Faith & frıends Inspiration for Living Christmas 2006 www.faithandfriends.ca 5 Tips for Stress-Free Holidays Christ mas Blessi ngs Giving Hope to Families in Need Special Insert The Salvation Army: Putting Faith Into Action
If you would like to learn more about the Christmas story, mail the coupon on page 14, visit our website at www.faithandfriends.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4 T wo thousand years ago, a baby was born in Bethlehem. And not just any baby: God sent His only Son to Earth. Jesus’ mission? No less than the salvation of all humankind. Jesus did not come down in the guise of a mighty warrior king with glittering golden armour but as a precious babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. Nor was He sent to rule over humankind from a majestic palace. Instead, He was born in a stable to parents of humble means. And Jesus did not compel us to love God. Only we can choose to do that, and our love must be freely given. As you open your Christmas presents with your family this year, pause and thank God for the most precious Christmas gift of all: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). What Child is This?
Cover Illustration: Meaghan Kehoe departments Faith Builders The Nativity Story 5 In time for the holidays, a new movie tells the story of that wondrous day in Bethlehem Someone Cares Filling the Empty Spot in My Heart 8 Depressed during the holidays, where would I fnd the peace I so desperately sought? God In My Life Bending Low 10 A simple bloom became a vivid illustration of the Christmas message Sacred Space Have Yourself a Merry Little (Hassle-Free) Christmas 15 All it takes is a little planning, foresight and these tested tips Christmas 2006 Volume 9 Number 12 Lite Stuf Recipe, Wordsearch, Quick Quiz, Sudoku 20 Words to Live By The Greatest Gift 22 As you unwrap your presents on Christmas, remember the special gift that was sent to us Christmas Blessings 16 Ever pass a Salvation Army kettle and wonder where the money goes? We have three stories to help answer that question features How the Grudge Almost Stole Christmas 6 Liz Curtis Higgs’ teenage son gave her a lesson in Christmas humility Putting Faith Into Action 11 In this special detachable insert, we spotlight The Salvation Army’s service to those in need page 5 page 11 December 2006 Faith & friends | 3
Mission Statement To show Christ at work in the lives of real people, and to provide spiritual resources for those who are new to the Christian faith. Faith&friends is published monthly by The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London England EC4P 4EP William and Catherine Booth Founders Shaw Clifton General Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan territorial commander Lt-Colonel Ray Moulton editor-in-chief Geoff Moulton senior editor Ken Ramstead associate editor Timothy Cheng art director Brandon Laird senior graphic designer Major Ken Smith copy editor Linda Leigh proofreader Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from Today’s New International Version Phone (416) 422-6226 Fax (416) 422-6120 Websites www.faithandfriends.ca salvationarmy.ca or salvationist.ca E-mail [email protected] Subscription for one year, including shipping and handling Canada $16.50; U.S. $21.50; Foreign $23.50 Phone (416) 422-6112 [email protected] All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 It’s A Boy! N ormally, this page is graced with an editorial by Senior Editor Geoff Moulton, but as this issue was going to press, Geoff and his wife, Cynthia, became the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy, James Richard. This event made all of us in the Faith & Friends editorial ofce ponder anew the birth of another baby boy a little over two millennia ago in a small town called Bethlehem. There another young couple faced what Geof and Cynthia experienced, but without the modern-day amenities we take for granted. Instead of a state-of-the-art hospital, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a dingy stable. And instead of experienced doctors and nurses, the only people in attendance were rustic shepherds. Joseph, the proud father, barely had time to announce, “It’s a boy!” before he had to bundle up his family and fee their homeland to escape the fury of the tyrant King Herod. You can read about that wondrous account, fraught with danger and uncertainty, in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, but The Nativity Story has vividly reconstructed the events for the big screen. Our review of the movie is on page fve. Elsewhere, we recount how a revived poinsettia bloom evoked the birth of our Saviour and how one woman found redemption during a lonely holiday season. You’ll also fnd a special insert section in the middle of our magazine that profles the good work The Salvation Army accomplishes not just at Christmastime but every day of the year. We couldn’t do all that we do without your help, and we thank you for your support. From all of us at Faith & Friends, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and may God bless. —Ken Ramstead, associate editor 4 | Faith & friends December 2006
