Tuesday 23 December 2008

Peace be with you


As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated.

During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago.

At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited.

I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to be with them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.

They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time.

To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor!

At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?

I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.

I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life.

I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you.

Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements..

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book.

Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party.

Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon. I Love you!

Jesus

7 comments:

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Bob,
Thank you for the reminder. This year in particular we need a simpler more humble celebration of this day. Best wishes and Aroha to you and your beautiful family.
Rangimarie,
Robb

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Kia Ora Rob

That great NZ mountaineer Aat Vervoorn wrote, "going above the snowline sheers life back to its basic dimensions." Christmas has become so commercial that I feel we have to sheer it back to its basic dimensions.

Merry CHRISTmas to you and your family.

Bob

Marja said...

Merry Christmas Bob to you and your family. You got me there I just came here because I thought it was your birthday
Actually they didn't know the birthday of Jesus A roman festival was "Dies Natalis Solis Invicti" which was celebrated on the 25th of December. This festival commemorated the birth of the Persian God of light. A roman emperor Constantine, who was in the beginning a pagan, merged many traditions of festivals with the text in the Bible and this is probably the reason that Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December.
I respect Christianity but many people don't live up to what's in the bible.
Sorry I had a couple of wines and than I try to get smart.
Better stop now Go back to party

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Bob,
It's too bad Marja wasn't at the barbeque! I would have enjoyed a few wines with her.
Just checking in, thinking of you and your progress. Hope you are going well.
We had a lovely Boxing Day out in Pohangina valley, literally next door to Pete's, at Tara's uncle's deer farm. An annual event and it was a beautiful day of sun and swimming and catching up with relations. Tara's uncle and two cousins are keen Ruahine trampers and hunters so I always enjoy swapping stories with them.
Picking up my American in Wellington on the 31st, then off into the Ruahines for 5 days.
Bob, please my love to your family and my thoughts for your continued recovery are sent. Kia kaha.
Rangimarie,
Robb

Bob McKerrow - Wayfarer said...

Greetings from Otipua, South Canterbury where I spent Chrsitmas with my daughter. I will travel back to Ch Ch tomorrow.

Happy New Year to you both.

Bob

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