A dog breeder crossed a setter and a pointer at Christmas time and got a pointsetter.

I can hear those groans out there. The Christmas puns I've been using are so bad but you will have to admit some of them do bring a flicker of a smile. That flicker is at least better than the alternative. Right? Good to see you here at the old Bloggerville coffee shop. I've already had a couple of cups and according to the indicator on my pot, I have 8 more cups of Community to help keep me on track this morning. It is Thursday, December 15, 2011 and while many are up to their knees in snow, the mud just keeps on being slung by the Republican candidates. I'll be glad when they finally thin the herd because watching these debates becomes somewhat embarrassing to me. I know the process is designed to produce the strongest candidate but when you start off with the crew we have running, well, the sooner we get to a place where we can begin to build a strategy for defeating the current incumbent, the better. I'm not one of those who say Amen to any and everything that comes from these people. Like when one of them says that anyone of those on the stage would be imminently more qualified to be president than Mr. Obama, and I look at all those people, and I wonder if that could be true, and I also wonder why they say idiotic things like that. But, that's just me. I know there has to be some people who are building all those TV stages and helping do the production of the debates, therefore, I suppose if it can't do much for the voters, then maybe someone will receive some wages from the activity. Last Tuesday evening at our Crosstrainers Club meeting, the teacher asked the class if anyone knew the meaning of the word devote. One little girl raised her hand and asked if he meant like in an election. Maybe she was on to something. (She did get a really good laugh.) While it is not hard to be devoted to defeating the current administration, I will tell you, at least for me, it's very hard for me to be devoted to any of these folks, at least at this time in the process.

But, at this time of year, we are reminded about a Ruler who came into this world to establish His kingdom which will last for eternity. I read this poem written in the 1500's by a Jesuit Priest, Robert Southwell. Some of the word meanings are obscure to us today but the impact is precious to all who have found the Savior of such lowly birth:

Behold a silly tender Babe, in freezing winter night;
In homely manger trembling lies, alas a piteous sight:
The inns are full, no man will yield this little Pilgrim bed,
But forced He is with silly beasts, in crib to shroud His head.
Despise Him not for lying there, first what He is enquire:
An orient pearl is often found, in depth of dirty mire;
Weigh not His crib, His wooden dish, nor beasts that by Him feed:
Weigh not His mother's poor attire, nor Joseph's simple weed.
This stable is a Prince's court, the crib His chair of state:
The beasts are parcel of His pomp, the wooden dish His plate.
The persons in that poor attire, His royal liveries wear,
The Prince Himself is come from heaven, this pomp is prized there.
With joy approach, O Christian wight, do homage to thy King,
And highly prize this humble pomp, which He from heaven doth bring. 

I looked up some of the words for you. Joseph's simple weed refers to his garment. 'O Christian wight' refers to a living being as in person. The bottom line in the 1500's is still the same for us today. God moved to bring forth His one and only Son that we might have life in Him. The Apostle John wrote about the life Jesus gives to those who come to Him. He quoted our Lord when He said: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) That thief is Satan and his evil influence in the world. The abundant life mentioned in this verse is something featured prominently in many sermons today. I can tell you unequivocally that this word is not a promise of worldly fame or financial prosperity. It does not imply a happy go lucky existence. What it does promise is the presence of the Living Lord of the universe abiding in His own. Those who teach this materialistic emphasis from this verse insult the very memory of those who have suffered for the cause of Christ. Think about it. Many of those who actually heard our Savior say these very words would have their lives taken from them as martyrs as they expressed the fulfillment of the abundant life He had given to them. Now that is something for us all to contemplate as we continue to think about His coming at this time of year. Amen.         ....More later.