–R.O. Lane  (Jake McClure)

       “For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people.”

                    –Titus 2:11 (HCSB)
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              “Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.”
                                   –Laura Ingalls Wilder

Memories!  Christmas is for memories.  All kinds, some are good, some not so good, but they are part of us, and they are part of our Christmases past.  We often do not use memories rightly.  We moan, get depressed, stress and even anxieties may arise because of improperly thinking of memories.  To my Mom, Christmas was the grandest time of the year.  She loved Christmas.  Now I could get all snibby-eyed thinking of Mom and that she is no longer with us on this earth, but that would do her memory wrong.  I choose to think of how she loved Christmas.  She would giggle and smile.  She would remind us that back in the Depression all she received for Christmas was a popcorn ball, but she was thankful for the blessings she was able to share with her family now.
       Most of the time, in Colorado when I grew up, we had a white Christmas.  Oh, the snow is so delightful, and beautiful, and pristine when it is falling to blanket the earth in its splendor.  Now, I could go into a tirade of how cold it was, how the roads were icy.  I could bring to mind how ugly and dirty snow looks after it’s been on the ground, blackened by exhaust.  How the pristine beauty doesn’t last long because of children out playing in it, making trails to play an elaborate fox and geese.  How the plows would come through piling the once beautiful snow into large piles.  Oh, but that just led to a new game of “king on the mountain.”  I wonder if they can play that in school these days for recess.  Hmmm, I wonder if they even have recess when it’s snowing or there’s snow on the ground.  Hmmm, I wonder if they even have school or if it’s a “snow day.”
       One thing that is vivid are the many Christmas dinners with family and friends.  Yes, many of them have blended together by this time in my life and mind, but I can still pick out several instances.  The food laid out on the table, and I can remember the first time I got to sit at the table with the adults.  Turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, did I mention dressing for in the Adkisson clan more dressing was eaten than turkey, or at least I recall my Aunt Bern declaring that to be the case.  The numerous cookies and pies–oh my!  I would have dinner with my Dad’s side of the family, then go to the Jones’ side for another fancy meal.  There with the cousins we would display our new gifts, and obey the custom of opening presents–the youngest first, and so on.  I can remember my Grandpa Jones falling asleep waiting for his turn for there were a number of us.
       I can’t get away without mentioning all of the Christmas programs at church.  They would be considered quite “cheesy” by the standards of today.  But they were fun, and all the kids had lines of Scripture to remember.  From the little white Assembly of God church up on Mapleton Street, to the church in the country on Pinon Drive I can remember the programs, and especially the singing of carols.  As a youth it was customary to take the church bus and go around to all the people’s homes that belonged to the church and sing carols, and boy-howdy did we sing–sing to the top of our lungs and then laugh.  Afterward we’d end up at the church for hot cocoa, not hot chocolate mind you, but cocoa.
       The first Christmas I was away from home I was twenty.  I had been smitten by a gorgeous young lady and was spending Christmas with her and her family in Pennsylvania.  By the next Christmas we would be married, and have now spent 53 of those precious holidays together.  I could go on about Christmas, about the carols and the songs.  Over the years I have written many “Paines” and “Echoes” regarding those in the military away from home at Christmas, writing about “I’ll Be Home for Christmas…if only in my dreams.”
       Most of all, my memories revolve around the stories of the baby Jesus being born in the manger.  The shepherd, angels, and wise men that visit.  It became real to me that the heavenly Father sent His only begotten Son to this evil earth to be a sacrifice for our sins and redeem mankind.  After all that is the true, deep, and real meaning of Christmas.  Jesus coming to earth to die for my sins!  Once in a while I stop and try to imagine the scene so long ago.  I have also tried to think of what Christmas will be like in heaven.  Time will be gone.  Will it be Christmas all the time?  Most likely we will not have a formal Christmas celebration, so eat your pies while you can.  Enjoy the family and the celebration at the table and around the tree.  One day, and I believe soon, we will be having Christmas with the “Babe” in all of His splendor and glory.

                    –Elmer Kelton  (Dark Thicket)

       “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

                    –Isaiah 55:6-7 (NKJV) 
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God does become angry.  Much of His wrath was placed upon Jesus at the cross, but what of those that refuse that tremendous gift?  What of His people who turn from Him, those who practice abominable things in His sight?  Can they still be called His people?  George Wood said regarding this portion of Psalm 106, “God wanted His people to be fulfilled.  They chose instead to reject His love.  When you do that, here’s what happens:  You fall away from freedom into bondage and oppression, and ‘waste away in your sin.'”  A person in this state has disinherited himself.

          40 — Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people, so that He abhorred His own inheritance.
          41 — And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles, and those who hated them ruled over them.
          42 — Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
          43 — Many times He delivered them; but they rebelled in their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
          44 — Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, when He heard their cry;
          45 — And for their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the multitude of His mercies.
          46 — He also made them to be pitied by all those who carried them away captive.
          47 — Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the Gentiles, to give thanks to Your holy name, to triumph in Your praise.
          48 — Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting!  And let all the people say, “Amen!”  Praise the LORD!  (NKJV)

       The people were bent on “doing their own thing” or “what was right in their own eyes.”  We see that today in how many so-called Christians are interpreting the Word of God in their own way.  Making it mean what they think, practicing things contrary to the teachings of God.  When God’s people rebel it brings serious consequences.  I look at the history of our country and think of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us.  I think of the many times He has delivered us and brought aid to us.  But now…  Now we’re are turning our backs on His Word and doing what pleases us.  
       However, God will hear the cry of the faithful.  He will rescue His people, His faithful people and have mercy on them.  Verse 47, is a key — “Save us” and then there is thanksgiving and praise.  Derek Kidner wrote, “Penitence is never out of place in praise, nor praise in an act of penitence.”  Remember, nothing can separate us from the love of God–that is His people, His children.  But we must note that sin does separate us from God.  His love is still there and He waits to hear the sound of “Save us”.  
       Nothing can separate us from His love except when we turn our backs on Him and even then He still loves us.  The gift of His Son is still there calling out.  His mercy, His lovingkindness endures forever, so perhaps this is the day that you need to call out–“Save me.”  When we call out we must acknowledge our sin (oh, how this is so much against today’s teaching), there must be confession of sin, and then the asking of forgiveness.  I would encourage you to go back and read through Psalm 106 again.  Note how God is there to redeem and restore not only a nation such as Israel, but each one of our lives as well.

               “And I, poor sinner, cast it away;
               Lived for the toil or pleasure of each day,
               As if no Christ had shed His precious blood,
               As if I owed no homage to my God.”
                         –Henry W. Baker