Back in 1926 one of the strangest auctions took place in Washington D.C. To patent a device in those days you needed to bring in a model of your invention you wanted registered and protected as yours. There were 150,000 models of patented items that were considered outdated and unused. The auction was described like this by the
writer “Prospective buyers and on-lookers chuckled as item after item was put up for bid. They included the “bed-bug buster” and an illuminated cat that was supposed to scare away mice. Another was a trumpet type device that went from your mouth to your ear and was created to wake up a snoring person. People must have walked through the forest of these inventions shaking their heads and even laughing. But what most people never thought about was that these 150,000 old models embodied 150,000 dreams.” Each inventor had come to the patent office with the hope that they would change their world. And none of them did. It was an auction of broken dreams, of hope turned to disappointment. As we come to Christmas, we see it as a time and day of such joy and happiness and…hope. But for others around us that celebratory spirit is hard to grasp. Broken relationships, financial hardships, physical disorders, loneliness and worry can block out the cheer and joy that we think of with Christmas. Disappointment, not celebration become the hallmark of the season. But that’s the way it was that first Christmas. A weary desperate people waiting for Messiah, shepherds huddling in the cold, just waiting for morning and a world waiting for purpose and hope. And it came in a way that no one could have ever expected. A baby born in a manger in a borrowed stable. But at that moment the world changed. What was impossible for us wasn’t a problem for God. He demonstrated that nothing was impossible, no sin too great, no situation too bleak and no hope too unattainable. And so, no matter where Christmas finds you this year, there is joy in knowing that unto us a Savior is born, who is Christ the King. And he and only he can give you purpose and love and encouragement like no other ever can or ever could. So Merry Christmas, because God knows you and what you feel and has sent his son to make a way for you to come home. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Matthew 12:20-21 NLT He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. (21) And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
writer “Prospective buyers and on-lookers chuckled as item after item was put up for bid. They included the “bed-bug buster” and an illuminated cat that was supposed to scare away mice. Another was a trumpet type device that went from your mouth to your ear and was created to wake up a snoring person. People must have walked through the forest of these inventions shaking their heads and even laughing. But what most people never thought about was that these 150,000 old models embodied 150,000 dreams.” Each inventor had come to the patent office with the hope that they would change their world. And none of them did. It was an auction of broken dreams, of hope turned to disappointment. As we come to Christmas, we see it as a time and day of such joy and happiness and…hope. But for others around us that celebratory spirit is hard to grasp. Broken relationships, financial hardships, physical disorders, loneliness and worry can block out the cheer and joy that we think of with Christmas. Disappointment, not celebration become the hallmark of the season. But that’s the way it was that first Christmas. A weary desperate people waiting for Messiah, shepherds huddling in the cold, just waiting for morning and a world waiting for purpose and hope. And it came in a way that no one could have ever expected. A baby born in a manger in a borrowed stable. But at that moment the world changed. What was impossible for us wasn’t a problem for God. He demonstrated that nothing was impossible, no sin too great, no situation too bleak and no hope too unattainable. And so, no matter where Christmas finds you this year, there is joy in knowing that unto us a Savior is born, who is Christ the King. And he and only he can give you purpose and love and encouragement like no other ever can or ever could. So Merry Christmas, because God knows you and what you feel and has sent his son to make a way for you to come home. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Matthew 12:20-21 NLT He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. (21) And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