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Cybersalt News
Sunday greetings everyone.
Last year Christmas had barely passed when I realized I had hardly listened to any Christmas music while I worked or played. I remembered that this year and have been intentionally flooding my days and nights with Christmas music. One of the gems I have found is a concert by Sting.
Now, I am sure this performance is not everyone's cup of tea. It's not all Christmas music, and it's not even all Christian music. But I think it's inspiring and beautiful, so I am sharing it as this today's video share. With all music, including Christian, Christmas music, discernment is a gift to be opened regularly all year round!
Click Here to Watch "Sting: A Winter's Night... Live from Durham Cathedral" the Video
Enjoy the rest of today's mailing!
~ Pastor Tim
Cambodian Christmas
Here is "Cambodian Christmas" by a New Zealander in Cambodia. Thanks to Janice Reid for this version of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."
'Twas the night before Christmas,
Right here in Phnom Penh
And the beasties were snoring
Tucked up in their dens
The missos were wrapping
Up presents galore
And sharing Yuletide stories
And other folklore
Their mammies and daddies
Were here for the hols,
Right over from Stateside
With presents and dolls
Or Aussie, or England
They came from everywhere
To look for Saint Nick...
If he knew his way here
The stockings were hung
On the aircons with care
And the ants went and found them
And built nests in there
Then suddenly, suddenly
Through the dark night
The dogs started howling
And yelping with fright
Then down the old roadway
The potholes they missed
Those carabao plodding
So laden with gifts
The driver was laughing
And honking and such
As he pulled up outside
And gave the bell a touch
We piled out the door
And opened the gate
And there was the stranger
A tall four-foot-eight
And then he smiled greatly
And gave a nice "wai"
And said, "I am Santa.
Chum reap soar! Hi!"
His face it was shiny
All covered with sweat
But his t-shirt was brighter
Than house-paint all red
He climbed from his ox-cart
And came in the house
And scared, as he did so,
A rat and a mouse
A smile he did give us
And some of those gifts
And we gave him back
Fried bananas and grits
Now Santa, he said
"I have much to do here
To teach all these Khmer
No effort to spare
To celebrate Christmas
To remember the Son
Who is really The Gift
from the Three in the One
Then off he did go
That Santa so merry
To call through the darkness
His message so cheery
And his carabao snorted
As they plodded away
With the leader's nose shining
Turning night into day
And Santa did call
As he rounded the bend
"Merry Christmas to all,
And a life without end!"
Translations:
Phnom Penh: capital city of Cambodia
Beasties: animals (a Down Under term!)
Missos: missionaries
Carabao: water-buffalo
Wai: a polite way of greeting (equivalent to a handshake) by holding hands together in prayer position in front of your face. Done with a small bow for added politeness
Chum reap soar: Cambodian greeting, "Hello."
Fried bananas: common snack, very tasty!
Khmer: Cambodians
One-Liner #1621
Having plans sounds like a good idea until you have to put on clothes and leave the house.
"Be a Billionaire!"
and Help
Refugees and
Persecuted Christians
Ma'amcharge
Today in the Arthritis Pool Exercise Class, a 90-year-old lady said, "I'm flying to Chicago for Christmas, and they will probably charge me extra for being an 'old bag'!"
Quote #2058
"Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago."
- Tom Baker
The Search
I looked for Christmas everywhere,
Through snow-filled skies and winter's air.
I hunted in the likely places ---
The festive shops, the children's faces.
I searched for Christmas day and night,
In sprigs of holly, candlelight;
In gifts gay-wrapped and friendly greeting,
Yet found it not, and time was fleeting.
And then --- with a sudden start ---
I thought to search within my heart.
And there --- not lost, but warm and waking ---
Was Christmas, mine just for the taking!
- "The Search" by Emily Templeton
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.
Rev. James Snyder, God's Penman, writes . . . .
My Ongoing Grudge with Santa
I’ve had sort of a grudge with old Mr. Santa Claus. I was introduced to Santa Claus by my parents, who informed me that he was the one that brought all of my Christmas presents on Christmas day. And I believe my parents.
I remember on Christmas Eve we had to go to bed early to give Santa Claus time to deliver our presents under the tree. It was hard to sleep that early on Christmas Eve knowing that Santa was coming with Christmas presents. Finally, we did fall asleep only to wake up Christmas day with the tree filled with our Christmas presents.
I did not know the real identity of Santa Claus until many years later.
Read moreThe Cybersalt Digest is a ministry of Pastor Tim and Cybersalt.