The Lights of Christmas

Christmas is a season of bright lights.

They adorn our windows and our homes. Strings of multicolored lamps festively dance on trees flashing in a thousand combinations. Some blink in reckless abandon, while others flow in majestic choreographed ballets.

Some neighborhoods flash like carnivals, while others glow with peaceful serenity.

For me, these millions of bulbs are blessed reminders of hope. They are unwitting participants and visual reminders of the message of Christmas. The first Christmas lights were the bright heavenly hosts that surrounding the shepherds, trumpeting the manger miracle. An angel comforted them and said “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.”

In our nation today, this “good news of great joy” has become an irritant to many. The traditional Christmas story is being carefully clipped out with the sharp scissors of men and institutions bent on ridding our nation of spiritual meaning.

Plato’s wisdom long ago resonates even today: “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”

Reacting out of their own fear of the Lights of Christmas, the secularists go one step further and determine to snuff out our lights as well.The newspapers will be full stories of these light-snuffers and darkness-lovers. Schools will ban carols and plays. We’ll battle over manger scenes on public property. Christmas cards once were radiant reflections of the hope of the season. Now they are reduced to banalities. Now discount stores sell boxes of green and red cards with such meaningful expressions such as “Joyous Holidays”, and “Season’s Greetings”.

For me, the stiff-sounding and just plain boring Winter Holiday can’t hold a candle to the lights of a Jesus-centered Christian. And everyone from mall clerks to school teachers are afraid of The Light of the simple expression: “Merry Christmas.”

The Good news is that Christmas survives the onslaught of humanism. As our most multifaceted holiday, Christmas is historical in nature, cultural in practice and religious in its significance. It represents the heart and soul of our nation. In spite of an increasingly secular society’s value imposition on the majority of its citizenry, the Light of this holiday burns brighter yet.

It is because as humans, we look longingly into our souls and ache with the pain of need. We need peace. We need joy. We need the lasting gift that is without price. We need light to shine in our dark world.

Listen to the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

“Then Pealed the bells
More loud and deep;
‘God is not dead;nor doth He sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, Good-will to men!”

Society cannot dim the bright light of the True Spirit of Christmas.

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What your boss really wants for Christmas: Five gift ideas that last.

Here's a little last-minute, gift-giving advice.

Christmastime, despite the cheer and good will to all, is often full of uncertainty when it comes to gifts. Especially challenging is that awkward tradition of exchanging gifts in the workplace. We've all received -- and given -- our share of tins of chocolates, mugs and ties.
And giving a gift to the boss is even more difficult. Ethically, it may be a breach to give your supervisor a present. After all, you don't want to give the appearance that you are trying to sway the end-of-year performance report with that gift certificate.

But, there's a better solution. Those of us who live under a Higher Calling understand that true gifts can’t be bought – intangible presents that serve a different purpose with eternal rewards. Here are five gifts that your boss, deep down, really wants.

Show up and be on time

There is nothing more subversive than the employee who is habitually clock unaware. She shows up five minutes late, and then goes to the bathroom right away to finish her makeup. He’s late returning from lunch and then slinks out early at the end of the day. And how about those unnessary sick calls! Time abuse is a public sin that is deceitful, dishonest and harmful to your testimony. If you can’t put in a full day, then don’t expect to get opportunities for more responsibility. And honestly, don't expect your job to be there forever.

“Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master. Matt. 25:21

Work hard

You are paid a wage to do a job, so, just do it. In this economy, you have little right to squawk for a raise or increased benefits. Your old dungy office should seem a little brighter simply because you have a paycheck. Look at the newspapers and talk to your friends who are unemployed. Every one of them would take your place in a second. So work so hard that the boss never has to worry about you.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Col. 3.23

Have a good attitude

The office Eeyore is a real drag. Like the melancholic, pessimistic donkey that was a depressing friend of Winnie-the-Pooh, this person always looks at the dark side of every situation. Disaster is always looming. Coworkers are always scheming against them. Reports are always flawed. The temperature is too hot – or too cold. The sky is always falling. There’s nothing worse than a person who never can see the good in any situation. So try to find the good. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.

