Tuesday, December 25, 2001

A Canadian Soldier’s Christmas

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

A Canadian Soldier’s Christmas

 
“It's Christmas day, all is secure."


T'was the night before Christmas,
he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house,
made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney,
with presents to give,
and to see just who,
in this home did live.

I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle,
just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures,
of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought,
came through my mind.

For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor,
in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured,
a Canadian soldier.

Was this the hero,
of whom I’d just read?,
curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?

I realized the families,
that i saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers,
who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,
the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate,
a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom,
each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder,
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve,
in a land far from home.

The very thought brought,
a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees,
and started to cry.

The soldier awakened,
and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry,
this life is my choice.

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
my life is my god,
my country, my corps."

The soldier rolled over,
and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still,
and we both shivered,
from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave,
on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honour,
so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice, soft and pure,
whispered, "carry on Santa,
it's Christmas day, all is secure."

One look at my watch,
and I knew he was right,
"merry Christmas my friend,
and to all a good night."

 ++++++++++++++

This poem was written by a peace keeping soldier 
stationed overseas.  The following is his request. 
 I think it is reasonable.  Please.  

Would you do me the kind favour 
of sending this to as many people as you can?

Christmas will be coming soon 
and some credit is due to our Canadian
service men and women 
for our being able to celebrate these festivities.

Let's try in this small way 
to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.

Make people stop and think of our heroes, 
living and dead, 
who sacrificed much 
and sometimes themselves for us.

Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.


----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Sunday, December 23, 2001

Letter from God

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------


Letter from God

If God was writing this letter to us, this is what he would say to us,

Dear Children,

        It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking my name out of the 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 don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate my birth just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 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, just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen 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 & may remember me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks are. If you forgot 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 protest letters objecting to the way my birthday is celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know because 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.
 
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out, why don't you write that you'll be praying for him and his family this year? Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
 
4. Instead of giving your children 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 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 feels so alone and hopeless he or she will attempt to die this season? 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 that day 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 & good news to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
 
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 (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in me.  They will make the delivery for you.
 
10. If you want to make a 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 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 then 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!



----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Thursday, December 20, 2001

Santa's Surprising Origins - Saint Nicholas Biography

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Santa's Surprising Origins


Saint Nicholas Biography 

By Rev. Austin Miles December 20, 2001 – A special holiday story from ASSIST News Service – Crosswalk.com News

