Happy New Life!

Dodger:  Hi there!  Did you have a Merry Christmas?  I'm always sad to see it go.  One thing I appreciate though is that while the day comes and goes, the Reason we celebrate it never does.

Lilly:  I had a blast.  It was fun to see my family celebrating and enjoying themselves, and of course the fact that it's all about Jesus just made it better.

Dodger:  The holidays all come so fast.  It's almost New Year's now.  Let me think...wow!  This is actually the last time I think we'll meet until 2015!

Lilly:  The year has certainly flown by.  So, what are you looking forward to in the New Year?

Dodger:  Well, I've been wanting to start on a new skill.  You know how the New Year gives you a new slate, so I want to learn to exercise less partiality, that is, learn to practice what I preach in front of and for everyone.

Lilly:  Are you thinking of something in particular?

Dodger:  Yeah.  It's in James 2, verses 1-4.  Here we go:

"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.  For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?  (NKJV)

Lilly:  Is this a problem for you?

Dodger:  Not in that exact way.  Sometimes, though, I form a first impression of someone, and then let that impression define them for me.  That's not really right or kind.  In other words, yes, I'm partial.  It's easier for me to treat people who make me feel comfortable with kindness and respect.  Otherwise, I'm not so good at it.  Truth is though, those people all need Jesus.  How am I representing God well to them if I can't even treat them kindly?  So that's my New Year's resolution, I guess.  It's been making me feel guilty, and I want to use my new start.

Lilly:  Well, Dodger, I agree that partiality is a bad thing, as James says.  At the same time, I think that you need to keep something in mind.

Dodger:  What's that?

Lilly:  You don't need a New Year for a new start.

Dodger:  Hm?

Lilly:  Jesus died and rose for you so you could have a fresh start.  There's nothing wrong with wanting to do better at something you know you aren't doing well, but guilt --- is NOT from God.  He tells you when you're wrong to give you a chance to repent, not just to feel bad.

Dodger:  Well, I just thought that 2015 was a new chance for me.

Lilly:  Every day is a new chance, Dodger!  Psalm 30:3-5 puts it well:

"O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave;
    You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
     And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

For His anger is but for a moment,
     His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
     But joy comes in the morning." (NKJV)

Later on Psalm 118:24 says

"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." (NKJV)
Dodger:  I know that.

Lilly:  So then, you realize that every day is a clean slate, a new opportunity!  There's no need to wait for tomorrow or 2015.  God is working in and through you every day!  So if you want God to help you stop being partial, awesome, but that's not something you need to put on hold for a special holiday, and it's definitely not something to attempt on your own.

Dodger:  You're right!  I hadn't really thought of it that way, but we do get a new start everyday, don't we?

Lilly:  Yes.  Now I'd like to ask our friend a question.  Have you let God give you a new start?  We just got through a holiday that commemorates Jesus, the Son of God, coming down as fully human yet fully God, as a baby, to save mankind from their sins and give them new life, a mission He completed with His death on the cross and resurrection three days later.  He wants us all to have clean slates so that we can be with Him forever, rather than separated from Him by our wrongdoing.  So now the opportunity is yours.  All you have to do is ask.  You could pray something like this:

Dear God, I've done wrong before You.  I've sinned, and I don't deserve You.  I believe, though, that You sent Your Son Jesus to die on the cross so I could be saved, and that You raised Him from the dead after just three days.  I ask You, God, to give me a fresh start and a new life in You.  I confess my faith in you as my Lord and Savior, and ask You to enter my heart and take charge of my life.  Thank You, God, for the redemption I have in You.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Dodger:  If you just prayed that for the first time, we're super excited for you!  We hope that you will talk to someone you trust about your decision to accept Jesus.  We also know of a site you can visit to read God's Word, the Bible, although I'm a little partial to the old ink and paper Bibles.  Here's the page.  Congratulations!

Lilly:  Thank God, literally, for fresh starts.  It's more than a New Year.  It's new life!

