THE GIFT OF FELLOWSHIP (1 OF 3)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Leviticus 3:1-5
This content is part of a series.
The Gift of Fellowship (1 of 3)
Series: Christmas Gifts
Jeff Strite
Leviticus 3:1-5
OPEN: Joe had ordered an expensive suit for a banquet, and the tailor finished alterations just in time. But as Joe left the shop, a sudden rainstorm doused the jacket and shrank one of the sleeves.
''We can't do anything about it today,'' the tailor told Joe when he returned to the shop. ''Just stretch the sleeve over your hand, and no one will notice.''
With his arm contorted, Joe left the shop, and again was doused by rain. This time, a pant leg shrank.
''I can't take care of that now!'' exclaimed the tailor. ''Pull the bottom of pants over your heel, and nobody will notice.''
His body twisted, Joe again left the shop. Two women were passing by.
''That poor man!'' said on. ''I wonder what's wrong with him?''
''I don't know,'' said the other. ''But he sure is wearing a nice suit!''
APPLY: When dealing with Christmas, many people love the tinsel and bright lights - it looks so nice and appealing, but at the same time, many sense that something is wrong. Something just doesn't quite fit.
It's not only that the whole season is commercialized beyond imagination so much so that stores across the nation begin decorating for Christmas long before Thanksgiving. There is a vast amount of crass commercialism that accompanies this holiday.
But, even beyond that, one observer has noted that the holiday season has a surprising dark side:
- in December - murder and robbery in the United States reaches its highest peak.
- the Christmas season ranks just under Memorial weekend in the number of car wrecks on the highway.
- the suicide rate will begin its annual climb during this month, until it peaks out at what some call the ''big downer'' New Years Eve.
He concluded: ''This is the reality of Christmas. No tinsel, no glitter--just harsh reality.''
Why? Why has Christmas lost so much of glitter? I believe it's because many have lost the focus of what ...
Series: Christmas Gifts
Jeff Strite
Leviticus 3:1-5
OPEN: Joe had ordered an expensive suit for a banquet, and the tailor finished alterations just in time. But as Joe left the shop, a sudden rainstorm doused the jacket and shrank one of the sleeves.
''We can't do anything about it today,'' the tailor told Joe when he returned to the shop. ''Just stretch the sleeve over your hand, and no one will notice.''
With his arm contorted, Joe left the shop, and again was doused by rain. This time, a pant leg shrank.
''I can't take care of that now!'' exclaimed the tailor. ''Pull the bottom of pants over your heel, and nobody will notice.''
His body twisted, Joe again left the shop. Two women were passing by.
''That poor man!'' said on. ''I wonder what's wrong with him?''
''I don't know,'' said the other. ''But he sure is wearing a nice suit!''
APPLY: When dealing with Christmas, many people love the tinsel and bright lights - it looks so nice and appealing, but at the same time, many sense that something is wrong. Something just doesn't quite fit.
It's not only that the whole season is commercialized beyond imagination so much so that stores across the nation begin decorating for Christmas long before Thanksgiving. There is a vast amount of crass commercialism that accompanies this holiday.
But, even beyond that, one observer has noted that the holiday season has a surprising dark side:
- in December - murder and robbery in the United States reaches its highest peak.
- the Christmas season ranks just under Memorial weekend in the number of car wrecks on the highway.
- the suicide rate will begin its annual climb during this month, until it peaks out at what some call the ''big downer'' New Years Eve.
He concluded: ''This is the reality of Christmas. No tinsel, no glitter--just harsh reality.''
Why? Why has Christmas lost so much of glitter? I believe it's because many have lost the focus of what ...
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