If you’re afraid of love…you’re afraid of life. If you fear life, you are already mostly dead.”
–Alex Cord (A Feather in the Rain)

—————————–
“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan… .
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory… .
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph — so help us God… .”
–President Franklin D. Roosevelt

This was a moment in history that forever changed the world. Because of this cowardly and treacherous attack social systems in the world would change, governments would change, politics would change, military strategy and tactics would change, ideologies would change, and on we could go. This date should never be forgotten, yet I fear it is becoming just a vague memory. Almost gone are those who faced the evil that threatened the world. Soon the following generation will also be gone. Will Generation X and the Millennials take time to remember or will it become, as the Civil War has become, a war to protest and tear down?
When they remember the reasons it will be too late. When they discover what it means for their forefathers to sacrifice it will be too late. Hopefully, there will never be a conflict like World War II again, but if the younger generations don’t take heed, it will be too late. I wrote in an Echo, not too long ago the following: “Maybe you and I remember why the old wars were fought; the newer generations don’t know; they haven’t studied history.” (Tom Anthony) I would add to the following, and they don’t care!
Today, I for one will–
REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR!
—————————-
Christmas Thought:
“And is it true? And is it true,
That most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,
A Baby in an ox’s stall?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Became a Child on earth for me?”
–Sir John Betjeman

Oh the wonder of it all! The Creator came to earth to be with His creation. He came to earth to save mankind; to do so He became man. He became a child. It is too grand, too marvelous for comprehension.
God did not just decide to do this. This event was established long before creation. It wasn’t just happenstance that it took place. Evil had to be defeated and man needed to be redeemed. A palace for a stable; a throne for a manger. It is truly the “most tremendous tale of all.”
This Christmas, stop and ponder the majesty of Christmas.
—————————-
What do you think? President Trump officially recognizes Jerusalem as capital of Israel. It sure started some rumblings throughout the world. Hmmm, seems to me that it is setting the stage for those final years before the Lord comes back to reign on earth. Nations will choose sides for that great climatic battle.
It was quite a “Christmas present” for the nation of Israel.

Our knowledge is like an iceberg; we know a little, but the vast amount we have yet to learn still remains hidden from us.”
–Louis L’Amour (Callaghen)

“No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.”
–1 Corinthians 2:7 (NLT)
—————————–
What a time of year this is! Time has been divided with the birth of Jesus. Of course the more enlightened ones use BCE and CE, but come on, where did they make the break? B.C. — “before Christ” and instead today the politically correct usage is “before the common (or current) era”. Silly, really silly. Just because the brilliant ones do not want to use the name of Christ it is still divided by His birth.
The birth of Jesus marks the change of so many things. One that is often forgotten is that there was a political change. Isaiah proclaimed that the “government would be upon His shoulders.” Herod was afraid that he might lose his throne. The Jews brought Him to trial for saying He was a king and therefore a threat to the Roman Empire. Jesus simply replied that His kingdom was not of this world. He is reigning, but most people do not recognize it, but soon, He will come back to earth to reign as King. This all went into action at His birth.
Here is a wonderful carol that we seldom hear anymore.

“In the little village of Bethlehem,
There lay a Child one day;
And the sky was bright with a holy light
O’er the place where Jesus lay.”
–William H. Neidlinger

It may be hard to see that the hay was a holy place, especially when compared to the majestic throne of heaven, but wherever He was it was holy. We should grasp that, for the same should be true if we are truly following Him. We are His temple on earth. Yet, that makes me wonder why so many so-called Christians profane the temple of the Holy Spirit.
The manger, the stable, the lowly position of being a commoner was so different to His glorious abode. Jesus came to show us true humility is actually part of being a king. Service is part of the action of a king. That small babe, lying there, came to give the world so much. That day, the day of His birth began a great scene in the cosmos both physically and spiritually. From that day forward He would proceed to fulfill His purpose and mission for mankind.

“’Twas a humble birthplace, but O how much
God gave to us that day,
From the manger bed what a path has led,
What a perfect, holy way.”

This season, whenever you see the colored lights, remember the Person who created “light.” When you see the lights on a tree or in a store, remember these represent His birthday. Even if the display is completely secular, it could not happen without the creator of lights.
Look up and see the stars. Those celestial lights shine every night and they were created by the king. We would not have them if not for a word from His lips.
Christmas! How we should look up and rejoice! How we should bow our heads in humility for the great gift of the heavenly Father. There is much commercialization of Christmas, but none of it could have happened without the birth of Jesus.

