A Letter from the Son of God

Written by: Unknown author
Submitted By: Melanie Keischer
Edited by: yours truly


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 in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s 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…

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
wish list:

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 the 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 this year. Then follow up. I’d like 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. 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. Even if people who work at a business aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.

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. 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

Gospel Reflection for Sunday, November 8, 2009

In today’s Gospel reading we see how understanding our God really is. He does not ask us to give more than is possible for us (although sometimes we may feel like He is); He merely asks that we do what we can. Whether it is a gift of time, talent, or money, God is satisfied as long as it is given from the heart and with the right intentions.

While many of us may judge each other based on financial success, it is comforting to know that our Father in heaven only judges on the contents of our hearts. If all we have to offer is a smile to a friend, a helping hand to a stranger, or a simple song of thanks, than God accepts these graciously.

Maybe we should follow in this example. Instead of scoffing the next time we see someone not give as much as we did in terms of time, effort or even money, we should strive to see their contribution from their perspective—it is impossible for us to know the stories of those around us and the inner battles they may be fighting.

So when your classmate does not put the same time commitment into the project as
you, or your housemate fails to chip in to cover the cost of the weekend’s expenditures, instead of writing this person off, try and dig deep within yourself and really do what Jesus would do: don’t judge on face value, but take the time to appreciate that you are lucky to be able to give what you can.

And the one thing all of us can give, no matter our economical, scholastic, or physical situation is love. And that, as we can deduce from the commandments and Jesus’ teachings, is a gift that God treasures above all other gifts. So give love often. Give it freely. And give it to everyone you meet. Not only does doing God’s work on earth pay off now in unexpected ways, His retirement plan is awesome

gospel reflection

Today's gospel reading gives us the seemingly simple message: love. It is only through loving others that you will ever know God. I see two ways in which to interpret this statement.

One, "know God" as in understanding the essence of Him. By loving others we will create a world of happiness, joy, and peace for ourselves, which is the same world God creates. Therefore, by loving others, we will have a glimpse of God's love for the world and thereby also know God more through the simple fact of understanding and experiencing Him.

Two, loving others is our ticket into heaven. Therefore, if we would ever like to see heaven and meet God, we need to love. It is strange to think of God as an individual, but if you can imagine it with me for a moment, love is our invitation to God's party (heaven) where we get to meet with Him personally.

Both interpretations, and I'm sure many others, are correct in the simple fact that they are not incorrect. However, it leaves us with a difficult task: love. What does it mean to truly love others? First off, it means not to hate. We can't be jealous of others, or feel egotistically better than others, or, in a perfect definition of love, angered and annoyed by others.

But the world is not always rainbows and butterflies, it's compromise (sorry, song reference). It's about giving compassion when you can, sharing what you have, accepting everyone for the way they are even when you don't understand why they are that way, lending a helping hand to those in need even when you get nothing in return, and giving the utmost respect to everyone equally.

Love is about the simple choices: a smile, a nod, waiting patiently, taking a few minutes to read your younger sibling a bed time story, letting someone else ride shotgun without complaint, offering to do the dishes, hugs, picking flowers for someone. Basically, anything that brings a small bit of joy of tiny piece of heaven into another's life, is love.