lamp - december 2015

7/23/2019 LAMP - December 2015

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2015 December Volume 8 / Numb

THE LAMP NEWSLETTER“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105 KJV).

MRS. WANDA J. BURNSIDE, Founder and Publisher

MINISTER SANDRA HICKMAN, International Ministry Leader: Australia

FIRST LADY CHRISTINE V. MITCHELL, International Ministry Leader: UK

Contributing Writers: AUTHOR RAMELLE T. LEE, MRS. MICHELE BARNES

Special Introduction of Contributing Writer: PASTOR RAYMOND NSALANGE, Australia

MR. SIMMIE LEE BURNSIDE, JR., Manager

MINISTER MARY EDWARDS, Editor

MISS SHANNON CROWLEY, Typeseer and Graphic Designer

STOP IT!


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STOP IT!Dear Readers,

I’m mad! I’m upset! I’m angry! I’m fed-up! Oh, yes I AM! I hVERY GOOD reasons to be so irritated…ANGRY!

It is CHRISTMAS! It is the time of year to hear AND say the rigreeting:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!I don’t want to hear and see:

Season’s GreetingsMerry XMAS

Happy HolidaysYuletide Greetings

Santa Time

and NONE OF THE OTHER ridiculous and stupid greetings for CHRISTMAS. I hate to hhese greetings! They all get under my skin! I don’t care how politely and sweetly these greeti

are said by someone, I CAN’T STAND IT!

STOP IT!

All year long, from January to November, the other holidays receive recognition for w

hey represent:

January – 1st / Happy New Year Day

February – Happy Valentine’s Day, President Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, Presid

Thomas Jeerson’s Birthday. We even have Ground Hog’s Day on February 2nd!

March – St. Patrick’s Day

April – April Fool’s Day

May – Mother’s Day, Flag Day and Memorial Day

June – Father’s Day

July – Independence Day or the 4th of July

September – Grandparent’s Day



October – Columbus Day and Halloween – Happy Halloween

November – Veteran’s Day and Happy Thanksgiving. I must say Thanksgiving gets tos

around with “Turkey Day,” which is to block out the emphasis on giving thanks to Go

But when December comes, nobody wants to oend someone, because it isn’t correct

politically correct to say, MERRY CHRISTMAS. The reason why is because we are to be care

not to step on other people’s toes just because of my beliefs…sorry! It’s Christmas! So, Me

Christmas to you!

STOP IT!

What is so truly ridiculous is we celebrate our own birthdays. We plaster our names

everything so everybody knows it is our big day! Our birthday cake has our name bol

printed on the fancy frosted cake. Our name is showcased on the enormous colorful birthd

banner that’s hung so everyone knows it’s our birthday! All of our birthday cards are addres

o us! The gift tags surely beer have our name aached to them!

At Christmas, we are not even saying, Happy Jesus’ Birthday or anything. We dare to

hat at all! I can just imagine the looks on the faces of folks. They’ll think you don’t have

go that far…

NEGATIVITY TOWARDS THE NATIVITY

Readers, when I was looking for a Nativity graphic or photo for the

ront cover of this newsleer… I saw some horrifying things online.There were distasteful and unbelievable scenes posted on several

websites. It is hard to believe what is out there!

I was determined to nd a Nativity picture for this issue. I spent

hours and days going through website after website looking for

he right one. As I looked at picture after picture, I noticed something so shocking! I w

amazed to see how tiny the baby Jesus is in the manger! It is disgusting!

You can barely see Him! Jesus was just a piece of hay…or among the pile of hay…so deeaid inside the heap of hay. In other photos or graphics, He was the tiniest of all shown in

picture! The animals were recognizable, but not Jesus! Oh, you could clearly see the hors

cows, sheep, goats, and even a baby chick next to his mother the hen…BUT…Jesus was

eeny. This is a shame!

Christmas is all about our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He came to us! God s

Him to us! It makes me cry!



The photo that you see on the front of our newsleer is very important! I saved this

my les for over 10 years. When I saw it online, I was drawn to it. I could feel something

special when I looked at it.

