Outreach Center Network News Letter
December 2017
In this issue:
The Glory of the Lord - A Devotion
Outreach Center Directory
Christmas Aftermath Diet
A Christmas Music Quiz
Christmas jokes
Final Thoughts
Each article will begin with ###. You may move to the next article by searching for this.
### The Glory of the Lord
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 2:9
What is this glory? In the Old Testament the glory of the Lord referred to when God was present and something visible was there to demonstrate it.
When God lead the people through the wilderness he appeared in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He would descend and rest upon the tabernacle, the movable worship center. On mount Sinai when God gave the ten commandments to Moses, all the people looked at the mountain and trembled as the glory of the Lord descended upon it in the form of smoke and fire.
Who of us wouldn’t be afraid? When the glory of the Lord shown then or shines now, it shines upon the soul, on sin. It shines upon our unworthiness. The Glory of the Lord makes plain our smallness in comparison to the greatness of the almighty, the God who made heaven and earth.
"Be not afraid," the angel said. And why not? The reason is found in the angel's announcement of "good news of great joy" about the birth of the Savior.
Christmas is special because God did not just appear, take visible form or demonstrate his awesome power. No, this time his glory was revealed when he came among us by becoming one of us, taking on human flesh. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14.
In the activity of Jesus, God is shown to us as a loving, caring, forgiving God. For God's greatest demonstration of his might and glory is his act of rescuing people from the predicament of sin.
Like a light breaking in on a deep black darkness, Jesus' birth broke into our world of sin. The Bible uses this picture of light and darkness a lot. But for us who are blind, the Bible gives another picture we can more easily relate to: “A voice of one calling In the desert ‘prepare the way for the Lord!’ Isaiah 40:3
No matter how good the mobility skills may be there are times a person who is blind, will get turned around and not be sure where to go. A voice at those times saying “May I be of help?” is a great comfort and relief!
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
By trusting in this child who was born in Bethlehem, the glory of the Lord shines and does not make us afraid. Fear and death are removed because sin, our sin, is removed by him. Instead of fear, the glory that shown then, and still shines today gives us great joy for the child in the cradle is the Christ of the cross.
There is one more thing to add. Even as the shepherds went telling people what they saw after going and seeing the new born baby, so we go and tell. We are the voice calling; The Lord has come.
Pastor Dave Andrus
### Outreach Center Directory
I have had the request by several people to put together a directory for the outreach centers, leaders and pastors. This directory would have both phone numbers and email addresses.
We use to do this and update it when the outreach centers were a part of Lutheran Blind Mission. This seems good to me as it will help develop friendships and support.
First, if you do not want your name, phone number or email to be published in a directory, please let me know.
Second, are some of you willing to help me with this project?
Thank you.
Pastor Dave
### Christmas Aftermath Diet
'Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the chocolate I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber),
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt ...
I said to myself, as I only can,
"You can't spend a winter, disguised as a man!"
So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie, not even a lick
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.
I'll much on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all, and to all a good diet.
### A Christmas Music Quiz
1. Which popular Christmas song was actually written for Thanksgiving?
A. Jingle Bells
B. Away in A Manger
C. Sleigh Ride
Answer: A. Jingle Bells
2. The Twelve Days of Christmas are the 12 days …
A. after Christmas
B. before Christmas
C. after New Year's Day
Answer: A. after Christmas
3. Good King Wenceslas was King of what country?
A. Bohemia
B. England
C. Germany
Answer: A Bohemia
4. What instrument was Silent Night first played on?
A. Harp
B. Guitar
C. Organ
Answer: B. Guitar
5. What is the biggest-selling Christmas song of all time?
A. O Holy Night
B. Silent Night
C. White Christmas
Answer: C. White Christmas
6. In the song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer what reindeer is named first?
A. Dancer
B. Donner
C. Dasher
Answer: C. Dasher
7. What toy does Alvin wish for in The Chipmunk Song?
A. Jump rope
B. coonskin cap
C. hula hoop
Answer: C. hula hoop
8. In the song Away in A Manger what animals are mentioned?
A. lambs
B. cattle
C. donkeys
Answer: B. cattle
9. In the First Noel where was the star shine?
A. the west
B. the north
C. the east
Answer: C. the east
10. In the song O Come, All Ye Faithful Jesus is born the King of what?
A. angels
B. Israel
C. heaven and earth
Answer: A. angels
11. In the song Silver Bells what blinks "a bright red and green"?
A. Christmas tree
B. stop lights
C. store windows
Answer: B. stop lights
12. What song begins with "Come they told me"?
A. Carol of the Birds
B. The Little Drummer Boy
C. Sing We Now of Christmas
Answer: B. the Little Drummer Boy
### Christmas jokes
Question: Why is Santa so fast on his feet?
Answer: Because he has mistletoes.
Question: What do you get when Santa sits on a peanut?
Answer: Peanut butter and jolly.
Question: When does Santa go surfing?
Answer: During Yule tide.
Question: Why is Santa's sled so clean and shiny?
Answer: Because it has been "Santatized."
### ### Final Thoughts
In upcoming issues we can and will look at many of the same topics as well as others. If you have questions, thoughts or suggestions, please send them to me or post them on the blind ministry email list.
Pastor Dave