        He is loveable, congenial, giving and jolly.  What's more he knows everything, as any child will readily testify.  He is a colorful old man, whose visits are eagerly awaited by millions of children each year and who, for a little while, makes the world a much happier place.  Is Santa Claus a good influence on children, or a bad influence whose image merely commercializes Christmas and who takes the reason out of the season, as some charge? Where did Santa come from?  It will surprise many to learn that Santa Claus  (as we know him today) came out of the church itself through the charity of a very devout and caring priest.  Now bear in mind that this is a true, historically documented account. 
        Approximately 200 years after the birth of Christ, a meeting of the elders of a little Catholic Church in Myra, Turkey had just been called to order.  They needed to appoint a bishop but no fitting candidate could be found.  So great was the need that they decided to pray.  Out at sea, a ship battled a raging storm.  The crew valiantly fought to keep it afloat. Trunks were being thrown overboard to lighten the load as frightened passengers held onto whatever they could to keep from being swept overboard while others huddled in their cabins.  
        The ravaging waves tore some wood from the sides of the ship.  "Nicholas ... NICHOLAS!" someone yelled frantically.  It had been noised about that a man named Nicholas, who was known to be a man of God, was on board.  Out of a cabin, in response to the call, came a man with a long white beard.  Holding on to the rail of the tossing ship, he began to pray for the storm to cease.  As he prayed he lifted his hands heavenward.  Miraculously, the storm calmed.  The crippled ship drifted into the harbor of Myra.  The elders of the little Catholic church in Myra suddenly stopped in the midst of their intense prayer, opened their eyes and looked around at each other, startled at a message from God that had come to each of them in the form of a vision; they were to appoint as their bishop, the first man named Nicholas who would, within the hour, enter the church to pray.  
        As the leaning ship hobbled into the port and was docked, Nicholas disembarked and made his way into the village to seek a church.  He wanted to give thanks to God for His intervention during the storm that could have killed everyone on board.  Finding the church, he eagerly approached it.  The heads of the elders turned toward the door as it slowly opened.  The stately man with the snow-white beard entered, and, focused on the altar, made his way down to the front and knelt in a prayer of thanksgiving. As he rose to leave the elders approached him.  
        "What is your name?" asked one.  "Nicholas." was the reply.  He lived to serve God:  "God has sent you to us to be our new bishop," said another.  The group joyfully fitted the surprised Nicholas with a long red priestly robe and mitre.  Nicholas quickly became known as, "The Bishop of Miracles," because of so many spectacular answers to his prayers.  Unlike most priests, Bishop Nicholas was wealthy through family inheritance.  In his mind, wealth came from God and belonged to God.  The very reason for his existence was to serve God.  And that is how he lived his life.  
        Nicholas became increasingly concerned about a custom in Turkey.  If little girls did not have a dowry so that they could marry, they would be sold into slavery, which included prostitution.  Bishop Nicholas had given away most of his own fortune so he went about and managed to collect gold from admirers.  On December 6th, under cover of darkness, he wrapped the gold coins in several little bags and visited each home that had a daughter without a dowry, dropping a bag of gold through the windows of each, which landed on the hearth where the little girl's clothes would be drying.  When the gold was discovered the next morning, the family rejoiced.  Their little daughters were saved from slavery.  Nicholas continued what was to become an annual tradition.  
        Nobody knew the identity of the mysterious benefactor who would slip around the village on that date each year.  On one such night, as Nicholas put his arm through the window to drop the bag of gold, instead of it landing on the hearth, the bag fell into a stocking that was hanging in front of the fireplace to dry.  It was found the next morning, to the delight of the family, which, by the way, is how the custom of hanging up Christmas stockings came to be.  Shortly before Nicholas’s death, which occurred on December 6th, the date of his annual visit, it was learned that he was the individual who brought so much joy to so many families.  