Well, to my surprise I discovered that there is a warning online stating that this photo w

be REMOVED and DESTROYED! It will soon no longer be available. This warning stated t

his photo is hated by many!

PLEASE SAVE IT, READERS!

I praise God that I saved it. I was unaware of this evil plot!

JESUS IS LORD! JESUS IS KING OF KINGS!

WARNING: We are in the last of thlast days! Jesus is coming again! Hwon’t be a baby in the manger! He coming!

Revelation 17:14 KJV states:

“These shall make war withthe Lamb, and the Lamb shalovercome them: for he is Lord

of lords, and King of kings: anthey that are with him are calle

and chosen, and faithful.”

STOP IT!

Get serious.

The King of Glory will returHe is coming!

Give your heart, lifeand soul completely to the

Lord Jesus Christ.

Don’t wait until it is too late



Lowly KingHe didn’t need to nd a place

All decked with silver and gold,

Adorned with riches and splendour – Too wonderful to behold.

He didn’t seek the praise of man

Or a life of fame and glory.

He came to earth as love, unveiled;

His life became a story.

The darkness of this world could not

Prevent His light, so holy.From heaven, He came, the Prince of Peace;

His heart was meek and lowly.

The wise men saw a bright light shine,

Announcing the birth of a King;

They knew the Babe was heaven-sent

And brought their gifts to Him.

Jesus, Saviour of all mankind,

Gift from God above;The King of kings, new life would bring

To a world in need of love.

How wonderful! How precious, that

God’s righteous, holy Son

Should come to show us how to live

And the people we could become!

All He seeks is a place within

Our hearts, where He may dwell,

For Christ is the reason for Christmas -

The story we love to tell.

(c) 2014 Christine V. Mitchell- Ministry Leader the UK

CONTACT INFORMATION:www.expressionspoetry.com

www.facebook.com/ForeverGratefulPoetrywww.facebook.com/ComfortandHopePoetry



MINISTER SANDRA HICKMAN, Ministry LeaderThe Lamp Newsletter Headquarters - AUSTRALIA

Greetings from AUSTRALIA…

~ The Cross of Christmas ~

Dear friends, Christmas is upon us once again. How quickly 2015 has own by! Ev

year goes faster! It’s time for the world to celebrate Christmas... with many dierent ways

celebrating. The birth of our dear Savior Jesus is always a big part of Christmas, even for n

Christians.

I want to give full honour and glory to the man on the cross. Yes, it was Jesus the man

hat cross. Born to live for us, and born to die for us; fully God and fully man, taking away

sins of the world. Jesus died as a man with the sins of man upon Him, then rose triumphan

as the deied son of the living God to show us the way, the truth and the life to follow! Ohallelujah! Now, this is a good reason to celebrate Christmas - To celebrate the greatest GI

of all time!

Celebrate with family. Enjoy the fellowship of friends and beloveds. Yes! There will

Christmas dinner and giving of gifts, lots of goodies on the tree! I wish you all a bless

Merry Christmas!

But take some time to celebrate the life which Jesus’ birth-day gave us. Our salvati

with the true and beer gifts than the brightly wrapped Christmas presents. Celebrate Hpurpose and callings in our lives..... Celebrate that He chose you!

Christians and non- Christians alike will gaze upon beautiful Christmas trees admiring

ights and the lustre, with the baby Jesus in the manger beneath the tree. But at Christm

ime, many forget to remember when He hung on a dierent tree.... the cross. Beloveds

God, this year when we are fondly reminiscing around the Christmas tree, celebrating

wondrous birth of Jesus....

Let us also remember the Cross of Christmas!

The Cross!

~ Lord, You knew I needed the Cross and the healing it would bring. Well, I hadiscovered the Cross. I have seen behind it. I have “seen” the many corridors and roothat are behind the cross. You gave me eyes to “see” that which was invisible.... depth of the cross! The cruelty and the beauty of the cross. O my God.... my Jesus!



