All I Want for Christmas is Jesus

You’ve probably heard the song “All I Want for Christmas is You”. The singer says that presents and Christmas decorations are nice, but she doesn’t need those things to make her Christmas complete. While the song is meant to be for a lover, what if we sung it to Jesus?

Can you stand before Jesus and say with all honesty, “All I want for Christmas is You”? I’d be stretching the truth a little bit.

You see, when I was younger, I would have detailed wishlists every year labeled “101 Things Melissa Needs”. No kidding. All sorts of things would make that list: computer games, dolls, play makeup, and, I must admit, a Jesse McCartney CD, which I thought would make me the coolest person ever, even though I knew nothing about him except that he had a CD. Gift cards didn’t mean much to me until a few years later, when I realized I could actually put that plastic to work for me. Clothes were another thing that never made the list until much later – but I didn’t want anyone to buy clothes for me…how could they possibly have better taste than yours truly? The biggest flaw of my “101 Things” list was the simple fact that nobody ever asked me for it. They either got me something of their own creation or asked what the one thing I really wanted was. Well, how should I know? I don’t have one thing I want – it says right here: ‘101 Things’! That’s 101, baby! Not one. This year, I had no list. Sure, I mentioned gift cards or the last two Twilight books which will of course make my life so much better, but I was blank with ideas. So, the year I had no wishlist, everyone asked me what I wanted. Well, you’re a few years late, I’m afraid. Even so, presents have always been exciting to me – the shiny new toy (or vampire book with fold-out poster) has always gotten me a little more giddy about Christmas. I think Jesus is slowly prodding me to focus on Him as I’ve gotten older, but He needs to keep prodding.

So, as of now, I am almost to the point where I can say, “Jesus, all I want for Christmas is You.”
Then again, what about Christmas breakfast? Christmas brunch? Christmas lunch? Christmas dinner? Christmas second dinner? What about family, red plaid nightgowns, fake trees, ornaments, hot chocolate, and last but not least, what about Santa? (And if you don’t believe in Santa, it’s been scientifically proven that reindeer can fly. I think.) Does Jesus want us to ditch all of that?
Christmas traditions are fun and a great way to spend time with family and get you hyped about the season, but it all comes down to Jesus and His miraculous birth, life, death, and resurrection. So, I ask you – what do YOU want for Christmas?

ALIVE

I never really got the point of history. I'd heard the default adult response too many times: "You can learn from history." Yeah, I can learn that Hitler was evil and that Napolean was short. I still haven't grasped the importance of reading about dead people. I mean, they might have been the big kahunas of their time, but if they're dead, they really aren't doing much, are they?
Religion is filled with the stories of dead people. Every religion has its roots and its history. Take Buddhisim's Sidhartha, or the Buddha. Sidhartha was a prince, living an extravagant yet sheltered life in his father's palace. One day he happened to see all the poor, starving beggars of his country for the first time, and from then on vowed to live a simple life outside the palace grounds and away from the comfort and wealth of his home. Then he died. The same goes for Muhammed, and every religion leader...except one.
Jesus Christ is the only religious leader who is alive today. The others had some nice ideas, but they all passed away. Jesus doesn't fade, and His followers don't either. Since Jesus is alive, His Word is still alive as well.
 Isn't that a powerful verse? God's word is alive and working! No matter how thick the walls around our hearts have become, the Holy Spirit breaks down the wall and sends the verses straight to our hearts, "where the soul and the spirit are joined".
I've had countless people tell  me that every time you read the Bible, you learn more from it. Even if you've read it 4 times cover to cover, you will always discover something new. That's the living power of Scripture and the working power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is alive! Every time you read the Bible, you can know God more.
When you read about Jesus in the Bible, you can be sure He made history -- but He is still making history today! You aren't reading about a great dead guy, but an amazing living Savior.

JUST DO IT!
Pick one of the shorter books of the New Testament. Read the whole book every day this week. God will point out something new each time.

"God's word is alive and working and is shaper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts." (Hebrews 4:12)

