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Looking through windows of the past, let’s visit some Christmas memories.

Cold mornings involved cuddling up on a couch wrapped in blankets shielded from the blast of cold seeping through our single-paned windows and underneath our door. Normally, we had heat, though, not always was it high enough to heat up our tiny apartment.  But shelter from the elements was a picture in itself.                                                                                                      My parents made do with what they had.  In the early 1960s, Mom earned about $30/week while Pop earned about $45.  Our cozy apartment made us feel safe as we cuddled together. My parents and little brother gathered in the living room enjoying the twinkling lights on our small tree.

Typical music, Cocoa-Marsh for hot chocolate, (or Bosco, and then Ovaltine in the tall umber-colored jar with the orange cap or yellow; these ran .19-.29/jar), potato chips, cupcakes, and the scent of typical foods like pasteles, pernil, and arroz guisao con gandules, added a sense of homeyness-especially on Christmas Eve.

 Christmas morning brought glee and joy as we received long plastic candy canes filled with candies and goodies. Toys under the tree meant there’d be no breakfast for us due to the excitement. Instead, it was full-steam-ahead with the gifts.  There were big Gene Autry toy guitars, heavy duty cap guns (.59-.99) leather holsters, bluish Tommy-guns (machine guns at $1.99), grenades, Styrofoam building blocks (one came with Blippo, the construction builder); everyone in our family received pinball games in various sizes ranging in prices from .19 to .59 each.   We also received tin metal sparklers that created a buzz sound while displaying colorful sparks all around.  And one of my brother’s favorites, was a rubber knife.  He’d play Tarzan or Jungle Jim.  We even got the Jungle Jim kit once.  It came with a knife, a sheath, and the hat. Nels’, adventures took place throughout the house, but materialized best in the tub where he’d fight with his large yellow crocodile as they turned and turned in the water just like the real thing; fighting off the beast and living to talk about it before facing off another night (most likely, the next one)!

One thing about Christmas is that no matter where you are or how you celebrate it, it doesn’t take much to enjoy it. The most beautiful décor, are usually the simplest ones.  They’re the ones where love is the main ingredient; present in every corner. Growing up with little money or belongings wasn’t an issue.  Christmas was exciting because of what we did have.                                                              It can be the same for you.  Personally, I didn’t know about our savior, Jesus.  I don’t think I even knew about Santa early on.  But Christmas was special because we were home together.

 “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith” (Proverbs 15:17).

The King of the Universe could have had an all-out call for His arrival, with trumpets blaring announcing His arrival, for an unforgettable welcome with golden pacifiers, silk diapers, diamond-crusted rattles, and the finest in treasures; but chose instead, the humblest birth; in a manger with no announcements, except by an angelic host, and that, to poor shepherds out in the fields, no less (Luke 2:8-14).

What are your memories? Were they similar to mine?  Were they of all tin toys, metal trucks, rag dolls, Sussie Bake Ovens, gingerbread houses? Don’t have any to fall back on? That’s sad, but fine.  Create new ones this year.  Don’t have family? You can adopt one, or be adopted into one for the season. Christmas, after all, is about love.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only beloved Son, that whosoever believes on him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Feast on your memories!  God’s presence is everywhere, and it’s all you need.  Allow Him to cuddle you.

