Letter from Jesus about his birthday

wivabef · #1 12-10-2007, 12:46 AM

WOrking at a newspaper and seeing all the letters that come in from angry people who are once again convinced that Christmas is being stolen out from under their foot, I was glad to see this e-mail message come to me. I'll try to attribute it, but wanted to post it before I forgot.

This, by the way, is pretty much how I feel about my own Christianity and my responsibility towards being a Christian.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

Dear Children, It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that people 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 remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up 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.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls 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.

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, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which 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.

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 whom you love and remember : I LOVE YOU, JESUS

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #2 12-10-2007, 08:13 AM

Awesome! I should bookmark this to forward to whoever sends me the first vitrolic email about Happy Holidays instead of Christmas. (I haven't gotten one yet this year... maybe people have finally figured out I'm not the person to send those things to!)

**pippadaisy**[$] · #3 12-10-2007, 09:24 AM

Is it okay if I blog that, Elyzabeth?

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #4 12-10-2007, 09:45 AM

I did a search and found it on a couple blogs, a church newsletter, etc., but no author's name.

**drmomentum**[$] · #5 12-10-2007, 10:28 AM

/me faints

**drmomentum**[$] · #6 12-10-2007, 10:31 AM

This has to be the best response to the War on Christmas I've ever read.

**mtomm**[$] · #7 12-10-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

drmomentum said

This has to be the best response to the War on Christmas I've ever read.

I agree! Sheesh already on the war on Christmas.

Thanks, Elyzabeth. I'm printing it out.

**lynnzop**[$] · #8 12-10-2007, 11:38 AM

Awesome.

(I don't necessarily go along with #8, but that's my own personal opinion about forcing my religion on people who don't necessarily need to be "saved"...the rest of the letter is really spot on.)

wivabef · #9 12-11-2007, 12:30 AM

Thanks... I sure wish I knew who wrote it. Everybody has my permission to pass the piece on. I think that's what the author probably wanted. And if anybody can help me attribute this, it would be wonderful. I'm still looking.

**drmomentum**[$] · #10 12-11-2007, 12:50 AM

Quote:

lynnzop said

Awesome.

(I don't necessarily go along with #8, but that's my own personal opinion about forcing my religion on people who don't necessarily need to be "saved"...the rest of the letter is really spot on.)

I don't either, but I figured it was conceivable that Jesus might suggest it.

wivabef · #11 12-11-2007, 01:17 AM

I actually didn't read 8 as "missionary" initially, but "ministry." I think that may have been Freudian on my part.

St. Francis of Assissi may have put it best, "Preach the Gospel everyday. And sometimes, use words."

I think it is harder to live the Gospel than to speak it. I know many people see missionary work as duplicitous, but to me, it's kind of like Vacation Bible School... 15 hours of babysitting where my kids get crafts and fed food and make friends and learn to love one another... what could be wrong about that

?

**lynnzop**[$] · #12 12-11-2007, 01:29 AM

Good point, Elyzabeth. I'll buy that interpretation.

**jgibson2**[$] · #13 12-11-2007, 01:30 AM

Quote:

lynnzop said

Awesome.

(I don't necessarily go along with #8, but that's my own personal opinion about forcing my religion on people who don't necessarily need to be "saved"...the rest of the letter is really spot on.)

I didn't see a word about forcing in #8. Saving either.

Mother Teresa being an example of a missionary who took Christ's love and good news to people, but who respected their right to their own beliefs.

rmthunter · #14 12-11-2007, 06:58 AM

Wonderful piece. I think it's going to appear on my blog, also.

Thanks, Elyzabeth.