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CONTENTSHugs 'N Tugs Best
of Lifeline
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| xxx | Hearthstone Archives | Home Page |
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CONTENTSHugs 'N Tugs Best
of Lifeline
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GOD’S GIFTS |
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Not a lofty evergreen bejeweled with lights, costly gifts beneath, but a tree stripped of its branches, made into a cross, stark and ugly, makes known God’s love. Gifts beneath: joy, peace, forgiveness, life eternal. Come . . . Receive! —Leota Campbell |
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IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW PRECIOUS CHRIST CAN BE,
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HUGS 'N TUGS |
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By Wendy Greiner Lefko |
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As we anticipate the arrival of our fifth child next month, I have been careful to take care of our unborn baby by being under a doctor’s supervision while ensuring the baby’s nutrition and health by taking prescribed prenatal vitamins. Along with vitamin samples came promotional material, including a refrigerator magnet with the prenatal vitamin’s slogan written in bold letters: "IT’S ABOUT THE BABY." This phrase proudly displayed on the pamphlets and packaging is meant to be a gentle reminder of why it is important to take the prescribed vitamins daily. The nutrients are necessary for the health and growth of the unborn child. From the time I put that magnet on our refrigerator door, all I can think about when I see it is how that simple phrase "IT’S ABOUT THE BABY" aptly applies to Christmas. We get so wrapped up in the busyness of the season that we forget Who and what we are doing it all for. We allow well-meaning substitutes to take the place of the One Whom we celebrate. Decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, gift giving, even gathering with loved ones are all good things and a wonderful way to commemorate the holiday, but we need to remember Who is the object of all our celebratory efforts. It’s not about the twinkling lights, it’s not about the joyful carols, it’s not about the wise men or the shepherds. It’s not even about the angels or the star in the east. It’s about the Baby! It’s about the Baby born in Bethlehem, the sinless Son of God Who came wrapped as a gift from God the Father to a sinful world in need of a Savior. If it wasn’t for this Baby, Jesus Christ the Lord, we would have no cause to celebrate, no reason to sing joyous carols or give gifts, no heavenly motive to decorate a tree, no glorious song for the angels to sing. I’m thankful He came for me and for you, and I pray this Christmas season as we join family and friends in the wonderful rituals of festive activities we will not forget Who the celebrating is for. IT’S ABOUT THE BABY! "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him" (Matthew2:2). |
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THE BEST OF LIFELINE |
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By Rev. Larry W. Greiner |
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Charles Dickens, having grown up as a poor boy, was interested in doing what he could to change the terrible working conditions of the English people, especially children. A published report about children working in mines caught his attention, and Dickens began to write articles on that subject. In October, 1843, he traveled to Manchester to speak at a series of meetings about poverty and child labor. He was deeply touched at the sight of all those healthy, wealthy, well-fed people in the lecture halls in contrast to the poor, semi-starved kids he had seen working in the mines. The contrast was especially impressive because people were making plans for Christmas. Dickens returned to London, locked himself in his study and began to write. He couldn’t believe how easily the story started to come together. Scrooge the miser was a reworking of a character he had created years before, a nasty old gravedigger. Tiny Tim was based on his own little brother who had died. In less than six weeks, Dickens completed "A Christmas Carol." But then a terrible argument with his publishers ensued. Dickens wanted the edition to be top quality yet sell at a low price. The publisher said it couldn’t be done. But Dickens insisted and made a deal to pay all the expenses and take the profits. The publishers would just get a printer’s fee. The first copies were made available to the public on the 22nd of December 1843. "A Christmas Carol" was an immediate hit, and sold by the thousands. Sadly, the publishers were right. The edition was too lavish and the price too low. Dickens made very little profit, but he didn’t care. The most important thing to him was getting the truth of his message out to the people, and he did it through the pages of his magnificent Christmas story. Oh that we would have a burden, especially at this time of the year, to get the message of the gospel out to those who need to hear the truth about Jesus Christ. Satan attempts to keep Christ covered at Christmas through all the noise, rush, commercialism and Santa Claus. We can choose to uncover Christ this season and reveal Him in all His glory. Will others see Christ this Christmas because they have seen you? "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14) |
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WHAT A SAVIOR! |
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Jesus Christ was born in the poorest of circumstances, but the air above was filled with hallelujahs of the heavenly host. His lodging was a cattle pen, but a star drew distinguished visitors from afar to do Him homage and present Him with rich gifts. His birth was contrary to the laws of life. His death was contrary to the laws of death. No miracle is so inexplicable as His life and teaching. He had no cornfields or fisheries, but He could spread a table for 5,000 and have bread and fish to spare. He walked on the waters and they supported Him. His crucifixion was the crime of crimes, but on God’s side, no lower price than His infinite agony could have made possible our redemption. When He died, few men mourned; but a black crepe was hung over the sun. Though men trembled not for their sins, the earth beneath shook under the load. All nature honored Him; sinners alone rejected Him. He preached His Gospel for only three and one-half years. He wrote no book, built no church, had no money back of Him. After 1900 years He is the one central character of human history, the perpetual theme of all preaching, the pivot around which the events of the ages revolve, the only Regenerator of the sinful human race. Was it merely the son of Joseph and Mary who crossed the world’s horizon 1900 years ago? Was it merely human blood that was spilled on Calvary’s hill for the redemption of sinners and which has worked such wonders in men and nations through the centuries? What thinking man can keep from exclaiming: "My Lord and my God!" —Keith L. Brooks |
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The eternally gathered church will finally hear the
triune God singing over the eternal creation.
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O DEAREST JESUS |
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—Martin Luther |
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CONTRARY TO HUMAN WAYS |
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God’s eternal purpose fulfilled in a baby. Incredible as it sounds, that is the staggering import of Christmas. The total eternal program and purpose of almighty God was all wrapped up in an infant, born in a manger in Bethlehem twenty centuries ago. One of the facts about the Christian way that commends it to thoughtful men, is its uninventibility. This is a big word to say that Christianity, rightly understood, is utterly unlike religion that man invents. It is so completely contrary to the way man does things, that it must have come from God. Take Christmas, for example; only God could have thought of that. When man invents a super being, he comes up with a Superman, or a Captain Marvel. God gives the world a baby, and in that baby is tied up the whole destiny of the world, mankind and history. —Richard C. Halverson |
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A CHRISTMAS PRAYER |
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Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake, Amen! —Robert Louis Stevenson |
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