Season

[Joe Paul]

Dear Loved Ones,

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 12 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 to eat and drink, the
 gifts, the parties 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

Unknown Author.......

[goofynina]

I dont even know what to say, other than i am GUILTY!!!   Thank you so much JoePaul, i am going to read this at Christmas time (and of course send this to all my friends and family members)  This says it all.  Awesome post my friend,  Wishing you and yours a very Blessed Christmas

[Sluff]

Thanks Joe Paul.... a gentle reminder for all.

[Joe Paul]

You are welcome, had to share with my friends, truly my pleasure   

[Sara]

A good reminder.  Got to focus on the "reason for the season."   

[goofynina]

JoePaul,  i know i thanked you for this post already but i think this deserves another one.  Especially since i sent this to several people on my email list and got an overwhelming response to it.  Really opened the eyes to alot of people,  although we always knew it in our hearts, this post really helped remind us that Christ is the reason for the season....AWESOME POST MY FRIEND 

[nextnoel]

JoePaul, thank you so much for that post! 

Our family has a tradition that on Christmas Day, we have an actual birthday cake with "Happy Birthday, Jesus" on it for desert.  That was originally my daughter's idea when she was about 3 - she thought we were being unfair not offerring Jesus a cake on His birthday.  It quickly spread throughout the family, and we all still do it, over 30 years later.  (And yes, we sing "Happy Birthday, Dear Jesus" before we cut the cake.  And we use only 1 candle!)

[Joe Paul]

Hmm, just wondering. Im playing Santa next year (pictures to come) Who will remember

[Joe Paul]

Forgot to mention ( please excuse me repling to myself ) Whiskers thanks to medication   

[nextnoel]

Glad it's not me that's on that medication!

[angela515]

I watch this History channel a lot, and have seen a lot of shows about the Bible... and such. So from what I have learned by watching them, is Dec 25th is not actually Jesus' Birthday... Just wondered why is it celebrated on this day then?

[Joe Paul]

Any day is better than none

[angela515]

 

[kitkatz]

It was already a pagan hilday when the Christians in an area of the world decided to change the pagan holiday to a Christian holiday. It happened a lot in the early Christian times. It also allowed the early Christians the ability to celebrate within the pagan holiday and not be found out.