Christmas Eve

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
—Isaiah 9:6

A Christmas thank-you
Multitudes of people around the world are celebrating Christmas this year because you prayed, partnered and gave to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas from Jerry and Bobbye Rankin and all of us at the IMB.

Staying home doesn’t mean missing out on church, missions
After almost 40 years as a pastor, Gerald Cole decided it was time to go home to Louisiana to retire. He and wife Rosie found themselves back at their first pastorate, Springhill Baptist Church near Marion. But they found a locked building and a challenge to start again, which they did. Things went well for a time, then the economy began slipping, as did Rosie’s health. Membership is down to two now, and mostly the services happen in the Coles’ living room. But they still tithe weekly, send money on through the Cooperative Program and this year mailed a $2,000 check to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. “We haven’t quit,” says Gerald. “We’re not through.”
Thank-God for people like the Coles who continue to serve and continue to give. May we use them as an example for our lives.

Mrs. Margaret Callihan is getting stronger. Pray for her as she continues to improve.

Mr. Bud Callihan is feeling fine since his hospital stay and heart procedure. Thank God for his good reports.

Mrs. Catherine Yarborough said the temporary nerve treatment helped with her back pain. Pray the permanent treatment Monday is successful.

Mrs. Faye Price continues to be about the same. Please continue to pray for her, the medical staff of the ICU unit, and the family.

Pray for all the people who are traveling. Pray for safety and that they would have an opportunity to share their holiday joy and the reason for the holiday with others.

Frank William Meduna, Jr.
(June 30, 1929 – December 22, 2008)
U.S. Veteran Died at 10:40 PM on Monday, December 22, 2008 at his residence in Amite, LA. He was a native of New Orleans, LA. Age 79 years. He was a retired Staff Sargent, U.S.M.C., a Purple Heart recipient, and a member of Marine Corp League, Jans F. Hursey Det. 748, Slidell, LA. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 11 a.m. on Friday until religious services at 1 p.m. Friday. Interment Arcola-Roseland Cemetery, Arcola, LA. Survived by 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Leah and Craig Mellin, St. Paul, MN, Sandra and Patric Darvie, Slidell, LA, grandson, Patric Darvie, III, Slidell, LA, numerous nieces and nephews, Preceded in death by, wife, Blanche Lawrence Meduna, parents, Frank William Meduna, Sr. and, Florence Barth Meduna, Special thanks to caregiver, Barbara Hoover.

Baptist Press

December 23, 2008

*** TENNESSEE–7-year-old’s Christmas cards boost missions. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29570

*** GEORGIA–They opened their hearts -– 41 times. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29571

COLORADO–Girls go shopping in the Christmas spirit. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29572

*** FLORIDA–Tebow’s football awards anchored by faith. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29573

WASHINGTON–Bush signs enhanced anti-trafficking bill. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29574

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Roger S. Oldham): God’s Son, born of a virgin. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29575

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Kenneth S. Hemphill): The Advent of the King. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29576

How is Your Manger?

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. Proverbs 14:4.

During the time of Caesar Augustus, an issue was decreed that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph and Mary, subjects of the Roman government, left the town of Nazareth and went to their hometown of Bethlehem because Joseph belonged to the house of David. Mary and Joseph were engaged. She was expecting her first child, and while they were there, in Bethlehem, the time came for the baby to be born. Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son, whom they named Jesus. “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”1

The baby Jesus, out Savior, was born in a crude building that reeked of animal dung and was placed in a cruel manger. His welcoming committee consisted of donkeys and oxen and dirt-poor shepherds. There was nothing delicate about the surroundings into which our Savior was born. No place more humble could have been found in which to lay the Savior of the universe. None of us can say that we had a less auspicious start in life, but Jesus proved during His sojourn among us that He works best in difficult and unpleasant circumstances.

Jesus came to bring the touch of God to humanity. Isaiah prophesied of our Savior, “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows.”2 Jesus was the sinless friend of sinners. He liked sinners; He enjoyed their company; He had compassion on them; He loved them. In one story of Jesus, “A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on His knees, ‘If you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately, the leprosy left Him and He was cured.”3

“Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man.” Do you know what a touch meant to someone with leprosy? Imagine. Suppose the man’s name was John. In his previous life, he had a wife and two young children. One day, John was at work and noticed a raised scab on his upper arm. He was somewhat concerned and so he went home to his wife. She told him to hurry to the priest; perhaps he could do something to help. But the priest assured John that there was nothing that could be done for him. He had received a plague, a judgment from God. There was no hope. He could not return to his family, not for one last hug or kiss – not even for one last touch.

