A CHRISTIAN'S CHRISTMAS

A CHRISTIAN'S CHRISTMAS

"It not too early to give some things away this Christmas. Not just on
Christmas Day, but during all the days leading up to December 25th. We
could call these daily gifts 'our Christmas projects.' Maybe one per day
from now 'til then. Here are a few suggestions.

Mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss suspicion.
Write a long overdue love note.
Hug someone tightly and whisper, 'I love you.'
Forgive an enemy.
Be gentle and patient with an angry person.
Express appreciation.
Gladden the heart of a child.
Find the time to keep a promise.
Make or bake something for someone else. Anonymously.
Release a grudge.
Listen.
Speak kindly to a stranger.
Enter into another's sorrow.
Smile. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more.
Take a walk with a friend.
Kneel down and pat a dog.
Read a poem or two to your mate or friend.
Lessen your demands on others.
Play some beautiful music during the evening meal.
Apologize if you are wrong.
Turn off the television and talk.
Treat someone to an ice-cream cone (yogurt would be fine).
Do the dishes for the family (or load the dishwasher and clean up).
Pray for someone who helped when you hurt.
Fix breakfast on Saturday morning.
Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly.
Encourage an older person.
Point out one thing you appreciate most about someone you work with or
live near.
Offer to baby-sit for a weary mother.
Give your teacher a break: be especially cooperative.
Let's make Christmas one long, extended gift to ourselves to others.
Unselfishly. Without announcement. Or obligation. Or reservation. Or
hypocrisy.
This is Christianity, isn't it?" from the pen of Chuck Swindoll THE
FINISHING TOUCH - Becoming God's Masterpiece, published by "W"

Good advice as we begin the countdown to Christmas.

Great quote: "The crucial significance of the cradle at Bethlehem lies
in its place in the sequence of steps down that led the Son of God to
the cross of Calvary, and we do not understand it till we see it in this
context. The key text in the New Testament for interpreting the
incarnation is not therefore, the bare statement...'the Word became
flesh, and dwelt among us', but rather the more comprehensive
statement...'ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he
was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty
might become rich'. Here is stated, not the fact of the incarnation
only, but also its meaning; the taking of manhood by the Son is set
before us in a way which shows us how we should set it before ourselves
and ever view it-not simply as a marvel of nature, but rather as a
wonder of grace." J I Packer, Knowing God

What are you doing the day before New Year's Eve? We have another great
dinner concert planned on the Saturday night of New Year's Weekend.
Soloist Bert Kettinger who has been a part of the Moody Network for many
years, will be our featured concert artist. A great way to welcome in
the new year. Call today for reservations - 732-350-1187