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It's Time to Light the Candles of December_Greg Asimakoupoulos-Exposing the holiday bandits of envy and greedAlas, it's December when darkness prevails.
But also the wonder of Biblical tales.
A miracle oil. A miracle birth.
A miracle visit of One sent to earth.
A season that's marked by tall tapers of wax
that light up our world with the truth they unmask.
This season of Christmas and Hanukah too
means candles for Christians and candles for Jews.
Some grace a menorah and some grace a wreath.
The glow from these candles expose cunning thieves
that lurk in the shadows and hide in the weeds.
One thief's name is Envy. The other is Greed.
These holiday bandits are hungry as sin.
They steal and devour contentment within.
Like vandals they lure us. They're really quite smart.
They pillage and plunder the peace in our hearts.
They kidnap our reason insisting on new
while what we are using is fine and will do.
They hold our minds hostage to where we want more.
More money. More status. More stuff. So much more.
More big screens. More cell phones. More video games.
So much more technology. It is so lame.
These holiday villains just must be exposed.
Their criminal conduct's the cause of our woes.
We're weary. We're listless. We're often depressed.
We're angry. We're in debt. We're way over-stressed.
And all the while famines and earthquakes and war
rob helpless young children of life like before.
No shelter. No supper. No sweet dreams at night.
No hope that injustices will be made right.
No parents. No siblings. No laughter. No time.
No chance for survival beyond eight or nine.
No lie. It's the truth. We are victims you see
of devious Greed and his partner Envy.
They're ruining Christmas and Hanukah too.
But there's a solution. Three things we can do.
The first is to thank God for all that we own.
The second's to care for the needy we've known.
The third is to sponsor poor children abroad.
By sharing with orphans, we're honoring God.
Compassion, World Vision and, yes, World Concern
allow us to reach out to kids who've been burned
by random disasters that leveled their lives
reducing their childhood to hunger and sighs.
It's really amazing. By showing we care,
we'll lock up those bandits that cause our despair.
We'll find renewed freedom from unneeded stuff
and even the courage to shout out "Enough!"
Enough of the shopping. Enough of the crowds.
Enough of more diddlies, for crying out loud.
Enough of just buying for family and friends.
Enough of this nonsense. It's time it all ends.
So as we light candles and ready our homes,
let's welcome the Presence that comes with shalom.
Let's listen for what in our hearts we might hear.
In candlelit silence, we find God. He's here.
» awesomerev@aol.com
| PO BOOKS BY GREG ASIMAKOUPOULOS |
Sunday Rhymes & Reasons
Published June 4, 2009
Sunday Rhymes and Reasons is a compilation of inspirational poetry by America's pastor/poet laureate, Greg Asimakoupoulos. In this, his third volume of poetry, Pastor Greg paints word pictures that portray both the struggle and fulfillment that define a life of faith. His repertoire of rhymes celebrate rite-of-passage occasions like birth, baptism, marriage and death as well as the major holidays of the church and culture. It is a volume that illustrates the poet's love of words and of popular culture. The author dips his brush into a paint box of hubris, humor and honesty.
"Gloria and I have been encouraged by word pictures from Greg's pen that have celebrated both our ministry and God's presence in our world." – Bill Gaither, Gospel music composer/performer
"Gifted poet Greg Asimakoupoulos is a dear friend of our family. His poetry blesses, comforts, entertains, and provides inspiration for every season of life." – Natalie Grant, singer/songwriter/recording artist
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Now Available!
Sunday Rhymes & Reasons, by Greg Asima- koupoulos.
Pastor Greg's latest volume of poetry paints word pictures that portray both the struggle and fulfillment that define a life of faith.
More Information.
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Victory at Sea
Recalling a symphony of peace sixty-five years ago
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 9/2/10
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Katrina Remembered
Fifth anniversary reflections; PLUS, Sal Manila and His Thugs
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/27/10
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Our Troops Are Headed Home
It's a cause for somber celebration; PLUS, Let's Hear It for Vacations
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/20/10
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Going Postal on a Plane
Jet Blue's red-faced ex-employee; PLUS, A Requiem to the Murdered Aid Workers in Afghanistan
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/13/10
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When Gay Rights Are Wrong!
Judging the judge's decision; PLUS, Lessons I Learned in High School
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/6/10
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The Mother-of-the-Bride
What lessons can Hillary teach to Chelsea? PLUS: The Missing Kid with Missing Teeth
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 7/30/10
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A Capitol Phenomenon
The Covenant Triennial turns heads in D.C.; PLUS, Transformed for Service
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 7/23/10
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» Complete List (430)
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Victory at Sea
Recalling a symphony of peace sixty-five years ago
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 9/2/10
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Christians: Tell Me How I'm Wrong
If the Christian ethic doesn't teach non-aggression, then what does it teach?
by James Leroy Wilson, 8/31/10
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Katrina Remembered
Fifth anniversary reflections; PLUS, Sal Manila and His Thugs
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/27/10
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Classical Liberalism
It's time to bring back the ideology that drove human progress.
by James Leroy Wilson, 8/24/10
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Our Troops Are Headed Home
It's a cause for somber celebration; PLUS, Let's Hear It for Vacations
by Greg Asimakoupoulos, 8/20/10
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As in Heaven, So on Earth
The Lord's Prayer, again.
by Everett Wilson, 8/19/10
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The "Lack of Civility"
When the people protest against losing their rights, the Powerful complain about their bad manners.
by James Leroy Wilson, 8/17/10
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