An Amazing Christmas

Okay, this year Christmas didn't begin until late evening for me. There were other "priorities." Were I to hear of someone getting up Christmas morning and being alone until the late afternoon/evening, I would conjure up sympathy for that person. But as it turns out, God used this set of events to further familiarize me with the Parakleet, the One Who comes along side, the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit of God.
Now, I'm not speaking of a Shambach miracle revival, speaking in tongues, "wave both hands and shout hallelujah, somebody" kind of thing. Just a quiet day hanging out with THE Friend Who stays closer than a brother, even as close as our very breath. And I am richer, much richer, spiritually for it.
God used two friends of mine, a church planter and a former co-worker to invite me to a litergy on Christmas Eve.
To a kid brought up "dyed in the wool" Pentecostal Holiness ("Peenie Cawstal Hole-ness) the thought of a litergy is rather yawn, to say the least, but still, something (someONE) compelled me to go. And my friends, even though there were responsive readings and even though we stood and were seated, stood and were seated much like a Catholic Mass, I felt Him. My Friend, in my heart, in that little business complex chapel, worship space, reminding me, "You're My son and I LOVE YOU!" Oh, how often I forget. Sometimes, we have to get quiet enough to hear our Father, but He always wants to love us, give us a spiritual hug, as it were, to build us up and to amaze us at how the Creator of the Universe, really cares for us. (Like sending Jesus to the Cross to die isn't enough) but you know, we're human. We get distracted and we forget. Or at least I do!
That service and that good bit of fellowship amongst the hurry and scurry all those people were pausing from, was like taking me to a spiritual oasis and my taking a good, satisfying drink from the River of Life. But it didn't end there.
National Geographic Channel was on a campaign to disprove Jesus of Nazareth as a myth by considering every heathen doctrine and totally ignoring the GOOD News, the Gospel. But you don't keep your TV on channels that spread lies, do you? Not unless you are well armed with the truth and can spend the entire time rebuking satan's lies which, by the way abound on "Nat Geo!"
But one channel, as badly as the left in this country wants to label it as "right wing" was using a lot of energy to honor our Savior and lift Him up. Well, what did He say, he said, "If I'll be lifted up, I'll draw ALL men (kind) to Me!" FoxNews Channel was definitely lifting Him up.
Again, in the solitude of my otherwise lonely, ghetto apartment, the Holy Spirit and I were hanging out. More than once I came to tears. I'd watch news anchors share their faith ("the NERVE of them!" cried the secular "progressive") and then I'd switch over to EWTN, the Roman Catholic channel, where they'd have a drama about Christmas and because of this, I sit here restored, reinvigorated and ready to meet what 2009 will bring, because I have a new sense that "I can do ALL things through Christ, Who strengthens me!" Bless His Holy, Righteous, Wonderful Name!