December 9, 2009
Dear Friends,
In just a couple of weeks, we will all be gathering with friends and family to celebrate the coming of the Messiah as a baby in Bethlehem. Most of us will exchange gifts with loved ones, enjoy a special meal, and may even carve out some time to meditate on what it means for God to become man, to dwell among us.
At the same time, the men I minister to at the Miramar brig will be separated from their families. They will be able to attend a Christmas worship service on Wednesday, December 23, but Sunday services are cancelled for the holidays. The galley will undoubtedly prepare a special meal, but home cookin' it ain't. In recent years, Bible studies and other religious programs are cancelled for 3-4 weeks when the brig staff begin their "holiday stand-down."
It is likely, however, that the men in the brig will experience a much deeper Christmas than will you and I. Mary and Joseph certainly didn't have candied yams and green bean casserole on that silent night. And the shepherds hadn't spent most of the month at the mall or online looking for the perfect gift. What they did have, what the men in the brig have, that gets missed by many of us in the rat race of shopping, parties, and food, is Jesus. God in the flesh, come to save His people from their sins.
Living in Southern California, I am often told by my friends in the midwest that "It wouldn't seem like Christmas if it wasn't cold." Having lived through 14 warm Christmases, I must disagree. I like warm holidays.
We all have our list of "It wouldn't seem like Christmas without...." A Christmas tree, decorations, singing carols, or (in my family) persimmon pudding. Sadly, Jesus may not be on those lists. He's been missing from a lot of Christmases recently--or, perhaps, like the legendary Santa Claus, he makes a secret appearance that nobody notices.
Yes, the brig men may be missing snow, mistletoe, and presents on the tree, but they will not have the distractions of the season (that you and I have) to miss Jesus.
So please "remember the prisoners" during your Christmas celebrations with friends and family. Pray that Jesus will be the gift that outshines whatever is missing.
And please remember this ministry in your year-end giving.
Merry Christmas!
Ben Conarroe
Dear Friends,
In just a couple of weeks, we will all be gathering with friends and family to celebrate the coming of the Messiah as a baby in Bethlehem. Most of us will exchange gifts with loved ones, enjoy a special meal, and may even carve out some time to meditate on what it means for God to become man, to dwell among us.
At the same time, the men I minister to at the Miramar brig will be separated from their families. They will be able to attend a Christmas worship service on Wednesday, December 23, but Sunday services are cancelled for the holidays. The galley will undoubtedly prepare a special meal, but home cookin' it ain't. In recent years, Bible studies and other religious programs are cancelled for 3-4 weeks when the brig staff begin their "holiday stand-down."
It is likely, however, that the men in the brig will experience a much deeper Christmas than will you and I. Mary and Joseph certainly didn't have candied yams and green bean casserole on that silent night. And the shepherds hadn't spent most of the month at the mall or online looking for the perfect gift. What they did have, what the men in the brig have, that gets missed by many of us in the rat race of shopping, parties, and food, is Jesus. God in the flesh, come to save His people from their sins.
Living in Southern California, I am often told by my friends in the midwest that "It wouldn't seem like Christmas if it wasn't cold." Having lived through 14 warm Christmases, I must disagree. I like warm holidays.
We all have our list of "It wouldn't seem like Christmas without...." A Christmas tree, decorations, singing carols, or (in my family) persimmon pudding. Sadly, Jesus may not be on those lists. He's been missing from a lot of Christmases recently--or, perhaps, like the legendary Santa Claus, he makes a secret appearance that nobody notices.
Yes, the brig men may be missing snow, mistletoe, and presents on the tree, but they will not have the distractions of the season (that you and I have) to miss Jesus.
So please "remember the prisoners" during your Christmas celebrations with friends and family. Pray that Jesus will be the gift that outshines whatever is missing.
And please remember this ministry in your year-end giving.
Merry Christmas!
Ben Conarroe
