Grown ups Santa

No one can deny the importance of Santa Claus Figure in the festivities of Christmas. Looking from afar you can guess whose name is leading the Billboard of this Season...It is Santa. Kids, as a matter of fact, become so attached to the figure knowing that he is the one bringing them the "icing on the cake" and the ultimate "joy" of the season...The Gifts under the tree. We, grown ups, look at their enthusiasm with a sense of pity not looking forward to that moment of truth when they discover who do really receive their "Dear Santa" Letters and bring these toys. Our kids are getting older, and we know that this inevitable truth is knocking their doors. The good thing is that once this truth is revealed to anyone, the whole "Santa Concept" changes and gratitude starts taking a different form, or better said, gratitude gets directed to the right people, to the parents, family and friends offering them this small act of love wrapped in a gift paper under the tree.

We, grown ups, seem liking this Santa idea and keep holding to it with nails and teeth. The only difference is that our Santa takes different shapes: Santa Work, Santa Promotion, Santa Dollar, Santa Outing, Santa Sport, and may Santas we believe are the source of the true happiness we seek in life. How many letters have we written with our wish list to each of these santas...and how many times have we felt our letter did not reach that santa..or may be the gift is less satisfying than we thought! I did fail seeing who truly was behind these Santas until I read:

"Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:16-17 NIV)
لا تضِلّوا يا إخوَتي الأحِبّاءَ. كُلُّ عَطيَّةٍ صالِحَةٍ وكُلُّ مَوْهِبَةٍ تامَّةٍ هي مِنْ فوقُ، نازِلَةٌ مِنْ عِندِ أبي الأنوارِ، الّذي ليس عِندَهُ تغييرٌ ولا ظِلُّ دَوَرانٍ. (1 يعقوبَ:16-17)

Christmas seems to be a good time of reflection who your Santa really is..and what gift are you seeking? Not talking about earthly gifts, but referring to an eternal gift no one else could bring..only One Whose name meant what Gift He brings..a Deliverance from Sin...a Break from Bondage..a Sight to the Blind...a Savior named Jesus.

Who's your Santa my friend?

Have a Blessed Merry Christmas...

And we shall call HIM...

Long before knowing they will get a child, all couples during their romantic "tête a tête" discussions talk about the possible names of their baby..some (may be few) have a clear agreement and some keep fighting till reaching the moment of "shehadet el milad"! There are lots of theories about the names, whether we should keep the tradition of naming the boy as His grandfather (3ala esm geddo..da selw baladna) so you end up with youssef magdy youssef (zats my case at least!) or the name can be something trendy. In Spain for example, i met lots of Kevin Jose and wondered how this names reached them..guess what..it was based on Kevin Costner of Bold and Beautiful beta3 zaman! I Remember when we knew we are getting twins, we went into a mental block..we only had one name in mind..now it was time to think about something matching..ya3ni another discussion, hat we khod, negotiations tactics we keda :-)

This was not the case for our Virgin Mary and Joseph..they didn't go through that discussion..because that Baby was Named from Above. His name meant His mission, it showed what His life is to be lived for.
فستَلِدُ ابنًا وتدعو اسمَهُ يَسوعَ. لأنَّهُ يُخَلِّصُ شَعبَهُ مِنْ خطاياهُمْ». (مَتَّى 1:21 AVDDV)

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 ESV)
I started reading more about the name, found out that Jesus mission of saving and redeeming was the core of the announcement of His coming. Announced as a Savior is all over the Nativity scenes..from the Angel who told the shepherds 
“Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David's hometown a SAVIOR was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10, 11) 

up to Simeon who proclaimed with the spirit when he took the baby Jesus in his arms and thanked God: 
“Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant, die in peace as you said. I have seen with my own eyes how you will SAVE your people. Now all people can see your plan. (Luke 2:28-31)!

Only then I saw a new perspective to Christmas...i saw a celebration of God's eternal love, a celebration of sacrifice, a celebration leading to the cross...starting from the name "Jesus"!

Let us rejoice the Real Gift of Christmas..The gift of a loving Salvation!

Santa's Gifts...Everyday!

