Tag Christmas

The Real Night Before Christmas Story

Allen Frederick 3 Comments

The true night before Christmas story does not annouce the arrival of Santa Clause but of the arrival of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. So here once again is the real night before Christmas story:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2: 1-20 (NIV)
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
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No El: A Christmas Message

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

image001A View from the Nest
Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor
Insight from the Journey across the Sky

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14 (ESV)

Hear ye! Hear ye! Have you heard the good news? Today in the city of David a Savior was born who is Christ the Lord!

Birth announcements do not usually cause visits from heaven nor bring an angel choir and a brand new star. Wise men from the east traveled many miles to pay homage to this new-born King. Relatives might make a trip across the country to see a new-born but to bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. I would think not.

The angels sang Joy to the world! They proclaimed good news to all men! He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace! What a birth announcement! What a proclamation!

My birth announcement amounted to a small space in the local newspaper. No fanfare or celestial beings in attendance to announce my arrival and certainly no bright new star shining overhead. No one came from afar to witness my birth nor were any kings or governors quaking at the thought of a new king being born. Other than a three-day blizzard my arrival onto this planet was less than spectacular.

For most people, their entrance into the world is usually without much fanfare or production. I performed a Google search to see if I could find any famous person’s birth announcements and found none. I guess the lack of those is due primarily to the birth of most infants is not considered extraordinary. To be famous one has to do something in this life to be worthy of such acclaim. Merely being born would not need a royal announcement of heavenly proportions.

On this night angels were dispatched to Mary, Joseph and lowly shepherds, to proclaim the birthday of a King. The angels foretold of the greatness of this child. All of heaven was dispatched to make this special delivery. This was no ordinary birthday. This was no ordinary child. This was not just another birth.

Continue reading “No El: A Christmas Message” →

All I Want for Christmas

Allen Frederick 3 Comments

There is a report from Nielson revealing what kids desire for Christmasin 2011.

24 percent want an iPad
18 percent want a computer
18 percent want an E-Reader
17 percent want a television
17 percent want a tablet computer
16 percent want a Blu-Ray player
15 percent want an iPhone
14 percent want a Smartphone
12 percent want a Xbox Kinect
9 percent want the Nintendo Wii
9 percent want a Playstation 3
8 percent want an iPod Touch
8 percent want a Microsoft XBox 360
5 percent want a Playstation Move
5 percent want a Nintendo DS
4 percent want a Mobile Phone
3 percent want a Playstation Portable
A Christmas Story

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In the Christmas classic movie A Christmas Story, Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the ’40’s, dreams of owning a Red Rider BB gun. He sets out to convince the world this is the perfect gift. But along the way, he runs into opposition from his parents, his teacher, and even good ‘ol Santa Claus himself. “You’ll put your eye out” was the constant rebuff, but undeterred little Ralphie pressed on with his desire for a Red Rider BB Gun with a compass in the stock.

When I was growing up the presents we desired were a bit more useful but there was always that one big item we all wished for. Whether it was a bike or the latest hot toy advertised on the radio or TV.

Baseball gloves and bats where big items for boys, and dolls and a doll house were the items most requested by the girls. I grew up in the era of Tonka trucks and Lego building blocks.

Looking over this years wish list I do not see any bikes, roller skates, hula hoops, jump ropes, Tonka trucks or Red Rider BB guns. Every item on this list is one electronic gadget after another. All of which none of us growing up in the old days ever knew of or thought of. Notice also how none of these gadgets require any real outdoor activity to take place. And we wonder why our children are so hyper active today and overweight. Could it be there are not enough roller skates, baseball gloves and Red Rider BB guns under our Christmas trees?

Over the years, the legendary Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog has featured some pretty extravagant gifts. The 1963 catalog offered his-and-her submarines for $18,000. In the 1964 catalog, you could buy a hot air balloon for $6,000. In 1967, the catalog’s offerings included a pair of camels for $4,000. And in 1971, an actual mummy case was selling for $16,000. But in 2006, Neiman Marcus upped the ante with a trip to outer space for $1.7 million.

In comparison to a trip to outer space, an Ipad is a far less extravagant gift but with its use a child could take a trip into virtual space for a lot less money. Perhaps you have certain expectations of what you hope to find waiting for you under the Christmas tree. If you put your hope in what Christmas offers, however, you will be very disappointed.

But if you can get past that to what Christmas is really all about, it truly can be “the most wonderful time of the year.”

The wise men brought the rather unusual gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. But the first Christmas gifts were not gifts to the Child. The first Christmas gift was the gift of the Child.

And that is this week’s tail feather

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

Along for the journey

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There is More to Christmas than Santa Claus

Allen Frederick 7 Comments

Christmas in the post-War United States

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In the United Kingdom, which tends to be a barometer of coming religious trends in America, only 4% of adults in the emerging generation of adult leaders (ages 25 to 34) believe the most important part of Christmas is its religious meaning.

Let us not forget why we are celebrating. “Born unto you this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Without Christ there is no “Christ”mas. Without the light of the world, we would all be living in darkness. Without the Prince of Peace there will be no peace on earth. Without the Hope of the Nations, there remains hopelessness. Without tidings of great joy, all we would have is sorrow.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 (KJV)

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A Christmas Greeting from Ronald Reagan

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Official Portrait of President Ronald Reagan.

Image via Wikipedia

“In spite of everything, we Americans are still uniquely blessed, not only with the rich bounty of our land but by a bounty of the spirit — a kind of year-round Christmas spirit that still makes our country a beacon of hope in a troubled world and that makes this Christmas and every Christmas even more special for all of us who number among our gifts the birthright of being an American.” —Ronald Reagan

via Brief for Monday, December 19, 2011 – Editions – PatriotPost.US.

It is difficult to continually listen to all the bad news coming across the airwaves lately. The world is in a state of unrest, the world economy is failing, the American people are being told by their leaders that we are selfish and greedy, the productive in our society are being demonized by those who are supposed to be looking out for America’s interests, and yet there is not other place I would rather be than in the United States of America. I know, like Ronald Reagan, that dispite America’s shortcomings, she is endowed with the grace of God by the people who live and work here. Thank you to all my fellow Americans and may God bless us one and all this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

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