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Shepherd's Notes
Tom Hypes
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Letter from God to His Children at Christmas
12-07-2006 12:19 am

I don't pay a lot of attention to stories and chain letter type emails but a friend e-mailed me this fictional letter from God to Christians during the Christmas season. There are a lot of well meaning people who are acting on their convictions but I have to wonder if at times we do more damage than good for people who are looking for the love of the Lord when looking at us. I put it here just for your consideration.......

 

A letter from God to His children on this holiday
season.

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are
taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't
actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of
your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was
actually a time of pagan festival; although, I do appreciate being
remembered anytime.


How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your
own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My
birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now,
having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene
depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen
and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My
followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the
town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday
tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can
and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if
you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching that explains who I
am in relation to you and what each of our tasks are. If you have
forgotten
that one, look at John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
wish list. Choose something from it.


1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday
is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away
from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I
know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them
personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards
his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that
you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It
will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and
they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth
and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and
remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own
life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you
don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile
it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the
local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailers in your town call the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm
smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry
Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop
shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that
day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with
their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary,
especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never
heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families
in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but
neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't
know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and
give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity
that believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in
and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret
that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions
that you are one of mine.


P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me
and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check
out the
list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is
now in
your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those you love
and, remember, I LOVE YOU

 

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