Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem – He lived, and today He lives again, and watches over us as Mary once watched over Him. Where once He was cradled as a helpless babe in a lowly manger, now He reigns as … Continue reading
Category Archives: Thoughts From The Young
Christmas Symbolism
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It’s Christmas time, and nothing about the Christmas story, I want you to know, is accidental or haphazard. Every part of that beautifully simple story is a story in and of itself, and all of it bears witness of the living reality of our Savior.
For example: During the Savior’s ministry, He was called the ‘Bread of Life.’ Bread is now, as it was then, the ‘staff of life.’ It’s the mainstay of our diet. Jesus, the ‘Bread of Life,’ was born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem means ‘House of Bread.’
Jesus is the ‘Good Shepherd.’ And who was it that was privileged first to see Him and proclaim His birth? – Shepherds, those who tended the flocks.
Many scriptures refer to Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God,’ He who was to die for our sins. Well, those flocks that were on the hills around Bethlehem that night? – More than likely they were Temple Lambs destined for sacrifice for the sins of the people on the altars of the Temple.
And how fitting it is that He who was called by John the ‘Bright and Morning Star’ should have what as His sign? – A new star, brighter than any other in the heavens.
And again, laid in a manger, a symbol of His lowliness, the Savior’s beginnings were as humble and as lowly as any child that has ever been born. And how appropriate that is when later He commanded us to become as children – meek, lowly, and humble.
And what of the children whose blood satiated Herod’s soldiers? They died in holy innocence that He might live. And years later, He died in holy innocence, and rose that they might live.
And again, what about the angel who proclaimed the birth of our Savior, Gabriel? That same Gabriel, as Noah centuries earlier, was the Savior of the human family from the waters of the flood.
And also in the Christmas story, there are repeated references to David, that the Christ-child would be born David’s son in David’s city, and receive David’s throne. Well, what of this David? – In the Old Testament, David was called a ‘man after the Lord’s own heart.’ He was Israel’s mightiest king. It was he who in power and glory freed Israel from political and spiritual bondage, united her tribes, and gave her the greatest prosperity and freedom that she has ever enjoyed.
And just think about this for a moment: He whose birth brought a moment of peace will return again to this earth to bring a millennium of peace.
Well, there’s more, much more within this story to tell. But I close with this: The wise men from the east followed a comparatively small light from a star, and they found Him. Now today, if we will follow that small gentle light from within, the light of the Holy Ghost, we will find Him, who is the light and the life of the world, even the Son of God.
Merry Christmas to you.
Taken from the works of Glenn Rawson – Dec. 1997
NAIL IN THE FENCE.
There once was a little girl who had a bad temper. Her mother gave her a bag of nails and told her that every time she lost her temper, she must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day the girl had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as she learned to control her anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. She discovered it was easier to hold her temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the girl didn’t lose her temper at all. She told her mother about it and the mother suggested that the girl now pull out one nail for each day that she was able to hold her temper. The day passed and the young girl was finally able to tell her mother that all the nails were gone. The mother took her daughter by the hand and led her to the fence.
She said, “You have done well, my daughter, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.” You can put a knife in a person and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends you care.
Please forgive me if I have ever left a hole in your fence.
Enough is Enough – California Must Go!
McDonald’s Kids’ Meals Less Happy in San Francisco
Bowing to Ordinance, Fast-Food Chain Cuts Out Toys in Kids’ Fare
McDonald’s, the world’s largest restaurant chain, will stop giving out Hello Kitty figurines or any other toys with its Happy Meals in San Francisco starting tomorrow because of a new city ordinance.
“A law was passed recently that means we cannot give away a free toy with our Happy Meals” at the 19 McDonald’s stores in San Francisco, spokeswoman Danya Proud said in an e-mailed statement today. Parents can buy a toy for 10 cents along with a Happy Meal or Mighty Kids Meal, she said.
Restaurant meals in San Francisco can’t include a free toy unless they have less than 600 calories, contain fruits and vegetables, and have a beverage that doesn’t have excessive sugars or fats, according to the City and County of San Francisco website.
The city’s Healthy Meal Incentive law seeks to reduce childhood obesity and help kids develop healthier eating habits. About 12.5 million, or 17%, of U.S. children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 are considered obese. That’s almost triple the rate in 1980, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“This clearly illustrates that McDonald’s is feeling the public pressure,” said Sara Deon, campaign director at Corporate Accountability International, a Boston-based group that advocates that companies act in the public interest. “We’ll continue to see cities and towns across the country address this,” she said.
Legislation pending in Michigan and New York also would ban eateries from distributing toys with meals that don’t meet certain nutritional standards.
McDonald’s Happy Meals usually consist of a cheeseburger, hamburger or Chicken McNuggets, along with fries, apple slices and a drink. The company, based in Oak Brook, Ill., recently began offering fat-free chocolate milk.
In July, McDonald’s said it would start putting apple slices and smaller packets of fries in Happy Meals in the U.S. this year. All 14,000 U.S. locations are expected to have apples in first-quarter 2012, the company said. The change reduces calories in kids’ meals by 20%. Jack in the Box, a San Diego-based fast-food restaurant, pulled toys from its kids’ meals in June. The 2,200-store chain also began serving 70-calorie apple bites with caramel in its kids’ combos this year.
Burger King and YumBrands’ Taco Bell restaurants give away toys in children’s meals.
– Bloomberg News –
The Man at the Door – Doorbell!
A Book of Mormon Story from England.
It Is A Mormon Thing!
Nathan Osmond performing in Payson. Filmed by Firstvision. This is a fun song that really seemed well received by the audience.
The Real Disney
Walt Disney
In 1933, Walt Disney began an ambitious project that would have a huge impact on Cinema. Walt’s project would take him 3 years to finance it, Walt would need to mortgage his home.
Walt did this and 3 years later, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released.
Snow White went on to win 7 Academy Awards and was acclaimed by critics.
Walt Disney’s story goes to show us that we can achieve anything, even if it has not been achieved before by anyone else.
Walt’s dream still lives on and Disney continues to inspire and entertain millions of children today.
THREE KIDS FROM ITALY…..
WOW!!! You are going to love this!
There is nothing you cannot do! The Gabe Adams Story.
Click Here for the video! A boy born with no arms or legs but still has a very positive attitude about life.