Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Fri, 18 Dec 1992 15:53:53 MST
From:         Madge McBurney <ISPMOM@ASUACAD.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Christmas is for people
              18 Dec 1992 15:09:00 MST from <SKLEPZI@SSB1.SAFF.UTAH.EDU>

I'm posting Steven's message again so that those on bit.listserv.christia
will be able to read this too. (Steven is still have trouble getting his
mail to appear on the different news services).

Christia co-owner   Bitnet:   ispmom@asuacad
Madge McBurney      Internet: ispmom@asuvm.inre.asu.edu
----------------------------Original message----------------------------

On Fri, 18 Dec 1992 15:09:00 MST Steven Klepzig said:
>Let's give some things a rest on this list for awhile.  Let's give the
>arguments (sorry, discussions) concerning civil rights, recent legislation,
>personal comments concerning the appearnce of those most likely never met
>(i.e. "lying through your yellow teeth").  If you can't live with giving
>these things a rest for awhile perhaps some other list would best serve your
>needs.
>
>I can't believe I have to this sort of thing at Christmas on a Christian
>list.  I would ask for anyone that has been touched, moved, thought about,
>changed their opinions, or otherwise learned something from the recent
>discussions to contact me personally.  I need some hope that the time and
>effort put into this list by so many isn't totally wasted.
>
>Christmas isn't for presents.  It isn't for giving.  It isn't for lights,
>trees, cards, songs, parties, or egg nog.  It isn't for stressing out at the
>malls and shopping centers, yelling at others in parking lots or on the
>highways.  It isn't for being depressed because you can't get the latest and
>greatest, sure to fulfill all dreams, super duper thing that all the
>advertisers have been telling you about for the past 9 months.
>
>Christmas is for people.  It is for you and me, for the person in the next
>office, driving the car next to you, getting stressed out in the checkout
>line behind you.  It is for everyone.  It is for us to celebrate the coming
>of our Lord and King Jesus Christ to this world as one of us.  It doesn't
>matter whether or not He was born on December 25.  The particular date we
>celebrate His birth on is entirely inconsequential.  It is the EVENT that is
>important and significant.  Jesus Christ came to earth to do something for us
>that we could never do, save us from eternal punishment and damnation.  He
>came that we might have life.  He came to restore something that we lost many
>years ago, a right relationship with our God.  That's what Christmas is
>about.  That's what Christmas is for.
>
>As Christians we should be happy and smiling this entire time.  Let someone
>get ahead of you in the checkout line.  When (if) they say "Thanks" say "You
>needed it more than me."  If they continue on tell them that Jesus, the
>reason for the season, has given you the grace and release from this hussle
>and bussle.  This should be the greatest witnessing time of year for all
>Christians.  Just be nice to others, love them as you love yourself.  The
>message will get through.
>
>Let's hear more about Christmas and what it means to everyone.  Let's hear
>how you and/or your family celebrate the single greatest birth in history.
>Let's hear your traditions, your funny stories and happenings.  Let's pretend
>that we can get along for awhile.  Don't worry - I'm sure that those ever fun
>arguements (sorry, discussions) that everyone so loves will return.  But for
>now let's give that all a rest and do something that glorifies our Lord and
>celebrates His birth.
>
>"...it is false piety to preserve peace at the expense of truth.  It is also
>false zeal to preserve truth at the expense of charity." - Blaise Pascal
>
>Steven Klepzig (sklepzi@ssb1.saff.utah.edu)
>Co-owner - Practical Christian Living (christia@asuacad)
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