You didn’t have to! How could You? Thank You! “Thank You” ..... what smmeaningless words these are compared with the Cross and all that it represents. I doknow what to say at this point. Just let the tears fall. Dearest Jesus.... I think of YoHands and Feet... the cruel nails, and of the pain. You chose the cross so that you couchoose many, You chose the cross, so that You could choose me!

Forever grateful ~

In remembrance of the greatest gift of all time, the above is excerpted from my book entitled ...

- THE LETTER - © Copyright 2013 / Revised 2015 SLH

CONTACT INFORMATIOEmail: sandrevival@yahoo.

Facebook: facebook.com/sandra.hickman

A New Song Is Bornby Ramelle T. Lee © 2004

Sing a new song wrien on the wings of cherubim’s.

Let your voice be heard in the heavens.

Jesus has given you a new song to sing.

He has set your soul free.

Christ has delivered your soul from trouble.

Sing a new song wrien in glory.

Where the sound is sweet to Jesus.He has given you a new song to sing.

Let your heart surrender to His blessed will.

Angels applaud as praises go up.

Satan is upset at the thought of your praises.

But, God is pleased and that’s all that maers.

Sing a new song to your Father in heaven.

Watch and see how God smiles at you!



“O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me” (Psalm 30:2 KJV).

WE ARE PRAYING FOR THE SICK and SHUT –INS…

Ms. Kathryn Mitchell, the UK

Mother Barbara Lee

Miss. Regina M. Palm

Mr. Michael Barnes

Mrs. Michele Barnes

Mrs. Katie Holloway

Mother Esther Mitchell, Jamaica

Mrs. Shirley Hickman, Australia

Mr. Colin Hickman, Australia

Mr. Simmie Lee Burnside, Jr

Evangelist Ruby Combs

Mr. Michael Crowley

Evangelist Vera Beauford

Pastor Lorna La Marr, the UK

Minister Charlestine Herbin

The Palm Family

Mother Lurene Brooks

Ms. Angie Barney

Ms. Nadine Stately

A young man who asked for my husban pray for him (no name given).

S :AU R T. L

STAND WITHPROPHET KIM CLEMENT

DETROITOn Labor Day, September 7, 2015, International Propand ministry leader, Kim Clement, was stricken w

bleeding on his brain. He was rushed to the hospital areceived immediate medical aention as his family, his stand the church continued to pray for a miracle. Prayers his healing and deliverance reached around the world. Tpeople of God bombarded heaven in a powerful force.

After weeks in the hospital, God raised Prophet Kim

He was blessed to come out of the hospital, receive continumedical help for his further recovery, and to be in contact whis ministry. God allowed him to have time with his belov

amily during Thanksgiving. However, Prophet Kim was rushed back to the hospital agwhen he became ill. It was discovered that he had another aack of bleeding in his brain

While the medical teams are doing what they can for him, Prophet Kim’s ministry continuo ght in faith. They are not alone. Other warriors have come together in unity and streno pray for Prophet Kim and his family.



I am thankful that I was included in the Detroit area gathering for prayer and support

Prophet Kim. I have been a part of this ministry for several years. What is happening to h

concerns me.

On Saturday, November 28, 2015 I was blessed to join with some of his major leaders a

supporters at Faith Christian Church, 24201 Outer Drive in Melvindale, MI.

Reverend Frank Julian is the pastor. The worship leader and host was Jean Mehi.

Apostle Ellis Smith, pastor of Jubilee Christian Church, was one of our guest speakers.

dear friend, Missionary Loice Funderburg of Detroit aended this powerful meeting w

me.

Through and by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we were instructed to stand rmly up

seven Biblical passages to pray over Prophet Kim Clement. We will pray heaven down a

speak in authority over his life.

I was so touched and moved when I saw Prophet Kim’s boots displayed in this servWe were blessed by knowing; when boots are on the ground it changes everything. Prop

Kim’s boots were sent from his ministry for this Stand with Kim Detroit event.

Let us stand together and decree:

PROPHET KIM CLEMENTWILL RISE AGAIN!


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The Church of God in Christ, Inc. is in National Mourning…Mother Ruth Mason was the last child to die of Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, the Foun

of the Church of God in Christ. For more information please contact the Headquarters of

Church of God in Christ, Inc.


