Known the World Over

At this time of the year around the globe there is one name that frequently appears in newspapers, on billboards, in TV ads and letters. An immortal man whose story has been told to people in every land throughout the generations. Many believe that we can learn much about the purpose of life by seeing what he did while on this earth. Many look forward to his coming. And many do not. Some believe that he is just a myth fabricated by the church. Some fear him and many adore him. Known by many names, who is this immortal man?

On this eve of Christmas, I share with you this story credited to Max Lucado from The Angels were Silent.
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Some call him Sinterklaas. Others call him Papa Noel. He’s been known as Hoteiosho, Sonnerklaas, Father Christmas, Jelly Belly, and to most English speakers, Santa Claus. His original name was Nicholas, which means victorious. He was born in 280 A.D. in what is now Turkey. He was an orphan at age nine when his parents died of a plague. Though many would think Santa majored in toy-making and minored in marketing, actually the original Nicholas studied Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine.

He was honored by the Roman Catholic church by being named Bishop of Myra in the early fourth century. He held the post until his death on December 6, 343. History recognized him as a saint, but in the third century he was a bit of a troublemaker. He was twice jailed, once by the Emperor Diocletian for religious reasons, the other for slugging a fellow bishop during a fiery debate. (So much for finding out who is naughty and nice.)

Old Nick never married. But that’s not to say he wasn’t a romantic. He was best known for the kindness he showed to a poor neighbor who was unable to support his three daughters or provide the customary dowry so they could attract husbands. Old Saint Nicholas slipped up to the house by night and dropped a handful of gold coins through the window so the eldest daughter could afford to get married. He repeated this act on two other nights for the other two daughters.

This story was the seed which, watered with years, became the Santa legend. It seems that every generation adorned it with another ornament until it sparkled more than a Christmas tree. The gift grew from a handful of coins to bags of coins. Instead of dropping them through the window, he dropped them down the chimney. And rather than land on the floor, the bags of coins landed in the girls’ stockings which were hanging on the hearth to dry. The centuries have been as good to Nicholas’s image as to his deeds. Not only have his acts been embellished, his wardrobe and personality have undergone transformations as well.
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Back then it was just a few coins in a stocking for a poor child. Today, Saint Nick is "responsible" for $50,000 cars with big red bows on the front lawn of American homes. (P.S. Not here! The largest gift I ever gave Wendy was a clothes dryer when we were first married - a mistake not repeated).

Santa Claus has clearly changed throughout the years. Not so with Jesus Christ. He remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Unlike Father Christmas who comes every year, Jesus is coming back only one more time .

But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Jesus is coming back! May He find each of us Worthy and Working when He comes.
Merry Christmas to All

(this video is awesome! From http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ )

Lines on the Left and the Right

The Christmas season is always a great study in human behavior. Lines everywhere. Clerks going back and forth telling people which lines to be in. Many times people ask me if they are in the right line. I have to think for a moment before I answer. You see, someday everything will stop, we will leave our packages behind and new lines will form on the left and on the right of the Christ of Christmas. What we do now, could etermine the line we will be in then.

In the last sermon recorded by the Matthew, Jesus describes the lines on that day, not as a parable (do not miss this point) but with the frankness of our favorite TV reality show. The lines will form before Him one person at a time. On that day, Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats. Many of us do not like to hear that. After all, aren’t all “Christians”, the sheep? Aren't all "Christians" saved?

On what basis will He make his selection? The answer surprises many “believers” including church pastors. The test that Jesus will use is pretty simple, Jesus said. “I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:31-46)

How do we get into the right line? What is the sign of the saved? Their deep and profound scholarship? Their willingness to tithe their income? Their elaborate mission strategies? Their role on a church board? Their skillful sermons laced with Hebrew and Greek words? Their attendance at large and growing church churches? Sorry, but the answer is not necessarily.

I love the way that Max Lucado describes the test:
The sign of the saved is their love for the least.

Max Lucadi says that those on the right hand of God will be those who gave hope to the helpless, food to the hungry, love to the fatherless, drink to the thirsty, warmth to the lonely, clothing to the naked, comfort to the sick, and friendship to the imprisoned, etc. Those "Christians" who did not - are on the left. I tend to agree with him.

Jesus lives in the lives of the forgotten. He has taken up residence in the ignored and the poor. If we want to see Jesus we must go among the lonely, the single mom doing life alone, the child in foster care, the broken and busted people of life and there we will see Him. If you want to see Jesus, then you must be willing to go where He is. And He is very much alive this day here and around the world.

Have you seen Jesus lately? If not, perhaps you are in the wrong line.

To be honest, once you are with the poor and forgotten, especially the children, the Christian life is given new meaning and purpose. Doing church as normal loses its significance. Sadly, many who will attend church this week, are in the wrong line and do not know it. This Christmas as we stop for just a day to recall His birth, remember the “inauguration” speech that Jesus gave in the temple in Luke 4:18-19

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me, the Anointed One, the Messiah, to preach the good news, the Gospel, to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed, those who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity. To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord, the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.

The sign of the saved is their love for the least. I believe that.

Merry Christmas.

Looking at Eternity Through a Keyhole

I have to admit that there have been many days of late when I am completely unsure of what is next for A Child's Hope International. Oh, I am convinced of the mission for orphans and vulnerable children. No problem there. The doubt comes from within. It is fear of the unknown.

When the fear comes, the mind goes into overdrive. The mind says that ... there is no way to care for the children of the world when you cannot take care of your own. How do we pay the mortgage? Or health insurance? Or get ready for the weddings of the girls in this home (4 left)? Or college? Retirement funds? House repairs? Car repairs? The list goes on.

Our family income has shrunk over 75% since we left Hope Church last May. That is a cold water reality and when you are cold, your knees shake. And when they shake, you are unable to run the race set before you.

Our 401k's have been slashed in 1/2. Our house has shrunk in value. We want to sell but we can’t. Somehow those things become larger than life. The losses can distort reality and blur the vision of what is really before us. As a result, it is easy to see eternity only through the narrow lens of a keyhole.

The reality is something that Dave Wilkinson mentioned in "A Life God Rewards" when he said that everything we do today, matters forever. Everything!

There is a direct link between what we do today and what we will experience after we die. Astoundingly, the majority of spiritual seekers around the world - including millions who follow Jesus Christ - seemed to have missed what He said. At times, I have been one of them because of fear:

• Our eternal destiny is the result of what we believe on earth
• Our eternal reward is the result of how we behave on earth

Amidst all of the losses and the doubts of tomorrow, the reality is that Wendy and I are blessed beyond measure. We still have something in savings for the future and we have a home. Even far more important is that our eternal destination is secure without any doubt!

Eternity is far greater than what I have seen through the keyhole of my own fear. May the Lord forgive me for my doubt, my fear and my hesitation to let go of all of what is on this side of the keyhole.

Today, God used a poignant video about Sam & Esther to refocus our vision on His children and I clearly heard His voice say “The children are waiting - where are you?" After you click the play button, let me know what you think at lebergeron@achildshopeintl.org

Sam and Esther's Story