The Real Christmas Story

In those days Ceasar Agustus issued a decree that a census would be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. So everyone went to his own town to register. Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped the baby in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. [please take this story, share it, and live it, for it is truly life changing. merry christmas...dave]

Here Comes Santa Claus

I was talking one spring day to a Hindu woman outside my old church office. She told me that her son was getting a lot of questions at school about his faith and she wanted to understand what Easter was all about. We talked for about an hour as I explained the death and resurrection of Jesus. She then pointed to the sanctuary and asked me if Jesus was inside. I tried to explain that yes He was, but that He was also outside with us at that very moment. When we were all finished, she asked if she could ask one more question. Being a good evangelical, I was hoping for something that would give a chance to pray with her and see her begin the journey of really knowing Jesus. She then asked me to explain what part the bunny played in Christianity. It is interesting to think about how people of other cultures see us and the icons of our culture. My friend had seen us celebrate Easter and the resurrection story and the Easter Bunny and assumed they were all connected. Interesting, isn't it? I recently came across a Japanese web site that had a few different views of Santa. I'll post them over the next couple of weeks. Enjoy your first two. No it is not Colonel Sanders. But if you look at the bottom of the photo, you'll see what he is selling, more than likely with some sort of herb and spice blend! In honor of the Kyoto accords, it's Green Santa. All of the lights are solar powered.

The Mission Buffet

I know people who call this type of post a smorgasboard, the variety post, or even something like the daily potpourri, but for those of us in Las Vegas, we'll call it The Mission Buffet! I have dug up a few interesting articles from around the web and some other places that I have found to especially thought provoking. Enjoy! The first article is from a good friend, Dennis McFadden. A former pastor, he now is Executive Director of a large Baptist Retirement Center in Alhambra, CA. Don't let the title scare you away. If you have ever wondered about whether the concept of Santa could co exist with Jesus, read this! The Scale for Measuring Society's Slide Down Secularism's Slippery Slope. by Dennis McFadden OK, I confess. I am a Christmas fanatic. I love the sights, the sounds, the smells, and (yes) even maintain a tradition of day-after-Thanksgiving shopping at 4:00 a.m. This year, we were visiting our second and fourth children and their families in the Ozarks and my fifth child and I still made it to five stores between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Friday morning. (Read more) Next up we have a little political item, cerca 1992! Certainly a thought provoking article recalling the candidacy of Ross Perot. Check it out and see what you think. Was Ross Perot Right? by David Sirota “Ross Perot was fiercely against NAFTA. Knowing what we know now, was Ross Perot right?” That’s what CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked Hillary Clinton at last week’s Democratic presidential debate. It was a straightforward query about a Clinton administration trade policy that polls show the public now hates, and it was appropriately directed to a candidate who has previously praised NAFTA. (Read more) This story should concern you. If it was 1945 and we were reading that after routing the Nazi Party from Germany, they had somehow reconstituted and were in control of over 50% of Germany, our efforts there would have been called failure. The implications of this article are chilling in they are indeed true as many are reporting from around the world. Afghanistan Falling into Hands of Taliban by RIchard Norton-Taylor The Taliban has a permanent presence in 54% of Afghanistan and the country is in serious danger of falling into Taliban hands, according to a report by an independent thinktank with long experience in the area. (Read more) Finally, here's a little sports item from one of my favorite writers, Gene Wojciechowski. Here's why I like the guy. He's smart. How many other sportswriters do you know who could somehow work North Korean leader Kim Jung Il into a story about college football? Three College Football Myths to Stay Away From by Gene Wojciechowski The only people who love college football more than me are Bebes Maisel, Joe Paterno and the Auburn fans who TP'd Toomer's Corner [pictured here] after a sixth consecutive Iron Bowl win against Bama. (Read more) technorati tags: Ross Perot, Santa, Jesus, Taliban, Afghanistan