Many of us grew up watching the Beverly Hillbillies. The wildly popular series ran for nine seasons beginning in 1962. Millions have seen it in reruns since the series ended in 1971. 

The Beverly Hillbillies centered around a man named Jed Clampett, played by Buddy Ebsen. Jed was a poor, uneducated hillbilly from the hills of the Ozarks. The song tells us that Jed could barely keep enough food on the table for his family. Jed discovered oil (black gold, Texas tea as the song said) on his land and became a very wealthy man. His family and friends told Jed that he belonged in California where rich people live.  Jed loaded up his family and moved to Beverly Hills. For nine years we watched the story ‘bout a man named Jed.

Let me tell you another story about a man named Jed – well, about Buddy Ebsen who played Jed.

Buddy Ebsen was an actor trying to make his way in 1945. Like others, Ebsen was trying to find his way after World War II, which had interrupted his career. It was a snowy, cold December 31 night. Ebsen was finishing rehearsals for a play in which he was a cast member. It was 11:30 at night, and his wife waited for him by the door.

As the Ebsens began trudging through the snow and the chilly wind, Ebsen felt the churning of the aftermath of war, and wasn’t ready to go home. Buddy said to his wife, “Let’s not go home yet. Let’s get a bite to eat.”  They made their way to a diner only to find the door locked, but there were many people inside. The Ebsens were disappointed. Buddy Ebsen decided to knock on the door, and the owner whose name was Al Green opened the door and invited Buddy and Nancy Ebsen to join their staff party ringing in the new year.

There was much laughter, music, and fun going on at the party, but suddenly a total hush fell over the room just a couple of minutes before midnight. The Ebsens had expected a loud shout of celebration when the clock struck midnight welcoming the new year. Instead, there was total silence.

At midnight the owner of the restaurant Al Green stood in the center of the room as others sat at tables or lined the walls. Someone whispered to Buddy Ebsen, “It’s a tradition he does every year.”  

Al Green began to sing unaccompanied in a rich baritone voice. Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name he sang. Ebsen was transfixed to hear the normally rough-looking New Yorker singing a melody to the Creator of the universe.

Ebsen bowed his head, as Al Green sang every word of the Lord’s Prayer. Al’s voice rose powerfully; his words rang with conviction; and then, as the last firm note drifted away, Al lowered his head and sang the last word as a benediction:

Amen.

Buddy Ebsen then lifted his tear-stained face, looked at his wife and said, “Never let me lose faith in God, myself or others.”  After years of discouragement from war and demanding times, Ebsen’s attention was brought back to the God who is over all.

According to Ebsen, “When it was time for us to leave, Nancy and I put on our coats, and amid hearty good wishes from those at the restaurant we walked out to the street. The snow had stopped. Everything was still frosted with a neon iridescence. Tall buildings soared above us like church spires. The stars were like tiny sapphires winking in the deep blue.”

“Happy New Year,” I said to my wife.

“Yes, Happy New Year!” she said in reply as we stepped out confidently into a new year and and a new world and a new beginning.

Many of us experienced gut-wrenching times in 2024. As a nation we experienced one of the most bitter, divisive elections in the history of the United States. We have continued to watch conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and other nations. Grocery prices soared, putting many in a place of hardship. Gaylon and I, like many of you, saw the deaths of several loved ones. The year 2024 brought difficulty to many. Perhaps your spirit is even heavy.

As we enter 2025, may I suggest that you consider listening to the Lord’s prayer being sung and meditate on that. Yes, do the celebration and the hugs that a new year usually brings, but how about considering starting the New Year remembering “Our Father” who sits on His throne in heaven. For at least the first month of the year, would you read, memorize, and recite the Lord’s prayer every day? I actually plan to say it every day through 2025, starting my day, reminding myself of the One who will be walking with me.

Like Nancy Ebsen, I say to all of you, “Happy New Year!”  Let us step out confidently into a new year and a new world and a new beginning with Our Father at center. Amen.

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.” Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

It’s the most wonderful time of the year,
With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you be of good cheer
It’s the most wonderful time of the year

It’s the hap- happiest season of all, With those holiday greetings
And gay happy meetings when friends come to call
It’s the hap- happiest season of all

There’ll be parties for hosting, Marshmallows for toasting, And caroling out in the snow
There’ll be scary stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.

