12 Gifts of Christmas / 6th Gift – Joy

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children. Luke 10:21

At His birth shepherds rejoiced – And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God 

At His touch the leper rejoiced – and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.

At His sight a sinner rejoiced – So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

In His arms children rejoiced -And he took them in his arms and blessed them, 

At his son’s return a father rejoiced- Celebrate and be glad… your brother was dead, and is alive

When He called her name Mary rejoiced – “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out,

For bread and fish on the fire the disciples rejoiced – Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.

At His return to Heaven His Father rejoiced – For the joy that was set before Him He endured

For Joy

From birth with straw and angels
 Through every up and down
 To death with thieves and strangers
 In joy He bore the crown
 And now He's gone to Father’s house
 For us to make a place
 So why not serve with joy right here
 Till when we see His face

For Joy by Peter Caligiuri 2020 All rights reserved
  

12 Gifts of Christmas / 5th Gift Hope

/ pastorpete51 / 7 Comments

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. Matthew 12:20

A few years ago when we lived in the city of Scranton, a house in our neighborhood was condemned and slated for demolition. Ironically, the problems had nothing to do with the owner’s neglect, but with the home’s unfortunate luck to be near a large storm sewer project. During all the digging, smashing and scraping going on out in the street, the building’s foundation had cracked. The city quickly paid the owner for the damages and he moved out. Then shortly afterward, large equipment was brought and in just two days the house was completely demolished and all its rubble carted away.

Is there anyone in your world like this small unfortunate home? Maybe their lives have gotten a little too close to other people’s important building projects. The heavy equipment, the digging and smashing going on that is happening while others are reaching their goals has weakened their footings.  Problems beyond their control have wiped away in a few short hours an entire lifetime of family dinners, memories of children playing and hopes for the future.

The world specializes in wrecking hopes and dreams, but Jesus said that He would never break bruised hearts or put out flickering candles of hope. If during this Christmas season the wrecking ball of life comes to tear down our neighbor’s home, we have an opportunity to point them to the gift of hope we have found who was born in a manger. He still shines a light in darkness that no situation person or problem will ever be able to put out!

12 Gifts of Christmas / Day 4- Faith

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 ESV

When I was a young boy I hated moving. It wasn’t so much the packing of my little suitcase or the new address or bed that bothered me. What I struggled with was being the new kid (again) with not fitting in, not knowing where my seat would be in class and wondering if I could make friends. It felt like my life was just one big problem that no one knew the answer for. Now that I am an old guy I still have problems but I have found that I can bring them to God. But today, while I am busy asking in faith for God to help me with my problems and give me blessings; it occurs to me how little I have paused to use my faith to ask for others. What kinds of mountains do the people around me face? I really admire one guy from our men’s group who, always asks His waiter or waitress “How can I pray for you today?” Maybe you and I don’t do that very often because we have been afraid of what people might say, or maybe we have just been too busy with our own problems.

As Christmas nears why not ask for God to help us see into someone else’s world? After all God saw us. He came and to Bethlehem became a part of our world. He willingly chose to be the new kid on the block, to not fit in, to be rejected and to die in order for our mountain of sin to be moved. What mountains are our friends and neighbors facing? Why not give them a Christmas gift of faith and come and be a part of moving their mountains today?