T his holiday, take a trip to ancient Palestine with The Nativity Story, a new flm that chronicles an arduous journey, a miraculous pregnancy and a historydefning birth. The story is set during the time of King Herod, who rules the small state of Judea with an iron fist. It’s a period of struggle and sufering—taxation is high, poverty rampant. To assure his family’s stability, Mary’s father decides to engage his daughter to Joseph, a carpenter. In deference to her father, Mary accepts Joseph as her fancé, unaware that she will soon become history’s most important woman. Visited in a vision by an angel of God, Mary learns that she will conceive and give birth to a son whose name will be Jesus. Although not yet married to Joseph, Mary accepts God’s path for her life, despite the fact that, as an unwed mother in that era, she will be the object of scorn and disgrace. For Joseph, the pregnancy is more difcult to accept. He knows that the child growing in Mary’s womb is not his. He also knows that he must either condemn his future wife or believe in the unbelievable, that Mary has not been unfaithful, that the child she carries is the Lord’s miraculous work. Forced by government decree to travel to his birthplace to register for the census, Joseph and Mary make the long, difcult journey to Bethlehem, where Mary gives birth to the baby Jesus, the Son of God, in a flthy stable. As wise men and shepherds gather to worship the baby, Herod plots His destruction. Fearing a rival in this new “King of kings,” Herod sends his soldiers to fnd the child and eliminate any threat to his crown. Director Catherine Hardwicke shot The Nativity Story in Matera, Italy, the same location as Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. Like Gibson, Hardwicke also consulted experts in biblical scholarship, Aramaic dialects and ancient astronomy to bring authenticity to the movie. The film stars New Zealand actress Keisha Castle-Hughes (nominated for an Academy Award for her first film, Whale Rider) as Mary, Oscar Isaac as Joseph and Shoreh Aghdashloo as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. This December, see The Nativity Story and prepare to be amazed once more by the miraculous birth of an infant who would be the Saviour of the world. Visit www.thenativitystory.com for more details. faith Builders The Nativity Story One couple. One journey. One child … who would change the world forever by Steve Wilson December 2006 Faith & friends | 5
’T is the season to be generous. To give gifts to friends, to donate goods for needy families and to write cheques for worthy causes. All through the Advent season I remind myself, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), and I’ve always embraced that holy sentiment with both arms. Until the day our teenage son showed me I wasn’t nearly as ho-ho-happy about giving as I claimed to be. My lesson in humility began one chilly Tuesday afternoon. Our son, Matt, sat perched on the steps of a downtown office building, waiting for his father to pick him up. A man in shabby clothes ambled along, asking for money, supposedly to pay for having a tire changed at a nearby garage. When Matt told me this story later, I felt my skin grow hot. Oh, sure . . . he needed money for a tire, all right. More like for drugs. Or a cheap bottle of wine. “The man said he needed 17 dollars,” Matt explained. “So I gave him 10.” “Ten dollars!” I fumed. How dare this panhandler talk my son out of his hard-earned money? “Honey, why would you do such a thing?” “Because it felt good to help somebody, Mom.” Ouch. Still, I felt he didn’t understand the situation, didn’t get The Big Picture about how How the Grudge Almost Stole Christmas I used to think I was a cheerful Christmas giver, until my teenage son gave me a lesson in humility by Liz Curtis Higgs 6 | Faith & friends December 2006
the world worked. “A dollar would have been plenty, Matt. Just to show him you cared.” Just to get rid of him. That’s what I meant, even if I didn’t say it. Just to make him go away. Matt’s brow drew into a knot. “But wouldn’t 10 dollars show him I cared even more?” Ouch again. Adult logic goes by the wayside when faced with an earnest teenager determined to do the right thing. The Bible teaches, “If your gift … is giving, then give generously” (Romans 12:6, 8). Then why wasn’t I congratulating my son for being generous, instead of chastising him for being taken advantage of by a stranger on the street? Before I could sort out my feelings, Matt confessed, “He asked me if I could spare any more, so I gave him another three dollars.” “What?!” I threw my arms in the air, exasperated. “Son, you don’t have to keep giving people money just because they ask for it. What that man did amounts to polite robbery.” “But he didn’t rob me, Mom. I gave it willingly,” Matt reminded me. “And it was my money. I just wanted to be kind.” Ouch, ouch, ouch. Matt had given