But who can endure the day of His coming, and who can stand when He appears? (Malachi 3:2)

Some of you might know from your own experience that there are three words which can give a parent serious nightmares. Three words can drive real fear into a parent’s heart. I’m talking about mothers and fathers cringing in abject terror at the mere sound of three simple words: "Some Assembly Required."

How well I learned this on Christmas Eve when I engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with a hobby horse! It came in a large box and was meant to be our children’s big present this year. They can climb into the saddle and bounce up and down, pretending to chase imaginary outlaws. Every child should have a hobby horse, and we hoped our kids would be happy with theirs.

Well, about ten o’clock that ni…