I am sitting at my drawing table in Qui Nohn, Republic of Vietnam. It is December 24, 1968. I have never been away from home on Christmas until now. I don't know what to feel, except this helplessness of knowing that I can't do anything about it.

My parents will be going to church this evening as always. They will sing Christmas carols and after church meet with all the folks who gather after service to exchange news and stories of the past year. There will probably be snow on the ground as usual for Michigan in winter. And I am here, so far away, in a tropical climate and a people at war. This is a strange Christmas to say the least.

Something inside of me touches the warmth of Christmas' past, and even here, in this faraway place this is a magical night. Different to be sure, but all the same, magical. I feel this because I know that I am connected to my past and my family through my faith and through my memory.

We at Advent just celebrated another Christmas with our families and loved ones. We too are connected to each other through faith and memory.
Remembering that Christmas long ago I was particularly grateful that just a few weeks ago we at Advent sent 200 warm knit caps to soldiers serving in Afghanistan. We heard that they were cold and needed a liner in their helmets. Imagine Christmas in Afghanistan. Cold. Unfamiliar. Dangerous. We call it "Warm heads and warm hearts." Just another way that Advent reaches out to care for people who have a need.

We have been so blessed in so many ways at our church and the reason is that so many of you have made the commitment to make a difference in the world. Be it through general giving, Mr. Bob's Under the Bridge, Joe's Clothes, MABO or any number of other ministries.

We are so blessed to live in a free country where the voice of the people matters. Let us not forget that, and let us not allow ourselves to be caught up in the rhetoric and hype that we are fed by a media that has become entertainment at best. Common sense would teach us that we do not have to buy into the showmanship that tries to pass itself off as news and fact.
Christmas is gone for another year, but we would be well served to read the following letter and perhaps allow it to inform us of what is really important about Christmas

Pastor Janis, Aina and our girls.

Letter from Christ about Christmas-
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember:

I LOVE YOU, ALL OF YOU.

We are in the season of Advent. A season of anticipation. Reflection. Waiting. Wondering. Hoping. As we approach Christmas once again, it may be helpful to follow the advice circulating around the internet. Norma Klimpke was the first of several Advent members to send the following article; Birth of a New Tradition. What a blessing it would be if all of us would follow these suggestions.

May you and your family have a safe, warm, meaningful and peaceful celebration of the birth of Christ. Instead of a greeting card this year from our house to yours, Aina, our daughters and I have purchased 2 pigs, a goat, 50 chicks and 2 ducks through the ELCA Good Gifts program that provides sustenance and hope to people living in poverty. The cost of all these animals is exactly the same as the cost of sending you a Christmas card.
Please know that we embrace you with our thanks for your support and love. Merry Christmas! Pastor Kinens and Family

Birth of a New Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide us with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of local labor. This year will be different. This year we should give the gift of genuine concern for others. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by local hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, locally owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down big money on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big national chains -- this is about supporting your businesses their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by a local shop?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day or a spa treatment or nails now at a local business.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I know I can find some shop that is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you really need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice big tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining local pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about our neighbors, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about our neighbors and family, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. This could be a new Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about? "And isn't that what Cedarburg is all about?"
Submitted by Norma Klimpke