Yes, a man wrote this, not Jesus, but the sentiment and the message are clear. I'm usually not big on stuff like this, but this is worth a read. I added some stuff to a previous version in order to make this one a little more biblically sound.
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Dear Children,
It know that many you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the Christmas season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.
I really don't care what you call the day. I'm not real big on 'mass' anyway, I prefer worship and fellowship. Besides, many of the people who actually do call it Christmas spend the day doing the work of the enemy. Which is worse? If you want to celebrate My birth, do it. Just don't get mad when heathens do what heathens do, that's My job. (See Psalm 7:11). Love them, pray for them, and preach the word so that maybe they will know that they don't have to stay that way.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. Here's a thought, what if you spent the same amount of money you spend on decorating your house by buying a meal or three for that homeless guy you pass on the street?
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. Be honest now, do you really think of Me every time you see a Christmas tree anyway? I didn't think so, but if you do, then you can remember Me anytime you see any tree. If you really want something to remind you, decorate a vine. I actually spoke of that once, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1-8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth
here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My
birthday is being celebrated or spoken of, write letters of love, hope, and encouragement to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time. Many of them have no idea what I've done for them, and if they die at work today, they will die in their sins. My sacrifice will do them no good if they don't accept it in faith. How about you write and give them some really good news.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know
them personally. They just need to know that someone cares
about them. Many of them also do not know Me, and they're not getting any younger.
3. Instead of writing the President and complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up and actually do it. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't
afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them
the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down
here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that there are people in the world who don't have a mother or a father, nor do they know that I love them. Buy a buffalo to help a widow in India support herself, or a bed or some food for an orphan in Myanmar, or maybe even a bible for a believer in an oppressive country. Show your children what it really means to give. (Editors note: see orphanstear.org, Iwashungry.org, or shepherdserve.org are good places to start)
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him
or her. Hey, why not pick three or four?
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take
their own life this season because they feel so alone and
hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving
everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference. Better yet, how about stepping out of your sacred comfort zone and sharing the truth with a few of those same folks that you smile at. You may be the only person they ever speak to who actually knows Me and is brave enough to risk rejection to tell them about Me. Yes, tell them I love them, but don't hide the truth about where they're headed if they don't repent and trust in what I've done for them.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Give them a gospel tract. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families. Maybe it would take away their excuse for not hanging out with Me on Sunday mornings.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - especially one who takes the truth about Me to those who have never heard My name.
9. There are individuals and whole families in your own home town who not only will have no Christmas tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know any of them, just buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a serious statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions AND your words that you are one of my disciples. St Francis was a good guy, but he missed a serious point that I made very clear to Paul. Preach the gospel in season and out, and use words. Not just when you're comfortable or feel you know someone well enough, but every day. It is really not that big of a cross to bear. Believe me, where you live, the persecution you are afraid you might receive will not even warrant a band aid to recover from. I could introduce you to thousands upon thousands who have lost their lives doing what you deem to be unpleasant or inconvenient.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of and defend Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.
Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is still in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love, and remember:
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
~Earthly Author Unknown~
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