DECEMBER 27 - Heartbroken Holiday

DECEMBER 27 - Heartbroken Holiday

 

Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. — PSALM 39:12

 

After gathering up torn ribbon and piles of ripped Christmas wrapping, the young mother carried trash out to a back alley. Their traditional Christmas morning had been cut short when her three children said, ‘Hurry up, Mom! We have to be at Dad’s by 10:00 this morning.’ At the beep of his horn, all three raced out the door to repeat the gift-giving scene with their father, his new wife and her two children.

 

They would be there all day and then leave on a trip for the holidays. Suddenly, both house and heart felt alone and desolate. She sat on the warm hearth of the fireplace allowing tears of emotion to run free. Then with an overwhelming sense of loneliness, she cried out to God.”

 

This scene will be repeated countless times during the Christmas season. While the holidays are a happy, festive time when we celebrate the arrival of Immanuel, “God with us,” remember our Savior focused so often

on the brokenhearted (Psalm 51:17). Jesus proclaimed, “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted” (Isaiah 61:1). What a comfort to widows and single parents during Christmas! Psalm 34:18 underscores again, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

 

Loneliness is a state of sadness that comes from feeling cut off from others. If this describes you, join the psalmist in crying out to God, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted” (Psalm 25:16). If you are not isolated, ask God to reveal someone in your neighborhood or church to whom you can show his love, compassion, support, and friendship. Find a person who is wounded and hurting. Give the best gift this season, be the hands, heart, and smile of Christ.

 

Lord, show me someone this Christmas to whom I can be a companion and helper. Reveal to me that one who is wounded. I wait for your answer. .

WALKING ON ACRES OF DIAMONDS

WALKING ON ACRES OF DIAMONDS

 

 

Baba said, “Dig out and take away this wealth in cartloads” in Sri Sai Satcharitra, ch. XXXII.

 

 

 

There was a farmer in Africa who was happy and content. He was happy because he was content. He was content because he was happy. One day a wise man came to him and told him about the glory of diamonds and the power that goes along with them. The wise man said, "If you had a diamond the size of your thumb, you could have your own city. If you had a diamond the size of your fist, you could probably own your own country." And then he went away. That night the farmer couldn't sleep. He was unhappy and he was discontent. He was unhappy because he was discontent and discontent because he was unhappy.

 

The next morning he made arrangements to sell off his farm, took care of his family and went in search of diamonds. He looked all over Africa and couldn't find any. He looked all through Europe and couldn't find any. When he got to Spain, he was emotionally, physically and financially broke. He got so disheartened that he threw himself into the Barcelona River and committed suicide.

 

Back home, the person who had bought his farm was watering the camels at a stream that ran through the farm. Across the stream, the rays of the morning sun hit a stone and made it sparkle like a rainbow. He thought it would look good on the mantle piece. He picked up the stone and put it in the living room. That afternoon the wise man came and saw the stone sparkling. He asked, "Is Hafiz back?" The new owner said, "No, why do you ask?" The wise man said, "Because that is a diamond. I recognize one when I see one." The man said, no, that's just a stone I picked up from the stream. Come, I'll show you. There are many more." They went and picked some samples and sent them for analysis. Sure enough, the stones were diamonds. They found that the farm was indeed covered with acres and acres of diamonds.

 

What is the moral of this story?

 

1. When our attitude is right, we realize that we are all walking on acres and acres of diamonds.

2. Opportunity is always under our feet. We don't have to go anywhere. All we need to do is recognize it.

3. The grass on the other side always looks greener.

4. While we are dyeing the grass on the other side, there are others who are dyeing the grass on our side. They would be happy to trade places with us.

5. When people don't know how to recognize oppor­tunity, they complain of noise when it knocks.

6. The same opportunity never knocks twice. The next one may be better or worse, but it is never the same one.

 

 

 

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DECEMBER 26 - The Second Advent

DECEMBER 26 - The Second Advent

 

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. — REVELATION 1:7

 

 

The first coming of Jesus attracted very little attention, except for the small group of shepherds who hurried to the manger. Apart from them and a few animals, Jesus’ entry into the world was quiet. Not many people noticed. Probably the next morning, it was just another ordinary day in Bethlehem. The Romans set up their census tables and inside the crowded inn — the inn from which Mary and Joseph were turned away — families headed downstairs for breakfast. A few travelers may have headed for the stable. Did any of them hear the cry of the newborn baby  in the far stall? I doubt it.

