Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Countdown to Christmas/Advent (10/23/08)
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TITLE: Born at 7:42 AM | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ed VanDeMark
10/25/08 -
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The time a person was born is of little relevance except to the parents. For mom it is the moment her pregnancy is done, over, finished. The moment she becomes reacquainted with her toes, the instant she can finally set the child down for a few seconds, her emancipation proclamation. For dad it’s the beginning of short nights, the moment he becomes the vice president of his household, and the exact time he discovers hormones and infants are more powerful than nuclear warheads.
If, however, with a little luck and if used properly its leverage. My birthday never began until 7:42 AM on July 16th. That assured dad a full night’s sleep, if he headed off to bed by 11:30 PM on the 15th. My brother, Mark, was born a little past noon on April 30th, a super deal for dad.
According to dad, Jesus was born at 7:34 PM on December 25th. I was the gullible child, if dad said it, it was gospel. In the absence of a birth certificate Mark contended Jesus was actually born at 9:30 PM on December 24th. The discussion continued for several years both holding to their original estimates but in the end dad capitulated and we opened gifts on Christmas Eve.
Mark taught me two important lessons about power. If you start asking dad “Is it Christmas yet” at 9:30 PM on December 24th and follow up every twelve minutes for the next three years, Christmas will eventually begin at 9:30 PM on December 24th. The other rule is that weeds grow in rows and vegetables appear randomly in gardens. Of course this was only the rule, until dad tired of planting a garden.
The re-writing of history is an interesting phenomenon, Breeds Hill, became Bunker Hill, and Christmas became Santa Clause’s birthday. If you don’t believe me, do a kindergarten survey. Repeat the survey in seventh grade and ask exhausted fathers everywhere. Fortunately God’s creativity doesn’t rely on re-writing gravity or grace. While the world insists on re-writing God’s original intention, laid before the foundations of the world, Christmas, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost each occur in their pre-determined season. Twelve minute pleas to re-write his intent don’t wear our God down, but fervent prayers do bring about miracles.
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