Merry Christmas!
Sam

Every kid that celebrates Christmas is as anxious as can be the night before it approaches. The ambience contributes to it. Whether it’s the sweet smells of desserts, the food, the pine needles, or the vanilla/cinnamon scents that fill the air, there are myriad of messages sent to our brains that something important is being awaited.
Growing up, excitement could be felt everywhere. One could hear the clinging of the old heat pipes, along with the steam vapor rising up the sides of the radiators, sending us outside for a spell. Out in the cold, we’d see a different form of vapor: the cold air exiting our mouths every time we spoke and yelled with excitement about Christmas being just hours away. We’d play tag and freeze tag in an attempt to “kill time.” All-the-while praying that snow would fall. Sometimes, we got only flurries.
Then we’d go inside to watch some famous movie or Christmas show. We’d munch on chips, pretzels, cheese doodles, and maybe some cake as the hands on the clock just swung away. During commercials, we’d talk galore and play around counting minutes goodbye.
Before we knew it, Christmas was just a sleep away. We tried staying up as late as possible so that morning would come quickly. Soon, our sleepy eyes overtook us, and off we were to la-la land. Drifting in and out we’d go until sleep arrived for good.
Morning of Excitement was upon us! Perhaps, the streets were blanketed with snow like a white-powdered jelly donut. Snow softly landed on cars. Wind-gusts carried them away. Within our apartments, heat kept us warm. The chill-factor may have been high, but the warmth of Christmas quenched it all. The joy of gifts under the tree surpassed everything that may have been wrong with the world.
Maybe you’re a soul who has drifted from God; the cold hand of sin has grabbed ahold of you. The life which once was on fire for Him, is now frozen, blanketed in snow; robbed of the joy and excitement that once filled your life. But…A Morning of Excitement can be upon you! The death of Jesus upon the tree, surpasses every sin in your life. His death took your sins, shame, and pain away. The gift (of His life) upon that tree, is greater than any gift under any Christmas tree.
Once again, you can have a Christ-filled Christmas; one filled with all the excitement you once experienced as a child!
Merry Christmas!
Sam

Dreaming of a Hallmark Christmas? Fantasizing about going into the woods behind your condo for that giant 15’ Spruce tree they always seem to chop down and when it gets set up at home it’s barely 6’ tall? Are you yearning for a blizzard to blanket your little town? It’s all great to have if you’ve done all your shopping and you have nowhere to go, or any dead-ends to meet. Personally, I love the green and red colors of the season, along with garland, colored string-beads, trinkets, and all the trimmings that make a tree feel and look like Christmas.
But in all it’s beauty, it doesn’t compare to the significance of the true Christmas. Yeah, yeah, true Christmas is so different from secular Christmas. One has all the pomp and glory with colors galore and snow-covered grounds, as well as toys, candies, games, etc. while the other is unattractive with suffering, waiting, injustice, persecution, even death. While one fulfills our joys and expectations for the moment, the other, the less attractive one, fulfills our deepest needs for all eternity. It is, the true Christmas; the real thing. It’s about the God who lived amongst us and experienced our struggles. Although people point fingers at Him and accuse of abandoning us, He is NOT out of touch. He knows the deal.

One Christmas features Santa in red and white descending from near heaven; the North Pole. The other, features God born of a virgin as a baby having laid aside His riches (in actual heaven) to live in poverty here that we might gain His riches when we serve Him. No, there may not be snow on the ground when you invite Him into your heart, except maybe a cold, brittle, and/or bitter heart. And no, there won’t be any magic making all your dreams come true, but knowing you’re loved unconditionally by Him, supersedes it all. The red of the true Christmas reflects His blood shed at the cross for you. White represents ridding your life of sin (Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow-Isaiah 1:18).
While here on earth we might not have a Hallmark Christmas, or a 15’ Spruce, but with Christ in our hearts, life in heaven will out-do every earthly Christmas ever celebrated.
“Now unto the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).
Merry Christmas!
Sam

Carol King sang, “Anticipation, is making me wait…”

We all know anticipating an event.  We wait endlessly for a call.  We skip the bathroom, and other important tasks just waiting for it.  Step out for 30 secs, and we miss it!

Right now, anticipation is in the air.  It brings an air of excitement.  It brings the thrill of wonder.  Christmas, with its snow and frost, and wonderful colors of red and green gladdens the heart.  The yearning of gifts under a tree, is enough to keep anyone up all night.  Waiting for Santa’s arrival adds to the suspense.  It’s a fact, anticipation can cause us to miss the special moments of Christmas.  We run here, we run there, back and forth.  We remember those we’ve forgotten, and back out again we go. We’re awaiting it, yet, it’s possible to over-decorate, over-shop, over-wrap, over-plan, over-eat, even get overweight, and miss God.

