I recall a story, not sure from whom, but it has a great message.....so, as I recall it:

There once was a farmer, a relegious skeptic, who humbugged at the thought of Christmas and Christianity in general.

On one particularlyl cold winter night he heard a loud "thump" on his back door.  Apparently small birds where freezing and, attracted to the light and heat from the windows in the back door, were hitting the glass trying to get in.

Feeling bad for the birds freezing, the farmer went out to his barn, which would provide comfort and safety out of the elements for the birds.  He turned on the lights and tossed some hay into a corner. The sparrows, however hid in the darkness, afraid of the HUGE farmer.  He tried and tried to get them into the barn, trying various tactics....sead, cracker crumbs, the works....to no avail  The birds could not overcome their fear of the huge creature in the barn.

The farmer withdrew to his house wishing " if only I was a small bird, like them, I could lead them into warmth and safety without scaring them."

BAM!  It hit  him THAT IS WHY JESUS WAS BORN A BABY, in a manager, in the simplest of ways.

Now, will you be led to the Safety, warmth and Grace of GOD's love??!!

Merry Christmas,

GROG!

(next up, one of my favorite stories about Three trees!)