As we celebrate Christmas, Christians stop and remember the birth of the Savior of the world. We stop and sing with our kids, “Away In A Manger.”  That song makes my heart leap! Jesus was more than a baby; He was a way in a manger. He was a way for us to be reconciled to God. He was a way for divine healing of our bodies and souls. He was a way to overcome life in a world filled with challenges. He was more than a babe. He was a way for me and you.

It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year!

What amazes me are the outbursts of arguing that happens on social media. It is like every detail of the Christmas story must line up with the person’s thought. Let me settle two of the arguments.

PEOPLE ARGUE WHETHER JESUS WAS BORN IN A STABLE OR A CAVE

It is more likely than not that Jesus was born in a cave, not a wooden stable. But does it really matter? We know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there was no room “in the inn,” and that He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. There are no pictures of the baby or of Mary or of Joseph. We don’t know exactly the scene. 

Historically, many homes in the area would have built a dwelling with a cave underneath to house the most valuable animals. The top floor was the primary residence for the family and often included an upper room that would serve as a guest room for visitors.

When Luke 2:7 says, “there was no room for them in the inn,” the Greek word is the word for the guest room of the home, not for a hotel. (That word for a public room would be found in the story of the Good Samaritan.) Because of the census, the upper room was already taken, so Joseph and Mary stayed in the lower level where there was enough room for everything that goes into giving birth to a baby. It was not an ideal place to have a baby.

Here is my question. Does it matter? The Savior was born in less-than-ideal circumstances. What we celebrate is that He was born, not the spot where He was born. The place was not sterile, and it was not a beautiful birthing room with doctors and nurses. Perhaps God wanted to show us that He came for those in lowly places not just high places.

THE SECOND ARGUMENT IS OVER THE ACTUAL DATE OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

The Bible does not give us the exact date. Some say it was actually October. A few say it was June. Again, my question is, “Does it matter?”

I remember meeting a woman from a foreign country. As a baby, she was brought to America by a family who adopted her. No one knew her exact birth, so a pediatrician examined the child and estimated when her birth took place. Her family then chose a date to celebrate her birth. They were not celebrating the date. They were celebrating the child.

For me, it is unimportant the exact date of the birth of Jesus. I celebrate the birth of the Savior, not the date of His entrance.

Can we just stop arguing about things that do not matter? If you are a believer, I suggest that social media posts and conversations celebrate Emmanuel, God with us. The fact is that He was born; He came into the world to atone for our sins; He was resurrected to eternal life, and He is alive today. As followers of Jesus, let us add to the joy of the most wonderful time of the year. Go tell it on the mountain that Christ the Savior was born.

If you were raised in a Christian home with Judeo-Christian values, you have probably been told not to say certain words because that is taking the Lord’s Name in vain. I was not raised in a Christian home, so no one cared how God’s Name was used. My husband Gaylon, on the other hand, was raised in a strict Christian home. Certain words that were not actual “cuss” words were definitely punishable! They were taking the Lord’s Name in vain.

The third of the ten commandments listed in Exodus 20:7 is, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” Although many people believe taking the Lord’s name in vain refers to using the Lord’s name as a swear word, there is much more involved with a vain use of God’s name.

My personal belief is that Christians should refrain from the use of vulgar profanity which is so widely accepted and used today. Social media posts are shocking to me, at times. “Cussing” someone out would surely fall under the categories listed in Colossians chapter three – anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language (Colossians 3.8). Please, people of God, guard your words, and let them represent Christ. Saying, “Oh my god!” when someone makes us mad is a misuse of God’s Name. Let us remember that “Hallowed is His Name.”

The word “vain” in Exodus 20:7 means empty or hollow. You shall not take the Name of the Lord in a hollow and empty way. In other words, don’t profess the Name of the Lord and live a life that is empty of Christlikeness. If you live a life filled with hatred, immorality, greed, lying, envy, and a host of other things, and continue to profess being a follower, that is taking His Name in vain. It is the issue of living a hypocritical life. Once I become a Christian and take on His Name, I am to live a life worthy of that Name in word and deed.