A Really Big Deal

Often we take sin lightly. "I know I did this, but I’ll do better next time, right? Besides, it’s just a little sin. It won’t hurt anybody."
The truth is: even the tiniest sins are a huge deal. And the more you sin, the easier it will be to sin even "bigger" next time (same with lying) and do something you’ll really regret later.
When Jesus was up on the cross with all of the world’s sins on his shoulders (that’s the sins of the Roman soldiers, the Jews, King Henry VIII, Mother Theresa, Hitler, Zac Effron, and YOUR sins), God turned His face away. God just couldn’t look at that much sin in one person, even if that person was His Son, Himself. God hates sin, so that makes it a really big deal.
Luke 22:34 – "But Jesus said, ‘Peter, before the rooster crows this day, you will say three times that you don’t know me.’"
Now read out loud with me Luke 54-62. (Go ahead, read it. We can sit here all day.) Can we summarize that story?
Random Woman: "Hey, aren’t you the one who hangs out with Jesus?"
Peter: "Jesus who?"
Weird Guy: "Yeah, you’re like his groupie or stalker or somethin’!"
"Groupie? I don’t even know the guy. And stalker? That’s kinda creepy…"
Superstitious Man: "You’re one of them."
Peter: "MAN, I am NOT!" (To get the full effect, say it with a surfer accent, stressing the "man"-ness.) Ooh, self-denial.
"AT ONCE, while Peter was still speaking, a rooster crowed." (Luke 22:60b)
Peter didn’t say, "Stupid rooster! What is he yapping about?" Oh no, Peter got the message immediately. It’s like if you did a really bad sin (3 times!) and right in the middle of it, a siren goes off. "SINNER ALERT! SINNER ALERT!" He couldn’t deny that.
Here’s the biggie: the heart-wrenching, oh no what have I done moment. I’m so incredibly sorry! I wish I could take it all back! I’d give anything!

"Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter." (v61)

Can you imagine…you’ve just denied your relationship with Jesus – with God! – and he turns to look your in the eye? He’s being whipped and is in tormenting pain…but he picks you out of all the faces and focuses on just you…looks at your directly with the most sorrowful eyes ever…. Can you image? Your Savior, your KING, has just died for you…and you deny it all? And He cares so much about you that all the pain is forgotten in that one still moment where it’s just you and Jesus.

I’m sorry, Lord. I am so, so sorry.

"Then Peter went outside and cried painfully." (v62)

Peter didn’t take his sin lightly. He knew exactly how terrible it was, and we was sorry. Not just the half-hearted, grumpy "sorry" that your little brother gives you, but a real, true, genuine apology.

Right now, as you’re sitting here imagining Jesus’ perfect face, imagine Jesus looking into YOUR eyes like he looked at Peter. Give Him an honest apology and be completely broken by Him. Ask God to show you any sin in your life that is breaking His heart. God will forgive you and give you the strength to change.

The happy ending? Peter and Jesus made up. They both were so close to each other and loved each other so much that not even sin could separate them anymore. Jesus forgave Peter, and Peter continued to be His faithful servant.
You have a happy ending with Jesus, too. In fact, your happy ending is just beginning.

So I Am Happy

"So I am happy, and I will continue to be happy. Because you are praying
for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ is helping me, I know this trouble will
bring my freedom. I expect and hope that I will not fail Christ in anything but
that I will have the courage now, as always, to show the greatness of Christ in
my life here on earth, whether I live or die. To me the only important
thing about living is Christ." Paul in Philippians 1:18-21

Replying with Scripture

If someone was trying to get you to do something you know is wrong, what would you say? What if they kept doing it? I'd probably yell at them and tell them to back off, that I don't want to be a jerk like they are (in a slightly nicer way, of course).
Jesus had the same problem, but he handled it in a totally different way.
Check out Matthew 4. Jesus has been in the hot desert for a long time. He's hungry, tired, and in need of a shower. Satan comes along, trying to trip Him up. "If you're really the Son of God, turn these rocks into bread to eat." Next, he told Jesus to jump off a cliff, because of course God would save Him. Is testing God a good idea? Jesus knew it wasn't. Then Satan's last-ditch attempt: "Just bow down to me, and all the world can be yours."
Instead of mouthing him off with the longest stream of cuss words at the time, and instead of saying, "Hello, Satan. You're dirty scum, the world is mine, and I can burn you to a crisp whenever I feel like it."
Get this: Jesus replied with Scripture! He kept His cool, He didn't lash out, and instead, He replied with the Absolute Truth: the Word of God. I would be telling Satan to lay off and go get a life by now, but Jesus knew just how to fight off sin. He quoted Scripture to say no. When your friends ask you to do something you know is wrong, you don't have to rattle off Bible verses every time. But it's a good idea to keep your cool and memorize a few Bible verses that can help you when you're tempted to do something wrong.

Lead Me to the Cross

Lead me to the cross
Where your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down

Rid me of myself
I belong to you
Lead me, lead me to the cross

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

My friend had this posted on her wall and I thought it was just beautiful. :)

Too Much of a Good Thing?

I'm sure your mom has told you, "No more candy!" And I'm sure you've heard that too much of a good thing isn't so good. If you eat too much candy, you get a stomachache. You can even die just from drinking too much water!