    Israel has long awaited the birth of the Messiah…they performed the rituals, kept the law, read the Holy Scriptures, sacrificed their blameless lambs…and they missed it.  Their “Christmas” came upon their midnight clear, but they were too busy to even notice it.  One can say they were blinded by the “snow” of their darkened minds. In their efforts to get it right, they missed it, “…because you did not know the hour of your visitation” (Luke 19:44).

In a stable, in a manger He was born, and it was witnessed only by some poor shepherds after its announcement was made by angels.  Israel wasn’t the only ones who missed it. The entire world did too.

And so will many others this year.  Don’t be one of them! How?  As the day grows closer, keep your focus on the real reason of what you’re celebrating.  If it’s Santa you anticipate, you’ll fulfill the secular season’s quota.  But if you want to thank God for the true meaning of Christmas, and for giving you His Son, then acknowledge Him and bring Him honor by “gift-wrapping” your life and presenting it to Him.  He already laid His on the tree for you.  That’s His gift to you: Salvation.

Merry Christmas!

God Bless!

Sam

Throughout so many movies, people that are hurt or upset at a situation, generally decide to cancel Christmas. They’ll want nothing to do with it. Even in real life people cancel it. What they’re canceling in reality, isn’t Christmas at all, but a segment of it. They’re canceling, or not celebrating, the festive colors, the merriment of activities shared with others; They’re canceling what they call The Magic of Christmas. But Christmas is much more than that. It’s what seldom gets mentioned on TV, in movies, and in songs.
One cannot cancel the birth of Christ. You can’t undo the deliverance of God-in-the-flesh to humanity. Granted, no one knows exactly when He was born, but since Dec. 25 is the chosen date for it, then that’s the day we honor His birth. True, He was born into poverty, and I doubt festive colors were all the rage at the time. Nevertheless, there’s no reason why not to celebrate the greatest gift in all of history.
In fact, the opposite holds true. When we’re hurting, depressed, stressed, or when things aren’t going our way, that’s when we need to celebrate the birth of Christ all the more. Jesus came to a hurting world. He came when things were in chaos. God came down to visit humanity as people were living in impoverished conditions.
He came to bring hope and healing to a desperate and broken world. The Great Almighty lowered Himself leaving behind His riches and glory to relate to His hurting people-everyone. God knows what life on earth is like. He lived here. He walked among the people and ate with them. He laid aside His powers so He could feel hunger, cold, pain, discomfort, rejection, loneliness, sadness, and joy.
That’s why you can’t afford to miss Christmas! He understands all your sorrows, all your hurt and pain. He knows your grief. He stands by your side like a gift waiting to be open; like a sweater waiting to be worn, like a scarf waiting to embrace you. Acknowledge your situations and welcome Jesus not only to your home, but into your heart as well. He’ll bring the merriment of colors into your life; the sweetness of candies into your spirit, and warmth to your aching heart. Unwrap the Gift under your tree.
This Christmas, don’t cancel Christmas; instead, renew your subscription!
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2,3)
Merry Christmas!
Sam

Many of us have seen a huge decline in courtesy. Where once, “Thank You” was shared for holding open a door, it’s now a given by many. In short, people are finding less to be thankful about.  God’s Word instructs us to be thankful in all things, and in all situations-it’s God’s will (1Thessalonians 5:18). “You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fulness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

It’s not easy being thankful in tough situations, but it builds character.  Besides, God knows why He allows things to happen to us.  God’s Goodness is ever before us.  He expects us to choose wisely.  There’s a smorgasbord of goodies in God!

We can choose: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control (Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23).

