SKY NEWS a few weeks back was bemoaning the fact that Christmas this year, for the Brits, would be a lean one, with Few 'if any' Turkeys gracing the dinner table. It seems now that the 'fear' of having to suffer serious food shortages is passing, and that all the expected traditional fare will, after all, find its way to the shops and supermarkets. At the time, SKY made it sound a major crisis - as if a meatless Christmas would be worse than death.
Here, in Kenya, probably less than 1% ever get to see turkey. It is amazing just how much you can live and do without, and still be happy, and even content. Perhaps there might also be a GAP in what one part of the population can afford to put on their tables, compared to others. There is little doubt that 'one man's meat can be another's poison', when it comes to being able to afford it. BUT, food seems to be a BIG part of Christmas to those with enough in their pockets, AND even to those who are poorer.
'Food, wonderful food
what is there more handsome?
Gulped, swallowed, or chewed,
still worth a King's ransom.'
But to listen to SKY NEWS the English are made to seem greedy gluttons, who put FOOD in front of LIFE. I hope I am right in thinking that this is not entirely the picture. But, really, what IS Christmas all about, and who, among us all, take it to heart, and let it make a difference to our life and hope for the future? WE, here in Testimony, do some of our shopping, weekly, at a Supermarket not very far from us and known as ' Chandarana, FOOD PLUS' with the rider, as part of their name, adding '....more than just food!' I like this, for it correctly makes food to take a back seat when it comes to the MORE that lies beyond the food. And this is also so true of Christmas. Christmas can include the idea of exceptional FOOD, but it is NOT about JUST food. There is MUCH MORE to Christmas than turkey and tinsel, Father Christmas, and fairy lights.
CHRISTMAS is the Commemoration of the Birth of JESUS CHRIST, the MESSIAH, the Promised one of God, Who came from Heaven to Save us from ourselves, and show us the Way to GOD. The early Christian Church did not officially institute this until 332 A.D. when they declared 25th December a FEAST day, the Birthday of Christ. BEFORE that there is no record of it being especially observed at any particular time, or day in the calender. BUT, surely His Birth IS recorded in Scripture, and in detail, and there can be no doubt that those Who believed in Him, would have remembered about His Birth in Bethlehem. It would have meant then, as it should now, so much MORE than knowing, exactly, which day it truly was. In the Fulness of TIME, at the right time in history and time, GOD put Christ into the World, to SAVE it; all those who live on and in it. All those who would trust in Him and commit their lives to Him. He was born in Bethlehem of Judea in Israel at the time of the Census of the Roman Emperor Augustus. It was the BEGINNING of God's Plan to bring all men to Himself. It was the Beginning of a NEW Age and Era; an age worse than any that had gone before, worse than that of Noah, when God looked down and 'saw that wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that the imagination of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually; the earth was currupt before God, and filled with violence, for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. (Genesis 6v5-13) And God said, I will destroy them with the earth.
JESUS Himself commented on this Age that we live in, and said ' it will get worse, and worse.' He said that if He, Himself, did not return quickly he would find none alive. All the world is in upheaval. War, revolution, civil strife engulfs our world. The very earth erupts more and more, as our climate changes, and nature is turned upon itself. the FEAR of an end of all things, GRIPS the people everywhere, and the world seems without leadership, unstable, unsettled, whilst the ROAR of the nations gathers more and more in anxious apprehension.......... Is there HOPE for the world? ONLY if the One whose Birth we remember at Christmas, comes back to SAVE us. BUT the world REJECTED Him ------will they RECEIVE HIM today, this Christmas time
OR will we all be found looking to our own self-centered enjoyment as we take advantage from a Day provided for us to Remember GOD's LOVE to us, stick our heads in the sand, and pretend all is well with us?
