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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-12-19, Page 44 Times–Advocate Wednesday, December 19, 2007 OC TIMES ADVOCATE Editorial Opinion PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the Financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Canada Jim Beckett – Publisher Deb Lord – Production Manager Scott Nixon – Editor €NA 2007 BLUE RIBBON it The Times -Advocate is owned by Metroland Media Group Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Media Group Ltd. Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Doug Rowe -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Give Jesus "the room of your life" By Pastor Cathy Prout CENTRALIA FAITH TABERNACLE When Jesus Christ was born and placed in the manger, He brought with Him the good news for all mankind, that through Him, everyone can be saved from eternity in hell. Because of God's grace, we are instead given eternal life. When Christmas season approaches, we can become caught up in the religious tradition of a cute, rosy-cheeked baby lying in a manger, born in peace and comfort. But this was not the case. Jesus was born into a world of adversity. His first breath placed Him under Roman rule. He lay in a feeding trough, wrapped in rough, inexpensive swaddling clothes, sharing a bed with animals used for common tasks. He was born into a stinky, smelly stable. His was- n't the birth of a natural king, one born in the splendour of a royal palace, but He was a King none the less, born to relate to all mankind. At Christmas, it is especially important to realize just who was born in that stable. That babe came from glory and wrapped Himself in flesh and blood for one purpose — to provide a way for us back to the Father. He grew from a child to a young man, teaching and ministering the love of the Father, walking all the way to the humiliation of the Cross of Calvary. Jesus did not come to impress us, but to identi- fy personally with us. His presence in the world was not one of judgement, but of love and salvation. He came to save and offer new life to all who would believe in Him. Never forget, when you celebrate Christ and His birth, you celebrate the God of all heaven and earth. When our heavenly Father decided to give a Christmas gift that would provide salvation for the sinful souls of mankind, it had to be a miracle like none He had ever provided before. He gave what was most precious to Him; a very part of Himself — His only begotten Son, the hope of heaven for you and for me. God's love for each one of us sent His Son as a babe into a stinky stable and today, through Jesus, He is willing to step into the stinky stable of our lives to restore us to Himself. Jesus made room at the cross for all our sins, our hurts, wounds, fears and pain. When Jesus knocks at the door of your stable, may He not hear the words that were spoken by the inn keeper on the night of his birth— "No room." This Christmas season, will you give Him the room of your life and receive the best gift that no money can buy — salvation, healing, deliverance, and eternal life. May this be the Christmas that you open the door and receive the best gift of all, Jesus Christ. God always comes to those who call upon Him. One day this same Jesus will return for those who have received His gift of salvation. Are you ready? Nobody loves you like Jesus! Lauvcr, mcG,1i,..wy Lauren Eagleson Gr. 3, McGillivray Melody Cyr, Gr. 3 St. Boniface chool Warm Holiday Yishes All Around! I `e 1,66L1 Learning to live in the moment Here we go again, only a few days left until Christmas Day. The months, weeks or in some cases, like mine, days of preparing for the holiday season is almost pre- sent, and will soon be wrapped up for another year. Through the hustle and bustle of buying gifts, visiting family and preparing holiday plans — is there ever time to live in the moment, even momentarily? Have you ever asked yourself that? Or have you even thought about it, with all of the stress the holiday season brings? I wonder if the Mississauga mother tragically hit and killed by a snow plow Monday on Highway 401 in front of her children lived in the moment? Or the Ashley Oaks Public School teacher bru- tally murdered recently — did she live in the moment? And then I wonder if my Opa — who died three years ago Nov. 26 —lived in the moment? Then there's me, at 23 years old, wondering if I'll ever live in the moment. I mean, I do most of the time, but around this time of year especially, I'll admit I don't. I'm always about 10 steps ahead of myself, except with my Christmas shopping (which will get done tonight, I promise!). So, what's causing my frantic running around? I know I can blame society, with feeling forced to con- stantly "keep up" with the rest of the world, or per- haps I can blame myself. Not once this holiday season have I stopped to take in the gorgeous Christmas lights, make angels in the snow or relax with a hot chocolate by the fireplace and just breathe for a minute or two. Breathe, what a nice thought. I just can't seem to do so this holiday season. There's no particular reason, it just seems Christmas has come upon way too quickly, and I'm just not ready for it. Are you? This year tragedies are hitting me hard- er, between collisions and killings, and just about everything else you hear about, it's made me ask this simple but important question of living in the moment. I don't want to be the next statistic in the news, the next person to lose my family and friends or lose someone close to me. And if that happens, will I die happy? Will you? It's time to stop everything and put your- self first, something I'm doing next week. I'm heading up north with my boyfriend, visiting both our parents who own cottages. No TV, no Facebook and no answering my cell- phone. I'm going to unwind and relax, actually taking time to enjoy, laugh and be merry — while living in the moment. Happy holidays and best wishes. Cheers! NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales ....519-235-1331 24-hour automated attendant 519-235-1336 Fax number for all departments 519-235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $42+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $75+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada:$160+GST Call 519-235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $12 for 20 words, 20t for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15 + GST for up to 50 words, All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, 519-235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. or evenings 519-235-1336 (leave message) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Fri. 2 p.m. E-mail Us Web site: www.southhuron.com TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Jennifer Skonieczny ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext. 103/114 Nikki Cyr ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Marg Pertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111