Welcome to the AMAZING World of DUZIE

Written in 2-11-2009 by DUZIE | No Comments

Duzie Postcard Web

WHAT’S A DUZIE?

Hi there my name is Dan and I’m Suzie and together were a DUZIE!  We are “The AMAZING EduTainers”.  We blend the art forms of Education and Entertainment to create DUZIE EduTainment. We have performed to over 1 million people across America and in 60 countries since 1986.

WHERE’S DUZIE?

DUZIE EduTains in schools, churches, civic groups, private parties, government and corporate events and onboard 3 ocean going ships, as well as to Television and Radio audiences.

WHAT IS THE DUZIE BENEFIT?

DUZIE connects YOUR Educational need, to YOUR audience, through various Entertaining skills. The benefit to you is that YOUR Educational need is communicated in a creative, experiential and memorable way. DUZIE uses what they call “conneXellence” to interact, interest, involve and inspire your group.

WHAT ARE THE DUZIE SKILLS?

DUZIE blends magic, comedy, theater, communication, juggling, art, DJ music, circus skills and motion pictures to create understanding.

WHAT CAN DUZIE DO FOR YOU?

DUZIE has created over 3000 different programs and events for groups just like yours.  They have worked with Kings and Prime Ministers, Principles and Pastors, Parents and Organizational Leadership to create programs in which everyone benefits.  Please click on the tabs above and find out how DUZIE can take your next assembly, service, party or event into the realm of AMAZING EduTainment.

A Valentine Poem for those in a Creative Slump!

Written in 7-2-2010 by DUZIE | No Comments

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Below are poems we give freely away,

As you men pursue your love on Valentines Day.

First you need to take a paper and fold it in two.

Get an envelope . . . make sure it is new.

Draw a simple red crayon heart,

On the page, as you start.

Do not make it perfect, it is better to be cute

Remember you are on pursuit.

Now select a poem from the list below,

Write it down, take it to her and let it go.

It is also good to look nice,

And brush your teeth twice.

This day only comes every three, sixty, five.

Thanks for allowing DUZIE to help you live fully alive.

These are poems from him to her.

But if you are a her, you can change the gender.

Happy Valentines Day! to you and your.

May you bring joy to those you adore!

POEMS FOR THOSE WHO’S LOVE TANKS ARE PLUMP,

BUT CREATIVITY IS IN A SLUMP!

Roses are of different colors and so are socks,

When I walk with you, my heart ticks, my heart tocks.

When I think of all the great things in my life, I see you first.

When I dream of beauty and grace, I see your face.

When I am most at rest, I am with you . . . the very best!

When I try to rhyme with love, I hear your name from above.

When standing hand in hand with you, I never feel blue.

When I write this card I see,

No one could be happier than me.

On this Valentine Day,

I intended to say,

Something sweet and refined.

But to my embarrassment I must have left my brain behind.

So I will just give you my heart.

Valentines come and Valentine goes.

This year I must shout, so everyone knows.

I love you from head to toes.

I didn’t create this poem,

But I did write it down,

I didn’t make the card,

But I believe you deserve a crown,

I didn’t know how to say all I wanted to say,

But I will if you let me take you out on the town.

I will find a way!

This is a poem of my love and my life,

I never regret asking you to be my wife.

Our days are often busy and time is often lost.

But my life is yours, no matter the cost.

For richer or poorer, When far and near.

You are always . . . “My Dear”.

Living Life together fully in love (flying back from South America),

DUZIE

2010 DUZIE.com

Groundhogs?

Written in 31-1-2010 by DUZIE | No Comments

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Those of you who know us, realize we love the theater.  We have spent the last 23 years, around our wonderful world, on one side or the other of those beautiful curtains and bright lights.

Very few people realize or remember that it all started with a Groundhog.  Dan was 7 and cast, as a furry fellow, looking for his shadow.  He remembers the excitement of crouching motionlessly in a brown box, whiskers on.  The spectacular moment took place to what seemed like a standing room only crowd, in the Kingston Elementary School cafeteria.