generously. And I had called him gullible. Matt had given joyfully. And I had robbed his joy. He had done precisely as he’d been taught —not by me, obviously, but by Jesus: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Matt wasn’t at all reluctant. But I was. He said yes to this man, without feeling coerced. I would have said no and blamed the man for being pushy. My son was cheerful. I was infuriated. Here’s the saddest truth of all: I am a woman who gladly writes a cheque each December to a Christian mission for the homeless not far from the very spot where Matt did his kind deed. Sure, I’m willing to help the needy. But only if I control the amount and how it is spent. And only if I can drop my money in the mail, not press it into a grimy hand. It’s embarrassing when your children teach you by example how to be more Christlike. The only thing worse is refusing to be taught. Teach me, Lord. And please forgive me when I stumble. “Give generously,” God’s Word tells us, “and do so without a grudging heart” (Deuteronomy 15:10). After all, who wants to be the star of How the Grudge Stole Christmas? If you are like my son—a cheerful giver —then may this season give you many opportunities to exercise your spiritual gift. Whether it’s cash from your wallet or time from your busy calendar or crafts from your talented hands or clothes from your bulging closet, give with joyful abandon, expecting nothing in return. But if you are like me—a conditional giver—then may the Lord nudge your conscience, as He has mine, and show you what “cheerful giving” really means: to give without judgment, to give without hesitation, to give from the heart. Liz Curtis Higgs is an inspirational speaker and the author of 24 books, including Embrace Grace (WaterBrook Press). Visit her online at www.LizCurtisHiggs.com Matt had given generously. And I had called him gullible. Matt had given joyfully. And I had robbed his joy December 2006 Faith & friends | 7
T ranquillizers would be so easy, I thought to myself. All I needed to do was steal them from a relative’s medicine cabinet. Or how about ending it all behind the wheel? I loved fast cars so there’d be some irony in that. One way or another, the misery that had become my life had to stop. Suicide was the furthest thing from my mind growing up in Peterborough, Ont. We were an ordinary family and I had a normal childhood, attending elementary school and enjoying friendships with the many kids in my neighbourhood. But as I f inished high school, changes began taking place. Little-girl friendships, pledged to last forever, ended. Their worlds now revolved around marriage and children. After years of living a settled life, I started moving into a different lifestyle. That scene included bars, drinking and unhealthy relationships. I had “arrived.” Well-paying jobs, fast cars and the attention of the opposite sex. But after several years of convincing myself that I was happy, I finally woke up to the fact it was all just so much sand running through my fngers. For the next six years or so, I slid further into despondency. Years of drive-by friends had left nothing but emptiness where my heart used to be. I withdrew from my circle of acquaintances. They’d be better off without me, I reasoned. When I wasn’t working, partying or drinking, I’d sit on the floor in my bedroom in a cocoon of blackness, trying to determine the best way to end my life. I hated the holidays most of all. The gaiety of the season, the fact that it was a time of family and togetherness, was a stark and dismal contrast to what my life had become. I just wanted to end the charade. I was involved in a battle for my life. I couldn’t go on but I didn’t know if I had the will to end it all. Just before Christmas, a thought occurred to me: Would going to church do any good? It had been over a decade When I wasn’t working, partying or drinking, I would sit on the foor in my bedroom in a cocoon of blackness someone Cares Filling the Empty Spot in My Heart Depressed and alone during the holidays, where would I fnd the peace I so desperately sought? by Jolene Eby 8 | Faith & friends December 2006
since I had been inside one. On Christmas Eve, I ventured out to a candlelight service, hoping that at least singing the carols would cheer me up. Can I fnd the peace I’m so desperately looking for? I mused as I entered. Is there anything here that can fll the empty spot in my heart? I felt a warm welcome from the congregation and began the new year by attending every Sunday morning. At someone’s suggestion, I went to an evening Bible study group. And without knowing why, I remained behind after everyone else had left. “I have so many questions,” I stammered to the group leader. Then I broke down sobbing. With patience and sensitivity, he prayed for me and encouraged me to do the same. My words were simple, short and desperate. The room was bathed in stillness. Inwardly, it felt like someone was letting the air out of a tire. The darkness began to seep away. I kept repeating: “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it.” At that moment, God took away my desire for alcohol, my foul language and my dependence on bad relationships. In John 10:28, Jesus says of His followers, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.” Now trusting in God’s promises, I finally feel secure. The journey has been rocky. I still struggle with depression, but over the past year, thoughts of suicide have abated. By His grace, I was lifted out of the pit I was in for so long. Looking back, I am amazed at the incredible difference God has made in my life. I am a regular churchgoer now and prayer is the key to my life. I am involved in a prayer chain and I counsel those who are depressed, especially over the holiday season. I can be open about who I am and what I have been through, for I know what it is like to be alone and in despair. When I think about that winter’s night, the words of the carol O Little Town of Bethlehem come to mind: How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His Heaven. No ear may hear His coming; But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him, still The dear Christ enters in. These words are a reminder that God has not forgotten me, and that He still whispers words of hope in the midst of darkness. December 2006 Faith & friends | 9
Bending Low How delightful! I thought when a florist delivery van made an unexpected stop at our house shortly before Christmas. Being a lover of flowers, my heart warmed with anticipation. And how thoughtful, too! On the frozen Canadian prairies, fresh blooms in the dead of winter are a real treasure. The delivery was especially welcome as we had already decided that, due to financial restraints, we would forgo the indulgence of purchasing a potted poinsettia for our home this holiday season. That is why I sighed with regret when, upon carefully removing the layers of wrapping, I found one of the blooms of the gorgeous crimson poinsettia had broken of at the base. Anxious to preserve this single, fragile bloom, I placed it in a tall, slender vase filled with fresh water. But to my dismay, the next morning I found the wilted, lifeless petals clinging pathetically to the mouth of the vase. Disappointed that my attempt at preservation had failed, I tried another approach. Cutting off the stem to within an inch of the blossom, I put it in a shallow glass filled with water and set it on the window sill. My hopes for its survival were not high, but I thought it was worth a try. In a matter of hours, a remarkable transformation took place. The wilted, lifeless petals recuperated and the fower was restored to its original vibrant beauty. The difference between the two attempts at restoration was the length of the stem. In the tall vase, the blossom was too far removed from the water. Shortening the stem brought the blossom closer to the necessary nourishment, making it possible for health and vibrancy to return. I was able to enjoy its beauty over the holidays and right into the New Year. What a vivid illustration of the core of the Christmas message. Just as the bloom could not reach the life-giving water, so humankind, separated by sin, could not reach God to partake of His fathomless love, mercy and grace. The distance was too great. God shortened the distance on that first Christmas. Bending low, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to draw us closer to faith. “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9). Jesus, by His sacrifcial death on the cross on our behalf, became our source of new and everlasting life and made it possible for us to be restored to full fellowship with our heavenly Father. This holiday season, we, too, must “bend low,” bowing in adoration before the Christ Child who has given us reason to hope again. god in My Life Just as the bloom could not reach the life-giving water, so humankind, separated by sin, could not reach God to partake of His fathomless love, mercy and grace A simple bloom became a vivid illustration of the Christmas message by Maria Rogalski 10 | Faith & friends December 2006
Ev e r y dollar you put in a Salvation Army bubble helps us bring hope to families who have been forgotten by the rest of the world. Your donations buy toys, a Christmas dinner and essentials like warm clothes and food. If you know someone in need of help this holiday season—or at any time—call The Salvation A rmy. We’re there at Christmas… Photo: Toronto Star (Boris Spremo) SPECIA L INSERT December 2006 Faith & friends | 11
IN 2005/2006*: 5,000 shelter beds were available each night across Canada 17,000 people were helped when disaster struck 2,000 health-care beds were provided The Salvation Army continues to ensure that the highest percentage of your donation is used in direct service delivery. Fundraising, public relations and administrative costs are among the lowest in the charitable sector at 10 percent. 900,000 family members were given food, clothing or practical assistance 10,000 people with addictions received help … and every day of the year *Canada and Bermuda Territory S P E CIA L INSERT 12 | Faith & friends December 2006
