FOODFORTHOUGHT

A Christmas Letter from Jesus

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated.

During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.  

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me.

As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago.

At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.

Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts.

But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited.

I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face... and I wanted to be with them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.

They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time.

To top it all, a big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho!  He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying:  "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor!

At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts.  They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me.  What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?

I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse.  People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.

I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life.

I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you.

Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party I'm still making the final arrangements.

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book.

Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party.

Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part  of my great party.

See you soon.

I Love you. Jesus,

PS. (Share this message with your friends, before Christmas).

WE SMELL LIKE OUR WORK

Author Rita Snowden remembers sitting in a café late one afternoon in a small village near Dover, England.

As she was sipping her tea, she was suddenly overwhelmed by an astonishing fragrance.

It was quite simply one of the most pleasant aromas she had ever smelled.

"Where is that coming from?" she asked her server.  He explained that it was being carried by the workers from a nearby perfume factory.  They had finished their shift and were walking down the street, on their way home. 

Their clothing was permeated by the fragrances they had been working on all day.

Ultimately, it's impossible to fool the people we meet every day.

We smell like our work. 

And our priorities. 

And our choices. 

And our relationships. 

And our heartfelt commitments.

Everywhere we go, we carry around the aroma of who we truly are and what we genuinely believe.

And the world is either glad that we're passing by, or hopeful that we'll quicken our pace.

There's an interesting text from the writings of the apostle Paul.

During the days of the Roman Empire, conquering troops would parade through their capitol, leading the prisoners they had captured. 

Conquerors and prisoners alike walked across flower petals strewn on the streets by the crowds.  The resulting fragrance was a reminder to everyone present:  Chalk up another victory for Rome.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15:  "But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved…"

Our greatest aspiration should be that those we meet today might catch a scent of something beautiful, humble, and hopeful in our lives.

And that they'd be glad of our presence.  And sorry to see us go.  And maybe even willing to conclude:

Chalk up another victory for the God who transforms human hearts.

-- Authored by Glenn McDonald

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