“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” Philippians 4:8

Show a little respect

You don’t have to be buddies with the boss. You don’t have to be chummy. You don’t even have to "like" him. But you do need to show a little respect. It’s amazing how many workplaces have degenerated because of a seething spirit of disrespect. It comes out in a thousand little ways, each one cutting its way into the soul of that person. Your boss hasn’t earned your respect? That's no excuse. As a believer, you are commanded to respect because you carry God’s name with you into the workplace.

“Be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and the gentle but also to the unjust.” 1 Peter 2.18.

Get along

There is nothing more exhausting to your boss than petty differences between the employees. All day long, he has to handle expectations of upper management, complaints of customers and personnel management. The last thing he wants to hear is another quarrel between employees. If you are a Christian, quit the quibbling with your coworkers.

“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Th 5:12-13

To all the bosses out there, Merry Christmas from Red Letter Believers!
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Blind Ambition

What is the measure of success? Often, success is simply a matter of perception.

Perception has its proper place, but how quickly it can consume and possess a man or woman. Combined with ambition, it can be blinding.

It can all start with my old pair of shoes. They're comfortable, but I noticed someone looking at them at a meeting the other day. There's a scuff on the side and they're visibly duller, no matter how much polish I apply.

While I’m sprucing up the shoes, I might as well look at the rest of my wardrobe. How about a new pair of slacks? And I might as well get a coat to go along with the slacks.

And while I’m dealing with how others perceive me, I think its time for a new car. The old one is – well – old. And that car won’t look right going into my old garage – so I probably should get a new garage, presumably with a new house.

How much of our success hinges on the failure of someone else? We only get ahead when someone else falls behind in perception. If the boss thinks I'm doing a better job than the other guy, either by real results or just 'looking good', then I can be successful. Sometimes, that's the sum whole of the competitive environment.

Does the much vaunted American business machine depend on who looks the best?

And then Jesus, trying to separate out the sons of Zebedee, said this, "Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else."

What is the answer? Can you help? Comment here.

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I have enough

This day – and every day – you and I will be faced with an onslaught of an estimated 200 commercial advertisements.

I opened the pages of the newspaper today and a dozen ads fell out of the center. Rich in color, brash in their claims and inviting with their products I opened each one. I found many things that were enticing. Electronics, clothes, and housewares.

But then I was struck with this thought.
I have enough.

A tour through my closet will reveal a little bit of everything. I have clothes I haven’t work for years. I have shirts in pastels and solids, knits and cottons. I have pleated pants, flat front pants, and even a pair of bell bottoms. I have socks in five different colors.
I have enough.

I have devices that ring and buzz to keep me on time. I have an automatic coffee maker, a microwave that heats anything in a minute. I have every creature comfort.

I have enough.

Photo Courtesy Ms. Abitibi

I have a pantry full of food. Just look. Crackers in four varieties. Sliced meat from the deli. Frozen steaks waiting for the grill. Fruits and vegetables with perfect skins despite outdoor temperatures that are subfreezing. I recently had to buy a bigger belt to accommodate my growing girth.

This Christmas, let the message be loud and clear.

I have enough.

What do you think? Comment here.

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Related:
Buynothingchristmas.org
Merry Consumerism

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Changing perceptions

How does the outside world view Christianity?

Do they view evangelicals as a loving, compassionate embracing people?

The answer might shock you. The latest Barna group survey reveals some unsettling things about how we have

• 91 percent of the world sees evangelicals as “Anti-homosexual.
• 87 percent calls us “judgemental”
• 85 percent call us “hypocritcaal”
• 78 percent say we are “old fashioned”
• 75 percent think we are “too involved in politics”
• 72 percent as “out of touch with reality

I don't think these numbers are fair, but perception is often reality. In our desire to be salt and light, as the cities on a hill for a world to see, this doesn’t bode well. We are missing the chance to make a difference.

I lay some of this at the feet of those who thought we could change the world through political majority, which I supported at first, but now regret. We aligned ourselves with politics, sleeping with a friend that later would betray us. We rose up with a voice, hoping that politics would do our bidding. Instead of rolling up our sleeves with the hard work of faith in action, we let government take over our jobs.

And in the end, we sullied our Saviors name, ruined our reputation, and perhaps lost an entire generation to the Evil One.