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DEATHS…My Dear Cousin,Mrs. Johnnie Mae Campbell Johnson of Southwest Detroit, MI

Johnnie Mae was a devoted wife, loving mother, preciousgrandmother, dearly loved family member and loyal friend tomany. Please pray for her dear husband, Mr. Brad Johnson, Sr. andtheir adult children: Brad, Jr., Deborah and James, Sr. (Angie),

her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her ve brothers andtheir families. Pray for the entire family of which Simmie and I(Wanda) are family members, too.

********************************************

Yvee Wilburn’s families have suered two deaths, back-to-back in theiramily. Our prayers are with the Wilburn, Garner and Sisko families in the passing

of these precious young ladies:

Mrs. Teleshia Garner Sisko of Ohio – Young wife and mother

Ms. Lillian Garner of Detroit – Very young ladyPray for the loving parents of Teleshia and Lillian –

Mr. John Garner and Mrs. Christine Garner.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Wedding Anniversary…

Simmie Lee, Jr. and Wanda J. Burnside

43rd Wedding Anniversary

1972-November 4 – 2015

We give God all of the glory!



BIRTHDAYS!November…

HAPPY BLESSED 100th BIRTHDAY

Mrs. Burneice Morgan of Detroit, MI

November 2 – Birthday Memorial – Mrs. Lorraine Gardner –

Beloved mother of Darlene Gardner, Mrs. Michele Barnes and

Daniel Gardner

December…December 2 - Great Niece, Naomi June Palm – Happy 2nd Birthday!

December 10 - Mr. Bruce Toussaint of Florida

Birthday Memorial

BISHOP EARL J. WRIGHT, SR.

December 10, 1929 – June 10, 2015

Pastor- Greater Miller Memorial Church of God in Christ

Jurisdictional Bishop- The Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction

Southwest Michigan Church of God in Christ, Inc.

Former General Board Member – The Church of Godin Christ, Inc.

December 15 – Missionary Gertrude (Trudy) Hansberry

December 17 – Evangelist Vera Beauford

Author/Poet Louise Bannerman

December 18 - Miss Hannah Peiford of North Carolina…

HAPPY 3RD B IRTHDAY!



SPECIAL ARTICLE: .January 2016 Issue of the Lamp Newsleer

PRAYING BY DIVIN EREVELATION

By Pastor Raymond

“Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great andunsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV).

Evangelist Raymond Nsalange is currently the senior Pastor at Jabez Ministriand Missions International in the city of Kwinana Western Australia. Heis also Founding Director of the DIVINE CUTTING EDGE MINISTRIES

INTERNATIONAL, (DCEMI) based in Florida, USA.

- Graduating from -

THE KING’S COLLEGE

In Bertram Western Australia Is:

Isabella L’Ecluse

Year 12 Leavers’ Graduation Ceremony

December 9, 2015

It is with great joy and pleasure that I announce the

graduation of my lovely 18 year old granddaughterIsabella. Her family and I are so proud of Isabella’s

achievements.

Isabella was awarded :

The King’s College Certicate Of Graduation

The Year 12 Achievement Award in Bible and Christian Studies

The Metro Worship Academy Award

The Bronze Award; Of The Duke Of Edinburgh’s International AwardThe Harvest West Bible College Graduation of Certicate IV in Ministry

On behalf of our family - We are so blessed to see the hand of God in Isabella’s life.

Lamp Ministry Leader Sandra Hickman, Australia

- All glory to God!

“Was it not My hand which made all these things.... “ Acts 7:50



BIBLE FOR GIRLS 4-12 years old – Update ReportPraise the Lord! At the 4th Annual Treasures from Heav

Christmas Bazaar held on Saturday, December 5, 2015, g

received a FREE BIBLE! This was one of the special activit

at the annual bazaar presented by Author Ramelle T. L

and me, Wanda J. Burnside. God blessed us tremendous

12 more Bibles will be given to girls before Christm

This will be a total of 23 Bibles given to girls. Thank

Lord!

