What I Got for Christmas

What did you get for Christmas? As usual, I was blessed beyond deserving. I received some shirts, some much needed exercise equipment, gloves, books, and a gift certificate to Borders. I am headed to Borders in just a couple of minutes to use that one!

I also got some wonderful intangible gifts. Our families and several friends have shared time and meals with us over the last few days, and that has been a joy. We have even had a good time with Daisy, Josh's 75 pound, pure-bred Bloodhound! And I had some stereotypes shattered. I was speaking with one of our members a few days ago about seeing Twisted Sister singing O Come, All Ye Faithful on the Tonight Show. That show blew up one stereotype. Our member has played in rock bands, and a few days later she brought me a CD with Goth Christmas music on it. Clearly I didn't know as much as I thought about Goth music. I didn't think I knew much, but I had it pigeon-holed in a narrow box. The CD blew me away with its beauty and its power. God used all of this to remind me of the many ways the good news can be shared and that I better think twice before I put any group into a box.

And my best Christmas gift was the Good News that is old but always fresh. God has come into the world like one of us - "veiled in flesh the God head see" - and nothing will be the same.

Jimmy