At the right moment, bushy Dan, leaped up looked around and with shadow in view, then sunk quickly back into the box.  He always wondered what his life would have been like if they would have given him lines?

Groundhogs!  What is so magical about this meteorological mammal to predict our much-needed spring, as well as to cause Dan to live life “Out of the Box” most of the year?

The answer to this is found deep in German folklore, where a Bagger or a Bear wakes up and starts looking for a good reason to go back to bed for 6 weeks.  In American, we must have found Groundhogs friendlier to watch.  You see if the emerging mammal wakes up on Feb 2 and decides to climb out of its burrow, (as the entire village watches) and if this furry creature is blinded by the sun (unable to see the entire village watching), he or she will turn around and notice its shadow coming from the bright winter’s sunshine.  At this point they bumble something about going back to bed for another 6 weeks.

Now if at this very moment of time the bright winter’s sun goes for a rest behind a cloud, and the Groundhog, or other unfriendly varieties of bushy mammal, do not notice its shadow, they will go for a jog: if this happens, the entire village does the same and everyone thinks it is spring.

Research shows Groundhog Day forecasts are accurate 75% to 90% of the time, except in Canada where for the past 30 to 40 years the success rate is only at 37%.  This must have to do with the alertness of so called animals on either side of the border or perhaps it is cloudier in the North and more people jog year around which causes great confusion to all, including the Groundhogs.

Whatever the case sunny or sweat suit, we hope you get outdoors this season, look for your shadow, a groundhog or a bear, then go back to bed.

See you all in 6 weeks.

Living Life (presently in Paraguay where there are no Groundhogs thus no snow!),

DUZIE

2010 DUZIE.com

Thank You Ray

Written in 24-1-2010 by DUZIE | No Comments

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How often do people go out of their way to add color and life to your story?  Most of the time it seems people are too busy, too stressed, too preoccupied and too self-focused to stop and loan experiences or release examples to another’s journey.

We have been fortunate to have people step into our lives to support us as teenagers, guide us in our marriage and extend focus to us as parents.  These people stepped in and out of our lives often like forgotten shadows.  They are the ladders we have stood upon to be where we are and to become who we are.

One of these “ladders” for us is Ray Clendenan.  If you have lived in this area for more than 10 years you know the Ray we are talking about.  If you have lived here most of your life you know his strong pat on the back and vision to help the next generation.

For us, he not only kept track of our journey, but he tracked our vision.  Often times he would call us into his office to listen, to smile, to catch up on our story, but mostly to encourage us to do the impossible by Loving God and Loving People.

Today Ray lives in an Alzheimer’s world.  The desk is gone, but his smile remains.  His tracking system is unplugged, but we are on track and tracking others because of his life.

We want to write a public “Thank You Ray” to this community, because we need to remind ourselves of what is important.  Living Life is what Ray did, and his life stimulated life in us, and many others.

Who are your “Ray’s” of Life?  Who are your “ladders”?  Have you taken time to write them a “Thank You”?  They may still be around, or gone, or in between . . . like Ray.  To Live Life is to acknowledge their impact and presence in our lives.  It could be family or friend, teacher or boss, pastor or policeman, coach or counselor.

Take time to write “Thank You’s” to those who have walked with you, and even carried you at times.

Living Life upon Ladders (Presently in Paraguay),

DUZIE

2010 DUZIE.com

PASSIONALITY mini workshop by DUZIE

Written in 20-1-2010 by DUZIE | No Comments

PASSIONALITY – We are a PUZZLE PIECE of God’s Heart.  Each one of us is different and has our special role and place of spreading God to this world!

John 10:10 Jesus says, “I have come that they may have LIFE, and have it to the FULL.”

What we are going to do is find 3 words to describe you!  Our examples:

Dan’s Passionality:         CREATE HOPE through COMMUNICATION

Suzie’s Passionality:        INFLUENCE POTENTIAL through CONNECTIONS

#1 MY PERSONALITY        Who am I ?