I sincerely thank the wonderful people who have joined

help in these eorts with their generous nancial donat

and great support. In 2016, a hundred Bibles will be giv

to girls. Treasures from Heaven will have a Spring Tea Pa

for girls and, at that event, girls will receive a free Bible.

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Christmas Traditions, Memories and Testimonies…

Reflections from our Ministry Leaders:

Author Ramelle T. Lee, Contributing Writer, the USA

Minister Sandra Hickman, Australia Mrs. Michele Barnes, Contributing Writer, the USA

First Lady Christine V. Mitchell, the UK

Merry Christmas!The following pages of heartfelt storieswrien by the ministry leaders and the

contributing writers of the Lamp Newsleerare heartwarming.

You will be blessed by what they share fromtheir heart and experiences.

We welcome your feedback.

May God bless you.



My Favorite Christmas TraditionBy Author Ramelle T. Lee

December is one of the busiest times of the year for me. It’s like

other season of the year. I can be found browsing for Christmas iteonline, through magazines and on store shelves. I am always searchfor creative gifts, displays and items needed for our annual ChristmBazaar.

Since 2011, our ministry, Treasures from Heaven Ministries ,have been devoted to hosting this annual event held at theCourtyard Marrio in Dearborn, MI. Co-Founder, Mrs. Wanda. Burnside and I work hand-in-hand ensuring the theme, “Jesuss the Reason for the Season.” However, we could never accomplishhe success of our Christmas Bazaar without the Lord, along withhe tremendous support of dedicated members of our families,

devoted friends and the marvelous hotel sta.

Do I Need a Warehouse for Storage?I faithfully watch for the mail express trucks that are constantly delivering packages to

house months before the Christmas Bazaar. With all of the hustle and bustle going on at home, my postal service lady is always shocked when she doesn’t have to deliver packago my home. However, she already knows that I have several other ministries that requir

huge amount of magazines, mail orders and packages.

So, where do you store the tremendous mountains of tissue papers, bags, ribbo

embellishments, boxes, stationeries, novelty gifts, frames, owers, greeting cards, speciagifts, Christmas displays, and other items? Well, the answer is, you shift things aroueverywhere you nd space in the house! Your family already knows that they have to whrough the maze of things during the few weeks before the Christmas Bazaar. However, th

hang in there with you knowing that all good things will come to an end.

Thank You Participants, Guests and THE LORDWe, Wanda, our vendors and I, celebrate the Christmas season every December by us

our gifts and talents to reach people. We want to touch their lives and give them hope. We determined to show them the true reason for the season which is... Jesus Christ.

Many people look forward to aending our Christmas Bazaar. I am so blessed and excio see how they join in and celebrate this special Christmas tradition of mine. Most of all, I hankful to the Lord for allowing Treasures from Heaven Ministries opportunities to shhe love of Christ Jesus with others. Through our ministry of encouragement, we strive

provide unique and meaningful products to reach out and touch others who desire to knGod’s love for them. I rejoice knowing this brings them hope and healing for their heart.



My Favourite Christmas TraditionBy Sandra Hickman - The Australia Ministry Leader

I can still remember the traditional Christmas dinners of

childhood. With all the trimmings! The Christmas pudding with

silver threepence and sixpence coins (way back in the day!) .... actua

I never did like Christmas pudding, I only ate it to get those coins! B

those grand dinners have given way to a more practical and casway of dining. No more slaving over a hot stove in extreme heat cooking and preparin

big hot dinner! Christmas is hot in Australia! It’s summer-time,

with temperatures soaring around 38° Celsius, that’s over 100°

Fahrenheit!

No snowmen here, or warm res glowing in the hearth. No

snow on our front pathways, just searing hot concrete driveways.

We don’t wear coats, boots and warm miens... Just the opposite!

Here it’s kids in their swimsuits - they almost always get a newone for Christmas (that’s tradition here!) Splashing in a swimming

pool or running through the sprinklers on the wet grass.