The disease of leprosy was not particularly painful after the first few weeks, and although John may not have felt physical pain, he certainly did suffer. Almost all the pain that he felt came from the outside, the pain of rejection imposed upon him by his community. How the man came to Jesus, we do not know, but it is not too hard to imagine the indignation rippling through the crowd as John walked through them to meet Jesus while shouting “Unclean! Unclean!” When he reached Jesus, we are told that he fell down at His knees and begged, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” And Jesus, filled with compassion, reached out His hand and touched the man. The crowd must have gasped.

Imagine being touched after years or months of no contact with another human. What, do you suppose, was his response? A tear? A flinch? How many months or years had it been since he felt the warmth of a human touch? What would have been your response?4

The text in Proverbs says, “without the oxen, the manger is empty.” The greatest Lover in history appeared to us amidst the dirty oxen of a lowly stable. He appeared amidst the scandal of an expectant, yet unmarried couple. He knows what hurts us. Jesus reveals a God who is not indifferent to human agony, a God who reached out to touch us, a God who fully embraces the human condition, and plunges into the thick of our human struggle.5 He showed us that He is Emmanuel, God with us – God who touches us. There is nothing that Jesus does not understand about the heartache that hangs like a cloud over the history of our lives. God expects us to lay the difficult, unpleasant, and leprous parts of our life before Him. Unless He washes us, unless He touches our lives, we may have no part with Him6 without the oxen, the manger is empty. Jesus knows all about us, but He loves us anyway. He says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”7

Luke says, “There was no room for them in the inn.” Do you have room for Jesus in your life? In our society today, we guard ourselves to make sure that no one discovers our weaknesses. We feel that we must carry around our failures and burdens in a brown paper bag whose contents are not visible to the rest of the world. Jesus commands us, “Lay that burden down. I am here to take care of it.” Isn’t it wonderful to know that we have a Savior who knows all about us and yet still loves us the same as if we had never sinned? – if only we could let Him inn.

If you find yourself struggling under a burden of sin or depression or disappointment, Jesus is waiting to be born in your manger. Jesus came to this earth to deal with our “messy” problems. He loves to touch our lives. He knows our weaknesses, but Jesus works most powerfully through our shortcomings. God loves to work in the difficult and unpleasant situations of our lives. If we let Him live long enough in the manger of our life, amidst the oxen of our burdens, we will be changed. Slowly, the stench of our hurt and anger will be broken by the fragrance of our knowledge of Him. We will become the “aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”8

If you already have a relationship with Jesus, remember back to what you were like when He called you. Remember your first encounter with God. Remember the day you met Jesus. Remember how your heart quaked at the awareness of His presence. Remember how you trembled in the presence of His overwhelming love. Not many of us were brilliant by human standards; not many of us were influential; not many of us were of noble birth;9 some of us were arrogant; some of us were proud. Praise God! He chose us anyway!

God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. He chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong.10 Do we, like Jesus, have love for the unlovable? Do we have love for the lepers in our lives? Are we willing to touch other’s lives? Jesus was a sinless friend of sinners. Are we friends of sinners or are we their worst enemies – our own worst enemies? How can we overcome? We ask God to help that what breaks His heart, will break our hearts as well.

Littered along the road from the Manger to the Cross will be the bitterness, anger, disappointment, pride, and arrogance that we once tightly held in the security of our brown paper bag. In its place, we will grasp the transparent vessel of the body of Christ. We will extend to our frightened world the love, hope, and touch of Jesus Christ regardless of race, religion, or culture. From the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.

My prayer for you this holiday is that you may experience Jesus – that pearl of great price wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. May the grace of Jesus Christ be with you this Christmas, and may you continue to find joy in your journey with Him. Christina.

I Luke 2:1-7. All texts are my paraphrase or are quoted from the NIV Bible. C. 1996 by AMG, International. 2 Isaiah 53:4 3 Mark 1:40-44. 4 See Philip Yancey, In The Jesus I Never Knew. Pages 171-173. 5 See Brennan Manning, In Lion and Lamb. Page 128. 6 John 13:8 7 2 Corinthians 12:9 8 2 Corinthians 2:14,15 9 1 Corinthians 1:18, 25-31 10 ibid.

————————————————————————– — This Christmas meditation is by Christina Harris who can be reached at . Feel free to contact her regarding your appreciation, testimonies, thoughts, comments, etc on this lovely devotional. I want to wish you a blessed and healthy holiday season and New Year full of God’s richest blessings.