It's kinda crazy how people apply this rule to their faith without even knowing it. I know I do it sometimes, and I think we all do. I just realized it today. Many Christians treat Jesus like candy! "He's a good thing, sure, but I don't want to get too much of Him. THAT would be bad."

No it wouldn't!

People are so afraid of letting go, of losing control. The problem is, we're NEVER in control. We're not in control of even the smallest things. God is the one in control!

People are so afraid that if they give Jesus their all, He'll disappoint them. He'll fail them. Ya know what? Jesus DOESN'T fail. That's it. He just doesn't. He is absolute perfection -- failure is impossible.

Jesus will never let you down. You are always in His mind. Everything he does in your life furthers his amazing plan for you.

If you give Jesus your all, He won't fail you. There is no such thing as too much Jesus. Give Him your all and I promise you'll be glad you did.

I'll probably let you down. So will your parents, you husband/wife, your children, your best friends, your president. Everyone will fall.

Jesus is the constant, the eternal, the One who'll never let you fall.

Little Pink Spoons

I love trying new flavors of ice cream. When you walk into a creamery, a feeling seems to well up in you that you can’t quite explain – you know what I’m talking about. You get so excited. You have to read every ice cream label and take your time to decide. What toppings do you want – Snickers, Heath, sprinkles? What type of cone do you want? Or do you even want a cone? You can have a cup. What size cup? How many scoops? One would be best, but surely two wouldn’t hurt….
Then there comes the most beloved desert ritual of all time – the tasting of the flavors. With all those choices, how could you possibly decide on just one? So you can mix it. But which ones do you want to mix? So you ask for a sample of Amaretto. The lady scoops some on a pink plastic spoon and you savor it. Yum. But what about Brownie Batter? And Birthday Cake? Sometimes we just like to see how many free samples we can get away with before we get kicked out of the shop.
And then you’ve found it. The best one. An excellent mixture of creaminess and flavor. You’ve proved that love at first bite exists. Now you want your friends to all get that flavor so you can all be fans and so pretty soon the whole world will be as happy as you. Soon, you hope, the whole world will experience that ice cream.
Isn’t that kind of like evangelism? Think about it. You’re hungry. You’ve tried practically everything else. For a while, you liked it, but you kept wanting more. Nothing was perfect. Then you found it. The One. It’s called Jesus, a perfect blend of love, power, peace, joy, and life.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if we were the little pink sample spoons? You may be the bit of Jesus someone will ever know. You’ve gotten this amazing thing – why not share it with the world so they can experience it as well? Why not be a sample of Jesus?

This, month, focus on being a little pink spoon for God.

Jesus & Waffles

At youth retreat, I realized that if people saw me, they'd probably think I'm all talk and no walk about the whole reflecting Jesus thing. I'm not perfect. This blog is like my spiritual journal, and it has helped me sort my thoughts, become closer to God, and figure out what I believe.
Yet, I feel as though this IS my spiritual life. This is it. My friends are Christians, but we hardly ever talk about God (but when we did it was great). My life is like a waffle. It is divided into compartments and the compartments don't merge often. There is a family square, a friend square, a fashion square, a school square.... Heck, even my church square is mainly about my friend Hannah and seeing if I can beg my parents for hot chocolate and donuts in the room outside the sanctuary.

Am I just crazy, or do you feel the same way? Ok, I AM crazy, but I'm being serious here, Maddy. :]

Do you feel like Jesus is only being let in the Jesus compartment of your life? If he's only there, then are you truly the Christian Jesus wants you to be? We are called to give Jesus are all. We are called to SHINE -- to be a light to the world. Swiss Miss hot chocolate and all the donuts in the world won't get you there. Jesus deserves and longs for your whole life. Only then are we living how we were created to live!

What Youth Retreat Taught Me

Yesterday my friend Hannah and I got back from a teen retreat about discipleship. During the weekend, we stayed at a church member’s house and brought soda and tons of snacks (can you say "chocolate covered Chex Mix"?). We lounged in the hot tub, jumped in the freezing pool, went bowling, ate junk food, and drove around town. We even choreographed a dance routine to Beyonce’s "Single Ladies" song and performed it by the poolside at night in front of Charles, the youth leader.
Yet I’m here to tell you what else we did, what we learned. I want to share with you what I found, and what I lost, at the retreat. I want you to feel as if you were there with us when Brittney and the girls went down to the creek for bible study. I want you to feel as inspired as I was when the speaker told us about discipleship, and how amazing it felt to be a part of a worship session that led teens to take the next step in their faith. I’m here to tell you about our service project at the nursing home and about my renewed faith.
Every teen in that room dedicated the weekend to Jesus. I want to do even more than that. I want to dedicate my ENTIRE LIFE to Jesus. The speaker, worship leader, and small-group leader really opened my eyes and made it clear to me that giving my entire life to Jesus is the only way I’ll truly be happy. Sure, I’ll get excited about youth camp, new CDs, new clothes, summer vacation. But that happiness, well, I’ve found it doesn’t really last. After a while it becomes simply a memory.
Here’s a journal entry I wrote the night that I got home from the retreat.

