My First Christmas in Heaven

16 years ago in 1998 at the passing of my Grandfather Clarence Hobert Mills, a great friend of mine attempted to reach out and minister to me during his passing. He attempted to accomplish this by sending me the poem My First Christmas in Heaven. I had never seen the poem before, or heard it recited prior to this experience. The fact of its impact on my life is as such that this is year 16 for me to share it in my column as we celebrate this Christmas Season. Traditions are a very important of family activities and the loss of a family member is a big interruption to the which was easily predictable because of our loved ones presence. It is my prayer for each person that has lost a loved one in 2014 that this poem will bring the comfort I received when I read it for the very first time. I also pray that My First Christmas in Heaven will be an encouragement to you spiritually. I pray that your Christian Faith will be lifted from the burden of your loss so that you will see the love, mercy and grace that is extended by a loving Savior named Jesus Christ, who happens to also be my Lord. Heaven is a place of many unique characteristics. All pain and suffering is gone. All despair and lost hope is restored as your Christian faith becomes alive meeting the creator face to face. All your questions are immediately answered by simply walking through the gates of that City. The Bible says that we will be known as we are known. I can't imagine the reunions that take place when loved ones are reunited in a chorus of praise to Jesus Christ for his unspeakable gifts. Accept this poem this year, as a gift from Him. A gift of encouragement, a gift of love and a gift of hope and peace. Until then My First Christmas in Heaven, I see the countless Christmas Trees Around the world below, with tiny lights, like Heaven's Stars, reflecting on the snow The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear, For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring. For it is beyond description to hear the angels sing. I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart, but I am not so far away, we really aren't apart. So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear and be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

Christmas Countdown 2014

It is the final rush to Christmas...or should I say it is the countdown to Christmas! When I think of a holiday I often relate the thoughts of a holiday to a vacation. I might be the only person in America that does this, but I am thinking there are many that have the same mindset. The only negative part of this mind thought processing is that for most folks the Christmas holiday is no vacation. Actually as I am thinking vacation thoughts, most of the time when individuals and families go on vacations those days are filled with activities from sunrise to beyond sunset. This is not exactly my thoughts about a holiday or a vacation. Understanding the urgency of time is easy. Most often the issue with time arrives because when we had the opportunity to be productive we delayed by pushing back that which could be accomplished for another day. Now that the 'other day' has arrived it is easy to find folks trying to figure out if they are 'coming' or 'going'. We've all been there and we have all witnessed others who are caught up in the whirlwind too. It is much more enjoyable to be a witness to the chaos than a participant. I am not sure that I have any suggestions if you find yourself caught up in the wind at this stage in the Christmas countdown. The only advice I can share would be honest about the situation because truth is, the situation is what it is. Running out of time is never any fun unless you love the scramble and that was your plan all along. One of the challenges to the Christmas Holiday and to a perfect vacation is the disconnect. It might be possible from your experiences with medical physicians that you schedule an appointment, you arrive at your appointment and you are seen at your appointment time. I tend to believe that the average medical physician experience is an understanding that they have double and triple booked your appointment time and you will be seen but just not at your scheduled appointment hour. For many, this is a frustrating experience and the situation could be totally out of our control. One of the solutions to the busyness of life is making sure that we handle the things we are in control of and relay on the 'Serenity Prayer' for all things in-between and questioned. Learning to enjoy life has to do with learning to enjoy no plans or schedule at all. One of the ways to succeed at this is to make plans and finish the details as you have opportunity. For example I am a Christian. I realize many are not and many do not believe but I have found faith in Jesus Christ to be the answer for all my unanswered questions. There is an old hymn song that says "the old account was settled long ago". As my life relates to my faults, failures, and struggles, me and Jesus have settled my debt. In the deal He forgave me of all my sins. This truth I have discovered has given me the courage to live life with no plans and no schedule. Anyone that knows me personally would say that I live an organized and planned out life. I would agree, but there are times in life our plans are not the events we experience. Our planned schedule of activities in the future experience a change of plans and even venues that we have absolutely no control over. Early I mentioned in writing the word disconnect. Breaking away, separating from or being out of the loop is a challenge but it can also be a blessing. This Christmas Holiday or your moment of vacation could be just what is needed to give you the proper reconnection to the important things in life. Giving the perfect gift or securing that perfect requested item for a loved one or great friend can be very satisfying and appreciated. Giving what you have, giving yourself, the genuine you could also be the gift of a lifetime too. After all, that is what Jesus did. He gave His all and that gift has made all the difference. Until then

'Naughty' - 'Nice' What about Santa Clause?