The statistics are impressive, but when it comes down to it, The Salvation Army helps 1 person at a time … 1 in British Colu mbi a: Ron Mickelson, 50, is fnally clean from a 30-year addiction. He’s living in a transitional apartment at the Army’s Abbotsford Centre of Hope. “The Salvation Army came to my rescue,” he says. 1 in Manitob a: Naida Eftodie’s morphine addiction came to an end at the Army’s Anchorage program in Winnipeg. Today she is the supervisor of residential services at the same facility because, she says, she wants to “carry the same message of hope to others.” 1 in ontario: Alcohol had taken over John Wells’ life until he walked into The Salvation Army’s Harbour Light addictions treatment and residential facility in Toronto. That was in 1984, and Wells has been there as a volunteer ever since. For over 20 years, he has peeled vegetables, worked the loading dock and managed the dining room. In return for his years of service, the Army provides Wells with his own apartment next door. “This is my home—my family,” says Wells. “I’m next door to Heaven and couldn’t ask for anything more.” 1 in Newfou ndland and labrador: Tony Boone, 41, is fnally sober and fnding hope in the job training, counselling and education he is getting at the Army’s Wiseman Centre in St. John’s. “Without The Salvation Army,” he says, “I’d be in my grave.” When we look into the eyes of people who turn to us for help, we are called to treat them as individuals, to help them one at a time. We specialize in bringing God’s love and practical care to countless people, each one special and unique. And if we boast of anything, it’s these stories of individual lives changed. S P E CIA L INSERT December 2006 Faith & friends | 13
Steps to a Christian Life Admit your need of forgiveness For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Believe in Jesus Christ Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). Commit yourself to God and live for Him In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). I want to: ❏ accept Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and learn about being a Christian ❏ learn more about The Salvation Army ❏ connect with a local Salvation Army church ❏ receive information about Bible study material ❏ ask for prayers for me and for ________________________ ❏ tell you I am praying for your ministry ❏ subscribe to Faith & Friends at its annual price of $16.50 (includes GST) [U.S.A. $21.50, foreign $23.50] Please print Name Address Town/City Prov/State Postal/Zip Code Phone ( ) E-mail ❏ Send my Gift Subsc ription of Faith & Friends to Send a gift card ❏ Yes ❏ No Name Address Town/City Prov/State Postal/Zip Code Phone ( ) E-mail Payment: ❏ Cheque ❏ Money Order (Payable to Faith & Friends) ❏ Visa ❏ Mastercard Name on the card Card # Expiry / Return this coupon to: Faith & Friends The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Boulevard Toronto, Ontario CANA DA M4H 1P4 (416) 422-6112 [email protected] Subscribe Today! 14 | Faith & friends December 2006
When I think about the holiday season, I often recall Stephen Leacock ’s reference to the hero who “flung himself upon his horse and rode madly off in all directions.” Every year, I’m dumfounded by the hordes of holiday shoppers at the local mall as they frantically scurry from store to store. There’s no busier time of year than December. Between purchasing gifts, trying to send out Christmas cards to family, friends and workmates, and travelling here, there and everywhere to attend holiday get-togethers, I am usually a puddle of exhaustion by Boxing Day. Christmas should be a time of prayerful refection and thanksgiving, not a time to worry about what to get Cousin-Johnny-Who-HasEverything. Here are some tested tips to slow down the Christmas season to a pace where you can actually enjoy it: 1. Christmas in November. Fed up with rushing around like headless chickens the week before Christmas, my wife and I resolved to do something about it. Last year, we pretended that Christmas fell on November 25 and worked toward that deadline. By the 24th, we had bought all the gifts we needed and could actually relax as we coasted into December. It works, but whatever deadline you give yourself has to be kept. 2. Make a List. Check it Twice. And Thrice. Like grocery shopping, you shouldn’t Christmas shop on impulse. Two to three months before, sit down and make a detailed list of all the people you have to buy gifts for and decide what to give them. Once the presents are bought, resist last-minute temptations to purchase more. 3. Family Photo Op. A family portrait is a great way to show everyone just how much Baby Jack has grown, but don’t wait until the week before Christmas to herd them together for the group photo. Do it early, when everyone is dressed up and presentable. This will give you lots of time to pick the right picture, get it developed, and address and send of the cards. 4. Bring Something to the Table. Rather than have Aunty Lynda slave away for three days making supper for 20, have family members bring along a designated dish—either an appetizer, a main course or dessert. That way, everyone can savour the day. Have Yourself a Merry Little (Hassle-Free) Christmas SACRED Space All it takes is a little planning, foresight and these tested tips by Ken Ramstead December 2006 Faith & friends | 15