JOURNAL ENTRY - FEBUARY 8, 2009
"Hands were stretched to the sky. The hard rock music slowed into a faint whisper of sound. Bodies swayed, eyes closed, heads bent, lips formed inaudible prayers.
I felt self-conscious, as I always do, yet there were moments when I felt completely consumed by Jesus. I wanted to give God my outstretched hands as well, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
I stood there, a lowly, sinful 7th grader with such small faith. Yet I was a part of this thing, this wonderful thing that was bigger than all of us. We were all one, all God’s children. And we all knew that we were meant to change the world.
I was on a spiritual high worshipping God with al I had. I felt renewed purpose. Yet I was somehow afraid of the world outside the church walls. I was afraid to return to that world and to my own old self. I wanted nothing more than to stay there forever. At that time, I was wrapped in Jesus and wrapped in love, purpose, life. I was terrified that when I went back home it would all unravel. Would I truly be the disciple we were all called to be? How, Lord, can I not return to Melissa the Jesus Groupie? Lord, please help me to be the true disciple of Christ that I am called to be! Help me to conquer my sin and use my experiences to teach others about your love. Help me to be me.
Amen."

Slippery Slope

The roads are icy and this made me think – isn’t an icy road like sin?
You’ve seen it on the news – cars crashing, people slipping, schools being closed early. Why? People know it’s dangerous! Icy roads and bridges are slippery. You can’t speed up, but you can’t suddenly stop, either. Turning to sharply can end in disaster. There are so many things that can go wrong
Once you choose to get on that road, it’s tough getting off. You have to concentrate and get back to safety.

Sometimes...you can't.

It really is like sin, I think. Once we go down that road, it's hard to get off. Oh, yeah, you've got your excuses. You can justify it in some way. Or "it won't happen to" you. Think again.

The more we sin, the easier it gets. A little white lie here, a little partying there, and before you know it, you're spinning on an icy road.

Like Carrie Underwood says in Jesus Take the Wheel, "Jesus take the wheel, take it from my hands, cause I can't do this on my own. I'm letting go, so give me one more chance. Save me from this road I'm on." Did you catch that? Carrie sings about a woman driving on an icy road when her car spins out of control. Now "for the first time in a long while she bowed her head to pray". If you've messed up a lot, there will be consequences, but Jesus is willing to save you! You can't do it on your own, but Jesus is really into mercy. Forgiveness is offered. All you have to do is ask.

Tonight, I'd just like to ask you to not even get on that dark road. It only leads to trouble. Take the road to Jesus, to life, to true joy, to peace. The other road will get you nowhere.

All the Right Ingredients

Let’s bake a cake today. We’ll need sprinkles to make it look good. We could write a funny phrase in icing. We can use our brains to determine how many half teaspoons are in one tablespoon. And you can’t forget the sugar, to make it sweet. (You can’t have too much sugar!) There’s something else we need…a secret ingredient, maybe?…oh, it’s no secret. Most people don’t even believe we need to use this, but let’s use baking powder, ok? (Or is it soda…? Whatever makes bread rise, let’s dump it in.)
If we didn’t add that final ingredient, what would happen to our cake? It’d be more like a sugary tortilla. Not good. (Hmm…icing and guacamole…?) Baking powder/soda makes the cake rise. You COULD bake that cake without baking powder/soda, but it wouldn’t be very good. You’d probably end up giving it to the dog, if he’s willing to eat it, that is.
Ya know, that’s kind of like us, isn’t it? Not the dog, but the cake. We have all the great obvious ingredients – flour, water, oil, sugar, and a witty saying in icing – in us right now. We can be smart, funny, friendly, and good-looking, all in one great package. But the person who came up with that cake recipe designed it to be used with baking powder. Without it, the cake can’t rise.
We are the cake with all the great ingredients, but we are incomplete if we don’t have Jesus! With Jesus, we rise above everyone else. We become more than humans. We become amazing! We become beautiful (or handsome, for all you macho boys – I mean, men – out there)! We were designed to have all these great ingredients, but if you take Jesus away, we’ll just be flat. We won’t be useful. And, eventually, we’ll get tossed in the trash. Yet having that one ingredient, Jesus, makes us complete, makes us wonderful, makes us useful.
So you can have your twisted tortilla, I want the big cake. I want the real deal.