“Alleluia! O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light
’Twas the birthday of a King.”

———————–
Christmas Thought: “Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.”
–Oren Arnold

The small things matter. Be attentive.”
–J.B. Turner (Hard Road)

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
–Luke 16:10 (NLT)
—————————–
“It’s an old-time Christmas
With family and friends ’round the tree…”
–unknown (Randy Travis sang on his Christmas album)

The Lord sure started the season by giving us some blessings. Annie and I had the opportunity to go back to San Antonio for a reunion of sorts with old, no, I mean former teachers (except for one) this past weekend. If you are my friend on facebook you can see us gathered ’round the tree, or blocking the front of it, whichever you prefer.
Always good to get with that group. Special bunch of people. Then we stayed the night with the good friends–the Hembrees and they took us out for breakfast on Sunday. After that we figured we would at least go to Sunday School and maybe give the Minters a shock by walking in. Good to see them as well; wish we could have stayed for he was preaching that morning.
We then rushed home, so we could get back on the road again to Beaumont to see Annie’s brother before they go back to Pennsylvania. We put in a few miles, but what is that when you have the chance to see family and friends?
—————————–
Christmas Thought: “If I no more come home at Christmas time, there will be boys and girls (thank Heaven!) while the World lasts; and they do!.. And I do come home at Christmas. We all do, or we all should. We all come home, or ought to come home, for a short holiday…”
–Charles Dickens (“A Christmas Tree”)

This time of year should be a time when a person can get home, or at least be at home where they are, and at the very least make it home in their dreams. It can be a lonely time, but if a person comes home in their mind, at least they have memories of Christmas.
We watch, yes I said “we”, the Hallmark Christmas movies, and many of them have the idea of coming home for Christmas. Pondering some of those, and people I actually know, who don’t want to be “home” for Christmas. They still can’t avoid the thoughts and memories. To avoid Christmas is to think about it. To say “bah, humbug” is to make a conscious decision about Christmas. One cannot be indifferent toward the birth of Christ or from the Christmas season. It is there!
Since it is there, do something with it. Do not squander the time running hither and yon. Go home for Christmas, even if it is just a quiet time during the holiday. If you had bad experiences at Christmas, place them aside and think of the lights and laughter of the present.
—————————–
Having a problem finding a Christmas gift? Go to Amazon and purchase, “Mal de Ojo.” Then give it to someone, or yourself, make a cup of coffee (or this time of year some hot cocoa), and enjoy a time of reading.

But this here country has a pull on a man. You get to looking at the mountains, and at the stretches of wide-open, empty land…and it gets to you.”
–Louis L’Amour (Reilly’s Luck)

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.”
–Hebrews 11:8 (NLT)
—————————-
Now I don’t mind tryin’ a new thing or two, now and then, but normally I stick to those things which are tried and true and have meaning. Hmmm, let’s see what you think from this poem by Waddie Mitchell, titled, “Which Side?”

The argument we’ll now address
Has been going on for years
With debates among great scholars
And harsh words between my peers.

A philosophical question
Contemplating right from wrong
Dealing with the proper side to
Have your spur strap buckle on.

There are those who claim “tradition”
For others it’s “common sense”
Some cite “practicality”
Almost no one rides the fence.

But the truth…though I am sure there’s
Those among you who will scoff
Is that a spur strap’s merely there
To keep your spurs from falling off!

It has nothing to do with the Christmas season, but sometimes we argue over silly things. However, like I said, I am in favor of tradition when it comes to the holidays. Not that I’m opposed to trying something new, or letting some old fade away.
Between now and the 2nd of January, ponder your traditions and note anything you might try new.
————————
Christmas Thought: “Christmas–that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance–a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.”
–Augusta E. Rundell

No matter, and that goes for the atheists, we are affected by Christmas. The atheist gets in an uproar and tries to do away with it, but by those actions he is recognizing Christmas. You can’t get away from it. It is that special time of the year. Sure, it has gotten commercialized, but with the lights and music and laughter it still shows the mystery of Christmas. Truly it does wrap itself around us.
Enjoy the season; enjoy the day; enjoy the Reason why we celebrate. Hopefully, you have accepted that great, mysterious, wonderful gift from the Father of His Son!