This Divine Moment

The argument goes on. Just “when” was Jesus born?? For centuries, there has been this on-going debate. History as we know it, doesn’t pinpoint the exact day of Jesus’ birthday. Spring is most likely, because shepherds were watching their flocks at night and this is when ewes bore their young. Around AD 200, theologians concluded Jesus was born around May 20th. Others have argued for dates in March or April. In AD 385, Pope Julius the Ist declared December the 25th as the day for celebrating Christ’s birth. He chose that date to challenge the pagan celebration of the Roman god Saturnalia, which was characterized by social disorder and immorality.

Always a conflict - always a distraction - even in AD 385! Jesus has always had competition! So, Kwanzaa, Hanukah, Festival of Lights, St. Nicholas, the Grinch, Frosty, Rudolph, (dogs/animals in the manger scene - the Bible never mentions animals!) Macy’s, Hallmark, Wii, iPhone 4, "Festivus" or Percy the Puny Poinsettia - step aside! The celebration of Christ's birth was strategically planted on purpose amidst the craziness! The “when” isn’t nearly as important as the “why”! Jesus was born and still remains to be the Emmanuel, the Alpha, the Omega, the Lord, Savior, King, Judge, Light, Rock, Redeemer, Shepherd, Creator, Giver of LIfe, forgiver of sin, and speaker with Divine Authority.

In the Old Testament the firstborn, because of the laws of succession, normally received the lion’s share of the estate or the firstborn would become King in the case of a royal family. The firstborn therefore was the one ultimately with all the rights of the father. Colossians 2:9 “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form”. So the term “firstborn” cannot exclude Jesus! He is the firstborn of God the Father. The Supreme heir. King of Kings. And in this divine moment, you too can be “firstborn”, making Jesus your Savior. All the rights to the Kingdom can be yours today...

Christmas's Last Stand

Volume 5, Number 23

Since my childhood and all through to my adult years, our family has owned over 50+ Christmas tree stands. All shapes, sizes, quality (cheap plastic to pricey cast iron), you name it. I wrote this little re-do to the well-known carol for you today, just to give you a glimpse of the life and bizarro world of the yearly dreaded acquisition and set up (with fear and trepidation)—called the Christmas tree stand.

On the First day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
A super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Three Tylenol, two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Four T-bolt screws, three Tylenol, two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Five s-t-e-e-l b-a-n-d c-l-a-m-p-s!
Four T-bolt screws, three Tylenol, two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Six cats a climbing,
Five s-t-e-e-l b-a-n-d c-l-a-m-p-s!
Four T-bolt screws, three Tylenol, two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Seven kids disrupting, six cats a climbing,
Five s-t-e-e-l b-a-n-d c-l-a-m-p-s!
Four T-bolt screws, three Tylenol, two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eight friends a heckling, seven kids disrupting, six cats a climbing,
Five s-t-e-e-l b-a-n-d c-l-a-m-p-s!
Four T-bolt screws, three Tylenol, two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine hooks “un-hooking”, eight friends a heckling, seven kids disrupting,
Six cats a climbing,
Five s-t-e-e-l b-a-n-d c-l-a-m-p-s!
Four T-bolt screws, three Tylenol, two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Ten fingers sticking, nine hooks “un-hooking”, eight friends a heckling,
Seven kids disrupting, six cats a climbing,
Five s-t-e-e-l b-a-n-d c-l-a-m-p-s!
Four T-bolt screws, three Tylenol, two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eleven feet of wiring, ten fingers sticking, nine hooks “un-hooking”,
Eight friends a heckling, seven kids disrupting, six cats a climbing,
Five s-t-e-e-l b-a-n-d c-l-a-m-p-s!
Four T-bolt screws, three Tylenol, two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!
On the Twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Twelve Home Depot coupons, eleven feet of wiring, ten fingers sticking,
Nine hooks “un-hooking”, eight friends a heckling, seven kids disrupting,
Six cats a climbing,
Five s-t-e-e-l b-a-n-d c-l-a-m-p-s!
Four T-bolt screws, three Tylenol, two migraines,
And a super-industrial-strength Christmas tree stand!

So after all the years of tree hassle, we have finally given in to the smaller artificial one— “easy to assemble” and with tree stand included! It took me exactly seven minutes to set it up! And I burn those wonderful aromatic fir and balsam candles around the house, just to tease my mind a bit. But I confess I kind of miss the struggle!

Christmas trees are work, but take this stand:

1. Treasure everything; every detail—even the mishaps!
2. Keep the tinsel away from the cat, if you get my drift.
3. The best Christmas tree stand is the “stand” you make in your home: Always stand for love; always stand for joy; always stand for peace; and always make room for a good laugh if the tree falls over again!

“Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heart sick, but a sudden good break can turn life around” (Proverbs 13:12, The Message).

“Go, take your stand in the temple courts and declare to the people the whole doctrine concerning this Life (the eternal life which Christ revealed” (Acts 5:20, Amplified Bible).

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