All or Nothing

Anyone who’s ever met me knows that my dream job is to work at Sea World, San Antonio, as the head marine mammal trainer. Maybe you have a dream job, too. Or maybe you haven’t figured it out yet.
Imagine I just get out of college with my Master’s degree, all excited and jittery about my first job interview. I spot one of Shamu’s impersonators in a tank nearby. I hurry to the office, smooth my pencil-skirt and check my lipstick. Good. I am called in to the office and I am directed to sit in a black leather swivel chair.
My future boss folds his hands and looks at me for a long while. “Mrs. Jonas,” he says, “I have been looking forward to this interview.”
I nod, taking in each word, turning them around in my mind. Does that mean I’m hired? He smells weird. Hey, maybe I’ll be a famous fashion designer for trainers!
“Here’s the thing,” the man says.
My stomach churns.
“You are only kind of hired,” he explains. “Money’s been tight, so that’s the way it’s going to be. Come in tomorrow to work…or not. Money may or may not be involved. We’ll see how things play out.”
My hair sticks out on all ends. “Wait, but—”
He ushers me to the door. “See you tomorrow—or not.”
Uh, HELLO! Not a chance! I refuse to be simply “kind of” hired. I’m either hired or I’m not. There’s no in-between stage.

Your relationship with Jesus works the exact same way. Jesus describes himself clearly to us, showing us that he is the divider between death and life. There is no “in between”. Jesus requires it of you! Are you going to give him your all or nothing? Are you going to live or die? I’m going to be totally honest with you: this is a matter of life or death.

It’s your choice.

Fake Holly

A hurricane of a sigh escapes my lips. My head is dizzy, my hands numb as I type.

Yes. I'm sure you are feeling the same way, or will be feeling so soon.

School has come back to haunt the houses and schools of millions of children across the world. Christmas break has come and gone. Which brings to mind a song by Alabama, called "The Little Boy's Prayer".

"Can we have Christmas
all the year long?
Tell stories of Jesus
and sing all his songs.
Something is special in our home today.
Can we ask Jesus to stay?"

Christmas comes to the world as an explosion of great things. While the Christian Christmas is even more spectacular and meaningful, even non-believers have fun (unless Santa is broke, due to the North Pole's failing ecomomy and recession crisis. The elves aren't good with money, you see). Almost everyone is willing to extend an extra dose of love to the world, whether it be cookies for a neighbor, supplying presents for the needy, or making a casserole for the hungry -- Christmas is the season of love. (After all, Jesus is love.)

Now, however, all of the Christmas decorations are gone. The tree, the fake holly, the wrapped presents, the unlimited supply of toffee and sweets -- they've vanished and we don't see them again for a whole year. (Of course, that stubborn mistletoe is still in our tree in the backyard. The only one I'll be kissing is my dog. I know, I'm such a scrooge.)

Yet there is one thing...ONE THING...that still lingers in the chilly air. There is something -- someone -- who will last longer than the presents, longer than the non-existent snow (welcome to Texas), longer than the frozen casserole and even longer than the candycanes. That someone is Jesus. He's still here, whether you believe me or not. And he's going nowhere.

Ok, so if Jesus is still here, why is he now unwelcome in our homes and hearts? Why have we closed our doors to him? Why have we forgotten him, as if he were that little chocolate Santa you devoured last week? Would you throw a splendid celebration for someone's birthday and then kick him out of your house before he can say "Happy New Year"? Hopefully not!

So, friends, would you celebrate Jesus all the year long with me? Can we tell the world of everything he's done and the love that he's offering? Would you help me to help the needy? Can we spread love throughout the nations together? Are you with me?

Let's ask Jesus to stay.

2009 Resolutions

It’s that time again. Nana is babysitting us while mom and dad are out on a date. So, not only do we get to stay up till midnight, us kids also get to be filled with this really yummy Peanut Butter Snickers ice cream that I found at Braum’s.

What time is it? It’s time for the same-old New Year’s resolutions. We always want to start the year off being “better”, whatever that means. Stronger. Prettier. Nicer. Cleaner. Cooler. Fashionable…er. Closer to God. Here were some of mine from last year:

▪ Paint nails different color every week (I failed within the first week)
▪ Drink more water (my body is lucky if it gets a single sip)
▪ Eat healthier (hehe, yeah…)
▪ Get One Voice off the ground (hmm…)
▪ Read my bible cover to cover (sorry, Lord)
▪ Start a cosmetics company (kinda forgot that one)
▪ Get in a horse show (forgot that one too)

The list goes on. The terribly cliché American resolutions may consist of the following:

▪ Lose weight
▪ Exercise more
▪ Stop smoking

I’m sure you’ve noticed how resolutions always die – within a month, usually. You get so revved up and excited to do this – it’s natural. But then you decide to skip just one day, just one time. And then BANG. Resolution is dead. And next year you may try to revive it, but….

