To the Flight Attendants

Recently the family and I were flying up to Alaska to see my in-laws. I don't know about you but when I get excited about a trip (or Christmas) I can't sleep the night before. So I'm pretty tired just to start off. We have two evening flights. We're expected to be in Alaska around mid-night and I have a 2 hour drive to get to the airport. So just like everyone else I tune out when I got on the plane. Especially during the "presentation".

As per FAA regulations every flight has the Flight Attendant Presentation. The demonstration on how to fasten your seat-belt...which I would get if you're under 2 yrs old and your mom and dad didn't care about you. Then they tell you where the doors are for your "convenience". Like I'm going to say mid-flight, "Hey let me off here". After that is all said and done they give the oxygen mask / flotation device location demonstration. Which is great to know because if I need any of those I hope we've landed in water that way it'll cover up any other "accident" that has occured. When all is said and done they tell you that you can find the demonstration on the "shoulda been listening" emergency card on the seat back pocket in front of you.

While all this is helpful information I know I don't pay attention and here is why...I look at everybody else who is not paying attention. People are sleeping. Whispering. Reading books. Doing work. Looking ahead aimlessly. Some are even mocking the flight attendant. And this happens on every flight.

You, flight attendants are so chipper trying to let everyone know what to do if they are about to DIE and no one seems to care. You may feel you're speaking to the wind. You may say to yourself, "I've done this a gazillion times and 99.99% of that gazillion times nobody pays attention." You may think that your job is pointless but it's not.

I remember one flight I was on and the plane hit some really harsh turbulance. I love rollercoasters; the more it pushes you the better. This one had me getting those butterflies in my stomach fluttering. I recall at one point as we dropped I was ready for that oxygen mask to drop or for the flight attendants to say, "Get your floaties".

Well I think your job is a lot like mine. I've preached salvation messages in churches, youth camps and street corners across America. I've seen people respond to the messages while others sleep. Whisper. Read the tithe envelope. Look aimlessly at me. I want to scream and say "Pay attention...you need this!"

I feel your frustration Flight Attendants. The thing is if we quit with our message it's quite possible that someone might slip by who has never heard.

The Christmas Light

We all have something that we enjoy the most about the Christmas season. Spending much needed time with family and friends. Giving and receiving gifts. Playing in the snow (if you get some). I personally love decorations. Not so much the putting up or the taking down part. But I love to see homes, trees, and small town parks lite up. The creativity people put into making their homes help guide aircraft (or Santa...lol) just stirs within me the anticipation of Christmas. I love seeing trees take on whole different personas with ornaments and lights that twinkle with holiday music.

Of course none of this really matters. All these things fade. The snow melts, we go our separate ways, the lights come down and get stored until next Christmas. But there is a light that does matter. It never dims. It is eternal. That light is Christ.

John 1:4-5, 9
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 12:46
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Christmas is Jesus expressed. It's about love, service, praise, reflection and worship.

If this is true than Christmas is an action rather than a holiday.

When the weak are sustained,
When the burdened are uplifted,
When the weary are restored,
When the sick are healed,
When the suffering are solaced,
When a believer proclaims Christ boldly,
When a soul is redeemed THAT'S CHRISTMAS.

Christmas is a time to remember Emmanuel; GOD WITH US.

God in the valley,
God on the mountain top,
God on the homeless street,
God in the midst of the chains of addiction,
God when I'm mourning death,
God when I'm losing my mind,
God when my health is failing,
God when my bills are greater than my income,
God is the midst of war,
God who brings peace, joy, good-will and salvation to every man, woman and child.

So instead of celebrating the holiday put Christmas in action.

When you see a light twinkle on the tree or in your front yard let that be a reminder that Jesus has called us to action and that He is with us to bring light into the darkness. More than just on December 25th but from January 1st to December 31st. The true Spirit of Christmas is something that is year round.