What is a real Christmas hero?  People often look for a champion in the television image of a cape-wearing action figure that executes implausible aerial maneuvers.  Others consider a movie star or sport athlete and consider them hero-like.  In a season full of elves, flying reindeer, and chimney gift distribution, let’s not forget some of our real heroes.  Men and women who serve our country and protect our freedoms often go unnoticed during the holiday season, and that is a Grinch-like quality that should be eliminated.     

Jefferson High School graduates Jason and Heather Keasler are Marine vets who have served our country honorably.  Heather is in her late 20’s and is currently deployed overseas.  Younger brother Corporal Jason Keasler is 23, but has been medically discharged from the Marines after four years for what his wife Danielle called “The knees of a 60-year-old.”  His knees were damaged while jumping into a trench wearing a full combat load, and after four surgeries Jason is currently waiting to get old enough to receive a knee replacement.  Jason and his wife and their two boys live here in Marion county, and are adjusting back to civilian life.  “Adjustment is really hard,” Jason admitted.  “I have to remind myself often that I am not in the military anymore.”

In the Marines, Jason has been stationed away from home during the holidays, and he shared some of the realities of being out of touch with family and friends.  “I loved getting care packages”, said Jason.  “Movies were great to get because they helped pass the time and keep your mind off of things for a while.”  While stationed for two years in Hawaii, Jason was able to have his family with him, but in other places he had to go alone.  

The famous song “I’ll be home for Christmas” often does not apply to our deployed soldiers. “It is especially hard during Christmas for the soldiers that could not bring their families,” Jason shared.  “They miss knowing what is going on back at home.  Sure, they can scroll through Facebook, but they miss the personal touch of knowing bits of news and the personal touch that friends and family bring.”  Then he added, “Soldiers and their deployed families also really miss their pets, sometimes even more than people.”

When asked what was most important to the deployed soldier during the holidays, Jason replied, “Christmas gifts were not as important as knowing that family and friends were thinking of them and appreciating them.  Knowing that people are thankful for the sacrifice for service means more than anything.  A good soldier will never ask for thanks but that does not mean that we do not appreciate it.”

If you have a soldier overseas this Christmas, make sure they know how much you love them and miss them.  If you see a retired vet around Jefferson, take a minute to tell them thank you for the sacrifices they made.  If you would like to adopt a soldier, there are many programs led by charitable organizations that provide ways to reach out to soldiers stationed on ships, submarines, and bases around the world.  Check out the website AdoptaUSSoldier.org for more ideas.  Let’s determine to never forget the brave men and women who sacrifice much so we can have another safe and merry Christmas.

Note: Jason used to faithfully ride my van to every service when I was a youth pastor.  I am thankful for this young man and his service to our country.

If there is one thing that this pastor has learned it is that people love their pets. Most of my church members have pets that they love, and many are part of their family.  Being covered in pet hair is sometimes part of making pastoral house calls, especially if you sit in the pet’s favorite seat!

The Bible teaches that you should treat your animals decently. Proverbs, the book of wisdom, states, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.”  This truly is a wise statement.  It does not mean your pet should expect a life of luxury, but that your furry friend should be treated kindly with its needs met.  God is concerned about one sparrow that falls to the ground.

The Bible does not discourage love for your pets.  In Second Samuel, King David was reprimanded with a pet illustration, the prophet telling a story of a man with a pet lamb who treated her like a member of the family.  There is nothing wrong with loving your pets.  As a child I prayed that my dog Benji would go to Heaven, and then cried when my cat Nero had to be put to sleep.

The Bible also teaches that animals have their place.  In Genesis, God said to man to subdue the earth and have dominion over all the animals.  In Romans, it talks about a generation that worships and serves the creature more than the Creator.  God never meant for us to put animals above people, and especially not before Him.  God should be more important to you.  Your family and neighbors should be more important as well.  Everything has a balance, and it is important that the leveler is the Word of God.

Countless Americans have followed closely the funeral of former President George H. W. Bush.  Presidents, kings, dignitaries, and their entourages gathered to pay their respects to the Bush family.  The services and burial were handled with class and dignity as the world watched. 

After all the fanfare dies down, the excitement ceases, and the news channels move on to the next stories, what is left for the former soldier, politician, and president?  Sure, the historians will complete the final chapter of his life story.  What then?

The 41st United States President lived many years and did prodigious acts of greatness while alive.  He was a good soldier, father and husband.  He was known by the entire world.  On the other hand, funerals happened this past week that only a handful of folks attended, and seemingly no one cared much about.  No television crews were present, and their deaths did not even make the local paper.

 Death comes to everyone.  Death does not care if you are president or pauper, or whether you are young or old.  The only thing that matters to George Bush going forward is what did he do with Jesus of Nazareth?  If we go by what was spoken at the funeral, Bush made the right choice.  Only God knows his heart, and only God knows yours.

 Every individual is faced with this same decision.  What will we do with Jesus?  Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 6:23b tells us, "...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The greatest gift ever given was a King born in Bethlehem, and the greatest gift He gave back was His death and resurrection from the grave.  Wise men are still the ones that seek Him.

We are all familiar with the story of the virgin Mary. The Bible account of her life and Jesus’ birth is read by millions every December, and countless people have been named after her.  Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel who was sent from God to ask Mary to make a very difficult decision. This decision would not only change her life but would change the direction of all mankind.  Her answer to God’s request in Luke 1:38 was simple: “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word…”
She was swift to follow what God wanted.  As soon as Gabriel finished his message, she agreed without hesitation.  She was willing to surrender her life completely to the Lord’s will without asking for time to think about it.  She called herself a handmaid, which is basically an indentured servant with a lifetime commitment. She was willing to completely follow God’s Word sent through an angel without question or reservation.
William Carey, who is called the founder of modern missions, said this; “I’m not afraid of failure; I’m afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.”  Mary’s decision mattered, and she made the right choice.  Doing what God wants is always the right choice.
This Christmas, are you willing to do what God wants you to do?  Maybe He wants you to help a needy family, or give an offering to your church, or even volunteer for a ministry.  Amy Carmichael put it this way: “Satan is so much more in earnest than we are--he buys up the opportunity while we are wondering how much it will cost.” Where God guides He will always provide.  This Christmas, let’s listen to the Word of God and make a difference in the things which truly matter.