Sunday, December 10, 2000
Sunday, December 10, 2000
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good
news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is
the Messiah, the Lord.
Dear Pastor, In reply to your request to send a check I wish to inform you that the present
condition of my bank account makes it almost impossible. My shattered financial condition is due
to federal laws, state laws, county laws, corporation laws, mother-in-laws, brother-in-laws, and
outlaws. Through these laws I am compelled to pay a business tax, amusement tax, head tax,
school tax, gas tax, light tax, water tax, sales tax, even my brains are taxed. I am required to get a
business license, a dog license, not to mention a marriage license. I am also required to contribute
to every organization or society which the genius of man is capable of bringing to life. Women's
relief, unemployment relief, every hospital and charitable institution in the city--including the Red
Cross, the purple cross, and the double cross. For my own safety I am required to carry life
insurance, property insurance, liability insurance, accident insurance, burglar insurance, business
insurance, earthquake insurance, tornado insurance, unemployment insurance, fire insurance. I am
inspected, expected, respected, dejected, rejected, examined, reexamined, informed, reformed,
summoned, fined, commanded, and compelled until I supply an inexhaustable supply of money for
every known need, desire or hope of the human race. Simply because I refuse to donate
something or other, I'm boycotted, talked about, lied about, held up, held down, robbed until I am
ruined! I can tell you honestly, had not the unexpected happened I could not enclose this check.
The wolf that comes to so many doors now-a-days, just had pups in the kitchen, I sold them, and
here's the money.
I guess we all feel that way at times--demands for money from every side--particularly during this
season of the year. And yet the gift of Christmas is a gift that must be passed on to be enjoyed.
Christ comes into our lives bringing unmerited love. Only the coldest of hearts will refuse to let
him in. Only the most selfish of spirits will not reach out then in generosity to others. Our
enjoyment of Christmas will be proportional to the joy we bring to others.
(Luke 2:10-11
NRSV)
In a stewardship drive one of the members sent the pastor the following letter:
Loving God, in the season of celebrating Christ's birth help me to share his joy of your great love.
Amen.
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