Traditionally, there will be a bbq, and roasted meats’. Delicious salads, my mother’s famo

home made dressing, stued croissants, creamy potato bake, pasta bake and other yumm

hings. Scrumptious desserts! Pavlova and cheesecake, lile Christmas cup cakes, fruit sa

and Christmas trie, all served with whipped cream. Chocolates wrapped like tiny Bon-Bo

will be shared around. No warm eggnog for us, its cold drinks in big glasses lled with

The air-con will be pumping and the kitchen fans will be on, we will mumble a few tim

quite a few) about the heat, saying, “Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a white Christmas!”

will have way too much food and fun, reminisce, tell tales and laugh until it hurts! We will

swap presents. Wrapping paper will be ying everywhere around the Christmas tree ami

he happy squeals of the children!

THE BIRTHDAY CAKE!

But my favourite tradition of all time was the “BirthdCake”... When my older grandchildren were lile,

daughter would bring a birthday cake for Jesus, with cand

and decorations on top. A tear or two would sneak from

eyes as their sweet lile voices angelically sang out...

“Happy birthday to you.... happy birthday dear Jesus

happy birthday to you!”



Then they would blow out the candles! As they grew older, the birthday cake seemed

stop. But this year, I want to bring it back! We have a new baby boy, a two- year-old todd

named Judah, my eighth grandchild. Time to re-start my favourite tradition!

A chocolate cake I think! With white buer frosting and a message in red jam leer

saying, “Happy Birthday Jesus”... with coloured candles! Sounds perfect to me! Some

hose prey lile shiny silver cachous balls, with tiny Christmas decorations of teeny wee

lile ornaments and a lile silver cross. A cake just for Jesus.... celebratHIS birthday! The day when He arrived in simple obscurity. The liv

gift of the New Testament, bringing the promises of God with Him.

Inspiring the prophet Isaiah when he looked into the things of G

and saw something, which no-one back then could ever have known

understood....... to say, “For unto us a child is born!”

Yes! This is my favourite family Christmas traditi

~ Happy Birthday Jesus & Merry Christmas to one and all! ~



Joy Comes in the MorningBy Mrs. Michele Barnes of the USA

Waking up to a new day has changed me! I used to get out of b

turning on the news report on television or the radio. Then I would

dressed, make up my bed, and then head to the kitchen to start co

Within that rst hour, I’m confronted by horrible news of shootinin my surrounding area, car-jacking, a Congress that won’t act for

good of the people, and even the weather reports of another storm heading my way!

Before my coee has even begun to perk, I’m stressed by so much bad news! Suddenly, I

completely o schedule and rushing to get things done! But, Psalm 30:5 speaks of a “ joy” t

comes in the morning. That’s what I really need!

I’ve decided to wake up and rst thank God for my new day!

Now I wake up early, before geing busy and burdened. Insteadof the News, I now turn on my Pandora gospel channel to listen

and sing praises! Hearing praises like, “Jesus Will Work It Out!,”

“My God is An Awesome God!” and then these old-time songs:

“Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, since I laid my burdens down!” And I

ove this song, “Hold onto His hand, God’s unchanging Hand,

build your life on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging

hand.” Gospel Artist, Vicki Yohe, has a great selection of

songs that I enjoy singing, along with on my computer!

A cell phone or radio can also oer choices of praise andworship music!

So, now by the time I pour my rst cup of coee,

’m feeling truly blessed. The news to start my day

s based on God’s promises! I invite

you to try it! Praise early!

Start your day with your

ull armor of God! Live

by Ephesians 6:11 (KJV):

“Put on the whole armour

of God, that ye may be able

to stand against the wilesof the devil.”



Touched by Love ~ Treasures of ChristmasBy Christine V Mitchell - The UK Ministry Leader

As the Christmas season comes around again and traditional son

and music ll the air, so do memories ll my heart - memories that sp

of a time when my dear loving father was alive. Just one sentence i

my story and tears now ll my eyes. In my childhood years, from

age of 5 months right up until I was nine, my sister and I were bothcare at a large children’s home in the countryside, in East Anglia, some 83 miles from

London where my father lived. We only got to see him on occasions when he

was able to visit us. He was my only parent. Our mother had become terminally

ll and passed away when I was 18 months of age. It was while she was in

hospital that we were placed in care at this home – a large stately mansion,

with beautiful surroundings - a place of many warm and fond memories.

