I'm trying to decide if I am an antique or a relic. Antique: "Valued because of considerable age." Relic: "Surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical or sentimental interest."

Good morning and welcome to the continuing saga of living life one day at a time and I am thankful to still be here to write about it on this Tuesday, December 3, 2019. The other day I watched the 1936 movie "Little Lord Fauntleroy" starring Freddie Bartholomew as Cedric. It would be worth your time at one hour and 42 minutes and it is available out on YouTube. It has many of the 'feel-good' moments found in films like "It's A Wonderful Life", the Christmas classic starring Jimmy Stewart. At its release, it was well-received by audiences all across the country but likely wouldn't fare so well in today's climate. Our culture has become in many respects, hardened and jaded. Don't believe me? Other than some of the new genre of faith-oriented movies, just watch the preview clips being promoted for upcoming new movies. The wife and I often look at each other and say, "I don't think so." But, we would be considered somewhat past our 'sell-by' date in terms of today's contemporary lifestyles. The 1936 movie featured many moral values as expressed in this excerpt,  "This study deals with a novel entitled Little Lord Fauntleroy written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The objectives of the study are: (1)to describe Cedric’s personality in the novel and (2)to reveal the moral values from Cedric’s personality in the novel. The study employed library study and descriptive qualitative analysis method. The data of the study are from the novel and other supporting documents. Based on the analysis, the writer found two things: firstly, Cedric is characterized as a boy who has good personalities such as honest, kind-hearted, friendly, humble, wise, sympathetic and responsible. Secondly, the moral values that can be taken from the novel are honesty, kindness, hospitality, modesty, wisdom, empathy and responsibility." And, now it's time to share my commentary which is all too often said by those past their sell-by date, "They don't make them like that anymore."

Don't get me wrong. I am overwhelmingly blessed to see so many young families joining our local fellowship. We have a wonderful ministry and to a great extent, it has been a majority older group. But, praise God, that is changing. While older folks like what they like and we can be set in our ways, we need to pass on our faith to the next generation(s). That's hard to do if we end up being a closed mutual admiration society. In the writing of Jude, we read these words, "....I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Verse 3) That is 'the faith' we need to hand off and pass on to those who will take our places in serving our Lord. The pattern is set as given in this inspired text, Psalm 145:4 “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts …” We do not compromise the truth as found in God's Word. Never! We do try to appreciate the difference between Biblical principles and personal preferences. This may be the greatest single crisis facing the 'faith community' today. According to the most recent data, (2018), over 6,000 Churches in our country close their doors each year. I think for those of us carrying the faith baton, this should be a clarion call and wake up warning. What say you?

Last Sunday evening, our pastor brought a devotion at our annual Christmas tree lighting event at our local fellowship. He used the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas. God the very God who has always existed, (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), in the Person of the Son, came into our world as stated in verse 14, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." As profound as that statement, even more so our opportunity, verse 12, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:..." What an amazing God we know and serve! People often ask me what I understand about all of this. Very little in terms of my ability to comprehend, but, by faith, I can apprehend and embrace it because I have received Him. You can talk about these transcendent truths using an array of theological terms, but, unless and until one has received Him, they can no nothing about the true meaning of Christmas. That's why they call it Amazing Grace! Amen. ....More later.