Here in Testimony Faith Homes, and School we love Christmas. It is a Family time, and we ever hope to see family members visiting, and reconnecting relationships at home with us all. I time of reaching out to each other, A time also of reaching out to others, not members of the family, alone, uncared for, unloved. A time of peaceful happiness and security ......ALL of this drawing our thoughts and hearts to GOD, who sent Jesus to SHOW us what Family IS, and how those without family can be loved IN to our own home and family, just as God sent Jesus to bring us back in our own original Family, into its Warmth, its Strength, its Confidence without divisions of any kind.
This year the School Holiday will be short - just ten days.
We will see decorations, even a Tree, appear in our four homes. Christmas Cards will shine out again, saved from years before, Each day nearer to THE day, joyful excitement among the children grow, until on Christmas Eve we all come together, as usual, in front of Testimony House, our first family home, to sing carols, share our thoughts about the Night, and to partake of a hot drink, and a bun, all under a night sky glittering with millions of stars. Suddenly we will all find ourselves, old and young, together, conscious of the Night, this Holy Night, that was so long ago the moment the Saviour of us all, was BORN, with the Shout of the Angel, and the Praises of the Angelic Host, and the proclamation to the World.
JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME!
Let Earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare Him room,
and Heaven and Nature, SING!
THIS is the FOCUS of our thoughts as Christmas nears once more.
The World may be staggering in its course, and Nature trembling on the brink - look to God, in Jesus Name, to COME more clearly and really into our lives, to steady us, to make us ready, to ensure our faces reflect no fear or terror but only our confident, and assured, JOYFULNESS that God is with us. And, that if He IS with us, then who, and what, have we to FEAR.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OUR WALL, ALL 23 METERS OF IT, REBUILT
It is now stronger, and better, with new metal strengthened posts
every two meters. Still a little to clear up but otherwise perfect.
This week we have had the first member of our BIG family, visiting for Christmas, though he may not actually be here to Celebrate, as he has to return to the U.S.A. where he will continue to now minister God's Word, having successfully completed his Doctorate. This is our dear son in Jesus, the Reverend Doctor Sammy Kirui. It has been real delight to have him stay with us in Green Cottage; very happy fellowship indeed. Sam was last with us FIVE years back, and has been in the U.S.A. for about 15 years, but he has always kept in touch, and is very close to us all. He also surprised us with a Love Gift for the Family - provision for ALL, for the next two weeks, and at a time when all our cupboards were bare!! God is so loving, and loves to see family loving each other. Thank you Sam, you are ever an inspiration and encouragement.
Right now the weather here is good, Much blue sky, and warm sunshine, tempered with a cool breeze and occassional cloud and showers, mainly in the evenings. The School has just concluded a brief half term break, and are are now back until 23rd December, when they will have TEN days holiday before commencing 2022 on 3rd January.
TODAY we had news of further Love from friends and family in the UK via AENON Trust. We had the news at Breakfast, with Daryl, and we once more found ourselves rejoicing, as our waiting was rewarded by the outpouring of LOVE for us all. Truly our hearts were warmed and comforted in knowing how many there are together with us, and with the children. Thank you and Bless you all.
ALSO today we have heard that what is being called the Botswana strain of C.19 is making itself felt in Europe, and that the U.K has put South Africa, Botswana and other nearby States on their RED list. So far Kenya remains OFF - but for how long we do not know. We are wondering now if Steven will be still feel able to risk coming out to us in December - that is if he will not in any case be prevented.
UPDATE on KENYA c.19 Cases as on 25th November
New Cases 46 Newly Tested 4,913 R. 0.9%
Total Tested 2,816,173
Total Positive 254,862
Total Recov 248,070
Total Deaths 5,333
The Government is also trying to make it compulsory for everyone travelling from one County to the other, within Kenya, to be Vaccinated. MASKS continue to be word in public places.
The LORD or God be with you all.
With our united Love in Him, as we pray with and for you all daily.
John, Esther, Daryl, and all our co workers, and the children here in Testimony Homes.
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