Back then, Winter was really Winter. Thick snowfall outside was picturesque,

ike beautiful Christmas cards. We enjoyed playing in the snow outside, building snowmhaving sledge rides on a slippery slope, or siing by a warm coal re indoors, watching t

glowing coals gently burn. Sometimes we did have a `white Christmas’.

Living so far from the children’s home, my father was only able to visit us from time

ime. I cannot remember how frequent his visits were, just that they were special, treasur

On the day of his visits, a careworker would stand with us in the long lane which ended at

home, so we could see when he arrived by car. We waited in eager anticipation of the mom

his small blue Ford Anglia would appear in the distance, looking tiny until it got closer a

closer, then we would jump up and down with excitement and smiles, followed by a calm a

eserved happiness at having him with us for the day.

The lane that led to the home held other memories too, especially those of Christmas D

All the children were smartly dressed and we were taken outside by careworkers to wai

he lane for the arrival of `Santa’ with a truck full of presents for all the children. We wait

and waited, eager eyes glued to the distant view, until, at last, we saw the open-top tru

appear, travelling very slowly towards us, with the big gure of a man, dressed in red a

white. He sat on top of the truck which was lled with wrapped presents, large and small. were all so excited! Once he arrived and stepped down from the vehicle, sta helped to ca

all the goodies inside and placed them around a tall brightly-decorated Christmas tree in

centre of the front hall. We were guided to sit in a special area nearby, our busy lile min

wondering which presents were ours. Parents and carers sat on the opposite side to where

sat and watched and listened to us sing Christmas carols, and also joined in.

My sister and I felt so very special, because Daddy was there. Afterwards we were allow

o open our presents – such an exciting time! Then later there was a Christmas party.



I somehow don’t remember Christmas dinner there - just the fun of

party, sweets and toys etc. Lile did I know that those moments sp

with us at the children’s home were tender ones for my father. Wh

I had become an adult, there was a day when he told me that as

would watch and listen to us sing - although he was happy be

there with us - he had tears in his eyes, remembering that it was o

Christmas Day that Mummy died. He told me of how there was a kno

at the door that Christmas morning and when he opened it, two pooffi cers stood there, bearing the sad news. To hear this broke my hea

that a day that was so very special in all the world held such great sadness for h

and to think that we had been so far away, when this happened. (He rst told me that

had died when I was probably 5-6 years old, during his visit to see us---a moment I will ne

orget, though I was too young to understand. I didn’t know then that it had happened o

Christmas Day.)

In the year that I was 9, lile by lile, all of us children were returned to our families for go

as the children’s home was to close down and be transformed into a nursing care home.

Being back in London, my young memories of Christmas were also special, very sim

because of my Dad. He was a gentle, humble soul and very musical. He used to play the pia

rom sheet music and also had quite a varied collection of records (classical, jazz, swing, regg

and other styles, even well-known hymns) and would play them often. We lived in basem

apartment of a tall house. We were poor really and had very lile. My sister and I slept

bunk beds in the living room until we were rehoused much later. But do you know, that t

ile room held a special place in my heart as Daddy created an atmosphere of warmth a

ove (though life was not easy). The decorations, colourful ickering lights, small Christm

ree on top of our gramophone, low lighting and the sound of Christmas carols and ot

beautiful breezy music all had something special – his touch of love.

The large spacious corridors and rooms of the beautiful stately home that I’d lived in

9 years didn’t maer anymore. Being home for good with Daddy was the greatest presen

could wish for. When we opened our lovely presents, we appreciated whatever we got – b

most of all, being close to him. We thoroughly enjoyed my Dad’s tasty meals. Everything

cooked was so full of avour – delicious turkey (lled with stuffi ng and basted with slicesbacon), roast potatoes, carrots, brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce, apple sauce; then Christm

pudding or mince pies with custard, or ice cream, for afters. We enjoyed pulling the Christm

cracker tags to see what message was inside before puing on the paper hats that

were inside them.