Choose one or two of these words from any of these groups:

  GET IT DONE (doer personality):

¨    Create

¨    Lead

¨    Build

¨    Provide

  LET’S GO (influencer personality):

¨    Communicate

¨    Connect

¨    Teach

¨    Inspire

  YOU’RE IMPORTANT (relater personality):

¨    Serve

¨    Give

¨    Listen

¨    Support

  MAKE A PLAN (thinker personality):

¨    Develop

¨    Organize

¨    Think

¨    Focus

#2 MY IMPACT          What is my effect on others ?

Choose one or two of these words for this part:

¨    Hope

¨    Peace

¨    Direction

¨    Love

¨    Faith

¨    Growth

¨    Wholeness

¨    Safety

¨    Health

¨    Justice

¨    Solutions

¨    Support

Put it together so far:

#1 MY PERSONALITY  __________________

#2 MY IMPACT     _____________________

__________________ + __________________

      my personality                                   my impact

#3 MY ABILIBITES   What am I REALLY good at ?

Make a list of at least 5 things that you are really good at:

1  __________________

2 __________________

3 __________________

4 __________________

5 __________________

Choose 1 or 2 of these for your 3rd word (or use other words from #1 or #2).

YOUR PASSIONALITY STATEMENT

Put it together so far:

#1 MY PERSONALITY  __________________

#2 MY IMPACT     _____________________

#3 MY ABILITIES     _____________________ 

__________ + __________ + _____________

   my personality                     my impact                     my abilities

Put it together into a sentence.

(Add a preposition before abilities – usually “through” or “by”.)

Try all the combinations of words that you have come up with to make your PASSIONALITY STATEMENT!

PASSIONALITY now what?

Talk to people you know, and try speaking out your

PASSIONALITY STATEMENT to them!

Live like you are that part of God’s heart for others!

Try to make choices in your life based on living according to how God made you!

Our examples once again:

Dan’s Passionality:         CREATE HOPE through COMMUNICATION

Suzie’s Passionality:        INFLUENCE POTENTIAL through CONNECTIONS

Your PASSIONALITY STATEMENT:

__________ + __________ + _____________

   my personality                     my impact                     my abilities

Please let us know what your PASSIONALITY STATEMENT is and how God is using you as you live it out!

www. DUZIE.com   or   info@DUZIE.com

Beyond Martin Luther King Jr.

Written in 17-1-2010 by DUZIE | No Comments

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This week we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. day.  This day is a reminder of freedom at its best and selfishness at its worst.

Martin Luther King Jr. once wrote, “ An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

We live at a great and terrible time of history.  It is a time of so much personal comfort. Even during economic hard times we sleep soft, eat well, enjoy entertainment with friends and walk safely in our streets.  We have bought the same old lie that our concerns are more important than theirs.

We can tell you personal stories of walking through African graves yards that grow by over a thousand per week just because people can’t get basic medicines.  We can take you into a 15 by 40 feet classroom in India, next to an open sewer, where 400 kids learn from one book.  We can introduce you to a 13-year-old prostitute girl in Asia, who has been sold into the porn slave trade.  How about joining us to dig a well for a Central American town, which shares a populated water source with 22 other villages upstream. Drive a few hours south and discover Michigan schools still desperate for teachers. Care to drive around our own community and meet the children who smell of kerosene and go to school very hungry most days?

Freedom? Freedom, perhaps to take another day off?

We hear ourselves saying, “but what can one person or one family or one group of friends really do?”  Ask Martin Luther King Jr!

To live life is to write a better story for everyone.  Take time to celebrate the past and make plans to change the future.  Start by picking a cause.  Talk to your pastor, priest or policeman about a local family in need.  Volunteer your precious time at a community help center.  Go on-line and research a cause, near or far, that your family can passionately get involved with.

Rev. King reminds us: “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism (unselfishness) or the darkness of destructive selfishness.  This is the judgment.  Life’s most persistent and urgent question is this, what are you doing for others?”

He also said, “The belief that God will do everything for man is as untenable as the belief that man can do everything for himself.  It, too, is based on a lack of faith.  We must learn that to expect God to do everything while we do nothing is not lack of faith but superstition.”