If you don’t personally know God, start with choosing Him.  How? Pray-talk to God.  Invite Him into your heart. Then ask Him for His Goodness and His blessings to be poured over your life.  He will not fail you.  He will be with you through the trials and hardship.  You’ll not be alone.

Be thankful today.

God Bless,

Sam

Back in the late 70s-early 80s, my brother and I caught a few episodes of a TV comedian by the initials of B.H. In one sketch, he played both the husband and the wife. I’ll retell the script in my words and with made up names.
One day, his wife comes home with some news.
Wife: “You’ll never guess who I ran into today.” Husband: “Who might that be?” Wife: “I saw Joe Luxemburg; and my, what a hunk of a man!” Husband: “What does he have that I don’t?” Wife: “He’s got pearly, white teeth!” Husband: “Well, I’ve got pearly white teeth! Wife: “And that gorgeous hair!” Husband: “Well, I’ve got pearly, white teeth!” Wife: “He’s built like a model-that chest, made of stone!” Husband: “Well, I’ve got pearly, white teeth!”
He knew he had little to go on, so he held on to what he did have! Sometimes, we act the same way. We don’t want to grow spiritually; we want to hold on to what little we possess. Jesus encountered the same thing on earth.
In His day, the religious leaders felt they had dibs on God. Afterall, He spoke directly to Moses and gave him the commandments. Now, they did have the law; but it wasn’t for them to keep it all to themselves, or to become snobbish, looking down on others. In essence, they became like teachers who stop learning because they feel they have reached the top. So, there was God, The Law-giver, in the flesh, speaking to them and they argued with Him that He didn’t know the law! They were speaking to the very Word that created the world telling Him He was a blasphemer! They were so off that Jesus told them: “You are of your father the devil, and the lust of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not” (John 8:44, 45). The Truth was confronting The Liar.
The Creator of the universe was in their midst, yet, they didn’t notice it. Why? Because they had pearly, white teeth. To them, it was enough to become a leader, it was enough to get into heaven. What about you? Feel like your “Pearly, white teeth” will get you through the Pearly White Gates? NEWS FLASH, NEWS FLASH!!! Jesus said, “Truly, truly, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). So, NO, our “Pearly, white teeth” (our merits) won’t get us through the pearly gates. This is why God doesn’t want religious people, but folks who will worship & have a relationship with Him. Or, better put: God is more interested in spiritual fruit than in religious nuts!
God Bless!
Sam

We’ve all tried to get ourselves or something cleaned, maybe even super-cleaned. This past summer, my daughter asked me to clean her white fence of rust stains. With the temps up in the high 90s-105 degrees, I took a can of Bubbles and Clorox wipes and began the rub down. Some stains came off with plenty of elbow grease, but the rest were stubborn like people I know! When I told my daughter of the results, she showed me a product she has. When I read “No Scrubbing” I snickered. I sprayed it on and moved to the other side. Upon returning, all the stains were magically gone!! I couldn’t believe it!
Scripture tells of a powerful man, captain of the host of the king of Syria. This captain, Naaman, was a might man of valor (2Kings 5). But he was leprous. Seems he was prideful too. Talk through the grapevine suggested he’d visit a prophet. So, when Mr. High and Mighty, pulled up in his limo with 10 talents of silver, 6,000 pieces of gold, and 10 pieces of clothing, he awaited a warm welcome. As the doors of his limo opened, and photographers snapped away, he said, “Please, please, make sure you get my best profile-you’ll sell more papers this way.” (Just kidding, he galloped there). He thought some hocus pocus eevie-jeevies would be chanted over him and he’d be made whole. Instead, the prophet Elisha didn’t even show his face but told him to go wash in the Jordan river 7 times! Naaman probably thought, “Do you know who I am?”
Our positions or status doesn’t matter to God. When he heard the river’s name, he was furious. There were other rivers (better & cleaner) he could go to.
His servant reasoned with him telling him that had he’d been asked to do something powerful or heroic, he would have. So, why not do something simple? Pride doesn’t allow room for humility. It can’t. That’s why Satan is not only in hell, but will be cast alive into the lake of Fire and Brimstones, as well. Don’t be fooled, his followers, too.
Naaman finally took a dive. It’s possible that with each dunk, some of the men around him may have quietly jeered as he may have surfaced each time with frogs, bugs, fish, seaweed, etc. upon his head and body. With each dunk, Naaman must have thought, “This better work, or I’m gonna kill someone!” After the 6th splash, however, he was ready for the final one. What would happen? Would he kill the messenger?
With each dive, he must’ve shed some pride and picked up some humility. Scripture says, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6), and, “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off” (Psalm 138:6).