One November, a few years later, when in my teens, I accepted the Lord

esus Christ as my Saviour and - for the rst time ever - Christmas became

extra special. I now had a relationship with my heavenly Father.



The Babe Whose birth is celebrated on Christmas Day, Who lived, d

and rose again, now became King of my heart. I felt TRULY specia

had now been touched by Love divine!

Over the years, the central focus of Christmas for my family, as believ

is the birth of our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus. As the day dra

near, we enjoy celebrating with special services of thanks and praise a

also enjoy the lovely nativity productions at our grandchildren’s sch(just as we did when our children were young).

Childhood memories of this special time of year always come to the fore as I remini

on the specialty of Christmases past. The saying “there’s a child in each of us” seems to

rue. Just a few years ago, on Christmas Eve, whilst out by myself geing some nal fo

tems for Christmas, I was very unwell and felt really miserable; my husband was out at

ime. I wished I could be at home, curled up in bed. As I stood there in the large Sainsbu

hypermarket, and many Christmas songs lled the air, a special moment happened as th

played “The Christmas Song” sung by Nat King Cole, which begins “Chestnuts roastingan open re, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Yuletide carols being sung by a choir and fo

dressed up like Eskimos etc”. Within seconds of hearing that unique voice and gentle, w

oved tune, tears rolled down my cheeks. I was so glad there were no shoppers nearby me

searched my handbag to nd tissue to wipe my eyes! That was a song my Dad ALWA

played at Christmastime, and there was I, feeling awful, being reminded of him and wish

he was alive, wishing he was even there, just to put his arms around me. Well - I dried my te

and carried on with the shopping, glad to eventually be back in the warmth of my home w

our children.

Nowadays, the night of Christmas Eve in my home is usually lled with last-minute wrapp

of presents, as we race to meet the dawn of the morning. In their childhood years, my child

oved staying up late and being allowed to open at least one present before going to be

ust let them! The next day, as I busied myself in the kitchen preparing Christmas dinner th

would be up early and eager to come downstairs and open more. Things have changed no

They’re up at dierent times and in no hurry!

As a family, it’s so lovely to be able to enjoy Christmas Day together, the giving a

eceiving of presents and being able to relax amidst the chaer, music and songs, games,

and so on, and to sit down to a hearty traditional Christmas dinner. Once everything is rea

my husband does his special in carving the turkey and helps serve. After the hours spent in

kitchen, I relish that moment, perhaps more than any other time of year. It’s nice to be erv

even though you’ve mainly done all the cooking! My eldest son and his family usually ha

Christmas dinner with us on the day after Christmas (Boxing Day). When the doorbell rin

we open to see the beaming faces of our 2 lovely grandsons as they walk in, eager to give

heir lovely gifts and themselves enjoy a second day of opening presents!



WHEN CHRISTMAS DAY IS PASTWhen Christmas Day is past

and all is said and done,we must remember this ~

God sent His holy Son

into this world of darkness

to shine His holy light,to open blinded eyes

to preach the Word of life;

To heal the broken-hearted

and set the captives free;to save us from our sins ~

give us life, eternally.

So merciful and kind, He demonstrated love.

He lived the perfect life

for He was from above.

He suffered on the cross.

He died so cruelly;but three days later arose

from the grave triumphantly.

He ascended up to heaven. He made the way for all.

He offers eternal life to

whosoever His Name shall call.

He WAS the Babe in a manger.

He’s NOW the risen King.

Will YOU make room in your heart?O WILL You let Him in?

Christ Jesus makes the difference,

a difference that will last.

He’s ALIVE and the praise goes on,

when Christmas Day is past.

© 2015 Christine V Mitchell

Biblical Scriptures:(Luke 4:28; John 10:10; Acts 2:21)


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Yours in Christ,Wanda J. Burnside, Founder and Publisher

“For unto us a child is

born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall beupon his shoulder: and his

name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The Mighty God,

The Everlasting Fathe

The Prince of Peace ” (Isaiah 9:6 KJV ).

lamp - december 2015

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