        Now a Saint.  Five hundred years later, in the 9th Century, Nicholas was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church; hence the name, Saint Nicholas.  And since the celebration of Christmas came after the life of St. Nicholas, he actually preceded Christmas, as we know it today.  As the story of St. Nicholas spread, French nuns in the 12th Century began making annual night-time visits to poor families with children, leaving fruit and nuts, which these families could not afford.  The nuns made their gift-giving rounds on what became known as, "St. Nicholas Eve," December 5th.  The tradition spread throughout the Old World and across the ocean to the New.  Many people to this day celebrate Christmas on December 6th. 
        St. Nicholas became the Patron Saint of many countries including Russia, becoming a major ingredient in the Russian Christmas celebration.  England made St. Nicholas,  "Father Christmas."  Germany picked up on that title and in France, he became known as "Papa Noel."  As the various forms of Nicholas began to emerge in the secular world over the years, some unanticipated problems arose: protests, which came out of ... the church. Martin Luther pounded his pulpit proclaiming that the true Christmas message was being lost by the St. Nicholas connection.  The Dutch came to the rescue and adopted what they believed to be a more religious view of Nicholas that would satisfy the critics.  
The Dutch-German Protestant Reform Movement brought with it the idea that the Christ child should be the standard bearer   for Christmas.  
        The German word for Christ child, "Christkindl," evolved to, "Kris Kringle,” yet another version and another irritant for Luther.  In 1822, on the night before Christmas, which the world began to celebrate on December 24th, Clement Moore wrote a poem about the gift-giver for his six children.  That poem, "The Night Before Christmas," was published the following year in the Sentinel of Troy, New York.  Up to that time, Nicholas had taken various forms.  He was portrayed with a black beard, then a white beard.  He was shown dressed in everything including buckskin.  
        Then Santa.  Mr. Moore defined Nicholas once and for all and renamed him, Santa Claus. He had, no doubt, been influenced by the Dutch who named him,  "Sinter (Saint) Klass (short for Nicholas) and that had become, "Sinterklass."  Others who spoke broken English, knowing that gold had been found on the hearth by the fireplace, started a new legend.  The gift-giver came down the chimney and would land in the cinders of burning embers, so they called him," Cinder Klaussen,” which would in Moore’s hands become, Santa Claus.  Clement Moore’s poem made Santa famous.  He even named the reindeer.  Not only did he name them ... he made them fly.  
        He might have taken that idea from the poet, Washington Irving, who wrote a book in 1809 about a Dutch Colonist's dream in which St. Nick came riding over the tops of trees in a wagon wherein he brings yearly presents to the children.  An artist named Thomas Nash, who was a Harper's Weekly cartoonist, began to show what Santa looked like.  He dressed him in red, which had been the official color of the priestly robes worn by St. Nicholas and went further by making Santa plump and jolly.  To show how much of a church connection to Santa there is, Clement Moore’s father was the Episcopal Bishop of New York, and, Clement Moore himself was Professor of Theology at Union Theological Seminary.  
In 1897, a little girl named, Virginia Hanlon, had been told that there really was no Santa Claus.  She was so disturbed about it that she wrote a letter to the editor of The New York Sun, whose name, by the way, was Francis P. Church ... can’t get away from that connection.  He responded with a story titled, "Yes Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus."  And the world breathed a sigh of relief.  
        It is interesting to note that the clearest image of Santa came not from the church, or from a poet, but by, of all things, a soft drink company advertisement!  That drawing, known as ‘the Coca Cola Santa,' created and drawn by Haddon Sundblom, made him totally definable.  And the elves?  Well, they were first seen in Ireland as Leprechauns.  
        A Return to Love.  St. Nicholas has been replaced by the created "Santa" who does indeed delight millions of children.  But maybe through the hustle and bustle we have lost the very core of what Christmas is and should be; a time of love and sharing with people in need (whether we know them or not), rather than an orgy of gift giving, receiving, and thinking of one’s personal wants.  I would like to see the original idea of giving and charity, as set forth by the real St. Nick, with nothing expected in return, brought back.  
        As for the commercialization of Christmas, there still is a bright side.  It is the one time in the year where we can hear songs proclaiming the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, with others heralding the birth of The Holy Child, Jesus Christ our Savior coming through the loud speakers of the malls and shopping centers of the secular world.  Homes are decorated with lights to proclaim Him.  People are a little nicer to one another at least once a year.  So maybe this commercialized version is better than having no celebration at all.

