Let Christmas Happen
I am not able to be here this week due to an injury, Lynda, my wife has stepped in to share. Enjoy her thoughts. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It’s that time of year again. The time for mistletoe and holly along with the sound of bells ringing, carols and everyone bustling around while feeling jolly. Feeling jolly? Truthfully, if we really admit it deep down we feel this sense of dread about the Christmas season. Shopping to do but how much do we have to spend, guests coming over but how will we get ready for them and is there room in the inn?
Everywhere we look the days are being counted down for us and we feel like we are in a race. Many of us are speeding down the road, cutting each other off to get our errands done, stealing the space at the mall from the guy coming down the lane across from us and grumbling to the shop clerks that we can’t wait for it all to be over.
I wonder what it would be like if we just stepped back and let Christmas happen? Perhaps the big retailers would not show a larger profit than last year. Maybe we would have less stuff to try to find a use for or space to store it in. Then we might notice the twinkle of the lights on our neighbor’s home shining in the darkness on the long winter’s nights.
We hear about the true meaning of Christmas but we tend to shove it away until we are ready to remember it after we have finished getting ready for Christmas. Have we just bought into the massive gift giving part of the holiday? By doing this we have forgotten the one gift we all can have but haven’t used or even opened or perhaps refused to receive.
The prophet Isaiah told us,
Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
The gift of Christ as the savior for the world was not intended to be a burden for us. His gift of eternal salvation is not the threat that many see it to be. Why is this gift so hard to simply accept? Quite often it is seen as a gift with strings attached or obligations to fulfill. In reality when we accept the gift of Christ as Lord of our life, a weight is lifted, we feel lighter than air. The day that it happens, we wonder what we ever questioned about it.
Jesus told us,
Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
It is told that a gentle and giving man, years ago, started giving gifts to children and became known as St. Nicholas, which led to the birth of Santa Claus. It would seem that he had the gift in his heart of the true meaning of Christmas and never dreamed of the “bah humbug” that would come about from his simple gestures of love.
So how can we let Christmas happen? First, don’t try so hard to make it the Christmas we think it has to be. What would really happen if we stopped buying so many things, baking so many cookies, or sending so many cards? Would we help lift some of the burden from the ones we are overwhelming with our efforts by feeling that they need to reciprocate? They might be able to step back and enjoy the true gift of Christmas.
I’ve noticed at the race track that it takes a team effort to have a successful race day. Too often at holiday time we go it alone with all the preparations and end up with resentment and tiredness. If we’re the one doing everything try to accept the offer from others to help by letting them do it their way. It might not get done just like we want but it will get done. If we are the ones who tend to sit back and enjoy everyone else’s efforts why not do something different and join the team to make the holiday enjoyable for everyone?
Let’s try to stop counting the days left until Christmas in dread, but count them as we did when we were children in anticipation of something magical coming. Then we can enjoy the snowflakes falling instead of seeing it as a mess that will keep us from getting to the mall. We can gather and watch once again, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and realize that it really is a wonderful life. This is the gift of Christmas that God intended for us.
Then we can truly say, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!”
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
Not much happening after the Turkey Derby. I guess I should mention the trip to the hospital. I am writing this from my hospital bed in
I’ll be back on the road this week headed to PRI in
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request Page www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail. Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586, Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in “Area Auto Racing News”, the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper” See our on-line Apparel Store for subscription information. Check our home page www.rwjm.org for past articles. We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book. Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful financial support.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
CHECKERED CHEERS
***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
December 7
ANDY & SUE SANTERRE- From Cherryfield, ME, now in Mooresville, NC, the 1998 BGN Rookie of the Year and 4 time BNS champion and lovely wife share their 10th anniversary.
RICHIE & MELISSA RESNER- Riverhead Raceway LM Team owner and wife share their anniversary.
December 12
ERNIE & MARILYN SAXTON- The legendary Grandview announcer, columnist, Motorsports Marketing Founder/President and Eastern Motorsports Press Association Pres. and the woman who has been by his side all the way have their 32nd anniversary.
BILL & CINDY ELLIOTT- Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, GA and wife have their 14th anniversary.
JIM & PATTY MAVLOUGANES- This Wethersfield, CT ProStock driver and wife share their 9th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
December 5
JAMIE TOMAINO, JR- Modified driver and CTS crewman from Howell, NJ.
BOB BERRY, SR.- River Vale, NJ,Former modified and TQ midget owner and driver, past prresident of the ATQMRA and current TQ owner for Bob, Jr.
December 6
JOHN BROUWER, JR.- New London, CT Thompson, CT Speedway WRS Modified driver.
PERCY HALE- Batavia, NY Crew Chief.
KATHERINE ANNE HALEY- Daughter of McFalls, ME LM/NASCAR BES driver Bruce and wife Sandy.
PATTI MUDGE- Wife of Easton, MA former Pro 4 Modified owner Steve.
AARON PETFIELD- Son of Thornwood, NY RWJM BES Pastorand Vice-president Dan and wife Deb.
AMANDA UDES- The daughter of Morris Plains, NJ asphalt Mod driver John and wife Laurie.
December 7
BRETT BENDER- Son of Colden, NY NASCAR BES/LM driver Tim, now in NC.
December 8
CHRIS MOORE- Vermont based Lebanon Valley Modified driver.
KEVIN HARVICK- BGN/NNC driver and team owner.
KERRY EARNHARDT- Dale’s oldest son; CTS driver.
FRANK MUOIO- Westerly, RI fan.
RUSS SMITH- Former Riverside Park Speedway scorer.
TODD PARK- Another son of Bob and Dottie and Steve’s brother.
December 9
BRAD TEAGUE- Johnson City, TN NNC/BGN driver.
MICHAEL PARES- NASCAR Modified Series “Area Auto Racing News” photographer.
SHARON HEWITT- Wife of former NY Mod driver, now NNC Crew Chief, Doug.
BRIAN TAGG- Son of Webster, MA Thompson/Stafford Modified driver Tom and wife Linda.
December 10
JEFF KERTAINIS- NASCAR WMT team crewman.
ANDREA JIVANELLI- Wife of Riverhead Raceway driver Dan.
LYNN POZZUTTO- Office Manager and devoted employee of Frankland Racing Supply Racing Rears and Clincher Gears; VP Dan’s wife.
EDWARD SHELMERDINE- Son of ARCA driver/ Crew Chief Kirk.
December 11
JAROD ROBIE- Manchester, NH Robie Motorsports NASCAR BES and All Pro driver.
STEVE “WOODY” WOOD- Former Truex Crewman, now NNC crew for Ray Evernham in Mooresville, NC, also the son-in-law of Doris Bradley.
CHRISSY DIONNE- A daughter of RWJM Ass’t West Coast Coordinator Gary and Counselor wife Debbie.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084
Sources: Lynn Rivers/RWJM