Wow... One Great Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Luling, Texas....

I awoke this morning at my usual 4:00 a.m.  However, today is different for some reason.  Of course it's Christmas morning, and I am being flooded by our outside icicle lights hanging over the front half of "Pilgrim I", it seems so strange that just a couple of weeks ago "Pilgrim I" was covered by real icicles as a result of the great Oklahoma ice storm!  Yet, it wasn't just the outside Christmas decorations that drew my attention this morning, rather it seems that the inside of "Pilgrim I" is being luminated by the the Glory of God!

Christmas has always been special to Corinne and I.  I have fun complaining about all of the fixins and doings, etc., and she is always in her glory cooking all of the family traditional treats and goodies.  I keep telling Corinne..."How about saving a loaf of that great apple bread for me to eat instead of giving it all away!"  And she just smiles and keeps on baking, and keeps on giving it all away.  Of course it's not that way any more because we don't have an oven for her to bake in, so like most things during this time of the year, we just put it off to great memories of the past, and chalk it up to following the call of God on our lives.  How we have loved our Christmas Family traditions!  For days now, I've been lamenting over this as our five wonderful children and 16 grand children are over 1000 miles away, and a Christmas phone call will have to appease my contact with them again this year.  I think I've been a little "down" about this for the past few days. 

Then Saturday our friends from San Antonio, Steve and Norma came over and we went to dinner together.  We hadn't seen them since last year when we were in this area, so we had a great time of fellowship.  After dinner Steve asked us, "What are you doing Christmas Eve?" Christmas Eve has always been special to us, with special food and family gathering, etc.  This year we were planning on some of the special food, but no family gathering, so we'd most likely be in bed by 10:00 p.m.!  Norma's family, Mexican, lives on the south side of San Antonio and they all come together at Norma's mother and step dad's home for food and presents.  Steve said that Norma's family is also very hungry for God and would be open for Corinne and I to come and minister to them.  We thought... why not?

As we drove the "Toad" up to the house one of Norma's brothers told us to make sure we lock our car to prevent any "five finger activity" from taking place as their neighborhood isn't the safest around.  We entered a very humble home, filled with smiling people speaking in Spanish.  We were treated to Tamales, rice, beans, a great ham and some roast beef.  The food was awesome, yet it wasn't our traditional Christmas Eve fare.  After the great meal the food was taken up and put away, chairs were brought into a circle, and about 15 or so of Norma's brothers, sisters, children and even some of Norma's grand children gathered to hear about Jesus.  I read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and shared my testimony of salvation and  of my first "born again" Christmas of 1973.  Corinne shared some about God sending Jesus to a stable and the shepherds and kings came to visit Him.  She told of Jesus being the Lamb of God and the King of kings... it was awesome.  I then led the entire family in prayer, asking Jesus to come into our lives.  Later we got to pray healing for Norma's mother and step dad.  Prophetic words flowed over these dear people and like in most of our meetings, the tears began to flow. 

Later the family shared their time of opening presents with us and we were even given a couple of Walmart gift cards!  But the greatest time for me, a wonderful Christmas present, was when we got ready to leave, Norma's Mom and Step Dad sent us off with great big hugs!  They had been in the presence of Jesus and it was awesome to say the least!

Last night I read of a great, world-wide, earth shaking ministry.  I read of their many churches planted and their big pastor's conferences, etc., and I wondered..."Lord are we really doing any good here?"  Feeling sorry for myself on Christmas Eve, because I couldn't be with my family, I asked God, "Lord is what we do really worth it?"  He answered me with two hugs that came from the heart of a couple of elderly Mexican parents, every day people.  He told me, "Yes Son... it is very important!"

So now it is 5:35 a.m.  I got home from San Antonio at Midnight, awoke in the Glory of God at 4:00 and am now reflecting on "One Great Christmas!"  Thank you Father for giving us the great privilege to minister to the small groups, the small churches and to people like Norma's wonderful family!  Thank you Lord for each person who prays for us, for those who donate funds to us, keeping us on the "Highway to Revival!"  Yeppers... it's gonna be "One Great Christmas!"

Later today we share our Christmas dinner with retired Missionary and apostle, soon to be 84 years old, Myron Anderson and his son David.  We will have a blast recalling our trips into Mexico years ago, ministering in a great time of revival.  We'll be calling our Babies and Grand-babies, we'll eat way too much and share Jesus with each other until bed time comes again.

By the way, we are gearing up for our "Highway to Revival Tour, 2008."  I was talking with friend Ron Mc Gatlin the other day (www.openheaven.com) and he gave Corinne and I a word, "Spirit to spirit in 2008."  That is what we are hearing from God... we're pressing in for a much greater Holy Spirit impact not only in our meetings, and in the lives of those we pray and minister to, but even our own personal lives.

Thank you for allowing me to share from my heart this morning.  May God's best be all yours this wonderful Christmas Day!

Kingdom blessings,

Larry the Revivalist!

My web site: www.larrysilverman.com