I love the passing of time

My inbox has been awesome today! Just got this forwarded from The Puppy Lady. I don’t know her at all, have only exchanged a few emails & phone calls re: puppies -and- met her once when she brought them over. So, when I saw that subject line, “FW: A Letter From Jesus Christ, concerning His birthday celebration.”, I felt kind of disappointed, because I thought she was going to turn out to be one of those people who forwards me right-wing, religious, hater emails full of half-truths & intolerance. And, I like her, so far - I like her heart that is taking in these dogs & finding them homes. I like doing it, too. I thought, “Great, now I’m going to have to politely nod my head & smile whenever she starts going on about this kind of thing”.

Then, I clicked into the email.

It ROCKS! It is perfect! I don’t know who originally wrote this, but they are my hero for today.

Subject: A Letter From Jesus Christ, concerning His Birthday Celebration.

Dear children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you’ve forgotten that I wasn’t actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you’re predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although, I do appreciate being remembered - anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember Me anytime , anywhere, you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn’t make so much money on that day they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them (and I suspect you don’t) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above & get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember,

I LOVE YOU

* This is not my original work * Although, it says how I sometimes feel so very nicely. It arrived in my inbox this morning, in the form of my newsletter from the Debt-Proof Living website. Direct link to the article is here. It was so nice that I want to share. (It’s a good newsletter, by the way - lots of good tips to keep you on track as you try to pay down debt & get back in financial shape - you should sign up!)

So, here it is…

A Lifetime of Memories Packed Away for Another Year

Thirty-seven times I’ve packed up this decor, these lights and holiday baubles. And I’m glad the people in my family don’t insist on helping because for me this is like taking a trip through years of memories. Besides, I know how everything should be put away. It must be the same as last year and the year before and the year before that. Any other way just wouldn’t be right.

There’s not one thing in all of these boxes that doesn’t symbolize an event in our marriage, a season in our family’s life or a small boy’s best work.

As each adornment comes to rest in its pre-appointed position, a wonderful thing happens. I start to relive the past years through the collective memories of past holiday seasons. There’s something about chubby faces framed by Mason jar lids and macaroni angels that bring the tears and wash the soul.

I’m immersed in the wonder that I’ve been given another year to know my boys and my husband. I recall with amazing acuity the seasons through which we’ve traveled. With 20/20 vision I see how things did work together—those situations we questioned did happen for a reason. Trials did bring triumphs and little boys did become good men.

I force myself to pause momentarily and remember the failures and mistakes. They have a way of keeping everything in perspective. I can’t help but reflect on the events of this season. The traditions we repeat year after year are what bring a sense of security and warmth in the midst of our hectic and fragmented lives.

The stabilizing effect of holiday traditions has carried us through difficult times. When there was little money to buy gifts, our unchanging traditions diverted our attention from what we didn’t have to what we did.

It never ceases to amaze me that hardly any of us can recall the gifts we received as recently as last year. But we remember exactly what we did, who came to visit and everything that contributed to the warmth and wonder of the season.

As I put everything away (solo, of course) I think about how quickly time passes and how soon I’ll be unpacking again. I daydream about what might happen in the next all-too-short twelve months. I wonder what possible challenges or dramatic changes we’ll face in the coming year. Our lives could be altered drastically by the time I open these boxes again.

So with the joy of the season past still lingering and the promise of the year to come beckoning, I cram the last box into its spot and slide the door closed, hoping everything won’t melt during the summer heat. I haul out the vacuum and replace the furniture exactly as it was before.