Since he humbled himself and was obedient, after the 7th time, we’re told:
“And his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2Kings 5:14).
Nothing but the blood of Jesus on can remove the stain of sin, or leprosy. Scrub as you would, it won’t work
Will you take a dive today? Heck, will you take the plunge and go for it? The number seven happens to be God’s number of perfection. Don’t put it off or have Him warn you six times as you await the 7th; it might not come. Do it today. You’ll be super-clean, and humble, like a baby.
God bless,
Sam

We may watch a great movie or theater performance and feel glued to our seats, or stand shouting “BRAVO, BRAVO!!” but we should know there was a host of people helping along the way. Upon watching a movie, no one walks away thinking, “I wonder what doctor treated Mr. Red when he got hurt doing his stunts?” We don’t look into the extras or the units on hand making sure all was produced correctly. Nevertheless, the folk behind the scenes matter and play a part in each production.
In our world, we’re constantly pointing fingers at others because they’re Asians, Blacks, White, immigrants, etc. The core of all our issues isn’t race or nationality. It’s something taking place behind the scenes.
Satan, the devil, the deceiver, the liar, the Prince of the Power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) is behind every lie, murder, and crime against God.
Today, all our issues stem from him. But if we’re not on God’s side, we won’t recognize the Liar. We end up hitting walls directly ahead of us without realizing where real issues stem from.
So, how do we confront forces from behind the scenes? Through prayer and fasting. We rebuke them and bind them in the Name above all names: Jesus (Philippians 2:9). When we do this, a heavenly host of behind-the-scenes angels, dash out from God’s presence in our defense. Hence, why we give God all the glory for His help. It’s not us making things happen.
God Bless,
Sam

I remember our math class in Junior High School 111 with Mr. R.  This was in the very early 1970s where “What’s Happening” and “What’s going on” were the greetings of the day. Every time we spoke, we’d say things such as, “It’s like this” or, “It’s like that but not exactly.” We really gave Mr. R. a hard time.  When solving for the unknown factors, and he’d call on us, some guys would say, “Well, it’s like…” He once told us, “FORGET LIKE! Tell me what it is!!” He was right; it was either a correct answer or an incorrect one.  Finding the unknown, was a mystery for some of us.

In life, the unknown remains.  Be assured, NO ONE knows what lies ahead for themselves or for anyone else.  The future is a huge unknown.  So much so, that people have gone mad trying to love for today in case tomorrow doesn’t come for them.  The unknown, yours and mine, are known to God.

When Israel journeyed to the Promised Land, it was unknown to them.  When God tried to step down and get closer to them, they backed away.  The Unknown God, intended to make Himself known to them in a more personal way, but they were afraid, and stepped back. They preferred remaining under the false security of the unknown than to meet Him and grow to know the God who knows everything.

 Do you know God, personally? Does He know you as friends know each other?  Call Him now! Just say, “God, Here I am! I repent of all my sins.  Take them away and wash me new!  Come into my heart and make me a new person, In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”

“And so, I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations.  Then they will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 38:23).

As in solving an equation for the unknown, where what we do on one side, we have to do on the other; once we decide to make the Known God ours, we have to let others know Him too.

God Bless,

Sam