(Courtesy: OUTREACH.COM)
"Everything we Christians seem to do causes offense. Several radio stations had to turn their religious Christmas music songs off because they got complaints from people. What happened to us?" - Unknown
"Christmas is all about the great, historical, and decisive encounter between faith and mankind. He who has faith truly; Let him rejoice!" - Pope Paul VI
"Christmas is the time where hearts shall rejoice and the hatred will cease. It is a time of peace for all humankind." - Unknown
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Into our mailbag we go!
Dear Josh,
I know you wanted to hear about my story about my new found faith and wanted to share it with everyone. My parents and entire family were atheist but one special Christmas Eve changed that forever. To begin, I never believed either until I got curious and started going to Sunday Chapel services with friends when I was about 12 years old. As time went on, I got more and more involved with Church Community projects and it was so much fun. Then one day, my mom eventually found out and yelled at me stating that I was worshiping a fraud and something that never existed. I was scared at first but I finally told my mom and said: "Look ma, I'm going to church because it helps me cope with life's struggles and problems!" My mom continued with: "Church does that!? What a crock! You won't go back to church and that's finally, this family does not worship frauds! WE DON'T WORSHIP ANYTHING!!!!" I continued to go to church without my family members. On Christmas Eve, my brother finally joined me. He got in the car and said: Drive. I said: I'm going to church. He said: That's right... so drive. As I drove to church in the pouring rain, I questioned why he was going to church with me and he said: "sounds to me like you are doing a lot of good with this Jesus in your life, maybe I should learn more about him." I nodded and told him I sang in the church choir as well. He said: "Jesus help you with that voice?" I smiled and said he helped me face down my fears.
After the service was over, I took my brother over to meet the priest and then he started to cry because he didn't believe in Jesus at all. The priest said: "Well son, have you found Jesus?" He said: "I... I really don't know if I have." The priest continued with: "Christmas is a time of family and faith. Jesus is in your heart at all times." The priest gave him his Christmas candle and said: "keep this and let it serve as a reminder that you found your faith in Jesus. He's the reason we were here tonight."
We came home and our parents confronted us. My father said: "Where were you guys?" I began with: "Well there's this church down the street...," My father stopped me and I figured he was going to give me a lot of guff but instead he said: "You know... I've been a little rough on you guys... and if this is what you want to do... by all means, go for it. It seems to be helping you guys." I was SURPRISED!!!!! My mom laughed and said: "Church? Helping them? How so!?" he turned to his wife and said: "Dear, I am really starting to believe that going to church has helped them significantly. Have you noticed that our little girl has been getting a lot better grades from middle school on into college and has been doing a lot of community work? Have you noticed how our son feels lost too but now he feels found thanks to church? Have you also noticed how we seem to turning down your parents a lot to come to Christmas dinner? You won't get many times with your parents much longer. Tell me guys, what made you start going to church?" He said in his lounge chair while mom was thinking really hard in that black chair of hers.
I stated that I felt lost in life and needed a pick-me-up. I wasn't doing good in school and my friends persuaded me to come to church even though our family was deeply committed atheists. Then I realized how much Jesus and the good book of the bible was helping to calm my fears as well as prayer too. My brother stated that he wanted to meet Jesus and say a prayer for relatives. Dad smiled and said: "It seems as though Jesus has helped you significantly. Tell you what, I'll come to church with you next Sunday... Dear, you're coming too." His wife said: "Oh no I am not." He calmly said: "Just try it, if you don't like it, don't come back. We're not forcing faith on you. We just ask you to try."
In the end, it all worked out, my mom started believing after a meeting with the priest and joined the women's club to help with orphanages and sick children. Now my family attends church every Sunday, we pray, and celebrate Christmas the right way. I am 32 years old, married to a wonderful man who is methodist like me, and have 2 great kids. I hope you and yours have a great CHRISTmas this season.
Thank you and Merry Christmas,
Friend
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Faith... it's too powerful to ignore. This friend, who lives in New Mexico, taught herself that she can live by her own rules and start going to church. Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus' birth to set us free from sin. I, myself, am not a bible thumper and do not force my religion on anyone. But I do want people to find their inner peace and solace this holiday no matter what faith they are.
Angels... we have heard on high.
O come... all ye faithful.
Hark! The herald angels sing!
Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Jesus was brought here to bring peace to our broken world. Hearing these stories of people finding their faith is just electrifying and it makes the season that much brighter.
Do I have a problem with atheists and agnostics? It's their choice, I'm not forcing my faith on them. If they don't believe, they don't believe, it's none of my business. But certain atheists like Kathy Griffin, Richard Dawkins, and people who call themselves "militant atheists" need to get a life and stop destroying these things. Militant atheists attempt to force their non-religious beliefs on people.
Christians need to fight back at these guys and say: Hey guys, knock it off. We don't force on you, so don't force on us.
This is why this letter is so great to see. Thank you friend.
Always,
~ Joshua
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