As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year
there is a celebration in my honour 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 honour. 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 honour 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
wasn't 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 grand 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 honour.
At 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 the gifts, the
parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me. I would like
this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would
like that you recognise 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 invite, will be left outside.
Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great
party.
CONDOLENCES
This is a very sad day for us, today after a 7 week battle our Dad
passed away. Fanie Jacobsz was a very brave, strong fighter. You
will be missed so much by all your friends and family especially
Stephen and Stuart. There are so many people that I would like to
thank for their immense support but firstly to Professor Feliu and Mr
Macheka for their wonderful work that they did on Fanie. You have
been the most amazing doctors, thank you so much for trying for so
long to do all you possibly could. To the hospital staff at the
Mater Dei, ICU and First Floor, you are wonderful people with the
biggest hearts for your patients and the family. You all will have a
very special place in our hearts for your great work in Fanie's
fight. To Karen and Martin Oosthuisen, without you we would never
have coped - you were our family whilst ours were away and when we
needed something you organised it. Nicky Weedon, your prayers were
definitely needed and heard, thank you so much for always just being
there. To my Mum and Dad, our strength and shoulder to cry on -
thank you for rushing down whenever we needed you. To so many other
people that were always at Fanie's bed giving him the love and
support - thank you! Fanie was such a great fisherman so all we can
hope for is him to be on another boat in another place. Rest in
Peace, all our love forever and ever, Stephen and Sarah Jacobsz.
Recently this headline caught my attention: A LOW-COST LAPTOP FOR
EVERY CHILD - Effort to link world's rural poor to Internet with $100
computers gets boost from U.N. Shivers went through me. Over the
years, my wife and I have travelled to more than two dozen Third
World countries and have seen children struggling with unbelievable
obstacles - hunger, disease, and countless other ills. Amazingly, these
children were happy with the little they had. Certainly they needed
help - but not low-cost laptops, as trumpeted by the headline I
referred to above. That would be like giving stones to someone asking
for bread.
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