CHRIST MAS 2012

As a mom of four wonderful sons,my late husband Charles and I purposed in out hearts when we became Christians NOT to allow the world to destroy HIS BIRTH and the wrappings and greed which fills the hearts of man during this season. We limited the boys gifts to three each in relationship to the three gifts the Lord received from the Magi. Their first gift was small,the second gift a little larger and the third a very expensive gift not always large in size. 12 gifts for our sons who appreciated them and were so honored that we saw fit to honor the LORD and not their demands. Decorating the tree was for the birds,we strung old fashioned pop corn strings--after the holidays we took them and fed them to the birds--it was a joy on Christmas morning to toss some popcorn strings out for my birds and watch them flock to the yard enjoying HIS DAY as well.Bows of red and white angels bedecked our trees UNTIL THE LORD CONVICTED BOTH OF US it was pagan!!Jeremiah speaks of this. One blessed Christmas when we operated God'S Christian Ministry in Cleveland Tn. was such a wonderful humbling time.A couple who had visited the ministry and became fast workers and friends of ours,they had three sweet teens and we bonded well. We were invited to their home for Christmas Dinner--what an honor--Virginia gave us the directions on a napkin and Christmas day dawned bright and clear that year 1986,we did our gift giving (Charles and I never exchanged gifts our anniversary was on Christmas eve and we agreed that was OUR GIFT each other). Their humble home was set well off the road and we were greeted by barking dogs,chickens and assorted farm animals,it was a TRUE CHRISTMAS SCENE NORMAN ROCKWELL!! The children were scrubbed and so happy to see us and welcome us into their home.Tiny but so much love enveloped us as we entered. Virginia was a gracious hostess giving us the 'best china' and coffee was excellent-There was NOTHING I could do and as we chatted as the children set the table,the aromas wafting through the house oh what a blessed time.The food was wonderful,the Husband Eddie a gracious host and the love of the Lord Jesus was very evident in their home.The TRUE meaning of CHRISTMAS shown through these humble servants and I often wonder how they are,as we wound down our day and the evening was fast falling we reluctantly bid good bye ,turning to wave at them the children had turned on the Christmas lights and off to our left was the WONDERFUL EVENING STAR full of promise and joy.Few Christmases touched my heart as this one did all of us in PERFECT UNITY for the Lord. A fancy 'church play'? not hardly nor did we go to any,as the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS WAS EVERY WHERE THAT DAY AND NIGHT. MAY YOU BE BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE THIS HOLIDAY AND MAY YOU UNDERSTAND THE TRUE MEANING of HIS DAY. IN THE MASTERS SERVICE FAITH WALKER