Saturday, December 22, 2018

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come...

Today's random thought comes from a quote from one of my all-time favorite Christmas stories - A Christmas Carol. Some may not realize that this beloved Christmas classic with Scrooge is actually, in Dicken's own words, a ghost story. Each ghost comes with a lesson and insight that if read/watched carefully reveals so much about human character.

The quote that came to mind today was when Scrooge is facing the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. "The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. When it came, Scrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery.
It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. But for this, it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the night and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded...
Although well used to ghostly company by this time, Scrooge feared the silent shape so much that his legs trembled beneath him, and he found that he could hardly stand when he prepared to follow it...
"Ghost of the Future!" he exclaimed, "I fear you more than any spectre I have seen."

The random thought came that Scrooge feared what the Ghost of Christmas yet to come would show him. Could this be because up to this point, Scrooge had very little hope? All he saw was the harsh reality that had been his past and that he saw in the present because of his own ignorance. With a foundation like that, how could the future be anything other than grim?

But for those who know the story well, things take a very different turn for poor old Scrooge. Instead of continuing on his present path, he learns to keep the spirit of Christmas alive every day of the year...and as we all know, Christmas is the day we remember that God sent Light and Hope into our world. We never again see Scrooge fearing that ghostly apparition. In fact, it seems he lived with joy.

"He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.
He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! 

So there you have it, another random thought. And, as many random thoughts do, it brings with it one more random thought. 

Scrooge's first name is Ebenezer, which is a Hebrew name that means stone of help. The name “Ebenezer” actually comes from the Bible. In 1 Samuel, Israel has experienced revival after repenting of their sin (much as Scrooge saw the error in his own past) and destroying their idols - (much as Scrooge destroyed his idol of money.) During this time, their enemy attacked and God sent supernatural help (I guess in the story A Christmas Carol, the ghosts could also be considered 'supernatural help.') When the battle was won, they set up a rock and named it Ebenezer, saying "Thus far the LORD has helped us." It became a constant reminder of how God had saved them and continued to do so.

Ebenezer Scrooge has for many become a reminder that we need to let go of our own past, destroy our idols, and live in the hope God gives for the future.

May your random thoughts today turn you toward the hope of the upcoming day. And for those who mourn because of loved ones who are not still with us, may you also find rejoicing in that they are waiting for you in heaven with open arms. They are free of worry and pain and the daily struggles of life. The same God that delivered in the Old Testament still delivers today. We need not fear the future.  

"And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!"




Friday, December 21, 2018

Ever wonder why a stable?

The following "random thought" actually came about while teaching in Kid's Church just before Christmas. I don't think I've ever heard this before....in fact, I had never thought of it before the words began to come out of my mouth that Sunday morning. 


It was a typical Children's 
Church service a week or two before Christmas. I had a wonderful group of kids, most of whom I had known since they were born. These children knew the Christmas story quite well, so making it real and new was quite a challenge. I had told the story and tried to paint a picture so that the children could experience the story anew. It was then that I asked the question - "Why was Jesus born in a stable?" Of course, the response was "Because there was no room in the inn." Then I asked a question even I hadn't considered before. "Why wasn't there room at the inn? Did God forget to make reservations?" Of course, we all laughed at such a ridiculous question. Obviously the birth of Jesus being in a stable was no accident....but why would God allow His Son to be born in a stable?

It's not like God didn't know when Jesus would be born. Yes, the city was crowded, but couldn't God have made room for this family in an inn somewhere? After all, He's God! He knew when the angel told Mary she'd have a son that they would be making this trip 9 months later! He could have made arrangements! I understand that there are many different views as to what this stable might have been, but it doesn't change the fact that a stable isn't a place for a baby to be born! That's where animals are born....animals like sheep and goats and cows. The kind of animal you'd use for a sacrifice.

You know, every time I think about that, it causes a lump to rise in my throat. Jesus, the King of Kings was born in a place where sacrifices are born. He was laid in a manger - the place where the animals would go for food....The Bread of Life, Jesus - born as a sacrifice.

This Christmas, as you take time to read the original Christmas story, may your heart be filled with the knowledge of God's love for you. Merry Christmas.

John 1:29 "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"


This blog was one of the first I ever wrote, back in 2008...but it's one of my most favorites.

Photo by Bill Fairs on Unsplash

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Guilty...

The other night I was coming home from chaperoning a middle school dance and I had one thing on my mind - finally relaxing for the day. I had left home that morning before 7 a.m. and was returning about 10 pm. It had been a LONG day...because of that, I was driving a little faster than I realized. 

Yep - you guessed it. I passed a police car, looked down and saw I was over the limit and then looked up to see blue lights. I pulled over. I was guilty and I knew it. I waited for my just punishment and hoped it wouldn't be a huge ticket.

The police officer came to my window (from behind - for the first time I realized he had no idea that I was me...I could have been someone angry or even someone with a weapon!) I said hello and immediately said I am so sorry. I just didn't realize I was going so fast. I sat there in my ugly Christmas sweater and said something about chaperoning a jr. high dance - I think I was trying to explain my ugly sweater. I'm obviously not used to being stopped.

The officer asked my name, told me to slow down and be careful. I said "Yes, sir!" and thanked him profusely and told him to be safe as well. He then said "Merry Christmas."
Why share this with the world? Because at that moment I was completely overwhelmed with thankfulness for my Lord. I had a perfect example of being guilty and being forgiven. All I could think about was how I deserved punishment and instead, I received mercy. 

To the police officer, whoever you are, I am praying for you daily. You were a picture of Christmas to me the other night, not because you told me to be safe and have a Merry Christmas, but because you were a reminder of what Jesus did for me that very first Christmas when He brought mercy into this world. I pray that you will be safe because, like Christ, you face danger for me so that I don't have to. I pray you feel God's love and peace and goodness just as you showed it to me.

And for what it's worth, I am slowing down.

*(I just realized that I had made this picture at the dance...maybe I should have paid attention! LOL!)


Luke 23:41 New International Version (NIV)

41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

John 1:29 New King James Version (NKJV)

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!