3:7). This is not a command, but a fact based on the authority of God. The evidence of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that ‘Christ is formed’ in me. And once ‘Christ is formed’ in me, His nature immediately begins to work through me.” (Oswald Chambers)
Redemptive and righteous God, just as you entered the world through birth, so you call all of humankind to new birth in You. May the timeless truth of John 3:7 speak into the hearts and minds of all who have not yet opened the gift of new life that the Christ child’s birth represents. Amen.
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