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.