Gifts for the World

Gifts for the World

We should give gifts:

Freedom from hunger
Freedom from being homeless
Freedom from fear
Freedom from hatred
Freedom from war
Freedom to live




More gifts:

Freedom to be
Freedom to love
Freedom to worship
Freedom!




Freedom from hunger:
Can we learn to make sure everybody has enough to eat?  We have the ability to do this, will we ever do it?





Freedom from being homeless:

There are ways to make sure that all people have a safe and secure place to live.  Will we ever start to make sure that all have a dwelling of their own that they want and like?




Freedom from fear:

All people should be able to live without being afraid of being attacked just because they are “different” from others.




Freedom from hatred:

Freedom to see that all people are beloved children of God.  Will we ever learn this truth?  Will we ever learn to treat each other in God’s love?




Freedom from war:

Freedom to live without the fear of bullets or bombs coming in and destroying all that has been built and destroying many lives.  Can we ever learn to live together in peace and love?





Freedom to live:

Freedom to live where we want and with whom we want to be with and no one to tell us we are wrong.  How long will it take for us to learn how to live this way?




Freedom to be:

Freedom to be who we are without question or other people condemning us.  How long will it take for this to happen?




Freedom to love:

Freedom to love who we are truly attracted to without someone telling us how wrong we are to love that person.  Can we ever learn to let others love whoever is best for them?




Freedom to worship:

In the way that is best for who you are.  No one has the right to tell anybody how they are to worship or pray.




Freedom: 

Freedom just to be who you are. 
And let nobody tell you that you can’t be your authentic self because that is a lie!  You and all people were created as you are right now.

Gifts to give

     Gifts to give at any time that won’t cost any (or much) money

1    Smile at people
it just might make their day.
2    Give hugs
to everybody.  
3    Call those who live alone.
They just may need to hear another voice.  If family is near, they may be busy. And if you say you’ll call, call.  They will be waiting for your phone call and it is a bit upsetting when you don’t call.  They hear from medical people all the time. Hearing from friends can be the best medicine for them.
4    Open doors for people you see.        
They just might need the help.
5    Tell someone you care for them.       
People living alone can get depressed easily.  You might be able to change someone’s outlook. If they’re a shut in, hearing you even like them can be the best medicine for them.
      6 Offer to help
             This might cost you some money for gas, but if family is near, they may be all busy with
              work.
7      Ask if they would like company.   
If you have some time, single folk, especially seniors, appreciate visits from friends or family.       
     8 Offer transportation to the store,
            to events, or to church.  There may not be anybody else to drive an older person to
           where they want or need to go.        
  9    Share a meal with them.  If possible, let the person pay for the meal.  It will help them
          feel good about themselves.
 10    Bring them a home cooked meal.
          Something you cooked yourself is always welcome, provided it is something they can or     
          will eat.

11.   Call them (or email) and offer to come by just for conversation.  
        Sometimes the silences can be too much and the TV doesn’t always fill the void.

12.  If you are allowed by your church, offer to come and give communion.
       We sometimes forget that the rituals of faith can be comforting to shut-ins.

13      Visit those who are in nursing homes regularly.  They often feel lost and forgotten by everyone who they know.

14     It's not necessary to bring anything, just yourself is enough. If you bring items, be sure they have room for what you bring. If you bring food, be sure it is something they can eat.
     

More

      More

More than the baby
Laid in the manger,
He grew up
And we cannot
Keep Him there.

More than the teacher
Or the healer
Of the sick,
He moved on,
And we cannot
Find Him there.

More than anything
We can think of;
Lord and Savour
Of the world,
Loving all people,
Look and find Him
Everywhere.

Holy Night

Oh holy night that was
When Jesus was born.
Love and light
Came to us all
That night.
So let us celebrate
With music and song
And let joy reign!

Two Birth Announcements

Two birth announcements:

From:  Mary and Joseph
Born: a son
Name: Jesus;  Hebrew: Yeshua
Place: Bethlehem, a stable
Every place was taken.  At least it was private.
Date:  not known, no calendar
Weight: not sure, no scales available, but he
 appears to be normal.

From: Yahweh
Born: a Son
Name: Yeshua
Place: Bethlehem; a stable
Date: no calendar - does it matter?
Weight: normal
Note to all:  this is the One destined.
He will save all those who will believe and
follow, living the way He will teach.

Light 7

Come, know
That the light
Once became flesh
And dwelt among us.
To show us all
How to live
Together in God's love.

Light 6

And the light
Was bright
In the night sky
Showing Magi
The place
Where the baby
Could be found.

Light 5

The light was bright
As Angels sang
And told shepherds
About the birth
And where the baby
Could be found.

Light 4

The light shown bright
Marking the place
Where the baby lay.
Showing the people
Where to go
To find that special
Baby boy.

Light 3

It's a baby born
In a stable
Who brings light
Into the world
And all people
Around the world
Will hear
Of that birth.

Light 2

And light has come
Into our world
To banish the dark
That surrounded us.
Sing and celebrate
The love shown
In that light.

Light 1

Come and see
The word of God
Made flesh
And dwelling with us.
Know that here
You now see
God's love for all
Made flesh.

The Innkeeper

What? What?
Another at the door?
But I cannot squeeze
Another in...
But here -
Let me talk to them.
I'm sorry, sir,
There is not a bed,
A corner left.
Yes, yes, I see
That your wife
Needs a place, but...
Wait a minute!
There’s a stable
Out back.
It's not much,
But it's clean and warm,
Not the best place,
But all I have to offer
This night.

Christmas Is Here

Christmas is here
For all to celebrate.
Come and see
The love of God
Made flesh
For all to see.
For this gift of love
Is for all people
To know and enjoy!

Come Christmas

Come Christmas!  Come here to us and live within us all!  Come Christmas, and show us what you really are, and teach us how to live in that love shown so many years ago!  Come Christmas, and help us all to see that all people are children of God, and loved.  For we do forget that when trouble comes.  Come Christmas and show us what love really is!

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is coming soon, are you prepared?  Are you ready for the celebration? It is the time we have chosen to celebrate the birth of Jesus,  are you ready for the party, a special party for He who came to set us free from hate and division and to show us what love really is and how to love others without conditions.   Are we all ready for the unexpected from God? Who knows, God might just turn up as a woman this time. We must be prepared for the unexpected from God both in who is accepted and loved and who is not.  

So,  are we ready for the unexpected from God?   Will we be able to know God in human form this time?   How many will turn away if God appears to us in a way that doesn't meet our approval?   And will we be able to tell who the person really is? Are we listening for the voice of God inside of each of us?  Will we be able to hear that voice if the person is not who we expect? Christmas is coming, are we really prepared?

Look!
See there!
Light has come
Into our
Darkened world.

Christmas

Christmas

Christmas is coming,
I have heard.
Guess it is true,
Because it seems
The frantic shopping
For the perfect gift
Has now started.
I  wonder now,
What has happened
To this time
We call Christmas?

Christmas
Should be a time
For celebration
Of families and friends.
Love and peace
Should be able
To dwell together.
Christmas is coming,
Have you heard?