Hey, remember when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead? Only Jesus can raise things from the dead, whether they be people, animals, or…or resolutions.

Do you see where I’m going with this? Make this year’s resolutions count. Don’t let them die. But how are you going to do this?

Trust in God. Pray. Read your bible. These are resolutions in themselves, but they are definitely worth keeping up. With God, you can conquer anything. With God, last year’s resolutions CAN be accomplished! God wants you to be happy, and he wants you to be a “better” person, so of course he’ll help you, if your heart is in the right place.

PRAYER TIME:
Dear God,
Please help me to start the New Year off with a new me. Help me to desire to be with you. Help me to grow stronger in you. God, help me to reach my resolutions this year. I know I can only do them with you. Thanks for loving me and for giving me this New Year. 2009 is gonna be great!
Your child,
______________________________

JOURNAL JOTS:
Tonight, with me and millions of others, make a list of resolutions and promise you – and God – that you’re going to keep them. Then pray the prayer above.

All I Need is You

Congrats to my 7th follower! Thanks! I hope this blog inspires you to do something for God. :]

This is a poem Rachel and I found in her room when we were going through her old notebooks. It's really sweet and about her grandma dying which made me nearly cry so yeah.

All I Need is You
by Rachel V.

I see the rain falling outside my window.
I hear the hail hitting my window.
These dark black clouds keep me away from you.
It's like a shield parting me from you.
And this is the time that I must stand strong.
The time I must hold the tears back.
And I'll do it all for you because
I miss you, I love you, I'm trying to live my life without you.
So now take my hand and pull me along all I need is you.
During the day a tear will run down my face,
that's a sign that I'm thinking of you.
I know you are thinking of me, too.

I was wondering...what if we had this relationship with Jesus? He died...for you. And it was sad -- the worst death anyone could die...yet it was the one who would set the world free of sin, if they just believe. Think how Mary Magdalene and Mary and Joseph and Martha and the Twelve and all those people who loved Jesus so much...how did they feel?
And yet, Jesus didn't stay dead. Just like Rachel's grandma is not dead -- she's in heaven, with Jesus.
If we had that kind of sweet, loving, hold me relationship with Jesus, we'd be stronger, happier people. We'd be loved.

The Gift that Lasts Forever

When you think of Christmas, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Is it a tree? Ornaments? Tinsel? Peppermint bark? Mistletoe? Holly? Hot chocolate? A fireplace? Santa? Stockings? Snowflakes? Snow? (Shoveling your neighbor’s driveway?) There’s a good chance you immediately think of the presents you’ll get.

I know, the presents are really cool, right? I mean gift cards are awesome, presents are a surprise, and I even know a girl from play practice who would be thrilled to get socks for Christmas. Presents are awesome, there’s no doubt about it. And when people give you presents, it’s one way of saying they care about you.

But, I have to break it to you. Stuff doesn’t last forever. Those cool jeans that Nana gave you will eventually become too tight. The CD your best friend got you won’t be so hot twenty years from now. Those cute notebooks that your great Aunt May gave you will soon be filled with scribbles, doodles, and ideas. The gift cards will be spent before you can say, “Merry Christmas”, and the candy may last ON you, but if you’re anything like me, it won’t live to see the morning.

In today’s secular culture, Christmas (or, as a group of scrooges call it, “the Holidays”), is about getting together with family, about giving, and about some dude named Santa. So, let’s look into that. Yeah, presents are fun, but what about family?

God loves it when you get together with your family and have a good time simply being together. God loves it when you love others. Sadly, family won’t last forever, either – your big sis gets married, you go to college, your great grandma passes away. So what really lasts?

I know! Giving! God absolutely LOVES it when you give to others. It’s not your money, it’s not your stuff – it’s God’s money and God’s stuff that he’s letting you use. He loves you so much that he’d give you all that – why not show other people (and animals!) his love? God has given you money so you may use it wisely. Often, it’s more fun to give than to get. Unfortunately, the stuff you give (like presents, money, or candy) will go away. Is there nothing in this world that lasts?

Ooh, what about mistletoe? Did you know mistletoe is made by a bird called the Mistletoe Bird? It eats the mistletoe seeds, swallowing them whole, then flies to another tree and – um, excretes the seed. The seed it still whole and as if it had never been eaten. The bird then rubs its bottom on the branch, making the plant stick. It will grow to be mistletoe. But, mistletoe is a living thing. It will die. And, though it makes me uber sad, the mistletoe bird will die, too, and fly away into that big birdbath in the sky.

