The Witness

WARNING: Kinda Religious. Move on to the jokes if you’re not into this kinds stuff.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It was a night like any other night. Me and my fellow shepherds were watching over our flock of sheep. Suddenly, a guy appeared out of nowhere. And he said:
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

We were still figuring where did this guy came from when — vvvhooom!!!

Without warning, a bright light pierced the night sky. One guy screamed like a girlie girl! (Laughing) The others just let their jaws drop and left their tongues hanging. I raised my hands to shield my eyes. Squinting, I saw movement on top of me; the shapes slowly turned into strange people floating above us… lots and lots of them … wearing dazzling clothes.

Then they started to sing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Then, just as fast as they came, they were gone.

“Tell me I’m not dreaming. Did you just see what I saw? Hear what I heard? Are you as curious as I am? Should we check out what’s going on in that town of Bethlehem?”

We all ran down into the village to the familiar animal stalls. All the while I’m thinkin’: “This stinky place is where we will find the Christ? The hero who’s supposed to save mankind?” Sure enough, there they were — the father was gazing down that long wooden box where horses and cattle drink their water. Inside the manger was a new born baby crying softly. The mother was exhausted from the delivery and resting while the father was looking on at the helpless little guy.

The father was disoriented. He was startled to see us.

“Are you the owners of this animal shed? I’m sorry for our intrusion. We just didn’t have any place to go and the baby was coming out. I looked around and there wasn’t anywhere clean to lay my wife down to deliver the baby so I used this water trough. We’ll leave as soon as my wife finds the strength to get up. But for now, please let me rest. I’m so so tired.” Sweat and tears rolled down his cheeks.

“No, no, don’t worry about us,” I assured him, “we’re here because someone told us there was a baby born this evening and we wanted to verify that it was true.”

“What? Did you hear that Mary? Someone knew you were giving birth!?!?!”

Me and my friends took turns trying to explain what had happened out there in the fields. “I know this sounds weird and creepy but we’re telling you the truth. We were told to go here … why do you think we were told to go here?”

The man started to cry. “These past 9 months have been very difficult. I was told in a dream that I was to marry this woman. I was told the baby would be a boy and I was to name him ‘Jesus.’ I was told to travel 80 miles … I was told … I was told … I was never given a choice. Do you realize the doubts I carried? Part of me dismissed the whole absurd plan because it was all based on a silly dream. But listening to your encounters with the angels and your visit … this is a sign! This is the proof I needed.” He sobbed on my shoulder.

The woman was silent but with eyes opened wide, and she pondered these things in her heart.

“Why don’t you come to our home where you can get a decent rest?” So we helped them to our home where they stayed for a few days. Joseph and Mary adhered to Jewish tradition so after 7 days, they went through the ritual of purification (cleansing of the impure blood from the delivery which was akin to the impure blood in a menstrual cycle). As was the tradition, at the end of eight days, the child was brought to the temple where he was circumcised and formally given the name ‘Jesus.’ There they met Simeon and Anna who both confirmed that the child was indeed the Messiah they had waited for their whole lives.

MORE BEHIND THE SCENES

Some time later (it could have been weeks, months, but not more than 2 years), three distinguished men with their entourage arrived from the great unknown lands of the East (we can’t be certain where because few of us at that time traveled more than 10 miles from where we were born). Some say they came from the region of Iran or India or even China — who knows? They were dressed differently; talked differently … they obviously were educated because they navigated their way here by following the stars. Herod the Great heard about them and granted them safe passage. The strangers explained their mission to find the new born king; Herod had no clue what they were talking about. But when he heard the word “king,” daggers of hate and jealousy filled his devilish mind. He asked them to relay where the child lived under the pretense that Herod would also pay homage.

The three wise men were led to the child by a star (whatever that really was) to the house where the family lived. They gave their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrhh. Fortunately, the strangers were informed in a dream to avoid returning to Herod and they returned to the East using an alternate route.

