For those of

you who can, remember when Santa Claus brought tons of CBs from the North

Pole to distribute to us adults for Christmas? Anyone who was someone

had to have a CB radio so we could say, "Breaker one-nine, what's

your handle good buddy?" If you can remember, you are remembering

almost 25 years ago. I mean everybody just had to have his or her own

CBthat is, Citizens Ban Radio.

Most can remember

the Cabbage Patch phenomena. Parents would pluck out the eyes of other

parents just to get a hold of one of the ugliest dolls ever to come out

of a fake cabbage patch. That was about 13 years ago.

Now it's the

scooter. Now it's DVD. One has to be careful with letters because BVDs

have been around a long time. Just ask someone what's a BVD.

All fads fade

sooner or later. Remember when Michael Jackson was the hottest ticket

in town? Remember when the Beatles said they were more popular than Jesus

Christ? Now, the Backstreet Boys are being compared to the Beatles. Give

me a break! Soon, the Backstreet Boys will be at the bottom of the list

and the back of our minds.

But there is

one who has seen 2000 Christmases come and go. He has seen all the fads,

latest gadgets, and hot toys come and go. Remember when every kid had

to have a hula-hoop. Why not sit around with your family and discuss the

fads that have come and gone and then talk about Him who was, is, and

is to come, that is Jesus Christ.

The Roman Empire

helped string him up on a cross. But the Roman Empire is gone. Hitler

tried to do away with Jesus' family tree. But Hitler is gone and the family

tree got planted in promised soil. Communism tried to eradicate Jesus

from the mind. But because of Jesus, a Polish Pope, an iron worker, and

a Ronald Reagan, the wall fell and now Easterners are learning why American

is so blessedGod!

Today, in our

own USA, public school teachers can't use the religious term, "Christmas,"

and the Bible can't be read in the schools, and they will take a principal

to court for praying over the loudspeaker system. Still, we celebrate

Christmas. The American Civil Liberties Union will go out of business

before men and women will stop wishing one another, "Merry Christmas."

No man, no

empire, no cause, no revolution can undo what's been done. God has sent

his only son to save the world from self-destruction and from hell. Time

was going along its merry way. There's no one capable of changing time.

But even time bowed to the advent of the Son of God. No longer would time

proceed as usual. Time had to start over so that our calendars are dated

A.D. "Anno Domini" simply means we are living in the year of

our Lord. Whether you are heathen or Holy Roller, the birth, death, and

resurrection of Jesus Christ date your calendars. So, therefore, consequently,

why not this Christmas get into something that will last through the next

Christmas. Give your child the greatest gift possible. A gift that will

never be outdated and the gift that will keep on giving.

Parents, Christmas

would be a great time to get your family into Christ. Jesus Christ is

not a fad. He's a fact, Jack!

Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor

of River's Edge

Community Church in Fayetteville.

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