Ever pass a Salvation Army kettle and wonder where the money goes? For thousands of needy families, behind every donation is the story of … Christmas Blessings The Christmas Box U ntil the age of 12, I was raised by my grandparents. My mother and father separated when I was a toddler, so my mother’s parents looked after me while she worked. I never really knew the person that I called Dad. You see, my father was a drifter. He would try to come and see me at least once a year but sometimes months would go by with no word from him at all. Worse, sometimes my dad would show up drunk and I would beg my grandmother to tell him I wasn’t home. Before leaving, he always said, “I love you,” but there were times when I wondered if this was really true. Christmas would come and go. Each year, my stocking was filled to the brim with fruit, candy and little gifts. There were lots of presents from Mom and other family members but I never received anything from my father. One year, however, my grandmother came home from the post ofce a few days before Christmas carrying a large box wrapped in brown paper. “Who’s the box for, Granny?” I asked. “Well, it has your name on it.” “It’s for me?” I said in wonder. “Who’s it from?” “I don’t know, dear,” my grandmother replied. “Open it and see!” As I tore of the brown paper, I saw that the box was wrapped in Christmas paper with a tag that said, “To Anne, Love Dad.” “Granny,” I said excitedly, “it’s from Dad! He’s never given me a Christmas gift before!” I shook the box. “I wonder what’s inside?” “Don’t shake too hard, there might be something breakable. You’d better put the gift under the tree.” Christmas morning finally arrived. After the stocking was emptied, I grabbed the gift from Dad and opened it. To my delight, it was full 16 | Faith & friends December 2006
of presents! As a child, I never questioned where he got the items to send to me. All I knew was that it was my best Christmas ever. My father died when I was 16, and I came to know his brother and four sisters. Over the years, they told me how proud Dad was of me. It made me realize that he did love me in his own way. When I told one aunt about the Christmas box, she said: “Irvin went to The Salvation Army that year. He told them that he had a little girl back east and that he didn’t have any money to buy her a present.” Tears filled my eyes as I imagined him asking total strangers to help him Illustration: Meaghan Kehoe December 2006 Faith & friends | 17
get me a gift. It made me treasure it all the more. When I see a Salvation Army kettle; I give from the heart. If anyone ever wonders if the work they do is worthwhile, my answer is, “Yes.” For I was one of the children helped, and the memory of that special Christmas will be with me forever. –Anne-Marie Hood, Fredericton, N.B. A Kettle of Kindness Although I have volunteered with many organizations over the years, last Christmas was my frst with the Salvation Army kettle campaign. After reading a newspaper story calling for volunteers, I responded and found myself duly belled, aproned and posted outside of a nearby liquor store, smiling and greeting the people who walked by. A two-hour shift is not a terribly long period of time, but I thought about how I could pass the time more constructively than just standing there and jingling some bells. The answer came quickly when I started looking at the people—older and younger, men and women, well-heeled or in work clothes—and wondered about their lives. I began thanking God for the people who put money into the kettle, as well as for those who didn’t, and asking for His blessing on the passers-by. Their reaction to me was interesting. Most of them said something, although many just smiled as they walked past. I noticed the people who spoke to me felt that they needed to make some explanation if they weren’t donating anything. How sad, I thought, that giving is tied up with so much guilt for so many people. I prayed they might come to understand that giving is also a gift to the one doing the giving. I signed on for the same shift on two consecutive days and there was one young man I saw twice. The first time I saw him, he rode up on his bicycle, made his purchase from the liquor store and then made an ofhand comment to me about charities making more money than they needed to. On the second day, though, when he returned to the liquor store on his bicycle, he wasn’t flippant. Looking down at his feet, he said he guessed he ought to give something, and put a few coins into the kettle. As he did so, I noticed how badly his hands were shaking. I wanted to cry, and there are tears in my eyes now as I write this. I didn’t know him, but I prayed for God to help the man on the bicycle with the alcohol problem. I am thankful that The Salvation Army is an organization that cares for people on the margins of society—the addicts who need a second chance, the Christmas morning fnally arrived. After the stocking was emptied, I grabbed the gift from Dad and opened it. To my delight, it was full of presents! 18 | Faith & friends December 2006