Herod was fuming mad when he learned of their betrayal. Satan and his henchmen are powerful but they are not omniscient (all knowing) so once the word about the Messiah was out, their spiritual army connived to murder the child. Countless Bethlehem babies born at the same time plus a year older (for good riddance) were slaughtered.

Unbeknownst to Herod, days before the attack, Joseph was instructed in yet another dream to vacate the premises and he took his young family to Egypt where they hid until Herod’s death. History tells us that this evil Patriarch died of an excruciating intestinal disease, burning fever, ulcerated entrails, foul discharges, convulsions, stench (Antiquities 17.6.5) — God‘s wrath against Jesus’ first true enemy was evident.

Soon the young family returned to their real home in a Galilean town called Nazareth where the child grew strong filled with wisdom and was blessed and protected by God.

I’m just a lowly shepherd. I can’t explain why things happened the way they did but I know that this was the start of something big!

EPILOGUE

It’s already past midnight. Gotta send this email off without much editing. This story is based on my study but I obviously sprinkled a little drama to bring back the significance of the Christmas story that often gets lost in its repetitiveness. I encourage you to do your own research in the beginning chapters of the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Even though Christmas is a time of joy because we celebrate the birth of Christ, in reality there was quite a bit of dark nefarious activities. But thanks be to God for His protection. Joy and peace be with you! Merry Christmas!
And of course, this is just my opinion. TGIF people!

Raoul.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Donna of Texas

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Videos of the Week:

Special Christmas Crying Edition

Thanks Ernie of Fresno, CA (some may think this is exploitation … perhaps).

Parting Shots

Thanks to Bob of Placentia, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

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O What a Night!

If you’ve been reading my emails, you probably remember that I was in a small town called Dalipuga last month to be with my Dad. Did you know that there was a lunar eclipse on November 8? Someone in my chat room mentioned it was coming and I shared it with my friends but it seemed like I was the only one excited about it.

So I stepped outside into the dimly lit garden (minus the distraction of the city lights) and watched the eerie orange shadow of the earth pass over the full moon. Although a solar eclipse is more dramatic, the beauty of a lunar eclipse is you can watch the cosmic show with your eyes wide open (no squinting).  

How sad that no one was there to share my joy.

Maybe this was how Mary and Joseph felt looking down at their new born son, the promised Messiah, — wrapped up in swaddling cloths in a manger. If there ever was a need for encouragement it was that night.

Scripture says the night when Christ was born in Bethlehem, there were shepherds hanging out in the open fields when “poof!” — an angel appeared in front of them and shared the great news:

“Dudes, don’t be afraid!” said the angel. “Have I got news for you! Remember the Messiah they talked about in Sunday school? Well, he’s heeeeeeere!”

The shepherds must have looked at each other wondering who spiked their drinks. But before they could start accusing each other, thousands more angels popped up in the sky singing the latest radio hit …  your favorite and mine — Joy to the world! — in high fidelity heavenly sound! It must have been an amazing concert.  (Luke 2:14)

All jazzed up, the shepherds went to check it out for themselves. They must have scoured the city of David; starting with the reunion parties that were in full swing in the rich areas befitting a king. To their surprise, the only baby born that night was sleeping in a makeshift cradle in an animal trough.

If you think the shepherds were surprised, you should have caught the look in Joseph and Mary’s faces seeing these toothless smiling strangers peering down at their baby. Definitely, a Kodak moment.

Mary must have looked at Joseph and said, “now do you believe me?”

The shepherds did what shepherds do best: they texted their buddies and the news went viral. Soon the whole town came and joined the party in the manger. I wouldn’t be surprised if the inn keeper moved his guests around and gave the family a decent room.

I can imagine proud Joseph shooing the crowd away — “Thanks for coming! We get it! Our child is the Messiah … but it’s time to go! Mary just gave birth and she’s tired and we need to get some sleep. Good night! Good night!”

