We Need Christmas-Bad

We need Christmas. We need Christmas really bad. We need Christmas so bad that, let me just say, the world would have fallen apart without it. We need to believe in the magic of Christmas. For it is magic you know that Santa has. You can watch it working on the faces of innocent boys and girls wherever he is sitting and they are hoping. You can hear the magic when they whisper in his ear what their heart's desire is. You can see when they scribble out a letter and send it to the north pole.

Christmas brings miracles, to a little girl on 34th street and millions on main street. Christmas brings out the best in people. When a man faces absolute ruin at the hands of an evil man the best in people and the best people come to his side. They prove that it really is a Wonderful Life. Christmas brings back the voice of an iconic man and iconic song. When he sings, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, every listener must smile.

We need Christmas because it brings out the compassion in us. People stand in the freezing cold on street corners, at grocery stores, at the mall, ringing brass bells. With every clang of the bell they hope for a dollar to find its place inside a red bucket. The collected dollars help bring a smile to a child's face. Who, no fault of their own, might go without a pretty package under their tree.

We need Christmas because millions of us still believe in gifts that change lives. We still believe that Mary took great care in bringing the swaddling clothes for her soon to be delivered son. We still believe that the son she was carrying within her fragile body would ride a donkey down the streets of Jerusalem.We still believe that her son would walk through that city on his way up to the executioner's hill.

We need Christmas....I need Christmas. Christmas means more than feeble words could ever express. I need Christmas because I need a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Be blessed this Christmas.
Tedd Galloway
tedd@teddgalloway.com

The Angel Feather

The air brushed past my cheek like a feather, 

ever so slightly touching my skin.

No noise, just movement.

Again it moved across my face, my senses heightened, 

ready to discern the presence.

Now stillness, nothing.

Stillness for such a long time, still nothing.

Perhaps it never was, twas my wish, my dream, my hope.

Closed eyes, closed out world, listen, sense.

Lids shut, the air moves again past my face.

A glow, faint, then growing brighter.

Eyes still closed, every cell, every sense in tune and anticipation.

The glow, now as bright as the sun, fills me.

The air moves, growing stronger as it begins to push against me.

A noise, like the movement of wings comes near.

Now with each sound of movement comes the rush of air.

And then the Voice, a voice like thunder in the mountains.

The words, " Behold the dwelling place of God is with men."

The Seraphim speaks and I tremble.

Silence and the Savior

Silence and the Savior

Absolute silence- planets spin within solar systems and solar systems are engulfed in the endless miles of the universe, and not a sound can be detected. Far beyond the first light, the first twinkle of the first star, the movement of wings is felt as celestial air is stirred. Heavenly beings keep their place as wings perform their ordained dance. They sing in a language unknown and unheard, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts.” Their song brings even greater brilliance to stars and the endless expanse of space.

In a dimension only visible to Cherubim, Seraphim, and their Creator, a holy and mysterious convocation is taking place. Absolute majesty, power, and authority surround the Only Begotten, the Creator of all that is, and can be, the Christ of God. The conversation is not understood by the created hosts that surround them. Their holy communion lasts for eons, yet is over in an instant. Eternity is not touched by time or space.

In an instant the movements of powerful and majestic wings give sign that Gabriel is on the move. The untold numbers of ministering spirits follow every command that Gabriel gives. For they know he speaks and moves for the Father. In an instant he has traveled from the far end of the universe to a small hamlet outside the holy city.

As the smoke of incense rises from the temple Gabriel finds the one to receive his message. He is an old man, well advanced in years and experience. Yet, one experience has escaped his heart, the joy of a man-child. The messenger from God speaks and the old man is struck dumb. In an instant Gabriel is back in the presence of his Creator and Father. As he bows and covers his face with his wings he announces that his task is done.

In the timing of man weeks pass, in the heavenly realms it is but fleeting seconds. Again the powerful Gabriel moves without effort to the planet of his prior visit. He moves silently into the presence of a young maid, a virgin favored by the Father. His presence and his message are startling and the holy messenger reminds the virgin that nothing is impossible with God.

His bowed head announce to the Father and Son that the message has been delivered. The powerful angel is not sure that any other being understood the message that just moved from the heart of the Father to His Son. As if signaled from the deepest ends of the universe a vast array of Cherubim and Seraphim gather around Gabriel. In perfect rhythm of wing and voice the servants of the Most High sing, “Holy is the Lord of Hosts, Holy is the Father and Holy is the Christ.”

In the midst of fluttering wing and song, a message was passing from Father to Son.  In a burst of light, blinding even to the hosts of God, the Christ was gone. Gabriel, moved by the blinding light knew instantly the message he was to give. In a voice unknown to the world he announced to the gathering, “The Christ of God is Emmanuel, He will become the overcoming Lamb.”

Once more Gabriel moves from timelessness to time-bound earth. This time he appears to men working on the hillsides tending sheep. His appearance brings the men to near death. He speaks and his words bring news of hope and peace. As his words end the gathering around him join in chorus, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men, with whom He is well pleased.” As the singing hosts of heaven depart with Gabriel the men of the earth and caretakers of sheep walk to Bethlehem.