CENTERVILLE —
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.” These are the beginning lines of a popular nursery rhyme. This rhyme talks about how a small light in the sky can help light our path at night. It may not be as mighty as the sun or the moon, but it still helps to shine a light for us to see.
The twinkling of this star in the poem has nothing to do with Christmas, but this season of the year is full of twinkling lights, and the sparkle that is still in the lives of children full of hope, before the cares of this world have trampled their wonder and amazement.
This sparkle is full of hope and love. The hope of presents received, and of presents given; the love that is shared with these presents. The music that fills the air waves is full of joy and happiness and helps us all to be in a good spirits.
At least most of us. Sometimes we feel we have no happiness, or hope for a better quality of life. We think that our financial condition cannot get better, or our health will never improve, or that certain someone will never notice me like I notice them. Because of these thoughts, we may feel that life is hopeless and not worth living. The sparkle of life cannot be seen when we think these thoughts.
When the angels lit up the sky near Bethlehem in Israel, and announced to the shepherds that Jesus was born, they proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” This statement can give us the best hope imaginable! This statement tells us two important thoughts. We can have peace if God is pleased with us, and the glory belongs to God. This glory is everywhere, especially in the highest heaven.
Grace is a wonderful thing. Jesus came to this earth to take away the sin that separates us from God. That is the original and greatest Christmas present of all. This gives us peace because God is pleased with us since He took our sin away, if we accept this gift.
So cheer up and be at peace with your life. God loves you! Don’t tell yourself a lie that you need this or that to be happy, and if you don’t have it, well, no happiness for me. It would be nice if we had some things that we might not currently have, but it is really God’s peace that is most important for us to possess.
Jesus said in Matthew 5, “You are the light of the world . . . Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
From this day forward, TWINKLE! If you are a Christian, you are a Christmas light, act like it. Take the focus of life off of yourself, and think about the glory that is all around our God. God will lift us up. Shine brightly so that people will see our good works and glorify God.
This year when you go around looking at Christmas lights, look for the sparkle of God’s love in people. Twinkle, twinkle people of Centerville . . . that God will be glorified.
Merry Christmas!
Religion
December 23, 2011
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Faith Notes
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- Appanoose County Weekly Meals Everyone is invited to enjoy a free meal and fellowship every Monday at Faith United Methodist Church on Highway 5 South near John Deere. Meals are available from 5-6 p.m. Rides are no longer being offered at the present time. The menu for Monday wil
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Ordination to be celebrated Sunday
It is time to celebrate once again at the Fairview Church of the Brethren as we invite you and the surrounding communities to Diane Mason's ordination service at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday. May 19. There will be a carry-in-dinner, no desserts required, aft
- What is God going to do? I've been a member of the Appanoose County Ministerial Association since I came to Centerville almost five years ago. During that time, we've done good ministry together. We've supported The Lord's Cupboard (food bank), Reaching All People Together (
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- Appanoose County Weekly Meals Everyone is invited to enjoy a free meal and fellowship every Monday at Faith United Methodist Church on Highway 5 South near John Deere. Meals are available from 5-6 p.m. Rides are no longer being offered at the present time. The menu for Monday
- Appanoose County Weekly Meals Everyone is invited to enjoy a free meal and fellowship every Monday at Faith United Methodist Church on Highway 5 South near John Deere. Meals are available from 5-6 p.m. Rides are no longer being offered at the present time. The menu for Monday wil
- Who's Light Some 40 plus years ago I was shopping at Town East Mall in Wichita, Kansas. By the time I was ready to leave it was dark outside. I noticed there were so many lights in the parking areas and even down Kellogg Street it looked like it was still daylig
- Appanoose County Weekly Meals Everyone is invited to enjoy a free meal and fellowship every Monday at Faith United Methodist Church on Highway 5 South near John Deere. Meals are available from 5-6 p.m. Rides are no longer being offered at the present time. The menu for Monday wi
- Gospel jam planned for May 5 An open gospel jam will be held Saturday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at Brushy Community Church. Everyone is invited to enjoy an afternoon of gospel music and fellowship. It is open to all entertainers who would like to play and sing. A free will offering with
- May breakfast to be held First United Methodist Women will hold a May breakfast on Tuesday, May 7 at 9 a.m. with program by Judy Lawson, "Hats Through the Ages." Tickets will be $5 and are available at the church office at 401 N. Main St. in Centerville or from First United
- Unique ministry coming to Centerville Chalk artist and Bible teacher Randy Davis will present an inspirational, powerful and unique presentation of the Gospel through his unique ministry, "Drawing Closer Ministries" at Centerville Church of the Nazarene at 415 E. Bank St. in Centerville
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First Communion retreat held
On Saturday, April 13 a first communion retreat was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church. During the retreat the children made Shepherd's Bread, each child was able to participate in making the bread with the assistance of Joyce Moore. While they waite
- Jesus prayed for you Do you know Jesus prayed for you? He did. Look at the 17th chapter of the book of John. He is praying for his disciples, the ones God gave Him to mentor, then verse 26 states, I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever b
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