The following was shared with me as “A Letter From Jesus,” author unknown. It helped me remember to keep peace in my heart in spite of society’s sometimes seasonal conflicts. Since happiness at Christmastime should be measured NOT in terms of money spent but joy shared, let’s be peacemakers and consider these alternative ways to spend our energy this season:
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks 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 you live in doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, 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 a need for such a scene on the town square because there would be so many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about people calling the tree a Holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. I made all the trees. You can remember Me any time 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 your President 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? Then follow up. (It will be nice to hear 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 them.
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. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hotline: they talk with people like that every day.
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. You may already know someone like that.
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 (and I suspect you don’t) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, Salvation Army or some other charity 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.
Happy Winter Holidays,
JC
P. S. Don’t forget — I am God, and can take care of Myself. You don’t have to protect or defend me. Just love Me, mind your own business, and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest.
____
Mother Teresa operated under these principles and provided a wonderful example. In her words, “I was once asked why I don’t participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I’ll be there.”
I’ve noticed this with my children: If one child misbehaves, and a second child harps on them to stop, a third will pipe in to yell at the second for being too loud, and it isn’t long before everyone is yelling at everyone else to be quiet. Oh, the irony.
With all that said… Merry Christmas! I am eternally grateful for the love of God that I feel when I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. I celebrate His birth. I glory in his mercy, and feel awe at his majesty. May His spirit fill your hearts and homes with love at this time, and may there be Peace on Earth, and Good Will Toward Men! Originally published December 6, 2007
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5 Responses
I love how this focuses on what WE can do to show our faith and belief in Jesus Christ. It is nice to have this holiday season to encourage everyone to remember to be kind and generous with others because it might just make a difference in their lives and help them desire to be more like Jesus throughout the year. If they do forget once the holidays are over…then we have not only next Christmas to try and touch their hearts again, we can live as disciples of Christ all year long and love one another to spread the good news that Jesus is the Christ until it grabs hold of their hearts in a way that will help them make a change in their lives.
WOW! I absolutely love this! Your posts always make me cry! They help me remember what is really important and shows me a new way of thinking. Thank you for All your efforts!
I love this! What a great reminder. And it’s reinforcement for the lessons. Focus on what you do want. Don’t we all want world peace? It does start in our own hearts and homes and goes out from there.
Dear Jesus,
Thanks for the reMinder! You always have had a WAY with Words!
May we remember to be a Light that shines, instead of a Christian that whines.
Your Child
Thanks for that beautiful reminder of what it really means to be a Christian! And how much more important it always is to “walk the walk” than it is to “talk the talk”!
You’ve given me some great ideas for gifts I can give this season!
Merry Christmas!