Ho, ho, ho! I’ve got it! SANTA lasts forever! The big guy is a LEGEND, I tell you! Everyone knows who he is! Even Martha Stewart believes in Santa! So old Claus here MUST last forever. Or does he…? Warning: this is not for the young at heart. We know that Santa, well, is just…. Aw, I hate to break it to you, but, he’s not real! There, I said it. It’s a great story, really. And maybe there was some fat guy in a tacky red suit who gave presents to kids. And maybe their was a Rudolph, and his nose just got scraped so it turned bright red and thus he became a legend as well. But all living bodies must come to an end.

This is really discouraging, isn’t it? Well, I guess I’m done writing now; my search for the meaning of Christmas has ended. Nothing lasts in this world. Gotta go muck the barn.

Whoa, hold on. Barn. Stable. Angel. Virgin. Carpenter. Manger. Baby. Savior.

Do these words mean anything to you? Well, barns certainly don’t last forever. Angels – hmm. Probably. Virgins? No. Carpenters? No. Mangers? No. Babies? (Those things turn into adults, who don’t live forever, btw.) But a Savior? Maybe…just maybe….

Jesus came to earth to save you and me and everyone who has ever lived and anyone who ever will be. He had a body, just like me (well, I’m guessing he didn’t look quite like me…). He was human.

So, bodies don’t last forever – we’ve figured that out by now. But Jesus wasn’t just human. Jesus is also God’s son – yes, an eternal, forever, everlasting being. Eternal. Savior. Cool, huh? Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, because Christmastime is a symbol of his birthday. And nobody’s birthday has ever been more celebrated than his.

This year, though, I’m celebrating something else, too. Can you guess what it is? I’m celebrating ME. I’m celebrating YOU. Not because we’re destined to save the world. I’m celebrating US because WE are also God’s children! Jesus is God’s son, I’m God’s daughter, and you may be a son or daughter of God, too. WE are AWESOME! WE are created in God’s image. WE have a reason to celebrate because WE are special. Why are we so special? If you’re a Christian, you are my family. You are either my brother or sister in Christ. (I always thought I had an evil twin – JK!) And we are Christ’s family – HIS family! Nothing could be cooler!

At Christmas, though you may have never thought of it before, we are celebrating Jesus and each other. Because Christmas is a symbol not only of Jesus’ birth but of our own birth – our second birth, our real birth, when we entered God’s family. We’re celebrating the gift that God gave us – a SAVIOR!

So, there you have it. A gift. The gift of life. Of salvation. Of eternal, forever, everlasting, never-fading, new, wonderful life. A gift that won’t ever go away. Perfectly wrapped. It’s in your hands right now, because God has given it to you.

Well, what are you going to do with it? What do you do with a gift?

Open it.

The Trinity

At Sonlight Student Forums, we were discussing the Trinity with each other and two unbelievers. Those two didn’t understand how one being could be three, all at the same time. Really, it’s HARD to understand the Trinity, and I think it is more important to ACCEPT it than to understand it, because we are required to accept God for life, but not to fully understand him, because he is beyond human understanding. To them, the whole Trinity thing must have sounded crazy!
I mean, can you imagine? You’re on a internet chat room, surrounded by Christian teens that are – gulp – homeschooled! YIKES!
I described the Trinity something like this (except for the fact that my interests have changed, so I have replaced them with the following). I am Melissa. I’m a fashion guru, but I’m also a writer, tree-hugger, animal-rights activist, Narnia geek. I’m a semi-vegetarian but I can’t resist BBQ ribs. Am I no longer Melissa? No. I’m Melissa, with different personalities. They liked that example.
But the other day, when I was supposed to be absorbed in algebra, my mind started wandering from fractions and x’s and o’s to one of those several hundred rabbit trails I tour every once in a while. Couldn’t I come up with a better example? IS there a better example? Or, if not better, at least another, to make it really clear? And why does Maddy refuse to accept that I hate hot dogs? All these things I smelled along the trail, and then I finally found the bunny.
I’m Melissa. Like you (hopefully!), I have eyes, a right arm, and a nose (a very talented one at that – but that’s another story). I use my eyes for seeing. That is their purpose. I use my right arm for drawing and lifting things and for pressing the semi-colon on the keyboard. That is my right arm’s purpose. I use my nose for smelling – the roses, burnt toast, the barn, my brother’s bathroom, my dog who will get a desperately needed bath for Christmas. My eyes, right arm, and nose – these are all parts of me. They are not separate – there is only one me. These are just different parts of me used for different purposes.
God has 3 different parts. God the Father, used for creating and commanding and sorting things out. The Holy Spirit, giving people peace and such. Jesus the Son, the earthly part of God – how he appears on earth, with a human body that went through real exhaustion, starvation, dehydration, and immense pain. Each part is part of God, but each part has a different purpose.
I hope that made it a little easier for you to understand. Remember that God does not require you to understand him completely, but to simply believe.