homeless who need a hot meal, the victims of domestic abuse who need safe shelter. I had always felt somewhat detached from people in my neighbourhood. It took standing on a sidewalk and looking a real need in the face to make me realize how important it is to reach out to people and touch the lives of those who are hurting around us. I can only pray that somewhere, somehow, that man will one day read this, know that he touched my heart, and that he is prayed for. –Andrée Tomlinson, Errington, B.C. Hope After Cancer D ear Salvation Army, In 2003, my beautiful daughter, Dawn Richards, passed away at the age of 35 from lung cancer. Her family is still grieving and will do so for a long time. She left behind three beautiful children whose lives will never be the same. The Christmas before she died, she and the children were helped by The Salvation Army. She wrote this thankyou card but was never able to mail it. This past Christmas, as I was grieving Dawn’s loss, I happened upon the letter: To The Salvation Army, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. I was amazed at the incredible gifts that you gave me for my children—they are perfect in every way. The past 12 months have been such a struggle as I was diagnosed with lung cancer just days before Christmas of last year. Although I enjoyed six months of remission, I found out only days ago that I will need to undergo chemotherapy again before this Christmas. I was devastated as I wondered not only how I could aford gifts for my three children but where I would fnd the energy for it all. The people at The Salvation Army have brought hope and life back into my life. I can’t thank you enough! I only hope that someday we can return this beautiful gift of kindness. Thank you to all who support The Salvation Army, and Merry Christmas. Sincerely, Dawn Richards Thank you for your kindness and for making my daughter and her children happy during Dawn’s last Christmas. Dawn is no longer with us, but she left some great memories and a good lesson. You see, this letter is a miracle because it is a lesson for the whole family to always remember those less fortunate. I will always support The Salvation Army. – Aurilie Laurinavicius, Cannington, Ont. Has The Salvation Army helped you or someone you know over the holidays? We want to know! E-mail us at [email protected] December 2006 Faith & friends | 19
lite Stuf Holiday Recipe INGREDIENTS Crust 425 ml (1¾ cups); 14 to 16 crushed shortbread cookies 15 ml (1 tbsp) butter or margarine, melted Cheesecake 750 g (24 oz) cream cheese, softened 310 ml (1¼ cups) packed brown sugar 450 g (15 oz) can pure pumpkin 150 ml (²⁄³ cup) evaporated milk 2 large eggs 60 ml (2 tbsp) cornstarch 2 ml (½ tsp) ground cinnamon 250 ml (1 cup; about 25 to 30) crushed tofee candies 250 g (8 oz) sour cream at room temperature 60 ml (2 tbsp) granulated sugar 2 ml (½ tsp) vanilla extract caramel ice cream topping (optional) METHOD Preheat oven to 175 C (350 F). For crust: Combine cookie crumbs and butter in small bowl. Press onto bottom and 2.5 cm (1 inch) up side of 22 cm (9 inch) springform pan. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes (do not allow to brown). Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. For cheesecake: Beat cream cheese and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, cornstarch and cinnamon; beat well. Pour into crust. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until edge is set but centre still moves slightly. Remove from oven; top with tofee candy pieces. For topping: Combine sour cream, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well. Spread over warm cheesecake. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of springform pan. Drizzle with caramel topping before serving. Pumpkin Tofee Cheesecake Tired of plum pudding? This fabulous combination of cream cheese and pumpkin topped with crushed tofee candies is sure to please your guests this Christmas. t Before Christmas; igh N ers: 1. Twas the nsw A Quick Quiz ley, Scrooge’s former business partner; 3. ar M 2. Jacob Shepherds tending their sheep; 4. James Stewart and ohr M eed; 5. Joseph R Donna PUZZLE SOLUTION 6 2 1 4 8 7 5 3 9 4 9 7 3 2 5 6 1 8 3 5 8 6 9 1 4 2 7 7 3 6 5 1 8 9 4 2 2 8 5 9 6 4 3 7 1 1 4 9 7 3 2 8 5 6 9 1 2 8 4 3 7 6 5 8 7 3 2 5 6 1 9 4 5 6 4 1 7 9 2 8 3 20 | Faith & friends December 2006