Since the beginning of December, my daughters have been preparing and reviewing their gifts wish list daily to be sent to Santa Claus..yes, we even have a template letter for that! They have been talking about their wish gift, it became a daily routine, specially the last week before Christmas, imagining what they will do with this toy, this puzzle, or this painting board...they dream it, live it, visualize it and want it more and more. And here comes the day, the gifts under the tree, thanks Santa ;). Naturally during the following two weeks, all they want to do is play with it, talk about it, show it to friends, but sooner than later, these gifts become no longer new and by time...they join the rest of "last years" gifts and become part of the normal play room pieces!

Dont think to yourself that it is only لعب عيال dont blame the kids, we adults are no different, except that our gifts might be much much more expensive...think of how much you were excited about your new car, or the long hours you spent discovering your new phone, or putting on this new bag, pair of shoes or clothing..it all stayed Super Valuable until the car lost its new smell, the phone became an old model or the piece you are wearing is just out of fashion. Simply The gift lost the joy, the excitment, the value it used to give you on its first couple of weeks! It is the natural value-diminishing fact of life!

Thought to myself There must be something different...something lasting..specially when we talk about the divine joy we should receive from Above! I am seeking a gift, a relation, a joy that doesnt follow our earthly depreciating value...i know that God, the abundant source of all offers us something different..something that stays NEW and yes, I just realize that knowing Him and enjoying His daily Blessings is THE loving gift we should accept with open arms!

As written in Lamentations, God's blessing is NEW EVERY DAY...yes, the value does not diminish..it stays NEW:

إنَّهُ مِنْ إحساناتِ الرَّبِّ أنَّنا لَمْ نَفنَ، لأنَّ مَراحِمَهُ لا تزولُ. هي جديدَةٌ في كُلِّ صباحٍ. كثيرَةٌ أمانَتُكَ. (مَراثي إرميا 3:22, 23 AVDDV)

We are still alive because the Lord’S faithful love never ends. Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! (Lamentations 3:22, 23 ERV)
Dear Lord, How great is your Gift to us...a New Love every day...new blessings every morning..with every sun shine...I had enough depending on temporary joy, short living value that fades away by time..I want this love..And I will seek my morning time with you and unwrap this new gift Every day and i ll thank you for the divine joy it brings! In Jesus name, Amen.

Just try it..and Unwrap the gift my friends..EVERYDAY!

An EVERYDAY Christmas!

IT is THE most wonderful time of the year..so says the famous song ! It is somehow RIGHT! I just love the way that suddenly seems the whole world is celebrating, decorating, carols singing, waiting for THE Christmas day. Amazing how almost in all the shops you feel, see (sometimes smell) and hear the Christmas mood! I remember our special trip to Prague during that period few years ago, the city was vibrant with Christmas markets, colourful lights everywhere..choirs in each square, crowds filling the streets, warming big smiles on the faces, shopping for gifts, food stands, the snow was charming and the mood was so...CHRISTMASSY! 
All went fine until the 2nd of Jan...we just woke up in a totally different city...silent, cold, strict...and GREY! Strangely, we were still in the same city..the same hotel..on the same street..but just the lights were taken out, small markets dismantled, no more jinglling bells on radio...back to the SERIOUS world, the holly jolly ho-ho-ho mood just disappeared.. poooof..Christmas is Gone!!! Only then, we felt how cold the snow is, how strict the people seem, and how Gloomy we were deep down! And by the way..you dont need to be in Prague to know Christmas is gone! In your own home..you will just feel it when your lovely christmas tree sleeps back in its box waiting for next December!

That's exactly what happens when we depend on the Christmas "from outside"...when all it represents is the mood rather than a deep down rooted source of joy. Strangely enough, this mood cant be recreated anytime of the year....imagine being invited to someone's house on a hot August day..and suddenly over hear "We wish you a merry christmas" in the background, to find out that his living room is fully decorated with a tree and lights! You will probably run out of that place thinking this person is totally out of place, time..and may be mental balance! And the lovely carols will be rather creepy than heart warming! Thats the outside chritmas! Quite seasonal!

