THE OTHER SIDE OF CHRISTMAS

Philippians 2 - 3 

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,

but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Christmas Day dawned crisp and clear.   There had been an overnight frost and the morning brought clear blue skies.   Celia was home alone but she had her precious memories of the past.   Christmas had long lost its significance for her in the melee.   She had never quite seen anything like the mad push and grab antics of a greedy society.   A small glimpse into how human nature would react in a catastrophe.

Christmas Eve she had watched Catherine Hardwicke's "The Nativity Story" very aware that the date of 25th December was inaccurate but nevertheless she loved the film with its attention to detail of life at that time and there was always a box of hankies at the ready for the realistic birth. 

Perhaps later she would make an evening meal but for now she was sitting in front of a roaring fire in her cosy cottage.   "Thank you Lord" she murmured "for your provision I have enough."   

A loud knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.  Jeff stood in the doorway.   "Merry Christmas Celia" he grinned "any chance of a cuppa and a mince pie"    "Of course you clown" she replied "come on in.   Have you had your Christmas dinner" she enquired.   "Hardly worth bothering just for me" he suggested.   "Right, you are to join me, there's enough for two"   He looked longingly at the roaring fire in the grate "gosh it's really cosy in here, much better than my modern flat"   

His eye caught sight of a wooden box sitting on top of a small chest of drawers.   "That's new" he commented "is it a Christmas present"   Celia smiled "yes, its from me to me, I have a whole heap of old vinyl albums I haven't played for years so I decided to buy this unit.   It was cheap, you can't expect quality sound but as I am profoundly deaf in one ear and going deaf in the other I am not going to nit pick.

"It so reminds me of the old record players" said Jeff as he picked up the arm, moved it backwards then forward onto the edge of the vinyl.   It was a tad scratchy and crackly.    "That particular record starts off quietly" said Celia.    Jeff reached for the album cover "good gracious" he laughed "its Chris Rea's The Road to Hell"

"It certainly is" said Celia smiling.   "He made that album in 1989 and I wonder what he would be thinking today.   A musical prophet that lad.   The next track is even truer "You must be evil"  They are corrupting this generation at every given opportunity. 

"Sit down Jeff" said Celia.  "Make yourself comfortable, dinner will be about an hour.   Fancy a brandy?" she enquired.   "That would be great lass" he replied grateful he didn't have to face an empty flat.   The album had now reached it's last track.   "Tell me there's a heaven"   Jeff listened quietly to the words.   "Do you believe there's a heaven Celia" he asked "Certainly do" she replied "some people are in a living hell on this earth but they are heading for Abraham's bosom (Luke 16-25)  

Eventually they sat down to the usual turkey and trimmings with a small glass of wine.   "That was absolutely gorgeous Celia" said Jeff "you're a great cook"   She blushed and considered she could never hold her wine "well I've had a lifetime to get it right but I will be back to basic simple living next week.  God is gracious, he has always provided for me."

"How long is it since William died" Jeff enquired gently.   "Fifteen years next February" she replied "Christmas is a sad time for so many people.   They miss those they have lost.  But I count my blessings.  Many people are homeless, some living on the streets, we seem to be going backwards as a society.   People don't really care as long as their boat floats.   Rather than buy expensive presents I have given money to charity.   My family and friends have more than enough.

"Do you prefer living alone" asked Jeff suddenly it was his turn to blush realising Celia might consider she was being propositioned.    "I am never alone" replied Celia "my faith sustained me when William died and what is left of my life is unto the Lord.   My focus is fixed on Yeshua.

"Wow" said Jeff "I didn't realise you were religious"  Celia face was positively glowing, she  considered she should not have had that second glass of wine.  "Don't ever call me religious Jeff that's an insult.   Yeshua hated the religious establishment and observing todays wonky shepherds not much has changed.   Remind me to tell you some time how I came to know the Lord but that's strong stuff for another day.