It is said that Mary treasured all of the events in her heart (— the selfies, the thumbs up, and the high fives). The crowd left glorifying and praising God for the amazing evening. — Luke 2:21

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in the dark street shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.


Of course I exaggerated some of the incidents that awesome night but I hope it made you see a familiar scene In a different light. Read the gospel of Luke, Chapter 2 for the genuine story of the birth of Christ. Christmas is next weekend. Are you excited? TGIF people!

Raoul

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” — Luke 2: 13-14

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Jose of LA county

Parting Shots

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

I found these

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Christmas Spanish Air Disaster appeared first on Traveling Archive.

That Little Town

You’ve heard about that Little town. No, no … NOT Chicago! Bethlehem! Yup. That sleepy little town they sing about every Christmas. But do you know why it’s so significant?

A long long time ago in a faraway kingdom … No, no … NOT Star Wars! But in a place called Paradise. (Some say it was somewhere in Africa but no one can be certain but it was a real place somewhere in this earth). A man and his wife, Eve are being reprimanded by God for eating a forbidden fruit (the man was never really given a name but through the centuries, mankind named him Adam which is the derivative of the Hebrew word “adamah” which means “of the earth”). Because of that brazen act of defiance, they ruined their lineage — every single person born in this world would have the tendency to sin. I guess you could say they started the gene to sin. Talk about tainted goods! Now instead of zapping the first man and woman off the face of the earth like they deserved, God loves them so much and He gives them a promise … a prophecy that although their sinful kind would populate the earth, one day, God would send a saviour to rescue humanity.

Fast forward to a fateful day in a place called Haran (which is Eastern Turkey today) we find a 99 year old fatherless husband named Abram tending to his flock. He notices a burning bush that keeps on burning like the Eveready Bunny. It was a trap! God lured him to a private conversation. God repeats His promise of a saviour to Abram (later changed to Abraham), tells him to head south because his bachelor days were over. Impatient to speed up the prophecy, Abraham is prompted by his 90 year old wife, Sarah, to sleep with their Egyptian maid, Hagar and thus Ishmael was born. From Ishmael came the Muslims of the world. Sarah gives birth to Isaac. From Isaac comes the line of the Hebrews, later called Israelites who we now call Jews. Isaac then has twin sons (Esau and Jacob) with his wife Rebekha. I guess the third generation is a charm because these brothers have lots of kids. Jacob had 12 with his wives (including Rachel who was his favorite). Rachel died while giving birth to the 12th son and was buried in a town called Bethlehem. Aha! Now the plot thickens!

Hundreds of years later, in Bethlehem, we find a rich old bachelor named Boaz is smitten by a Moabite foreigner named Ruth. The two lovebirds have a son named Obed who then has a son named Jesse. And Jesse has a scrawny kid who would turn out to kill a giant and become King David who was crowned right there in Bethlehem. David builds his kingdom 5 miles north in Jerusalem. David’s son, King Solomon expands the kingdom and it becomes the richest land on earth. From that peak of the society’s Rich and Famous, things start going downhill because they forget God. The royal offsprings mess things up royally. The kingdom is split in two and wave after wave of conquerors enslave the children of Abraham. Israel will never regain its glory. Then after centuries of oppression, from the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks etc. we find the Romans in power. The egotistical Caesar Augustus wants a census done so he decrees that everyone return to their ancestral home so Rome would get an accurate number of subservients in their expanding empire. Joseph and Mary are forced to travel about 90 miles from Nazareth to be there at Bethlehem because their ancestry converged at that one spot.

I know this is a lot of data and my mind is fried just thinking about this but I hope that when you hear the song you will remember that in a world infested with corruption, in the little town of Bethlehem, a promise was delivered. For unto us a child was born … our saviour named Jesus.

What lesson(s) did you learn from this history? What does that tell you of God’s character? Read between the lines and grasp the lessons that could change your life.

I gotta sleep now.

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA. for this joke.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba. B.C.

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA.

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena

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