JUST THINKING W.W.J.D.

     I guess it's that time of year once again when we all celebrate Christmas, and most of us are all out shopping till we drop trying to buy all those gifts for all of our family, friends, neighbors and those we hold so dear. We prepare for all the get togethers, where ever they might be, some folks have even been preparing events for months now, and there have been announcements of one kind or another, advertisements almost everyday just how soon it's coming! Sometimes some go quiet overboard with it, but it is nice to know that some folks are at least thinking about the real reason for this celebration.

     The other day we were traveling down the highway and a car went zooming around us and on the bumper was one of those stickers that read WWJD. Well that really got me thinking, what would Jesus do? What would he really think about how we celebrate his birthday? You know it has been many years now since we first started celebrating the birth of Jesus. I think that he might just say, "In the past folks really did appreciate how much fun Christmas was for the little children, just as I think folks these days really are missing the point."

     We get together and most never even mention Jesus, isn't that like having a birthday party for someone and not inviting him or her? We eat, drink, party, open gifts and have someone dress up in a bright red suit that makes a grand entrance with a great big HO! HO! HO! All the children run up Santa! Santa! Santa! If you really did not know better you would think Santa was the guest of honor. Then we sit around telling that Santa story, you know, the one about how he lives in the north pole and rides around on his sleigh giving gifts to all the good little girls and boys (all in one night no less,) and does this mean that the children of the world, that will not receive a present due to poverty, have been any less good? How Santa has elves and flying reindeer you know the story, just how much truth is there in that tale??? Imagine telling all the little children, impressionable children such far fetched fables!

      I think Jesus probably would like the little manger scenes that we put up, whether it be out in our lawns or on the fireplace mantel, I think that display, just might be quite touching to him. But did you know that nowadays in some countries the authorities won't even allow manger scenes to be displayed in parks streets, or allow manger scenes to be displayed in the public places anymore! Not to mention their schools! I'm NOT talking about communist countries; I'm talking about the good old U.S.A.!! What could be more innocent than a manger scene to remind people of Jesus' birthday? And yet they ban it! They have actually passed laws against such displays in public places, and made it illegal! What in the world is this world coming to?

     Another thought that totally amazes me is how; instead of giving Jesus gifts we give each other gifts! And to top it all off its junk that usually we don't even need! Let me ask you if your birthday came along and everyone celebrated your birthday by giving each other gifts and totally ignored you What Would You Think?

      Now I know in the physical sense, Jesus is not here, and you might be asking how can you give someone who is not here physically a gift? Well my friend my answer to that one is really quite simple, give gifts of food and clothing to the poor, and help those who really need it. Go visit the lonely! Listen, I 'm sure that any gift you can give to your needy, fellow man, Jesus will count as a gift you have gave him personally! (See Matthew 25:34-40)

     One more thing is how we have taken Jesus' name out of Christmas, you know replacing it with an "X," what an insult! Think about it folks Xmas! What if some one sent you a birthday card happy X? You might not talk to that person ever again! What in the world are we trying to do push Jesus right out of his own Birthday?

     This reminds me of another thought, I recently over heard one friend tell another that he had been trying unsuccessfully for years to join a particular church, you know one of those up scale exclusive ones. But it appeared he was too poor and just from the wrong side of town. The other friend agreed, "I know just how you feel I've been trying unsuccessfully for thirty years to join that same church, and it appears I don't make enough money, and I sure don't drive one of those expensive cars either!"

     Well folks I listened to the two friends going on and on, one comforting the other, crying on each others shoulder, so to speak, you know that kind of thing. Then the elder of the two told the other that he had a dream and that the Lord told him that his patience with mankind was just about to come to an end, that he had been planning his own party! His party was going to be the biggest and best you've ever seen and that he has been planning it for quiet some time now, that it might not happen this year, but that he is sending out invitations and he knew he would want to come. How there 's going to be room for billions. Room for everyone who will want to come! There are even some really old timers and celebrities and how he will be sure to want to come since he is reserving a seat right there next to him. (Matthew 8:11) By now the two Friends had finish their conversation, with my heart swelled up and tears running down my cheeks I quietly walked away taking with me all that I had just heard & the hope that this Christmas might be better than the ones before.

     So maybe we all need to think things over and be ready when we get that grand invitation to Jesus birthday party. I'm sure he'll want to know if you want to attend. I hope he will be able to write your name in that great big guest book!

     Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and if you know someone who is needy or lonely why not remember the real reason for the season and give a real gift this year.

Dusty