1. So Time Again For Another Christmas Message Tradition: A Fine Balance

2. Now This is NOT the message…

3. The Thoughts For this Message as some of you know… Started out in May 09 When an observation in church bothered me (since when have I become sensitive and aware of my surroundings???)

4. So the question that arose and Bothered me was Can/should Holy Communion be denied in Church to a believer ? Who Dressed in a non traditional fashion or wore bodily decoration that maybe considered sacrilegious by some But The believer was unaware of the symbolic nature of the adornment which for some reason was considered unacceptable

5. Was this violation of TraditionORa regulatory breach based on written/ taught code of conduct of the Church suggesting disrespect of the Sacred ?ORWas there something in THE WORD that clearly spelled out exclusionary criteria related to unorthodox dress and adorning?

6. Tough questions….. Alas bro’s..BUT No right answers…. But… Was I asking the right question in response to the observation? …

7. Jesus himself wrestled with the question of Tradition with the Izzy’s THE “P BOYZ” ACCUSED HIM OF VIOLATING TRADITION He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? Matthew 15:6

8. Bro Paul – entrenched in Jewish tradition by birth Confused us a bit with these words to the Thessy’s “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15

9. So I scratched my head and said……..

10. This is too difficult and distracting..

11. I amGettingMyselfInto a Tangle

12. JAANE DO YAAR BIT BIDDU APPA! We will sort this out later …

13. I am Wrapping Myself In a tangle Maybe when we get to Heaven…….??? We will get the answers there? OR Will it matter?

14. The birth of our Lord was preceded by TRADITION: Rich Tradition that is still cherished around the worldAll the way from Papa Abe (PBUH)ToBro Joe (PBUH) Now it was Tradition (and a Roman decree- for Lazy Izzy’s) that took Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem from Nazareth

15. But….. Everything else about that FIRST CHRISTMAS was quite Non Traditional….

16. The Virgin Conception The Birth in a Manger The lowly shepherds being the ones called to worship Angels singing from heaven And then a jealous King…trying to get rid of the baby…. ALL FAR FROM OUR IMAGE OF TRADITIONAL BIRTH OF A KING!!

17. But Again …. I am getting distracted from the TRUE MESSAGE of Christmas. DON’T THINK We can WAIT Till we get to heaven to sort this one out. COZ Getting to heaven depends on THE MESSAGE….

18. The message is SIMPLE Clearly Spelled Out In John 3:16

19. For those of you Lazy to pick up your Biblesor Claim Memory LossIT SAYS

20. The True Message is that of HOPE…hope that we will be OK despite our weaknesses and not because of our strengths

21. The True Message is that of PEACE: Peace on earth will be here someday but starts in our minds and souls

22. The True Message is that of JOY: an experience beyond the feeling and emotion associated with IT.

23. Ah…So Is Tradition Important? Now this is a different question… And the answer emphatically is YES The Good kind of Tradition…. ASK the FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

24. Tevye the Milkman says “And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one WORD ... Tradition."

25. AND…. “Because of our Traditions, we've kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka we have Traditions for everything... How to eat, how to sleep, Even, how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered and always wear a little prayer shawl... This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, how did this Tradition start? I'll tell you - I don't know. But it's a tradition... Because of our traditions, everyone knows who he is AND What God expects him to do."

26. S0…Which are the Good Traditions? The one that keeps families together Help us Remember and Pass on Values In the END The GOOD T’s Bring Love Harmony Peace Joy AND THAT FINE BALANCE IN LIFE!!!

27. And the BAAAD ONE”S Lets not talk bout it? We all know those ones!!!

28. THE DBLOCK BRO”S Are deep into tradition It is what keeps us together Helps keep our balance Where did our traditions start? In the milkman's words..who knows? The story will change every time we meet!!

30. So Dear Brothers Enjoy your Christmas Traditions, make memories, spread Love, give Hope,make Peace, and experience the sheer Joy of the season in your hearts

31. Have a Blessed Christmas Until We Meet Again….. Bro Dee and Familee