Dodger:  I couldn't say it better, Lilly.  Well, we've gotta roll.  It's great to have you around!  See you in 2015!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not ever going to change!

Lilly:  Happy New Year!








(NKJV Means New King James Version)

Conclusion: Operation Christmas Hope.

Dodger:  Hi again!  How've you been? Christmas is coming up, and I seriously can't wait.

Lilly:  Me neither.  You know, I feel really good this Christmas season.

Dodger:  Why's that?

Lilly:  I'm not sure.  Could be the season, the anticipation of the holiday.

Fireball:  Or it could be that our project raised over 200,000 dollars and counting for Freeway Village!

Dodger:  I know that I feel great because of that.  I was astonished at the reaction.  Clawly Jr. says that almost as soon as we started singing people began hopping onto our page to donate.

Waterball:  Christmas always seems to make people so generous.

Lilly:  Well, it is a celebration of the Ultimate Gift.

Waterball:  True.  I found it heartwarming, though, how quickly people responded.  Like, we already have enough to fix five of the homes, and people haven't stopped giving.  I'm just glad the mall staff worked with us, and that people were so generous, and well...everything was awesome!

Dodger:  I couldn't agree more.  You know, I wish someone had filmed our song.

Clawly Jr.:  Hey guys.  Uh, Dodger, about filming- I meant to, but forgot to get a new SD card.  Otherwise we'd have a clip.  Sorry about that.

Dodger:  Oh, it's definitely not a big deal.  Maybe someone else taped it.  At any rate, I'm just happy it happened.

Lilly:  So...now what?

Dodger:  What do you mean?

Lilly:  What do we do now?

Fireball:  How about ice cream?  My treat!

Waterball:  Fireball!  We couldn't accept that.  Ice cream is expensive, and you know how Pac-Mans eat!

Fireball:  It's irrelevant.  C'mon, we gotta celebrate some way.

Clawly Jr.:  I know of a place we can go that's relatively inexpensive.

Lilly:  Sounds great!  Let's go.  Thanks, Fireball.

Dodger:  You know, I think it was really cool how God used a flash mob to help people with their homes.

Waterball:  I hope you aren't surprised or anything.  It's not the first time God's done something like that.  What about the one with the angels from 2000 years ago?

Lilly:  Wait, what?

Waterball:  You know, the one done in front of the shepherds!

Fireball:  I don't think I'm quite following you.

Waterball:  I'll find it.  Let's see here...Luke 2, verses 8-14.

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

     “Glory to God in the highest,
           And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (NKJV)
Dodger:  I get it.  An unexpected gathering in a public place to declare a message!  Clever.

Lilly:  That's actually really neat.  I can see a difference, though.  Our flash mob was to ask people to give.  God's was to announce something He had given.  After all, when Jesus came down on that first Christmas day, it was more than a small step.  God in man, here to save us from our sins.  When you think about it, there couldn't be a better reason to start a flash mob.

Fireball:  Yeah.  Did you notice that although the message was short, it still rings today?  Glory to God, and both peace and goodwill towards men.  I think that the way God addressed each person that night was truly beautiful.  It was like he wrapped everyone at once in a hug and said "I've got you, I'm working things out for you, and I love you".  Amazing.

Clawly Jr.:  Not only that, but just as our flash mob got people to donate, God's flash mob inspired the shepherds to spread the word!  If I continue from where Waterball left off-

"So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them." (Luke 2:15-20, NKJV)
The shepherds took what they had been given for Christmas and spread it far and wide.  Do you think there's a lesson in that?

Waterball:  ABSO-lutely!  Christmas has always been about giving, starting with Jesus.  When we give on Christmas it's to celebrate what He's done, and because we can rejoice in His coming for us, we can also proclaim that message everywhere we go.  Christmas doesn't belong in a bottle.  It needs to be spread, and when we do, it can fill not only our listeners' hearts, but our own as well.

Dodger:  This year, let's make it clear to everyone why Christmas is something to celebrate.