Rev. Austin Miles is a Northern California chaplain, author, award-winning writer, historian, and a writer-researcher and technical consultant for the multi award-winning TV series, "Ancient Secrets of the Bible," for CBS TV (currently being re-run on the Total Living Network TLN).  He portrayed Alexander Graham Bell in the Houghton Mifflin interactive CD-ROM titled, Inventor Labs, which won two Gold Awards for "Best Educational Software for Adolescents."  Rev. Miles is listed in the International Historic Who's Who Encyclopaedia.  He can be reached by e-mail address at Chaplainmiles@aol.com.



----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Thursday, September 13, 2001

Food for Thought - Where Is God?

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Where Is God?

Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001 - 12:00 AM ET


CBS

NEW YORK -- Anne Graham Lotz is the second daughter of Billy Graham. She has stepped in her father's footsteps and formed a ministry that is based in Raleigh, N.C. She calls herself a Bible teacher. She is not an ordained minister.

Her father has called her "the best preacher in the family". She spoke with Early Show's Jane Clayson on Sept. 13 to offer some comfort to the families of the terror victims.

Jane Clayson: We've turned to your father, the reverend Billy Graham, so often in times of national crisis. What are his thoughts about what happened on Tuesday?

Anne Graham Lotz: I turned to him also. In fact, I called him last night after you all called to arrange for this. He's reacting like a lot of Christians around the country, we're all praying. I think about those people you just showed. I wasn't sure I'd be in control when you came on because it just provoked such emotion to see these people carrying pictures of their loved ones and knowing they don't know if they're alive or dead.

And at a time like that, I know the families and the friends of the victims can hardly even pray for themselves. They don't know what to say or how to pray. I want to say to them - families and friends of the victims, that there are thousands of people in this country who are carrying you in prayer right now. And we're praying for you with hearts filled with compassion and grief and just interceding on your behalf, asking the God of all peace and the God of all comfort to come down in a special way into your life and meet your needs at this time. My father and mother are also praying like that.

Jane Clayson: The pain is incomprehensible for so many of these people. At a time like this it is so easy to lose faith. How do you keep faith, Mrs. Lotz at a time like this?

Anne Graham Lotz: I think it is almost easier to have faith because we have nothing else in some ways. I've watched as this nation has turned to prayer. We've seen prayer vigils. And in our city, we have prayer vigils. And so I thing it is a time to turn to God…. Our nation has been hit and devastated by this day of terror and now I believe it is our choice as a nation as to whether we're going to implode and just disintegrate emotionally and spiritually or whether we'll make the choice to be stronger. I think right now, we have the opportunity to come through this spiritually stronger than we've been in the past because we turn to God.

Jane Clayson: I've heard people say, those who are religious, those who are not, if God is good, how could God less this happen? To that, you say?

Anne Graham Lotz: I say God is also angry when he sees something like this. I would say also for several years now Americans in a sense have shaken their fist at God and said, God, we want you out of our schools, our government, our business, we want you out of our marketplace. And God, who is a gentleman, has just quietly backed out of our national and political life, our public life. Removing his hand of blessing and protection. We need to turn to God first of all and say, God, we're sorry we have treated you this way and we invite you now to come into our national life. We put our trust in you. We have our trust in God on our coins, we need to practice it.

Jane Clayson: So many people have called this an act of war. Has he expressed anything about what a proper response for an attack like this should be?

Anne Graham Lotz: No. I've tried to be very careful. I don't ever answer for my father. But I believe in the next few days you're going to be seeing him and hearing from him and perhaps he will express some of those things.

Jane Clayson: As a spiritual adviser, how would you define the feelings right now?

Anne Graham Lotz: I was watching television the first day and interviewed a construction worker that who had been an eyewitness through all of this in a building next to the World Trade Center. He said, I've seen planes hit this building, people falling out of the sky. He said, my heart is in my throat. I feel like I would say the same thing. You almost don't have thoughts to articulate. Your heart is in your throat. You can hardly stand it. You're numb.

For myself, I fall back on my faith in God and the foundation, speaking of those buildings, as an illustration of America, our foundation is our faith in God and the structure we build on that foundation is what enables us to endure something like this.

...I believe God also knows what it is like to lose a loved one, gave his only son on a cross. He knows what it is like to see a loved one die a horrific death. He's emotionally involved in our pain and he has the answers to us and he can bring comfort beyond human understanding.

Jane Clayson: There's such a feeling of helplessness among so many. They don't know what to do beyond giving blood, beyond writing a check to help those in need. What would be your recommendation as a spiritual adviser?

Anne Graham Lotz: I thought governor Keating said it right when you asked him. He said pray. I believe we need to pray. As Christians, we need to pray for people who can't pray for themselves right now. I believe we need to call out to God and ask him to forgive our sins and heal our land. God is greater than sometimes we think of him and he can solve this, give us answer, give us wisdom, lead us through this in a way that makes us stronger as a nation but we have to turn to him.