Away in a Manger [part2]

Mother, Grandmother, and I retired to our bedchambers. I shared my room with Grandmother, and I said my prayers to the rhythm of her snoring.
"Dear God, thank you for Mother and Father and Levi and Grandmother and…and…and I suppose I should be thankful for my uncles, too." I paused, glancing at the large shape gently rising and falling on the bed. "Please help Grandmother not to wake when I go outside."
I swallowed. I had just asked God to help me do something against my elder’s wishes. Was that against the Law? I would never forgive myself for deliberately going against the Law of Moses.
Still, I was sure God wouldn’t be angry with me, so I tiptoed into the parlor behind the silk screen. I peeked into the room where my father and uncles were talking. My brother, Levi, looked disinterested in the conversation. He was clearly tired of politics, and I, his beautiful sister, would save him.
Levi noticed me at once and turned to Father. "Father," he said, hesitating. "I need to go relieve myself." He paused. "It might take a while. A long while. Maybe all night."
I slapped my forehead.
All eyes turned to Levi, but he was dismissed with a shrug. My Father didn’t notice that he ran to the parlor instead of the lavatory.
"Thanks, Leah," Levi whispered to me, fastening his cloak about his neck. "I was about to die in there." He looked at me. "Couldn’t you have at least gotten dressed?"
I looked down at my night shift and shrugged. "Levi, something is going to happen tonight, I just know it—"
Levi nodded. "Yeah, when that traveler stood at the door, I got chills up my spine. I thought it was the draft, but if you felt it, too…. Hey, what kind of thing do you have in mind?"
"I don’t know," I admitted. "But I thought we could go outside to the stable and—"
"Spy on them?" Levi grinned. "Be careful, Leah. This is a man’s mission. Very dangerous. You might not survive."
I gave him a little punch – to my dismay, he didn’t even flinch – and we sneaked outside into the cold, dark town.
Levi and I made our way to the stable. I prayed that the dumb donkeys wouldn’t bray, alerting the town of our presence.
The warm glow of the oil lamps in the stable drew us nearer. The man was rubbing down his donkey, for the beast was tired from his long journey. I saw the lady’s hand reach up for the velvety muzzle of a calf. It kissed her hand, rubbing its cold nose on her arm.
Suddenly, the hand dropped. The woman moaned. "Joseph—"
The man, Joseph, made a bed for her of hay. "There, Mary." He got a thin blanket from the donkey’s pack and laid it over the lady.
I could not see Mary, she was so covered in hay and blankets and chickens. Yes, it seemed every animal in the place was trying to help the couple. Chickens laid by Mary’s feet (no matter how many times Joseph shooed them away), the calf lay down beside her, licking her arm affectionately while its mother watched with approval, the sheep lay near Joseph, rubbing their warm wool on him, and the donkey supervised them all.
My brother took something from his cloak. "Drums," he said.
"Drums?" I looked at him with all the scolding Mother-like appearance I could muster. "You fool—"
Levi ignored me and began slowly playing his drums.
Pum, pum, pum…par rum pum pum pum….
The gentle beat filled the air.
"Joseph, what could that be?" Mary asked.
Joseph stood up, pausing. "Music," he said slowly, "music for the Child of God." He smiled.
Levi looked proud. "For this child of God."
I was proud of my brother as well, but then I stopped. My whole body seemed paralyzed. I grabbed my brother’s hand. The music stopped.
"Levi!" I whispered. "He said THE Child of God!"
He looked at me, confused.
"THE Child!" I repeated.
He stopped. The animals seemed to hold their breath. Suddenly, he turned on me. "No, Leah!" Levi scolded. "Do not speak of such things! Besides, you are wrong. I think the One will come as a great warrior, not a helpless babe."
He began drumming again.
Levi and I stayed in our little spot for quite some time when suddenly we heard a baby’s gurgle.
Levi and I glanced at each other with excitement. For a moment, the cold air was warm.
Why did the baby not cry? This puzzled me. Every baby cried when it was born, especially when born into the cold.
Joseph cleaned the baby and lifted it into the air. I could see the pride in his eyes. He held his son as if the boy was an angel, and in his brown eyes I saw something more than pride, but I could not place it. It was as if Joseph knew this baby was going to be great – greater than himself.

A Child is Born

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgement and justice

From that time forward, even forever.

((Isaiah 9:6-7))