[Nfbf-l] Remember My Birthday

[Alan Dicey]

REMEMBER MY BIRTHDAY?
As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is 
a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be 
repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there 
are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world 
everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think 
of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At 
first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for 
them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the 
celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they 
don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner 
table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and 
chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many 
beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't 
invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an 
invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left 
outside, they closed the door in my face......... and I wanted to be with 
them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the 
last few years all close their doors to me.

Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any 
noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were 
some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were 
having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red 
wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed 
drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying : "Santa 
Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor !

At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other ; I extended my arms 
waiting for someone to hug me and .... do you know .... no one hugged me.
Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with 
great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, 
there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody 
shared gifts and you did not get one ? I then understood that I was unwanted 
at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, 
the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you 
allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact 
that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for 
you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this 
with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, 
I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever 
imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements.
Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you.
I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you 
and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those 
on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the 
invitation, will be left outside. Do you know how you can answer this 
invitation? it is by extending it to others whom you care for... I'll be 
waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...

See you soon .... I love you !

-- Author Unknown