Christmas presents

One Christmas Faith

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all. Ephesians 4:5-6 KJV

It’s the Holiday season and everywhere you look there are elves, reindeer and the big guy in the red suit. But without any desire to offend anyone I need to get this off my chest:  I hate Hallmark movies! Okay maybe not all, but how is it possible to produce dozens of Christmas themed films without having a single one about the birth of Christ? I will admit that to their credit at least Hallmark keeps things family friendly for the holidays; but then the question needs to be asked: Just what are we celebrating?

It might feel uncomfortable to insist that Christmas is only about Jesus because it runs counter to our inclusive culture. But Paul makes it crystal clear that real faith is exclusive and unique. If people choose to celebrate Christmas while leaving out Jesus they are completely missing the point. There are not a thousand different ways to get to God: there is only one. We are lost and in need of a Savior and that is why God sent His Son. The verse from the Old Christmas Carol says –

No ear may hear His coming

But in this world of sin

Where meek souls will receive Him still

The dear Christ enters in*

Oh yes there is only one Christmas faith, but the good news is that no matter who we are, what we have done, or what others think of us; if we open our hearts to receive Him; the dear Christ still enters in!

*O Little Town of Bethlehem Lewis Redner 1868

Dreaming of a Sweet Christmas

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 ESV

Yes Mary and Joseph faced immediate persecution and exile not long after the birth of Jesus, but God saw to it that for at least one night something beautiful would fill their home. Have you ever stopped to think that the wise men were not known by name but by the gifts they brought? In fact it is their gifts that set the stage for our gift giving at Christmas today. Those gifts meant that their long journey was filled with the risk of attack and the loss of what may have cost them their life’s savings. But all the worry and difficulty were forgotten in the moment when they opened their treasures and worshiped.

When I think of the wise men’s gifts I am reminded of my wife’s gifts of home made candy which she has been baking and sending off to family and friends over the last forty years. The candy factory opens here in the Caligiuri household just after the Thanksgiving left overs are put into the refrigerator. Our dining room table becomes a work surface. Christmas tins, bags of chocolate chips and sliced almonds fill our kitchen along with the wonderful aroma of  butterscotch. In much the same way as the wise men Nancy gives the best she has each year for people, some of whom rarely step into a church. For those have little thought of worship her message carried by the sweetness of butter crunch has left an indelible memory of the love of Jesus Christ on their hearts. 20181207_220625.jpg

Here is her Christmas recipe. You will just have to add your own love for it to taste as good as hers!

 

Nancy’s Almond Butter Crunch

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups slivered almonds (chopped)
  • 2 sticks Margarine or butter
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. light corn syrup
  • 3 Tbsp. water
  • 1 – 8 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips

 

Directions: Toast almonds on cookie sheet for 10 minutes at 375°. In medium saucepan combine butter (or margarine) sugar, syrup, and water. Stirring constantly over a medium heat bring to 300° (hard-crack). Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the chopped toasted almonds and pour into a greased 15” x 10” x 1 ½ ” pan (cookie sheet).Spread quickly and evenly then immediately cover with chocolate chips and spread as the chocolate melts with the back of a stirring spoon. Top chocolate with the remaining ½ cup of toasted almonds while it is still hot then set aside to cool. Once pan is cool place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours then candy can be broken into small pieces (Enjoy!)

 

 Caligiuri Family Cookbookcookbook

 

 

 

20181207_220625.jpg

Gift of Rest

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls Matthew 11:29

In all our hurry towards Christmas, it is easy for us to forget to rest for a moment at the manger. Remember how He waited the unhurried nine months in the waiting room of Mary’s womb. Then at His birth the shepherds were the first to know as they rested with their flocks.

For the next 30 quiet years Jesus lived in the tiny village of Nazareth. He didn’t burst forth with proclamations of greatness instead he worked in the back of Joseph’s carpenter shop. He had brothers and sisters with whom He shared a straw mattress on the floor and the same meals that Mary cooked for everyone. Never do we hear of a complaint an attitude of frustration.

He simply waited and rested in the place where God had put Him. It was there in Nazareth that He learned to give thanks for bread and fish. In the ordinary circumstances of His life He learned how to wash feet, celebrate weddings and how to handle wood and nails.

Whenever we feel the push to get into the holiday swing of things we need to stop and take a deep breath. Then in a moment of calm remember that the same Jesus who rested in the storm has also invited us to come and rest our souls in Him!