SamBeller.org

Saturday, December 25, 2004

Merry Christmas & Happy 2005

This Christmas, the Bellers visit Old Style, in fairy tale. You see, at times the things we learn in fairy tales are far truer than CNN or ABC.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a brown-eyed woman and her silver-headed husband. Their enchanted cottage stood at the end of a narrow lane, north of a large city; a dangerous city despite the bright and beautiful lights. Time passed and the woman had first a son, then a daughter, and soon another son and another daughter.

Each day the six found reasons for laughter. They made each other laugh and told funny stories, made funny faces, and together they bravely marched into the future. Though unknown to the world around them, the family was engaged in a secret fight for the cause of beauty, truth, and goodness—the passions of the one true KING. Each day, the children carried with them a small arsenal, personally equipped with ancient wisdom, which demonstrated itself in kindness, patience, and a keen eye for justice. Although their skills were not fully developed, and sometimes their kindness was mixed with selfish motives, their patience with frustration, and their perception of justice was sometimes skewed. Nevertheless, each week, and often daily, they successfully battled against the Fire Giant as he strove to divert the world from the bright path.  The KING’s ancient wisdom strengthened them at every waking moment and even as they slept.

The KING revealed their journey to them not all at once, but in manageable portions so as not to overwhelm their small minds.  A revelation came showing their first-born son to have miraculously been given royal blood to flow in his veins.  Why the family was bestowed in service to a secret prince was not clear in the beginning. 

Yet, still, the family clung to living for the KING’s desires: beauty, truth and goodness, adding love, joy, and peace to their arsenal.

And so, the enchanted cottage became a palace in which the family, alongside dutiful staff, was transformed into servants, caring for every need of this young prince as they continued in their secret missions in the city. Without intention, many virtues were added to the younger children’s arsenals.  Soon, they became strong and wise solders in their cause.

The first daughter developed a keen discernment of character and an intense love of truth, often expressed in music and drama.

The second son proved himself strong beyond reason, for his limbs were thin. But, his strength came from his arsenal of tenderness, laughter, and love.

The second daughter became quite skilled in patience and compassion. As she was a witness to the young prince’s life of devotion to the KING, this enabled her to care for those in need.

Through the KING and this young prince, Truth was displayed and, somehow, transformed all who were around this young family.  The transformed lives bloomed and blossomed all around their cottage. 

The husband and the wife watched the four young children with wonder and awe as they saw the KING’s riches poured into their lives.

On this day, we pray that you are swept away by Beauty, Truth and Goodness and transformed by Love.

“I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Much Love,
The family of the enchanted cottage.