United Church of God

Letter From David Schreiber - December 13, 2019

Letter From David D Schreiber

December 13, 2019

Dear Brethren,
The Christmas shopping season is in full swing and we are now surrounded by the onslaught of lights, music, commercials and ads encouraging people to "buy".  Over the years, well meaning shop clerks, waitresses, bank tellers and those we may work with, may have asked you and I, "Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?  Are you ready for Christmas?" 
Depending on the situation, we as adults have answered those questions in different ways.  However, it's a little harder for our small children who are asked directly,  "Is Santa coming to your house?  What did you tell Santa you wanted for Christmas"?  Tough questions for a little one to answer.
Several years ago our daughter and son-in-law began teaching our grand daughter Ella about Christmas and what God thinks about it. She was about age 3 when we talked to her about what she was learning. We told her that not everyone knows about God's laws and what the Bible teaches about celebrating this kind of holiday, but her mom and dad are striving to obey God and one day they will be able to teach others about Christmas and also about the feasts that God does want us to observe.  She looked up happily and said, "I'm going to teach too"! 
How precious when a child is open, believing and excited to know God's truth.  As we will be teachers,  It's good to be reminded that we should know and "know that we know" where these traditions of men came from.  The history of the origins of Christmas observances is easily found in encyclopedias, books and online sources. This information is accessible to anyone who wants to search and dig for the truth. We understand that Satan has blinded the world and twisted evil to look good. But as we also understand, he will not deceive the world indefinitely.
Though this season can be a discouraging time for some, what a blessing it is to know God's truth. You stand out as a "light" in a very dark world. As the apostle Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:5, "You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness." 
So let your light shine.
Have a blessed Sabbath,
Dave
P.S. Teaching our children has it's challenges.  Last year, our very friendly grandson James talked with the sales clerk and then ended the conversation with "Have a good Christmas".  A little surprised, our daughter Kelley explained, "James we don't keep Christmas".  His reply, "I know, but she does."  After a little more discussion (teaching), he decided the next time he'd just say, "Have a good snow day." 
 
Scriptures to read:
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on  a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).