I’m sure you’ve seen them. Those chain emails protesting the so-called removal of “Christ” from Christmas. Fighting back against any attempt to make the holiday season more inclusive and diverse.

I have a problem with that. And it wasn’t until I got ANOTHER kind of chain email today that I realized just what my problem was.

The email was sent by my former cousin-in-law, The High Tech Exec’s cousin, who spent her life as a Nazarene missionary in Latin countries. She’s a very neat woman, someone I completely respect. Someone who is congruently Christian in thought and deed.

Which is why it was so powerful to receive this from her. Here it is:

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of this holy / holiday season.

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 don’t care what you call the day.

If you want to celebrate My birth, THEN just GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER, at least be KIND. Presents are optional, Real Presence is mandatory.

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 just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen in your yard and put 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.

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. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: 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 these:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. (I know, they tell Me all the time.)

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. Show a little kindness and concern – it won’t kill you…if fact, it’ll do the opposite.

3. Instead of writing the President 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… It will be nice hearing from you again, on his behalf.

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 I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

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.

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. 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 the Sabbath, they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary– especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name in distant, remote places.

9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your 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 them, 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 (and for me).

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Follower of The Way, or, as you call it, a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of 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 now in your court.

And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love. And remember :

I LOVE YOU,
JESUS