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"But the angel reassured them. Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you
The most joyful news ever announced and it is for everyone! The Savior
----yes, the Messiah, the Lord----has been born tonight in Bethlehem!"
Luke 2:10-11 (Life Application Bible)

           A CHRISTMAS BLESSING

     So little hope, so little happiness, so much anger, so much
sadness.

     The little old lady pushing the grocery cart, filled with her only
belongings, struggling along the way, crushed my Christmas Spirit.

     Oh the sorrow I felt in my heart for her. How could I pass her by?

     I thought at one time this woman was a young child with great
anticipation at this time of year. At one time, perhaps, she was a
young wife, a young Mother, an executive, who would ever know!

     She was dirty, smelly, hungry. Was this the humankind I wanted to
talk with, to be next to, to love?

     I reached out to her, gave her a smile, gave her a hug, took her
to my home for a meal, for a bath, for some warmth and comfort.

     When she was no longer hungry, I gave her a warm bed, with sweet
smelling sheets and a warm comforter in which to wrap herself, have a
pleasant dream or two.
 
     Not only was this the real meaning of Christmas, my gift to her
brought her great joy, but more that that; I received the best
Christmas gift I had received in a long time. Joy at giving love to another child
of God.

     When I softly knocked on her door the next morning, there was no
sound. So I slowly opened the door and to my wonderment, there was a
made bed, upon which lay one sweet red rose. No sign of my visitor,
only the soft scent of the rose.

     Could it be I had entertained an angel?
Or our Lord?

     What will you offer a stranger this Christmas Season?

     Go, love, and spread the Good News, "Unto Us A Savior is Born!"

__________________________________________________________

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just
as in Christ, God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
(Life Application Bible)

     THE SNOWMAN AND THE BOY

     He waited with great anticipation for the first snowfall.

      He could barely see, but yet, he knew when the snow fell.

      He knew there were many beautiful crystals of infinate beatuy
created by God in those snowflakes.

      He was almost blind, but yet he knew he was blessed.

      He knew God sent the snow at the change of season, around Jesus'
birthday.

      He knew what Jesus meant to the world.

      He would always make his first snowman in honor of his Savior.

      He rejoiced and was filled with happiness......

      He was, until the neighborhood bully tore down his beautiful
snowman.

      The bully knocked off the little boy's glasses and pushed the
little boy into the snow.

      The little boy could have cried, but as I watched from the
window, I saw him slowly get up and put his glasses back on and extend his hand
in friendship to the "bully."

     I saw the little boy gesture again and again with an outreached
hand.

      Then, finally the bully extended his hand and together they built
an even more beautiful snowman.

      When the play time was over the little boy and his new found
friend came in for some hot chocolate. 'The little boy said, "this is
my new friend and we built a snowman that smiles for all the world to see,
just like Jesus smiles at me."

      God made the snow, He made you and me. May you reach out to the
"bullies", friends, loved ones, strangers, and all you meet today
and.....Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,
just as in Christ, God forgave you."

____________________________________________________________

"The time will come when all the earth is filled, as the waters fill
the sea, with an awareness of the glory of the Lord." Habakkuk 2:14 (Life
Application Bible)

            A CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

    I AM THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!

I come into the homeless shelters and walls of poverty causing a ray of
sunshine to focus on children, and see their eyes open in happy wonder.

I cause the mean-spirited, and miser to unleash their closed hearts and
reach into their pockets, thus allowing a touch of brightness in their
souls.

I cause the aged to look back on their youth and see the visions of the
glad ways of old.

I awaken romance and tenderness in the hearts of childhood and bring
sweet dreams woven in hues of silver and gold to brighten slumber.

I cause pitter patter of tiny feet to climb the stairs that wonderous
night, hurrying to bed, so to awaken to a wonderous sight.

I cause the lost and runaway, sorrowful soul to stop a moment and
reflect on their wild way, and send to loved ones, far away, a simple
token that releases glad tears---those tears that wash away the pain
and hurtful past.

I come into the prison cells, the war-torn fields, bringing hope to the
scarred humankind that, truly, hope lies ahead; no matter what their
past deed.

I come gently on tip-toes into the quiet wards of pain. I listen to the
humble lips that try to speak, their whispers of gratitude for the care
and love around that brings comfort to them.

In many ways I cause this wretched world to look around and see that
God surrounds us in His love and I cause just a fleeting moment of hope. I
allow mankind to forget this sorrowful time.

I hope that my spirit lives on throughout the years, causing the
wrechted world I know to change into the glorious place where only love
abounds. May each and everyone of us give a little "Christmas Spirit"
to his family, neighbors, and enemies. Plant a seedling of love and faith
and watch it grow and soon this "wrecthed world" will be no more.

Copyright Altalee Stellhorn