Good Evening,
Tonight, I want to share with you a letter from a 8-year old girl stricken with an inoperable cancer. It was really upsetting to find out that she wasn't going to make it.
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Dear Joshua,
How are you? Thanks for the present you gave me and bringing a smile to my face with that present. My mom and dad told me that the doctors told them that this would be potentially be my last Christmas because the cancer is getting aggressive and there's no chance I'm going to live to see my 9th birthday. I've always wanted to know what your Christmases are like. Christmas is definitely a fun time of the year where we sing carols, hymns of joy, rejoicing... I just wish I was well enough to sing. I know that I am going to be joining God in heaven soon and my mom and dad seem to be prepping for when that day comes. I'm really scared when that day comes. I've been holding Yoshi very close to me like he was a big teddy bear. I'm sure Yoshi is crying next to me because he knows that day is coming too.
You made me very happy and I hope you make others happy this Christmas too. I'm really sorry I forgot the picture. I hope mom and dad find it for me.
With Love,
Athena
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Athena,
God has a place for those who believe in his word and Heaven is open to believers. I'm really glad that big Yoshi made you smile and you are holding him close. Remember when Mary was told to fear not when she was going to be the mother of Jesus? Fear not, for you will be with the good lord above in Heaven when that day comes. They say we don't know when we are going to pass on or when our time on Earth is over. I wish I had better answers as I do follow Christ and his word. I remember a show that my fiance and I watch called "The Golden Girls" when one of the characters asks her ghost husband Salvatore, "How's God?"
Sal says: "God!? Oh he's really nice! You should see his Cadillac!"
I'm sure God has a Cadillac up there in heaven, throngs of people just waiting to see him and speak with him. I'm sure he makes time for each and every angel that's up there. You know, when my fiance's grandmother died, a little part of me went with her too because even though I only knew her for 10 months, she took a piece of me with her... When my grandparents go, they'll take a piece of me, my brother, and sister up with them as well. You will sing with Choirs of Angels, hymns of great praise and joy, you won't have to worry about pain and suffering anymore.
I know the doctors did all the best they could for you. You just tell them that God will thank them for their service as well. I just hope this letter arrives to you with warmth and care. God thanked me for his service and I prayed long and hard that you would get better and he would take away your suffering. I know he will. Just believe in him.
Let me tell you about my Christmases. Christmas has become so different ever since I got engaged. A long time ago, my family and I would typically go to church around 730 because my brother, sister, and I had to sing. We'd have our grandparents with us as well to share the moment. Now, my family doesn't even attempt to go to church on Christmas Eve and that makes me really sad. The message of Christ's birth is so important.
After 730 church was over, St. Paul (which is where I went before) would typically have a hour-long refreshments and party. People would talk, gather, and enjoy themselves. By 1030, we were ready for the primary service which had an actual funny message from our pastor. It was the one time Pastor Morthole wasn't serious. He took joy in his message to the masses.
A sermon at Christmas should always by joyous and happy. It really should be.
Athena, I really hope that Yoshi you are holding close to you and Jesus are keeping you in good company. Just have no fear. Live life as fully as you can. Nothing to be afraid of this Christmas or ever for that matter.
Love always,
Joshua
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My faith in God has never dwindled one bit. I learned that church is very important for our health and spiritual fixture in life. Even when I went without a church for 10 years from 2000 to 2010, my faith never dwindled.
Christmas is always my favorite time of year. Advent is officially over with and now I can be a witness to our savior's coming. It's about the giving and the sharing of the family time. I sit here with a smile on my face knowing that it's not the gifts that matter, it's about the fact that because of Jesus, Christmas is in existence.
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The War on Christmas has driven everyone nuts from religious figures to television pundits. But in the end, Jesus won.
I don't thump my religion or tell others to believe. They believe what they want. But Jesus is the reason why we have Christmas.
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Evening Prayer:
Lord,
Tonight, you sent us your ultimate gift, a gift of love, a gift that will save us from the tyranny of sin, a gift that is the most powerful on Earth. Help us to realize that Christmas is a night of joy, rejoicing, laughter, and family. A night that we spend together singing hymns of great joy... A night we spend together with candlelight and our joy to the world. Christmas Day will be upon us and we will celebrate your birth, the birth of a great king.
Amen.
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Folks, God Bless You this wonderful Christmas.
~ Joshua
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