This week, we give a day to remember a man who gave his very life to make a difference.  When will the world stop and celebrate our day?  We must go beyond Martin Luther King Jr. and stand up for all humanity!

Living Life (presently in Uruguay),

Hopefully making a difference!

DUZIE

2010 DUZIE.com

82 Million Questions

Written in 10-1-2010 by DUZIE | No Comments

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A dear friend of ours says that there are, “82 million” for just about everything.  This is her way of saying there are “more than many”!

So we sat down in this New Year and started to write our “82 million questions” about Living Life.  Some of these are to make us think and some are to make us smile.  Some are only to read, while others are to cause us to live a better story.

We invite you to answer, to question and to add to our “82 million questions”.

1.      What if we had never been born?

2.      What if we loved everyone?

3.      What if our dreams came true?

4.      What if there wasn’t a God?

5.      What if we could change the world?

6.      What if there was nothing beyond this life?

7.      What if life was fair?

8.      What if we were born old and grew young?

9.      What if living creatively added satisfaction to life?

10.   What if we could relive parts of our life?

11.   What if our passion was part of a bigger puzzle?

12.   What if there was a tooth fairy?

13.   What if a day lasted 25 hours?

14.   What if every person had the same opportunities?

15.   What if war was only allowed to last one day?

16.   What if truth was the only language we knew?

17.   What if we knew the purpose of life?

18.   What if our words came out unprocessed?

19.   What if a baby really is 9 months old when it is born?

20.   What if we could pick the color of our skin?

21.   What if death & taxes where just options?

22.   What if education was based upon desire?

23.   What if we had nothing to fear?

24.   What if life was all about us?

25.   What if we could not be selfish?

26.   What if we could breathe under water?

27.   What if there was a third gender?

28.   What if one day a week we had to make the world better?

29.   What if everyone was poor?

30.   What if we got everything we wanted?

31.   What if we got more than we wanted?

32.   What if marriage always lasted forever?

33.   What if the highest value was to understand others?

34.   What if we could save time in a bottle and all our wishes came true?

35.   What if success was measured by how our kids turned out?

36.   What if love was money?

37.   What if all the animals were friendly?

38.   What if we could travel through time?

39.   What if we found out our core beliefs were wrong?

40.   What if everyone had the same personality?

41.   What if this was our last day?

42.   What if we were homeless?

43.   What if we could see angels at work?

44.   What if we were given a million dollars?

45.   What if germs were big enough to see?

46.   What if we could be any weight and height?

47.   What if we could be invisible?

48.   What if we could know the thoughts of others?

49.   What if compassion was as important as competition?

50.   What if we could answer 82 million questions?

“What if questions” birth invention and imagination, they spark ambition and hope, there are many left unwritten so take time to add to our list.

Living Life (presently in Uruguay),

DUZIE

2010 DUZIE.com

2009 . . . a DUZIE Year in Review

Written in 9-1-2010 by DUZIE | No Comments

How do we review a year of so many ups, downs, hellos and good byes?

We start with the NUMBERS:

In 2009 we had 1 painful trip to the emergency room, 2 sons on opposite sides of the planet, 3 couples at our first “going all the way” retreat, 4 imagiNations students in our home, 5 major problems with our e-mails, websites and computer, 6 local teens to mentor, 7 great books to read, 8 countries in North, Central and South America, Asia, Europe and Middle East in which to minister, 9 States traveled through or to, and 10 weekly guitar students.

And now the BIGGER NUMBERS:

  • We slept in 27 different beds, which is about a new one every 13 days.
  • We spoke 214 times to 8319 people ages 1 to 96.  These opportunities were in churches, schools, bible studies, camps, congresses, couples retreats, parties, and community events, as well as onboard the MV Doulos .
  • We spent 240 hours (10 days) traveling to and from, waiting in Airports, and flying on 23 different flights.
  • We actively mentored 42 people, saw 44 young people start a new friendship with Jesus, and 394 made a renewed or deeper commitment in their faith.
  • We published 20 articles and wrote thousands of e-mails, facebook messages and texts.
  • We led worship in our home church 31 times, and had an untold number of young people come through our home for mentoring, meetings, games and snacks.
  • We lost half of our income in March, but God supplied Hospice nursing work, local programs and several miracles to assist us in our work and our life right up to this day.  Praise the Lord!