6 7 9 4 3 8 8 6 1 4 7 3 1 4 2 5 9 3 4 2 5 2 8 3 7 8 6 4 5 1 3 Sudoku Puzzle Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9 Wordsearch Deck the Halls T C E V T S L E I G H T S R E V T G U E V S S D I R C D O L I N R L I X O L S S N R B E C H I L D R E N N G B E T H L E H E M G E F D G G F S P R B N O Y H C D M V U E N E N S E N S R E P A P G N I P P A R W A U L C A A S P D E S I I M B B I M M S D D L T E I G H L E Y K R N T E O E Z K O I R N N S O R Y E N S N J C J I J H O P G I O R R A K I A O O K Y C V C N S Z X H A D E R C W R P J B X M I O T M O M C E H Y P A T F O A Q D N B O Y B O P C D D T D H S S B H S T B C E O E R N N I M E P Q E E N K N I K K R E A C O R U D O L P H I W I R I R T C T N S T A B L E H Z D W A E N U H Q S L Q P A G E A N T K G S A G T V E H B K Q O T Y F J U W V Quick Quiz 1. What is the more commonly known title for Clement Clarke Moore’s poem A Visit From St. Nicholas? 2. In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, who was the frst ghost to visit Ebenezer Scrooge? 3. On the night Jesus was born, a group of people heard about His birth from a choir of angels. Who were they and what were they doing? 4. Who starred in the 1946 movie It’s a Wonderful Life? 5. Who wrote the lyrics for Silent Night? angel Baby Jesus Bethlehem Boxing Day candy cane carols celebration cheer children Christmas decorations frankincense gingerbread cookies gold innkeeper Joseph king manger Mary myrrh North Pole pageant presents reindeer ribbon Rudolph Saint Nicholas shepherds shopping sleigh stable star stocking tinsel turkey wrapping paper December 2006 Faith & friends | 21
words to Live BY Extravagant Giving W e delight in giving our loved ones extravagant gifts, don’t we? Especially at Christmas. Yes, we give gifts throughout the year—birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions—but at Christmastime, we put a little more effort into finding that extra-special gift for that special person, or persons, in our lives. An engagement ring. A family portrait. A special-edition leather-bound book. A set of golf clubs. Diamond earrings. A puppy. Whatever the gift might be, we want it to be a bountiful expression of our love. Maybe it has something to do with the lavishness of the gift that first Christmas morning, the extravagance of love that came in the form of a tiny, helpless newborn. Consider the gift for a moment, what Jesus really did. He swapped a spotless castle for a grimy stable. He exchanged the worship of angels for the company of killers. He could hold the universe in Greatest Gift The As you unwrap your presents Christmas Day, remember the special gift that was sent to us all, in the form of a tiny, helpless newborn by Max Lucado 22 | Faith & friends December 2006
His palm but gave it up to foat in the womb of a maiden. If you were God, would you sleep on straw, nurse from a breast and be clothed in a diaper? Christ did. If you knew that only a few would care that you came, would you still come? If you knew that those you loved would laugh in your face, would you still care? If you knew that the tongues you made would mock you, the mouths you made would spit at you, the hands you made would crucify you, would you still make them? Christ did. He humbled Himself. He went from commanding angels to sleeping in the straw. From holding stars to clutching Mary’s finger. The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier. Why? Because that’s what love does. It puts the beloved before itself. Your soul was more important than His blood. Your eternal life was more important than His earthly life. Your place in Heaven was more important to Him than His place in Heaven, so He gave up His so you could have yours. And that’s what extravagant giving is all about—love, God’s love, a love that knows no bounds, no limits, no end. The Christmas kind of love. The type of love we are commanded to give to others: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34 NLT ). A love worth giving to others. To you. A Final Word M y prayer for you this season of giving is that you will receive God’s love and accept your place as a dearly loved child in His heavenly family. Accept the love that came in the form of a newborn babe. Accept the forgiveness and grace bought for you through the cruel, nail-piercing reality of the cross. Accept His love won for you through the victory of His resurrection. Let this love worth giving fll you, food you and change you forever. Live in the knowledge and acceptance of this love. Live loved. Remember, God loves you simply because He has chosen to do so. He loves you when you don’t feel lovely. He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you, divorce you and ignore you, but God will love you. Always. No matter what. It is love worth giving. To you. A Love Worth Giving To You At Christmas, Max Lucado, 2002, W Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Best-selling Christian author Max Lucado has written more than 50 books with 28 million copies in print. Visit him at www.maxlucado.com Jesus went from commanding angels to sleeping in the straw. From holding stars to clutching Mary’s fnger. The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier December 2006 Faith & friends | 23