ENCOURAGEMENT 16 January 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good news • South Florida Edition "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree" is the first stanza of the popular 1780 English carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas," a well-known seasonal melody. From the perspective of holiday commercialism, one can say that its lyrics move counterclockwise. The "Season" here commences yearly on "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving, by opening the floodgates to interminable shopping that continues unabated until late December 24th. Yet this catchy tune bucks the trend, for all the presents handed out in this song, from turtle doves and French hens to golden rings and pipers piping, to name a few, are available only AFTER Christmas. For you see, in the original Christian tradition, the true season started ON Christmas Day itself and continued FOR 12 days until January 6th when the Epiphany or Three Kings Day was celebrated marking the end of this festive period. It would be safe to say that Santa prefers the current system which starts after Thanksgiving; the Christian tradition affords fewer purchasing opportunities. Gift giving The whole idea of holiday gifting has changed drastically since I was a child eons ago. Back yonder, in my country, kids customarily only got one gift. In my particular case, the chronology and the geography was starkly different there than what was being experienced here. No chestnuts on an open fire but rather coconuts in an open field; no sleighs but plenty of sugar cane wagons pulled by horses; no mistletoe but plenty of tobacco fields. In top of that, Christmas day did not bring the desired gift; I had to wait almost two more weeks before opening my present. Back then, the real Christmas celebration involved mostly adults, who would lay out huge amounts of food and drink on the evening of the 24th, the anxiously awaited and appropriately called "Nochebuena." The roasted pig was a must then (and still is), along with all the customary food groups of the Greater Antilles, followed by rum... "mucho" rum. The children had to wait. Three Kings Day For twelve days we waited until Three Kings Day arrived, the celebration when the trio of wise men from the east following a star came to Jesus bearing gifts. Every January 5th, before going to bed, I would leave a box with hay under my bed in order to entice the foreign royalty to be generous with me the following morning. Gift giving was connected to gold, frankincense and myrrh, the favor given to the Child; thus, it was during that festivity that children were presented their gift. This made much more sense to me than an obese guy in a red suit giving out stuff. And although I was unaware that it took the astronomers almost two years and not twelve days to get to the Messiah, I always associated the birth of Christ with wisdom and generosity, not excess and merchandising. But why discuss Christmas in January? Well, for one, time itself is measured pursuant to what occurred in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago; I suppose most people know what B.C. stands for, but not as many recognize "Anno Domini" as the "Year of Our Lord," which reset the calendar and brought forth the A.D. era. As Christians saved by the blood of the Savior, we put our hopes on a four-legged stool... Christmas, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension. The Birth Story cannot stand alone without the Bloody Cross, the Bold Reappearance and the Bright Uplifting. It was not until later in life that I understood the importance of the lone present received on Three Kings Day many years before; I received the "gift that keeps on giving." For when it is all said and done, the child on the manger is not the main gift, for we know that Jesus was born to die... for us. The one and final offering will be unwrapped on THE KING'S DAY when Christ makes His triumphant return with the rapture of believers, establishes His rule for a thousand years, disposes of Satan and reigns with the Father and with us in the New Jerusalem for eternity. What about if next year we saved one of the gifts under our tree until after 40 days following Easter and use it to celebrate the return of the Son to the Father and His eminent reappearance? Not a bad idea... Christmas in May! To the Future and Back - Omar Aleman - Aleman and Associates (TIU) Trinity, International University-Florida ceases operations. Tim Tebow Draws Crowd To Youth for Christ Gala at First Baptist Fort Lauderdale. 4KIDS staff and supporters honor Kevin Enders. July: Dr. O.S. Hawkins “A continuing legacy of faith in Fort Lauderdale” Cover Feature Story. Leading First Baptist, Fort Lauderdale for 15 years through a period of revival and growth in the 1980’s. Inside: “Hundreds of Christians gather to oppose Antisemitism on Broadway.” Cavalry House program recognizes graduates. Lifework leadership is back in Broward. Pastor Bill Mitchell joins Food for the Poor Board. The Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup and honor the December 10,1992 recognition when the (NHL) National Hockey League awarded South Floridian H. Wayne Huizenga the Florida Franchise. Campers splash into summer. August: Hope South Florida; “New team brings hope for the homeless.” Cover Feature Story. Inside: The Salvation Army of Broward joins No address movement. Holy Cross Health to administer free immunizations to students. Crowds of youth gather to worship in South Florida Rally Loud and Youth Encounter. September: Julie and Todd Mullins, Senior Pastors, Christ Fellowship Church, Palm Beach Gardens. “Among the largest congregations in America, Christ Fellowship celebrates 40 years of impact.” Cover Feature Story. Inside: Christian College Guide 2024, the 2nd Annual GOOD NEWS 24-Page Pullout Section. Featuring hundreds of Christian colleges throughout America with vital information for student application enrollment. Opinion, vote no on amendment 4. Broward FCA gathers for a Night of Champions. October: CHURCH UNITED “Approaching 10 years of Missional Impact.” Cover Feature Story. Inside: Dr. D. James Kennedy Center presents Christian statesman award. Holy Cross Health is nationally recognized for heart failure care. Wondherful hosts first pickleball charity tournament. Celebrate our heroes on National First Responders Day. Legacy Partners Dinner Celebrates Life. November: GOOD NEWS SALUTES 2024-2025 LEADING CHARITIES AND FOUNDATIONS. The eighth annual 24-page pull out section, featuring keynote speaker Bob Hoskins, celebrating his 81st year in ministry as founder of One Hope. Cover Feature Story. Inside: The Community Foundation of Broward awards “40 for 40: Spread the Love grants.” Decor for the Cure raises funds to battle breast cancer. Jail N Bail lassos bonds for families. Food for the Poor celebrates partnership. 4KIDS “Over 100 golfers tee up for Orphans Classic.” Handy’s “A gala from outer space.” Eddie Vega Speaks at CBMC luncheon. Festival benefits children, battling cancer. December: Good News Celebrates 2024-2025 FAITH LEADERS. The eighth annual 16-page pull out section. Cover Feature Story. Inside: Museum of the Bible, experience the true meaning of Christmas. BiG Children’s Foundation celebrates Education Center groundbreaking. Holy Cross Health begins construction of free-standings ER. Gathering of Men Fall Outreach Breakfast. Huckabee, Trump Congratulate CRM Coral Ridge Ministries on 50 years. Dr. Alveda King address is pro-life benefit breakfast. Strikeforce 421 announces Grant semifinalists. It was quite a year, praise God Thank you all for your support. Les (Continued from Pg. 6) A Look Back at 2024 through the Pages of GOOD NEWS
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