And now a few STORIES from our FAMILY:

This year we had a lot of time with Josiah.  Most of the year we were traveling and ministering as three.  At our camp for missionary teens in the Netherlands, Josiah only 16 years old took on a leadership role over the teen guys.  He planned activities, spoke, and helped organize the daily worship.  He thrived and set a great example for other young people.  He has also begun to mentor some younger guys at home.

Joshua has just arrived home from the MV Doulos.  He got taller and filled up on many great stories.  Now he is making plans to receive more training and get involved in an inner city ministry in the States until summer.  Please keep him in your prayers.

As parents we are so blessed to not only train up our boys, but also to stand back and watch them follow Gods call upon their lives.

We, Dan & Suzie, are stepping through many doors that have been on the back burner for a long time.

  • WRITING: “conneXellence”, our book, is finished and soon published in English and German.  We also write weekly for our local newspaper.
  • RETREATS: “Going all the Way” weekends for married couples has begun to nurture love for God, each other and the family.
  • MENTORING: Mentoring through guitar, magic, juggling, art lessons and life connections.
  • CREATIVE ARTS:  We have begun DUZIE day camps to help young people develop their creative gifts.
  • PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:  We are part time nursing and performing to support our income and to strengthen our gifts.
  • LOVE:  We are in love with each other, our God, and seeking to love those around us, and our world each day.

A STORY in the midst of CHANGE:

During the past 23 years of youth ministry around the world, we have connected with more than we can count.  It is a great joy when we are able to meet some again.  This summer we came across a young man who we had not seen for several years.  During the time apart he went from seeking God to running away.  As we sat across the table hearing his honest story from college and beyond, our hearts broke because of his journey.  Since that time we have kept in contact through e-mail and he seems to have stopped running, but has many questions.  Pray for him and so many like him who are searching for truth.  Pray also for us that we may show love, wisdom, honesty and light.

And finally a THANK YOU:

This year has been year on the edge of crisis and connections.  So many of you have given us a surprising gift, a prayer, an encouraging word and an opportunity to share in your journey.  We what you to know that you are a blessing to us.  Thank you for care in 2009.

We still need finances . . . don’t we all!  If you are looking for a way to help, please contact us.  If you could use us to speak at your church, school, community function, camp or bring our couple’s retreat in your area, please let us know.  If you are looking for weekly encouragement from our journey . . . we invite you onto www.DUZIE.com to follow our articles called “Living Life with DUZIE”.

We leave you with our present 2010 SCHEDULE:

January 1-10                  Marlette Michigan

January 11-12                Fly to Uruguay

January 13-15                Giving Leadership Training in Uruguay

January 16 – 24              TeenStreet for Southern Cone of South America

January 25                     Fly to Paraguay

January 26 – 28              Giving Leadership Training in Paraguay

February  1 – 9               Speaking at camp in Paraguay

February 10-11               Fly Home

February – March                         Home – local ministry and available for programs

April                              Giving Leaders Training and TeenStreet in Austrialia

May                              Home – local ministry & available for programs

June                             Leaders Training and TeenStreet in Southern Africa

July                              Home – local ministry, available for programs and camps

August                          MTO camp and OM Go conference in the Netherlands

September                     Middle East TCK camp

October – November             imagiNations – “ARTISTree” course

May God bless you and yours in this New Year.  If you would like to receive DUZIE NEWS more often please let us know personally or send us a request at: INFO@DUZIE.com

Standing Strong & Creating Hope,

Dan & Suzie Potter  . . .  aka DUZIE,  Joshua & Josiah too!

Whatever happened to DATING?