Jane Clayson: This event has changed us forever. I know you believe that. Going forward, as a nation, what do you say about that?

Anne Graham Lotz: Well, I pray that God will use this event to change us forever in a positive way. And that will strengthen our faith in him. I thought of all those people who have died in this tragedy. It doesn't matter right now what political affiliation they had or what denomination they belong to or what religion or what the color of their skin was or their stock portfolio.

What matters is their relationship with God. I would like to see Americans begin to focus on some of the primary things and some of the things that are more important than just, you know, entertainment and pleasure and making more money.



----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Tuesday, September 11, 2001

God's Wrath Prophecy - THE DAY OF THE LORD

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------


For Your Considered Reflection and Prayer

THE DAY OF THE LORD

How Truly the Wrath of God Is Just – Let Us Heed It’s Warning.

{“Ralph Sutera:     The towers falling ought to be a "shock treatment" to both sinners and saints that God's Word is true and He will not overlook sin no matter where He sees or finds it.   I have the feeling that because God has been so good to us on this continent that we think we have an invincible shield of His protection no matter how we live.

          I am reminded of a unique "coincidence" (so called) that happened on September 11.  A local area Christian tore off her Scripture desk calendar page for the day of September 11 and sent it to a radio talk host.  Nothing could have been more appropriate and precise for what happened.  The radio host who is anything but a true believer said on the air, "This is serious and scary.  I am going to keep this."  Other Christians had that same calendar.

          "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.  That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness.  A day of the trumpet and alarm against the FENCED CITIES, and against the HIGH TOWERS.  And I will bring DISTRESS upon men, that they shall WALK LIKE BLIND MEN, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.  NEITHER THEIR SILVER NOR THEIR GOLD shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land."  (Zeph. 1:14-18) 

          What a reminder to us all of the fact that nothing escapes the mind of God, and how exact He really is.”

          It is most desirable that we reflect upon this Word of the Lord, and an act of charity to share it with family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, fellow Christians, and every person who will listen.  God’s truth, justice, and peace be with you! 



----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Sunday, December 31, 2000

A New Year’s Day First Nations Blessing

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

A New Year’s Day First Nations Blessing


A poem of the First Nations (Native Indians)

 
May the Lord bless your sight:
that it will always be as clear as the full moon.
 
May the Lord bless your thoughts:
that they may be pure and fresh as ice on a lake.
 
May the Lord bless the work of your hands:
that it may be as fruitful as corn that ripens in the fields.
 
May the Lord bless your family:
that they may be as carefree as otters
and as industrious as bees.
 
May the Lord bless your days on earth:
that they may flow calmly as a river after the rapids.
 
May the Lord bless your tears:
that they may be soft as maple trees
when the birds return to their nests.
 
May the Lord bless your life and your death:
that you may spend your days
protected by His powerful and generous hands.
 
 
HAPPY, HEALTHY,  AND  HOLY  NEW  YEAR !



----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Monday, December 25, 2000

JESUS' CHRISTMAS GREETING - "Merry Christmas!"

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

JESUS' CHRISTMAS GREETING 

"Merry Christmas!"

Dear loved ones,
 
As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honour and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

 
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.  Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
 
Remember that last year there was a great feast in my honour. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something?  I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honour and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me,  but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .... and I wanted to be with them and share their table.
 
In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything.  They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran t o him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" .. as if the party were in his honour!
 
At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and ... do you know ... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me.
 
What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.
 
Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.
 
I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party.
 
I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside.
 
Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.
 
See you soon.  I Love you! 

Jesus



----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Seminar / Workshop on God - "Introduction to Prayer" - Marriage Preparation Course "From This Day Forward" - Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 at St. Monica Parish - Marriage is a great adventure for LIFE! Workshop Seminar 07.6

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from...