When I married Gaylon Benton, I took his name. After fifty-three years of marriage, I still try to honor my husband’s name through my actions. I am faithful to him. I show honor to him. I walk together with him. His name caused me to walk a life that reflected our union.

As a professing Christian, I am to walk a life that honors the Name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is holy, as He is holy. The name of the Lord is a representation of His glory, His majesty, and His supreme deity. We are to esteem and honor His name by letting our lives revere and glorify God Himself. To do any less is to take His name in vain.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. At least that is what the song says! Is it? Yes, it is in many ways. All the laughter, the food, the candlelight, the carols! Decorating the tree, or these days – trees! Wrapping the gifts and listening to the giggles and excitement as children open them. So many are singing and hoping for a white Christmas where everything is merry and bright.

What about those who just are not feeling so merry and bright? For many this year is difficult. I am praying with and for several people who have lost significant loved ones this year. My heart aches for them, and my tears stream for them. Grieving can be the most challenging time for people who are trying to balance the feelings of pain and loss, while going forward with everyday life. I found this to be true when we lost our son Bryan.

Sometimes we find ourselves mourning on Christmas morning. If you are in grief, especially fresh grief, it is okay not to feel that it is the most wonderful time of the year. It is okay not to feel merry and bright. It does not make you grinch, it makes you a person in pain.

God is hugging you today. He understands where you are, and He cares about every tear. Jesus Christ left the splendor of heaven and was born as a babe into a world that was dark and broken. He became Immanuel – God with us. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER WILL JESUS LEAVE US! He will be with us in good times and bad times, in sickness and in health, in success and failure, in poverty and prosperity, in joy and sorrow.

He will be with you this Christmas even when you do not feel like being merry and bright.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” –  Psalms 34:18

Charles Spurgeon is one of my favorite preachers. When I read his articles and sermons, I have to really ponder them, and I often have to read them again to grasp what is being taught. Spurgeon’s articles are not easy reads, but they are full of great theological truth.

Years ago, I came across a helpful insight by Charles Spurgeon, and it has stuck with me over time. Spurgeon said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”

I think it would be beneficial to carry this quote through our entire lives.

There are a lot of Bible teachers who sound right. But sometimes it is possible they are almost right. If a person is an effective communicator, it is easy to be persuaded by their message. However, it is possible for messages to contain some truth, but not the whole truth. That is what Spurgeon is trying to get believers to see.

How do we know the difference between right and almost right? We know the difference based on a prayerful and thoughtful reading of the Bible. We cannot just listen to our favorite speakers and assume they are right about all things.

I have a friend who Googles everything, and I do mean everything. Anyone can pull up Google and find an isolated Bible passage to support an idea they want to push. That is looking at a verse in isolation and not being informed about the wider context.

Let me give an example. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I remember a young man using this verse in a conversation we were having. We were talking about playing the piano, and I stated that I wish I had stuck with piano lessons instead of giving up. How I would love to sit at the keyboard, play worship songs, and sing unto the Lord while sitting in my living room! This young man said to me, “Well if you have faith, you can do that. The Bible says you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Have faith that you can sit at the piano and start playing.”

I tried that a few times, and I think I might have heard Heaven say, “Just sing a cappella.”

In context, Philippians chapter four teaches us about contentment. Verse thirteen refers to a Christian’s ability to endure hardship and persecution. It does not mean that a Christian is empowered to accomplish any task simply because they are saved. The verse promises that as people pursue God’s purposes, they can find a contentment and peace that can endure any hardship.

This verse is not about our potential. It is about our contentment. While some great communicators tell us we can do anything we set our minds to, God tells us to be content when we find ourselves faced with adversity, and that it is possible through His strength! 

We live in an hour when we must be diligent about searching the scripture for ourselves. If you love something someone said in a message, that is wonderful. Jot it down, then search the scriptures to see if it is truth or almost truth.

I remember an influential person saying that all gods lead to the same place. That might sound like truth, but if the scripture is searched, one cannot deny the teaching that the way to the Father and eternal life is through Jesus Christ’s work on the cross.

Dearly beloved, please remember, “Discernment is not just knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”