"Oh Elaine Page and Barbara Dickson - Chess" said Jeff eagerly sorting through the box of albums.   "Yes" said Celia "put that one on and we can join in the chorus"  Any passerby would have been amused by the highly enthusiastic pair as they gave it their all finally getting up to dance to "One night in Bangkok.  Not that either of them had the remotest idea what that was all about.

"I didn't expect to have such a lovely meal" said Jeff "especially as I only called for a cuppa."  

"Well I couldn't have you sitting alone on Christmas Day now could I" she smiled.   "If we all loved our neighbour as ourself it would be a very different world wouldn't it?"    "Didn't your Jesus say something along those lines" said Jeff.    "He certainly did" replied Celia.    She handed him a small parcel.   "Now you can catch up on everything else he said"    

A quiet voice whispered "keep sowing" and she murmured "todah Adonai"

********************

REFLECTION 

It would be easy to fall into a pit of depression watching this decadent society no matter how strong your belief.   Encouragement and hope arrived as David Wilkerson's You.Tube video "GOD HAS NOT PASSED YOU BY" caught my attention.

Yes and Amen David - the Samuel Company is alive and well.  The corrupt state church has no hold over God's chosen, as in China the real bride is unseen, quietly awaiting her Lord.  

This great man of God still sends encouragement and hope to the battle weary thanks to modern technology even though he now walks with His Lord.  One positive side of the internet.  

This week one can only be truly ashamed of the state church in the U.K which appears to be reinventing dogma to neatly fit with the homosexual and lesbian fraternity. 

If you call yourself a Christian you follow Christ.   If you follow Christ your roots are in the Old Testament.  Exodus 3 - 6 "Moreover He said (to Moses) "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.   As a child and later as a rabbi Yeshua (Jesus) taught scripture and the Law.   

Matthew 5 - 17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (18) For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."

If you actually believe in God you would do well to keep his commandments.   If you are His supposed representative on earth then you stand condemned.   You will be called to account for the sheep you have led astray and dealt with more harshly than any unbeliever.

But it also says in John 3-3

Jesus answered and said to him "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

One can only presume those concerned are BLIND GUIDES.   

Yes, God is Love but reading through the Old Testament those concerned might like to consider the trail of His wrath poured out on a disobedient nation.   The church stands in filthy rags and those who truly know their Lord have abandoned a leadership that mocks the Word of God.

When you don't believe in any God other than self the results are self evident in the appalling stampede of pre.christmas greed and a deteriorating society.   Sadly most live for the day, they have no hope, empty hollow vessels that will not be able to cope when the rubber eventually hits the road and everything they value goes up in a puff of smoke.     

When a country ignores the commandments of God prepare to receive His wrath.   Those in power are not only corrupting the future generation but continue to bleed the poor whilst fueling their own extravagant life styles.   They stand condemned.

We are all equal before God but sadly some consider themselves more equal than others, but they will die as surely as the sun rises on a new day.   They will be judged and the fact that they consider their life ends with death will not alter their eternal destiny in the wrong place.

*******************

I must ask Lord - where are you when they behead your servants.

He whispers "there"

I must ask Lord - where are you when that baby screams her last scream in the hands of those drug crazed animals from hell.

He whispers "there"

As they exit this world their REAL home, My Kingdom slips into view.  Death has no hold over them.

Hell will open her mouth to receive the murdering butchers along with the hirlings still clad in their robes of office the orgy they encouraged surrounding them for all eternity.

Sons and daughters of the living God ride with the armies of heaven a great tidal surge and evil is flushed down the plug hole to hell - forever.

Perhaps the study note in my Jack Hayford bible "Truth - Action" also speaks into every believer's heart.   DO NOT FEAR DEATH because being in heaven with Jesus will be wonderful.

Where ever you are on this fragile damaged planet walk with your head held high.   Children of a Holy God you are His precious jewels.   If they won't listen to your warning cries just keep running (like Christian in Pilgrims Progress) away from the cities and towns of sin, head for the hills and shelter under the shadow of His wings.    For the day approaches..................................................... 

Baruch ha ba b'shem Adonai.

SHALOM