 

 

What a contrast it will be when Jesus returns for his second advent every single eye of every person on earth shall witness his arrival. Those who crucified God’s Son will see and mourn. It won’t be a quiet entry into the world. It will be loud and thunderous because of man’s rejection of salvation.

 

 

For those who have trusted in Christ’s redemptive work, however, the days of mourning will be over, not just beginning. For the Chris tian, the prospect of Christ’s return will be joyous, not terrifying.

 

 

Charles Wesley wrote, “Lo! He comes, with clouds descending, / once for our salvation slain; / thousand thousand saints attending, / swell the triumph of His train: / Alleluia! Alleluia! / God appears on earth to reign.”2 The first advent of Christ is inextricably linked to his second. Today, ponder a “Maranatha! Merry

Christmas” and say, “Oh, come quickly, alleluia! Come, Lord, come!”

 

 

Lord Jesus, I am so grateful that I have a place in your eternal glory. I thank you for coming to earth two thousand years ago to rescue mankind. I look forward to your return. Enable me to share your good news this season with those who don’t know you!

 

DECEMBER 25 - Christmas Day

DECEMBER 25 - Christmas Day


This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. — LUKE 2:12


On Christmas Day of 1959 the snow fell in light, dry flakes, making our barn and springhouse almost disappear. I leaned on my elbow looking out the window of our farmhouse. Our home was busy with a pleasant bustling and Christmas carols from the kitchen radio drifted my way.


During the late afternoon, I pulled on my jacket and boots, stuffed a few carrots in my pockets, and hiked through the snow to the stable. I felt sorry for the horses. Our farmhouse was warm and light; their barn was dark and cold. I didn’t want the animals to be left out. I opened the barn door and a blast of icy air whistled down the aisle. As I placed a carrot in one of the mangers, something resonated. I stared at the slats of wood nailed together. Jesus was born in a wooden manger just like this!


I knew enough of the Christmas story to understand that being in a stable on a cold evening, surrounded by animals, was somehow appropriate, especially knowing what Mary and Joseph went through and all that baby Jesus had to face. My small heart warmed to know that God chose to enter the world through a barn . . . he felt at home in a stable. The Savior of the world was laid in a wooden manger. The Lord of the universe was that humble.


God sliced through the veil of time and space and slipped from the body of a woman onto the straw of a damp stable. Jesus entered the world in humility. Perhaps this is why Christmas moments that draw us closest to the Savior are usually the simple ones. Look for down-to-earth and uncomplicated ways to celebrate this glorious day. Jesus is born! God is with us! The Light of the World has entered our darkness!


Oh, joy! You came to earth to rescue sinful man — and I am so blessed to have had my eyes opened to the glorious gift of your salvation! Bless you, Lord Jesus!

WITH FAITH – YOU CAN OVERCOME ALL

 

Baba said, “Look at Me whole-heartedly, and I in turn look at you similarly” in Sri Sai Satcharitra, Ch. XVII, XIX.

 

 

A husband and wife were traveling in a ship.

 

Suddenly a storm struck, and huge waves began to dash against the ship. Everyone was frightened that it would be engulfed by the ocean.

 

The wife looked at her husband, who happened to be a great devotee of God, and saw that he was not frightened at all.

 

She said, “Are you not afraid?”

 

Being a soldier, he drew his sword and placed it near her throat and asked, “Are you scared?”

 

She replied, “Why should I be afraid of you? I know that you would not hurt me.”

 

“Well then,” he continued, “Why should not you feel the same way about God?”

 

If you love God, then why should you be afraid if He has figuratively placed a sword at your throat?

 

Why should you become upset and lose your patience and balance of mind?

 

The message is that if you have developed the feeling that God is the source of infinite love and the He is your very life, your mother and father, then you have nothing to fear, whatever situation arises in your life.

 

With faith, you will overcome all problems and obstructions.

 

 

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