Lilly:  Agreed.

Waterball:  Hear, hear!

Fireball:  Indeed.

Clawly Jr.:  Yeah.

Dodger:  Well, Christmas is soon, the new year is around the corner, and God is good.  Let's not forget that, ever.  Thanks for coming and visiting.  Remember, Jesus loves you, something He demonstrated that night in the stable, and that's NEVER going to change.

Waterball:  Срећан Божић!

Fireball:  Joyeux Noël!

Clawly Jr.: Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

Lilly:  Merry Christmas!






(NKJV Means New King James Version)


(Elements of this story are inspired by Big Idea's "Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas", an awesome VeggieTales movie that the author highly recommends.)

Operation Christmas Hope.

Dodger:  Hey there!  How have you been?  I'm sorry it's been so long.  I...haven't really been able to get away for quite a while, and Lilly, well, she's been all over the place.  She said she'd be here in a moment.  Actually, we've been working on a super secret project.  We just haven't finished it yet.

Lilly:  Hey, Dodger.  I brought the lights.  Is everything ready?

Dodger:  Not quite.  We're still missing some people.

Lilly:  Oh.  Well, I see our friend is joining us!

Dodger:  Yeah.  It's been way too long since we had you over, so I am really happy you came by today.  Thanks.

Lilly:  Um, so...what have you explained so far?

Dodger:  Oh, not very much, actually.  I only got to talk a little bit before you got here.

Lilly:  Well, tell them what we're doing, then.

Dodger:  Alright.  Here's the deal.  There's a neighborhood nearby that had a fire about a month ago.  It took out a few houses.  The people who lived there have been helped by others, but the houses haven't been fixed, and probably won't be...unless someone does something.  That's what Lilly and I have been working on for so long.

Lilly:  Well, that didn't quite fill in all the details.  Dodger and I can't rebuild a house, but we can put on a fundraiser...a surprise fundraiser.  I think Fireball's got the lights hooked up, Dodger.

Dodger:  Great!  Oh, "What kind of fundraiser?", did you ask?  The kind that raises funds.

Lilly:  Dodger!  They mean what will we be doing?

Dodger:  Gotcha.  A flash mob.  We got our school together and we'll be performing a Christmas carol at the mall.  Fireball, who I don't think we've introduced before, is hanging secret lights in the mall, with staff approval, of course.  It'll be simple.  We'll have a few people singing, others dancing, light bouncing, and a banner that says "Help Give Freeway Village a Merry Christmas!" with a website people can visit to learn more and see how to help.

Lilly:  That's our Christmas project.  It's not finished yet, and we won't be able to perform it right away, but we're doing some more setup today.

Fireball:  Okay, the West Wing has the lights, but I need to- hey, who's this?

Dodger:  That friend we're always telling you about.  We were just telling them about our project.

Fireball:  Oh.  Cool.  Well, I guess you already know what's up then.  Say, maybe you can give me a hand over in the East Wing.  We've got to hang up more lights, and it took forever to do that last set with Waterball.  Huh?  Never met her?  Well, she's a good friend of ours, though kind of my opposite in a lot of ways.  She's also afraid of ladders, though she tries to act like she's not.  You'll like her.  C'mon!

Dodger:  Well, if you guys want to head over there, that's fine.  Clawly Jr.'s working on the sound, so we'll go see how it's coming along.

Lilly:  Actually, I've got to make sure the website's ready for launch.  I'm glad someone at the school gave us their spare domain, but the design needs to be perfect so as to really get people's attention.

Fireball:  Alright.  Well, let's go!  What do you think?  Nice mall, eh?  One of the biggest in the state.  People come hear from all over just to shop.  We're hoping that such a big audience will be able to really make a difference back in my neighborhood.  Oh no, I didn't lose my house, but...well, a friend of mine did.  I'm hoping to help him out this way.  You know, Christmas inspires some crazy plans.  When Lilly suggested this at student meetings- what?  Lilly didn't tell you this was her idea?  Well that's just like her.  This whole plan was hers!  Some fine tuning was suggested, but it was her thought to go out and do all this stuff.  Just look at how far it's come.  Pretty cool, when you think about it.