Written in 30-12-2009 by DUZIE | No Comments

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This goes out to all who still love the one they’re with.  To those couples who stood toe to toe and said vows months, years or decades ago.  To you who just couldn’t wait to pick her up at the door. To you who couldn’t stand that last good night kiss under the porch light.

Whatever happened to dating?

Dating is that weird and wonderful American tradition that seems to stop shortly after we open the wedding presents.  We seem to exchange our “Love Life” for our “Busy Life”.  We stay at home, but speak through walls.  As our clock spins, it seems that “dates” became only a number on the calendar or a dried fruit.

Let us take you back for a moment to those remarkable minutes in the moonlight, to holding hands in the theater, and laughing just because you were together.  Remember dreaming of love and adventure to the sounds of Sinatra, Anka, Manilow, Diana, Olivia and Anita?  Remember leaving love notes?

Whatever happened to dating?

Dating was the path we all took to become “US”!  Now kids have come, or kids have gone and the “US” seems to have lost something very special.  We lost dating, that unhurried time for building and producing . . . “US”.

Times may have changed, but love, like batteries need charging more often than changing.  It is time to recharge our lives and love by creating our greatest moments so far.  Take it from us, dating is much better today, because you get to go out as long as you like, because you set the curfew.  Then you can take your date home with you, tuck ‘em in next to you and even fix breakfast together . . . every morning.

It is time to show a new generation of daters that real love grows for those who choose to date forever.

There are still movies to see, roads to cruise, concerts to hear, dances to learn and moments to make together.  Select Mondays or Sundays, (or any day in between) and make it your date day.  Guard it with your life and love.  Clean the car.  Pull out that special outfit that still fits.  Hold hands and kiss under every light.  It is time to build your “US” forever!

Whatever, whenever, wherever . . . date!  Your kids and your community need your love so date.

You’re not getting any younger, just getting better . . . together!

Living Life - DUZIE

Resolutions: Dumb or SMART!

Written in 26-12-2009 by DUZIE | No Comments

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Every 365 days, in the midst of the last few moments of the year, we gather with friends, play games, eat, drink, watch the ball drop in New York and make DUMB RESOLUTIONS.

By “DUMB” we mean, we make promises to ourselves, and others that seem very important at the moment, but make as much sense as seatbelts on skateboards.  Our failures cause us to approach New Year’s Eve, resolving only to stop resolving.

The New Year is a great time to restart our personal story.  It is time to slim, trim, quit, start, prepare and priorities for a better life story.  We must only change the way we resolve, not the whole desire that drives the impulse.

By “SMART” we mean, we should work to create resolutions, which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed.  Here is how to make “SMART” RESOLUTIONS:

S = SPECIFIC  Be Specific!  It is DUMB to loose weight, but SMART to loose 10 pounds in 10 weeks.  It is DUMB to spend more time with your kids, but SMART to give them 1 focused hour each day.  So be Specific!

M = MEASUREABLE  Can you Measure your success?  It is DUMB to start running again, but SMART to start running 1 mile, 3 times a week.  It is DUMB to show more love to your wife, but SMART . . . very SMART to take her out on two dates per month.  Make sure it can be Measured!

A = ACHIEVABLE  Can you really Achieve it?  It is DUMB to make more money, often that is impossible due to your job and the economy, but SMART to make a budget and live within your means.  It is DUMB to stop your addiction to alcohol or cigarettes, (you may have failed so many times before), but SMART to find a person or program to help you control your desires.  Can you Achieve it?

R = REALISTIC  Is it a Realistic resolution?  It is DUMB to quit your job and find another profession, but SMART to begin taking that class which will help you get one step closer to that dream job.  It is DUMB to think you can change America, but SMART to find practical ways to make your family, work place, church or neighborhood a better place.  Is it Realistic?

T = TIMED  What is your Timetable?  It is DUMB to go run that triathlon next week, but SMART to work towards that half-triathlon in July.  It is DUMB to become a great writer over night, but SMART to write a book by focusing on one chapter a month.  Make sure you give yourself Time!

