Saturday, December 17, 2011

Did You Know.....

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday  and Laura at Beholding Glory

"Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeers, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a teacher would answer if a student asked why it was called Christmas." Ronald Reagan

Last week I attended the play at my daughter's school. The kids were totally adorable.....but I've been thinking about their "Christmas" play. They sang ten songs about snow, winter, Santa, presents, one Chanukah song, a five minute talk about the Muslim holiday and it's meaning, world hunger......But no mention at all about what Christmas is really all about...nothing about a virgin giving birth to a Savior...

I grew up Jewish. We kept kosher...attended synagogue and waited for the Messiah.....the One God would send to 'free' His people. 

One day in a hospital emergency room, under oxygen......I heard a voice say -  pray in my name. Sounds hokey.....but it happened. I pushed away the oxygen.....sat up and whispered the name Jesus. As soon as I did.....I felt Someone touch me....and chains holding me tight fall off. I had been a drug addict since age 12.  I never touched another needle after that. Even though I struggled with other things.....I now had an anchor.....and the courage to keep fighting. 

The Christmas Story......it's about grace...and mercy...It's about love and a God who cares enough to free and heal anyone calls on His name.

We celebrate Chanukah and Christmas. Chanukah to remember that the Jews refused to assimilate with the those around them and the miracle of light that lasted eight days. And Christmas b/c He is the Light of the world that shines in darkness and His Light will never be extinguished.

Mary did you know.....that one day.....your baby boy will one day walk on water....

28 comments:

Debbie said...

I love your testimony, and it doesn't sound hokey but wonderful and beautiful!! Oh, how I agree with you (and Ronald Reagan up there.) I envy you your Jewish birth. I'm an adopted seed, though, and because of that I rejoice.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your story. As difficult as that may be, others do need to hear it.

Clay sings this song very well.

Just Be Real said...

Thank you Nikki for sharing. Blessings.

Susy said...

That's a powerful story ~ Christmas blessings to you and your family. xo

Brenda said...

Beautiful story. Rescue and Redeeming love. I love that old hymn Redeeming love has been my theme and shall be till I die. Thanks for sharing. We are all sinners saved by grace.

Michelle @ Liturgical Time said...

It is amazing that our schools can include such tangents that have nothing to do with the real meaning of the holiday...but can't even mention the central theme. Thank you for sharing your story; it is powerful and will touch hearts.

Anonymous said...

Such an interesting story and wonderful witness! Praise God for His redeeming love. I shudder to think what your life would have been like if you had not responded to that whisper....

Ginny Hartzler said...

I love this version of the song by Aiken, and I bought the C.D. a few years ago. Your testimony has amazed me, I didn't know about this part of your life. What really irks me about these programs is they want to give all the other celebrations attention, but leave out Christmas, so they actually seem prejudiced against it, like their purpose is to put in all the others, and leave it out! Well, the public schools here are not having ANY programs for the children, not even Winter festival or anything!!! Only the Christian schools are doing things. There is also no Easter now, either. I hope you have a lovely weekend, Sarah.

Karen said...

Praise God! Thank you for sharing your amazing story. May we boldly speak His Name!

Renee said...

What a powerful testimony, Sarah for all of us. Jesus name holds great power and sometimes we forget that. Love this. Thank you for sharing.

Of One Heart said...

:) God is awesome in uncanny ways, isn't He? I believe you.

Anonymous said...

I loved reading your testimony.
Growing up the way we did... I heard many such ones..no two the same... But a common theme among many was that voice shooting through.
Be blessed,
T

Joan Hall said...

Nikki:

You have an amazing testimony and I enjoyed reading it.

Yes it is sad that the world doesn't acknowledge the real reason for Christmas - the birth of the Savior, the Light of the world.

Blessings,
Joan

Anita Johnson said...

Amazing story to tell...I'm just going to close my eyes and listen to this beautiful version of "Mary did you know". Merry Christmas, Nikki.

Lisa notes... said...

Thank you for sharing that story, Nikki! I love the power in Jesus' name.

We have a lawsuit about to break out in an Alabama town for the kids singing "Silent Night" in a Christmas play. So sad.

Denise said...

Such an awesome story.

Karen said...

I love your testimony of truth, too...it reflects the light of the One who shines so brightly...

I miss Ronald Reagan...

Karen said...

I love your testimony of truth, too...it reflects the light of the One who shines so brightly...

I miss Ronald Reagan...

Esther Joy said...

I love that song! And I am happy you came to know that Baby Boy as your Messiah! Merry Christmas!

Gail Griner Golden at Gail-Friends said...

Yes...celebrating both holidays is a blessing. I hope you'll come by Gail-Friends and read my post about Chanukah.
Shalom,
gail

Nana Jul said...

Delivered by the power of His name...JESUS...Hallelujah sister! The Very reason He came...to set us free!
What an awesome song & awesome testimony...Love it!
Love you sister!
Julie

highheeledlife said...

Wonderful questions posed in your post! It seems that society has become more fixated with the commercialization of "Winter" instead of the reasons would celebrates Christmas ! Santa and Christmas are 2 separate celebrations ... yet Santa seems to have become symbolic of Christmas.

Perhaps, people should try to remember that there are many names for GOD, (depending where they live in the world) BUT at the end of it all HE really is the same one.

Know your story does not sound hokey to me! I returned HOME (during my accident)... and will never forget how that has changed me... I believed before because I was taught to believe. I Believe now, because I have been there, seen and heard!!

Wishing you both a wonderful Chanukah and Christmas (these 2 celebrations bring together the meaning of life and the reason to celebrate!)xo , many Blessings, HHL

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Thanks for sharing your heart. It is wonderful that you heard & believed and now you can celebrate two miracles !
Happy Chanukah &Christmas !

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Beautiful testimony as you point us once again to the true light. Each time I read your story I know that God is still the redeemer for my own mistakes and mistakes of my children.

May God give you more and more opportunities to share His light in this next year

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah

Charlotte said...

Years ago when schools had Christmas plays it always included the nativity scene. Time has changed so many things. It is sad what it has evolved into. I'm glad you shared your testimony of being touched by Jesus. I love the song Mary Did You Know. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Saleslady371 said...

Beautiful testimony to the power of Jesus, Sarah! Merry Christmas.

Sharon said...

Nikki, what a beautiful moment in that hospital room. There is nothing hokey about being touched by the Savior! Oh, what awesome Love! You just continue to spread that *hokey* testimony around - the world so desperately needs to hear and call upon The Name - JESUS!

Mary did you know...that one day...every knee shall bow to your boy!

GOD BLESS!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Nikki,
You have such a beautiful testimony, my friend.
Happy Chanukah! It just blesses me to know that you are Jewish by birth and a Christian by re-birth. God is so good! I love the song, Mary Did You Know. Thank you for sharing.

Blessings,
Sandi