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Cybersalt News

Oh look, Chicken Thursday and Christmas Eve!

For the majority of the Christmases since Cybersalt began back in 1998, I have sat down to pen a Christmas Eve message to send out to Cybersaltines, wishing them (you) a merry Christmas, while also expressing an awareness each year that for some, Christmas would be hard. Some of those years I was a member of that "some."

This year, we are all members.

Make no mistake, this Christmas was already going to be hard for many because of the usual pain that military service, prison terms, estrangement, sickness and/or death brings. But the pandemic has also cast a grey pall and a weight on us all. Like a sweater worn into a lake, what used to be light is heavy, what was heavy is heavier, and what used to be almost unbearable has become denser, threatening even more to take us down.

In these heavier times, may the message of the angels on that first Christmas night still comfort us, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

And, wherever we are and whatever the weight of our burden this Christmas, let's respond to that message just as the shepherds who first heard it. Luke tells us they "hurried off" and found Jesus.

The pilot for "The Chosen" demonstrates this truth wonderfully, and you can watch that by clicking here.

A blessed and Spirit-filled Christmas to all of you!

~ Pastor Tim

A minister is visiting his children to celebrate Christmas. When he walks into the house, he sees a beautiful nativity set.

His granddaughter walks up to him, and he asks her if she knows what it is.

She replies, "Yes... it's breakable."

Not saying I live in a rough area, but just bought an advent calendar and half the windows are boarded up!

"Be a Billionaire!"

and Help

Refugees and

Persecuted Christians

Aggressive Carolers: Wassailants

"Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow; they represent a gift of love given a long time ago."

- Tom Baker

In his book Dare to Believe, Dan Baumann illustrates the unique experience of knowing that something is ours, yet longing to enjoy it more fully. He explained that at Christmas time he would always do a lot of snooping, trying to find the gift-wrapped presents and figure out what was in them.

One year he discovered a package with his name on it that was easy to identify. There was no way to disguise the golf clubs inside. Baumann then made this observation: "When Mom wasn't around, I would go and feel the package, shake it, and pretend that I was on the golf course. The point is, I was already enjoying the pleasures of a future event; namely, the unveiling. It had my name on it. I knew what it was." But only "Christmas would reveal it in its fullness."

The glories that await the Christian defy our comprehension. What we can grasp about them, however, fills us with great anticipation. We look longingly to that day when we shall enjoy heaven in all its fullness.

Featured Illustrations are items well suited for illustrating or inspiring a point in a sermon, speech, or devotional. Funny, moving, or perhaps even graphic, the point of them is the point you make with them.

The Cybersalt Digest is a ministry of Pastor Tim and Cybersalt.