We have many desires, to start and stop, to grow and reduce, to be or not to be, and this is the Year for our new story to finish well.   We intend to start SMART.  Please make SMART Resolutions!

Have a wonderful New Year.

Living Life,

DUZIE

THE STORY

Written in 16-12-2009 by DUZIE | No Comments

living life with DUZIE header Baby Jesus

THE STORY

Christmas is the most expensive, energetic, food filled holiday in the west.  It is a time for family traditions and travel.  It is a season to hurry up and wait, to search, to find, to give, and to tell stories.

We hear stories of Santa and Scrooge, of uncles and cousins, of visits and visitors . . . but for us, the greatest part of Christmas is THE STORY.

In our homes growing up we never opened a present until we gathered as a family and told THE STORY that gave us Christmas day.  THE STORY of a young Jewish girl who gave birth to a God child, of a carpenter who’s love was greater than his questions, of Sheperds who heard angels sing and of Wiseman who followed a star.

Some believe THE STORY to be miraculous, others have their questions, but believable or not it is THE STORY that has given us Christmas.  This year we will gather and tell THE STORY again.  We have written THE STORY below if you wish to bring it back into your Christmas tradition.

Over 2000 years ago in an old village called Nazareth, there lived a young Jewish girl named Mary and Joseph, a local carpenter.  According to Jewish customs, their families had arranged for them to be engaged and later married.

During this engagement Mary became pregnant, but Joseph was not the father.  Mary had never been with him or anyone. She was pregnant with God’s baby.

Here is how it happened. On an ordinary day, in this ordinary village, Mary was performing her ordinary tasks and something very out of the ordinary happened.  Gabriel, an angel from Jehovah – the Jewish God, appeared to her.  He brought greetings from her God, he told her she was very special and that Jehovah was with her.

Mary was terrified at this greeting.  She had never experienced anything like this and had never heard of anyone in her lifetime hearing anything from God or his angels.

Gabriel calmed her down and gave her this message, “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name “Jesus”.  He will be great and called the son of the most high”.

Mary was in shock and asked, “How can this happen since I am not yet married . . . since I am a virgin?

Gabriel reminded Mary that her God could do the impossible and that Jehovah would plant this child in her.  “I am the Lord’s servant” Mary said, and gave permission for this to take place.

Some time later Joseph found out about Mary’s condition and knew according to their laws, he could not marry a woman “with child”.  He had two choices:  to cause a big scene and protect his image, or break the engagement quietly and keep Mary from public disgrace.  Because he was a good man, he chose the protect Mary.  Before he could break the engagement, an angel also visited him.

This time the angel made his announcement in a dream.  The dream was so real that the angel had to tell Joseph not to be afraid.  The dream was specific about taking Mary as his bride, about having God’s son, about the name “Jesus”, and that this child would save people from their sins.

Joseph knew that years before, there was a prophecy that God would one day send a child through a virgin, to save mankind.  So he chose to believe and remained engaged to Mary.

As Mary neared her due date, the couple was forced by the Romans to travel about 80 miles to Bethlehem and take part in a national census.  The journey lasted several days.  When they finally arrived, they could find nowhere to sleep.  Everything was full.

Finally they were given a place with the farm animals and slept in the barn.  During the night, God’s son was born.  Joseph and Mary named the baby “Jesus”.   He was laid in the manger where the animals feed.

During that same night, just outside the city, angels visited local shepherds.  They were told of the birth of a savior.  As they were listening with great fear, many other angels appeared singing a song about God receiving glory and mankind receiving peace because of God’s love.  The shepherds hurried into the city, and found the child, just as they were told.  They celebrated the birth and spread the word about what had taken place.

Around this time a bright star appeared above the city.  It could be seen in distant lands.  A group of Magi who saw the star, believed it to be a sign from God about the birth of a new Jewish king.  They brought gifts to celebrate this birth.

In THE STORY there is celebration, singing, gifts, miracles, journeys and compassion.  May your story of Christmas have the same effect on you and your family this CHRISTMAS season!

Living Life - DUZIE

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