"A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable; and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff.

When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, 'Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot.'

From the back of the car, everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, 'Don't worry, we already crucified Him.'

For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Remember this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be."

Staying in the focus of Christmas, enjoy the lyrics to the song at the end of this page.

Looking for a last-minute gift but don't want to spend a lot of money (since it could go to better use through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering <g>)? Try this site where you can create a custom song that sounds professionally created in just minutes. Great for the person who can't remember their spouse's/significant other's birthday, anniversary or other important date. It's called instasong and it's a real hoot. Yes, there is a charge...but it's just $5.

Wondering how to raise next year's Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal, even doubling it? Read this article to see what happened to the folks at Houston's Lazybrook Baptist Church: Short-term mission trips spark church’s passion for missions.

Finally, you'll remember that Bobby Welch, SBC president, was with us a few weeks ago. Baptist Press is running a couple of his insights form his trip to our part of the world: Bobby Welch, at Mount Nebo, urges Baptists ‘to go further’ in missions.

+ Scott asked that you join Him in praying for the improvement of the CD version of the Prayer Center... man, talk about daily improvement and idea after idea! I can hardly wait to show this to you when I see you! Even what I have now is great, but I know it will be even better when you see it! *Thank you* for praying and *please* continue until He says the project is complete.

+ Shirin asked you to continue praying for the upcoming Christmas party at the Girls Home... Shirin writes, "Thank you for your prayers. I believe your prayers made the party a success. The girls as well as the two little boys had a great time making cookies, singing songs and making Christmas crafts. After making the crafts we ate the cookies and heard the Christmas story from a local Sunday School teacher."

+ Jasmine asked you to pray for her focus and concentration as she went through end-of-the-semester evaluations... she came each day with a look of confidence. As we had our evening Quiet Time together, I reminded her that there were so many praying for her. Thank you once again for making a difference in the life of our little girl.

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< As Jasmine finishes school, Scott asks that he would take advantage of this opportunity to invest even more time with her so she can 'see' the things he has been sharing from Scripture.

<>< Jasmine will be off from school for two and a half weeks. Please pray that Jasmine can focus more on reading and her other homeschool material.

<>< Join us in praying for Jasmine's Christmas play to explain to the audience what Christmas is all about.

<* Pray for the Bania of India.><

CALENDAR UPDATES

<If you're not receiving our bimonthly snail-mail newsletter, let us know so we can send it to you!><

14-15, Pray for Jasmine to do well on her end of term evaluations as her studies pay off.

* Wow, she went through that Arabic exam with confidence! Thank you for praying!

16, May our day off be refreshing for Jasmine

* Oh, she had a delightful day filled with tickling and giggles!

17, Jasmine has more exams today.

* She looked forward to her math evaluation since she has a love for numbers. The numbers she draws and their names (wahod, tanain, taLAta, etc.) are cementing her bilingual brain.

18, Pray for Akram’s salvation.

* (sigh) not yet; however, when I look in his eyes I claim His promise from your intercession.

19-20, Pray for Jasmine to do well on her end of term evaluations as her studies pay off. May she finish well!

* She did well with the religion, English, and science evaluations on these days, and we are grateful for your intercession!

<>< +++ <>< +++ <>< +++

Artist: Casting Crowns

Album: Lifesong

Song: While You Were Sleeping

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping

[ back to Top ]