I am 100% sure God has a different plan for this great time of the year. It just cant be so temporary! Back to basics, I checkef the original first Christmas and realized that it was all about one thing "Spreading THE good news that a Saviour is born". Just read again this part of the nativity story in Luke 2, you will find that the "kick-off" of celebrations was when the angel said to the shepherds, 
“Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. (Luke 2:10)" 

Yes, all the prophecies were about about this piece of great news..receiving a heavenly gift, a Son, a King, a Deliverer. Prophet Isaiah 800 years before Christ wrote it with the Spirit perfectly:

لأنَّهُ يولَدُ لنا ولَدٌ ونُعطَى ابنًا، وتكونُ الرّياسَةُ علَى كتِفِهِ، ويُدعَى اسمُهُ عَجيبًا، مُشيرًا، إلهًا قديرًا، أبًا أبديًّا، رَئيسَ السّلامِ. (إشَعياءَ 9:6 AVDDV)
This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 ERV)

Despite how charming it is, I then realized that I dont need the "outside mood" to bring me back to Christmas. I know that I can live my "Everyday Christmas" every morning..when i read about This celebrated Born King..about His deliverance, His Love, His Power, His Peace..and much more! I just relive this moment of Original Christmas in me when I read and live the Good news all over again..same Joy the Shepherds felt, i do feel..yet I am even luckier knowing the whole story and seeing it revealed from thousands of years till our day..what a Joy to know that THE real gift IS year-round not only under the tree!

Live your "Everyday Christmas" in you, my Friends!

Snowing...in Cairo!

Dreaming of White Christmas in Cairo..became now a reality! El donia bard and i am sure 3am khalil battal yes2i el ward...at least fel gaw dah!

Well..Just browsing the social networks these days, despite all the cold weather photos, my heart got warm seeing how compassionate we are as a society! We have a duty call towards the needy when times get tough..we feel the urge of service and acting to change. We don't wait for orders, but do it! I was so proud seeing many of my friends taking the streets covering, warming one person at a time, giving away blankets, old jackets or just simple hot cups of tea! Thank you Bosh Gobran, Kegham, hoda abdelwarith, and many more. Keep your love shining!

But What will happen when winter is gone? Will we just forget the ones we served..may be! Let me share with you a thought...that even in the hottest August days, some of your friends, family, or colleagues will be still living a Cold winter deep inside..a winter caused by past pain or disrespect, a shivering cold heart of missing parent or partner that left us to a better place, a harsh snow storm of a failing relationship, or a gloomy fog of doubt, betrayal, despair and sense of loneliness. They might sweat, sun tan, and smile from outside, but they are freezing inside waiting for your warm blanket of love to surround them, your heavy jacket of faith to strengthen them or just a cup of hope to melt this snow inside. This is when LOVE comes in! Open your eyes to the ones around you..you don't need to hit the streets to find them..they ARE there next to you..in your home, in your office, college or even outings..they need YOU! A cold lonely heart needs that amazing love that Apostle Paul wrote about in 1 corinthians13 through the Holy Spirit:

وإنْ أطعَمتُ كُلَّ أموالي، وإنْ سلَّمتُ جَسَدي حتَّى أحتَرِقَ، ولكن ليس لي مَحَبَّةٌ، فلا أنتَفِعُ شَيئًا. المَحَبَّةُ تتأنَّى وترفُقُ. المَحَبَّةُ لا تحسِدُ. المَحَبَّةُ لا تتفاخَرُ، ولا تنتَفِخُ، ولا تُقَبِّحُ، ولا تطلُبُ ما لنَفسِها، ولا تحتَدُّ، ولا تظُنُّ السّؤَ، ولا تفرَحُ بالإثمِ بل تفرَحُ بالحَقِّ، وتحتَمِلُ كُلَّ شَيءٍ، وتُصَدِّقُ كُلَّ شَيءٍ، وترجو كُلَّ شَيءٍ، وتصبِرُ علَى كُلِّ شَيءٍ. المَحَبَّةُ لا تسقُطُ أبدًا. (كورِنثوس الأولَى 13:3-8 AVDDV)A Love that Never Fails! Our only way to get that SUSTAINABLE love is to go to THE source of love, to THE ONE who tells us to love even our enemy..we need to be connected to the eternal flow that will run through us..so before going out and serving, we need to stay close to Him, to be One with his Spirit..to have His spirit "But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? (1 Corinthians 6:17, 19)

Lord, fill our hearts with Your Spirit of love, to reach the ones in need so we can make their days be "merry and bright" and may we turn all their "Darkness to White"! Amen.