Time flies by, It is already the week before Christmas.

Yes, I know I'm a bit late this week, it is planned this way.

You see, I'm taking a couple weeks off and wont be back til January 8.

Yolanda is battling a nasty cold.

With her breath support being compromised, and sinuses that suffered damage from her accident, she has a difficult time.

Still we give God all the glory, he is always in control.

There are always the last minute plans, things to do, buy, or bake.

Who is bringing what, to what get together.

Thank You lord, we still have energy.

Praise You that we still have You.

Jesus, you are the reason for the season.

This is my attempt at another Christmas letter.

For new readers, (and old), most years I allow myself the opportunity to write a Christmas and Easter letter.

This is a way God of sharing my faith as I attempt to share a bit of our King while giving Him all the Glory.

Also, I take a couple weeks off to enjoy the season and relax with family.

Lord willing, I will be back January 8.

I'm approaching things a bit different this year.

Christ is back in Christmas

Enjoy.

It's Christmas ...... as in Christ.

Not Holiday.

It is a Christmas Tree, Christmas Gifts, Christmas cards.

Not Holiday tree, gifts, cards.

I don't bake holiday cookies, they are Christmas cookies.

Okay, so some traditions may seem silly, but they are Our traditions.

Why should we change to accommodate others that 'Choose' to move to our countries.

Do you think for one second, traditions would be changed for you or me if we moved to a foreign land?

Of course not.

I'm all for keeping traditions.

For our government and media to suggest otherwise is a joke.

It might offend them.

As a christian it offends me, to suggest I call Christmas by any other name.

Jesus humbled Himself to be our savior.

I died for our sins (all of them), in the most cruel way possible.

He came that we might have life and have it to the full.

John 10:10 Jesus says ........

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full".

We need Christmas more than ever.

Just look at the news.

Genocide, mash shootings, epic weather, earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars.

Why the mass shootings.

God didn't leave, we kicked Him out of our schools, governments, and daily lives.

But why did God allow the violent storms?

This is a bit more difficult to explain, or understand.

After Adam and Eve sinned, the perfect was made imperfect.

We now live in a fallen world.

Read on.

And He will return.

Most of the above things are mentioned in the bible.

Matthew 24: 6-8

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars,but see to it that you are not alarmed.These things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.…All these are the beginning of birth pains".

Yes folks, things are happening and they aren't going to get any better (here on this earth), any time soon.

We need the Christ in Christmas.

He gives us hope.

He gives us a promise.

Even if it is a short time each year, we have something to look forward to.

The joy and promise God sent to us.

There is hope.

We have a promise.

John 3:16

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his uniquely existing Son so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life".

This is why He came, and the Promise God gives us.

Here is more good news.

Revelation 21: 5, 6

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said,“Behold,I make all things new.”Then He said,“Write this down,for these words are faithful and true.” And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life".

All Things New ........................... Wow!

The human spirit lives for eternity.

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

King David said............................

Psalm 139:14

(God is Spirit)

It is your choice where you spend eternity.

Joshua 24: 15

"Choose this day whom you will serve,

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

This is why the Christ is in Christmas.

We need Christmas.

We need the promise, the hope, the new life.

Enjoy your Christmas tree, lights and decorations

Christmas gifts that symbolize the gifts giving to our new born King.

Christmas cards and celebrations in remembrance of His birth.

And while you are at it, make sure you get an extra Christmas cookie or piece of fudge.

Well, it is time to fly for now.

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, and a Blessed New Year.

God Bless.

Luke 2:11

PS. If you enjoy these letters, please forward them to friends, family and co-workers.

Better yet, have them sign up so they can receive their own letters.