Waterball:  Are you ready with the next set of lights?

Fireball:  Yep.  Let's light it up!

Waterball:  Say, who's this?

Fireball:  It's that friend Dodger and Lilly keep talking about!

Waterball:  Great!  I've wanted to meet you for such a long time!  I can't believe what we're doing here.  It feels so Christmas-y!  Are you helping with the lights?  Wow, thanks!  Hmmm...let's start over here!

Fireball:  How about over here?  There's no electrical plug where you're pointing, and we're a little low on extension cords.

Waterball:  Sounds good.  You know, there's something about Christmas that makes me want to shout!

Fireball:  Well, this might not be the best place for it.

Waterball:  Perhaps.  I just love Christmas!  There's the decorations, the singing, the parties, time with friends, eggnog, candy canes, cookies, books, yule logs, Santa hats, and Jesus!  DOES IT GET ANY BETTER?!

Random Bystander:  Hey kid, you okay?

Waterball:  Oh, um, yeah.  Sorry about that.

Random Bystander:  No worries.  Just try not to shout.

Fireball:  Told you this wasn't the best place for it.  Would you mind handing these to our friend on the ladder?

Waterball:  No problem.

Fireball:  Thanks.

Waterball:  So, what do you think it is about Christmas that inspires all these crazy ideas?

Fireball:  Well, I dunno.  I've called the plan crazy, but I don't think that's quite the right word for it.

Waterball:  What is?

Fireball:  I'm not sure.  I can't help thinking, though, that in a way we're re-enacting a piece of Christmas here at the mall.

Waterball:  How do you mean?

Dodger:  Hey guys!  Thought I'd join you if you need a hand.

Fireball:  Awesome.  Here, take this wreath over to that doorway.  It lights up when a certain drumbeat plays.

Dodger:  Neat.  What were you guys talking about?

Waterball:  Re-enacting Christmas.

Dodger:  Like a Living Nativity?

Fireball:  No, I mean what we're doing here.

Dodger:  What do you mean?

Fireball:  Well, I was thinking about Christmas and what it means.  When Jesus came down as a baby boy, He was demonstrating love to people too down and out to save themselves.  A disaster called sin affected everyone, and there was no way to get out of it, until He came to us.  God covered the distance between us and Himself because, well, He loves us.  Now, we celebrate with gifts and decorations, but think of how it was celebrated then!  No big party on Earth was thrown.  In fact, another king tried to kill Him not long after He got here.  It was anything but a spectacular birthday bash.  Yet in apparent weakness, He gave us strength, yeah, and hope.  And in doing so, He gave us the ability to reach out to others with His love.

Dodger:  Good thought.  You know, displaying God's love always becomes easier for me around Christmastime, but, I wonder what it would be like if we celebrated Christ's birth all the time.  I don't mean with presents and parties, though those are nice.  What I mean is, what if we all stepped out of our own little area and sought to help those who couldn't help themselves, all the time?  That's what Jesus does everyday.

Lilly:  Guys, it's ready.  The site is launched.  The sound system's ready.

Fireball:  The lights are up.  The sequences are loaded.

Waterball:  Now the only thing left, is time.  Wait time.

Dodger:  Well, I guess we'll have to wait then.  We should probably all head home.  You know, I really think that you're right, Fireball.  Love, and hope, really help make Christmas what it is.  Maybe that's why people do things during Christmastime that they normally wouldn't.  Well, we'll see you soon!  Remember, Jesus love you, and that's not about to change!

Fireball:  Season's Greetings!

Waterball:  Feliz Navidad!

Lilly:  Merry Christmas...soon!


To be continued...




(Elements of this story are inspired by Big Idea's "Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas", an awesome VeggieTales movie that the author highly recommends.)