I am not sure if Santa Clause is coming to town or not and here is why. If social media is any indication of the thoughts people believe and if the statements expressed about humanity, truth and justice made by those serving in government and leadership positions are an indication of being good, then I think Santa has been re-routing his travel plans a bunch of times this year. If the violent protest on the streets of our cities and towns are an indication of 'naughty' or 'nice' then I am pretty confident that this years scheduled Santa Clause journey on Christmas Eve will require a lot less time to complete. Thousands of air miles have no doubt been removed from his itinerary as large numbers of people have decided to not be friendly, nor lend a helping hand to others by their actions. The words people have been using have been hate filled and I think in Santa Land qualify for the 'naughty list' without a doubt. I know there were times in my life growing up that when I was told that if this or that wasn't done, or if I acted this way or that way Santa would not be stopping by. When the prediction of Santa's actions became true then I became a believer in right and wrong, actions have consequences and responsibility begins with me. The truth about Christmas is that Christmas is not about Santa Clause at all, although many may have made it out to be in their world. Christmas is not about presents even though gifts were given at that first Christmas to the the baby Jesus and his parents Joseph and Mary. These gifts were given from the treasurers owned by those who had journeyed from the other side of Israel. Their navigation came from a star that was shining brightly that identified the place where they would find the new born King of Israel. The gift of gold represented majesty and as you can imagine all things regal and royal. Frankincense was widely used as a medicine and perfume. The gift of myrrh was a symbol in that day and even today of a Holy Anointing, the acknowledgment of Deity and the action of the Divine, in this situation the birth of God's only son as a gift to the world. The purpose of this gift not completely understood at the exact moment of His birth nor even at His death. Ultimately Jesus as the lamb of God and as the sacrifice for our individual sins is fully accepted by those that receive this free gift of forgiveness. If our personal actions dictate our placement on Santa's 'naughty' and 'nice' list then there should be great alarm and no personal surprise that the man in the big red and white suit with the big white beard doesn't come down our homes chimney this Christmas. The GoodNews about Christmas this year and ever year is that the gift of forgiveness of sins is free to all and Jesus Christ gives forgiveness out year round without any requirements as to your 'naughty' or 'nice' actions. Truth is that Jesus already has you and I on the 'naughty' list and we are also on the 'needing' list immediately. This truth is the reason for the season after all! Jesus doesn't travel down a chimney nor in a sleigh. He does however reside inside our hearts if we ask Him too. The greatest gift you could receive this Christmas will not be from Santa Clause after all. The greatest gift the world has ever known is God's love. For He so loved the world He gave you and I His only begotten son, that whosoever believes on Him would be saved. Now that's a Christmas gift for everyone who has been 'naughty' and even for those who think they might have been 'nice' too. Merry Christmas! Until then

Happy Holiday - Merry Christmas

There are lots of folks that will spend a lot of time talking about the political correctness of Christmas. I will not be one of those individuals. Happy Holiday's or Merry Christmas for me as a Christian works just fine either way. Given the fact that Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are so close together in such a short time frame, Happy Holiday's seems appropriate. Merry Christmas is a phrase meaning merry, happy Jesus season. The expanded interpretation of Merry Christmas would include the broad concept and acknowledgment of the advent of the birth of the baby Jesus Christ. Advent is a just a nice word for saying the arrival of the birth of the reigning King of Kings. When greeting your friends this year how about using the phrase "Happy Arrival of Jesus" that expression would no doubt create some interest and maybe even wonder. Greetings are important but understanding the words we use would go a long way in helping to promote the impression we intend to give. As a Christian I really want to help individuals understand the reason for Christmas, it's historical importance and why all of the events and happenings of Christmas occur each and every year. The fundamental meaning and importance of Christmas is the birth of the baby Jesus that happened in the little town of Bethlehem. His mother Mary and His father Joseph, who were responsible citizens had been traveled together to go and pay their taxes when Mary realized that the hour of her child's birth was now. Joseph desiring the best of conditions for his wife to give birth and for his child whom they believed would be a boy they were suppose to name Jesus. While Joseph wanted to find a place appropriate for this type of situation and hour there was not a vacant room to be found in town. Joseph did however find an Inn keeper who was willing to allow them to use his stable stall as it was all he had to offer. I can only imagine the thoughts and conversation that took place when Joseph approached the Inn Keeper inquiring as to vacancy. Maybe the Inn Keeper was busy and didn't come to the reception area very quickly because he knew he had no rooms. Maybe the Inn Keeper was just an employee or per perhaps he owned the Inn. Could be the Inn Keeper was completing his accounting for the day, calculating, rechecking his figures to make sure everything was in order when Joseph asked if there was a room he could rent. The Inn keeper could have been busy and maybe he didn't even look up from his desk, but just said "no sorry I am full". If that had happened I am sure Joseph would have spoken with a greater urgency and maybe even Joseph said, "hey man, listen look here, my wife is pregnant, look at her". Perhaps this caused the Inn Keeper to stop what he was doing and check out the situation. What exactly happened we do not know except this fact. Joseph and Mary took up residence in the barn, where the animals were and if Mary was going to give birth and she would, these stables were now their temporary home. As history records Mary gave birth and as instructed Mary and Joseph named their new-born son Jesus. The importance of this particular birth was that in Jewish custom, tradition, and prophecy the arrival of the birth of the Messiah, the Savior of the World had long been predicted and Jesus was that long-awaited prophecy. The arrival of the Son of God who would come and take away the sins of not only His people, but the sins of the world had arrived. The Jewish people had long wondered when the one they referred to as Immanuel would come and be with them and that hour was now and thus the meaning of Christmas began. Happy Holiday if you want to include everything or Merry Christmas for the birth of Jesus. If you opt for Merry Christmas you should know that a Happy Christian is for everyday, 365 days a year, every year until our hour comes and we met our creator face to face. Happy come meet Jesus day because He loves you and has a plan for your life. You and me were the reason He was born. Until then