But maybe I am wrong. Some may think that these ‘low ratings’ are actually good things. “Rejoice when the world mocks you for My names sake,” our Savior said.

How can we change perceptions? Or should we? What do you think?

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The Invisible Man

They shuffle through their lives, lost in a world that has done them wrong.
They’re invisible.

They don’t speak up. They don’t speak out. Their opinions aren’t heard, because they are never expressed.
They’re invisible.

They have pains so deep that they hurt. Loves spurned. Relationships torn apart. Promises broken.
They’re invisible.

Their eyes never meet yours – looking down or away to avoid any questions. Can’t get personal or up close because they might get hurt again.
They’re invisible.

They live next door, or down the street, or in the apartment below you. You don’t know their name or their story.
They’re invisible.

They work in your department or on your tour or in the next office. They put their head down and do their duty. You never hear a thing about what goes on at home or in the heart or in the head.
They’re invisible.

What can you do to make the invisible visible? Comment here

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

The storm

We gathered on the shore and watched the angry clouds gather on the horizon. Trouble was brewing. You could see it. You could feel it. You could smell it in the air.

But many others ignored the dark chaos. They hoped the howling winds would pass us by. They believed that the signs were for other times.

The storm is now upon us.

The fury that started last year really hasn't improved. Trillions of dollars have vanished -- homes repossessed, retirement dreams gone, jobs lost.

Following our march into the darkness, the entire world is engulfed in a vortex of chaos. Soon, we may see political upheaval, anger spilling out into the streets and trouble all around us.

But there is hope to be found.

Is it found on Wall Street?

Some may put their trust in the financial world, but I trust the Lord.

Is it found in Washington D.C.?
Some may put their trust in the government, but I trust the Lord.

It is found in a political leader?
Some may put their trust in leaders, but I trust the Lord.

Do you trust an economy, a way of life, or a political system? How's that working out for you?

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."
--- Psalm 20:7

Where is your trust? Comment here.

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Did you miss out on that promotion?

We've all been there. We worked hard, putting in extra effort, staying late, doing everything that's asked of us...and more.

And when the name is revealed, it's not us. It's the other guy who got the promotion. Then the emotions start. And then the accusations.

"The boss was playing favorites"
"They promote their problems"
"He has something on the supervisor"
and so on.

It's tough to be overlooked. It's even tougher when everyone around you thought you were a shoo-in -- and you weren't. Some have even foolishly planned for the money, purchasing cars or gifts, planning on paying for them with the added money.

Prov. 22:29 tells us, "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings;he will not serve before obscure men."

 

I have to believe that in good time, all things will come. I've been overlooked for jobs, only to find out later that they would have been big blunders for me to take. I have been passed over, only to get something much, much better.

What's your experience? Comment here.

Going the extra mile: Would you give up a kidney for your boss?

(We are honored that the High Calling Blogs published the following in the Dec. 1 edition. Read it here.)

An amazing – and perhaps unprecedented – story occurred in Philadelphia. Rob Fensermaker, a liquor store worker, said his boss gave him the “ultimate gift” when he decided to give him one of his kidneys.

The boss, Brian DeAngelis, stands alone in the world of supervision, where most of his peers can barely peep a hello or a thank you. Many struggle to give a word of encouragement or grant a day off. It’s the rare boss who is genuinely concerned about a personal condition. And I’ve never heard of such a sacrifice.

But it seems that someone has actually one upped DeAngelis.

Joshua Phipps, an employee at the Houston, TX, Methodist Hospital Methodist Hospital gave his boss a kidney.

He wasn’t looking for kudos, despite called the “ultimate suck-up.”

His boss, Charlie Ward, was “stunned” by the offer, which shortened the normal multi-year wait to work his way to the top of the list. The donation saved four hours a day of dialysis.

"I told him several times, 'You don't have to do this,' " said Ward. Indeed, he didn’t.

What would I do if my boss needed my kidney and I was a match? How would I base my decision? Would the Red Letters of Jesus break through my selfishness?

"Give to the person who asks you for something, and do not turn away from the person who wants to borrow something from you."

Would I justify my indecision because I was overlooked, underappreciated, and underpaid?
"And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two."
What about that slight? That nasty thing he said to me? The way he embarrassed me.
“Whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.”

What would you do? Comment here.