Yours in Christ,

Fred Gibbs

FYI: FBC, Kentwood will not have any Christmas Eve or Christmas services.

Merry CHRISTmas!
Anna Lee

Tuesday

You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

I talked with Sherry Rosamond. She said her son is glad to be home from the hospital. Pray for him as he continues medication to complete his recovery. Pray Dustin will be able to follow the doctor’s orders for his recovery.

Debbie Miller had a good medical report when she went for a check-up. She will see a heart doctor for the next check-up in six months. Thank God for Debbie’s return to good health.

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell continues to need our prayers. She still is having the same problem that has plagued her for months. As always, she would be most appreciative of your prayers.

You may have noticed I haven’t posted an emails from Frann Smith Clark lately. When Frann doesn’t email, that means she is not feeling her best. Please pray for Frann, Riley, and their family members who are so attentive to their needs.

Many of you like to keep up with the Hatchels. Commission stories has posted some information on the Roma and a story about the Hatchels. You can find this at http://www.commissionstories.com/?p=51.

I especially enjoyed reading some of the Baptist Press articles that were released yesterday. I hope you will take time to read some too. I especially enjoyed the articles about Mike Hulkabee, graduations at NOBTS and SWBTS, as well as the story of the third generation at New Orleans. Many of you may know one of the Charlie Ray familes. I marked my favorites (***).
December 22, 2008

WASHINGTON–Gay activists demand Obama concessions for Warren pick. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29553

FLORIDA–Huckabee: Christians should be firm, not angry about Wash. atheist flap. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29554

*** FLORIDA–Huckabee pauses during book tour to preach. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29555

MINNESOTA–Minn.-Wis. Baptists face financial challenges. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29556

*** LOUISIANA–‘We own the night,’ Kelley tells graduates. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29557

CALIFORNIA–5 married couples among GGBTS grads. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29558

*** LOUISIANA–3rd generation earns doctorate at NOBTS. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29559

KENTUCKY–Preach with authority, Mohler tells grads. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29560

*** TEXAS–Southwestern wraps up centennial celebration. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29561

NORTH CAROLINA–Merritt challenges Southeastern graduates. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29562

NORTH CAROLINA–FIRST-PERSON (Paul Brewster): A life-changing trip. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29563

WASHINGTON–Conservative leader Weyrich dies. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29564

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus?

JesusSantaSanta lives at the North Pole…
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh…
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year…
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies…
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited…
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa…
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap…
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?”…
JESUS knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly…
JESUS has a heart full of love

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO…
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says “You better not cry”…
JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”

Santa’s little helpers make toys…
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but…
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree…
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree…the cross.

We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

(http://retirementwithapurpose.com/christmas/jesusbetterthansanta.html)

I hope you know Jesus this Christmas! If so, please share His message. If not, find someone who can introduce you to Jesus. He can give your life a purpose greater than you can imagine!

Merry CHRISTmas!
Anna Lee

Monday Afternoon

Wilda Mae Traylor Fairburn Gill
(March 30, 1932 – December 22, 2008)
Died at 6:07 a.m. on Monday, December 22, 2008 at her residence in Spring Creek, LA. She was a native of Baptist, LA. Age 76 years. She made a hundred sweaters for children in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, made 80 sweaters for children in Mexico and this year made numerous afghans for hospice. She will be loved and missed by all. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Terry Bridges and husband, Randal, Tangipahoa, Jean Ricks and husband, Johnny, Bolivar and Gail Fairburn, Spring Creek; 3 sons, Mike Fairburn and wife, Susan, Spring Creek, Dickie Fairburn and wife, Barbara, Roseland and Bobby Fairburn and wife, Jo, Kentwood; 4 sisters, Nancy Loper and husband, Larry, Brookhaven, MS, Jo Ann Smith and husband, Elliott, Brookhaven, MS, Sharon Bevil and husband, John, Gramercy and Lois Leonard, Springfield; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Harold Bernard Fairburn, Sr.; son, Harold Bernard Fairburn, Jr.; parents, T. J. and Rita Traylor; 2 sisters, Bertie Ballard and Yvonne Chenevert; brother, Thomas James Traylor, Jr. Visitation at Spring Creek Baptist Church, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 12:00 Noon Tuesday. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa.

Sunday

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 (NLT)

Update on Dustin Rosamond: Dustin is now home and doing better, has to take real good care of himself and take it easy for a while. We want to thank all of you for all of your prayers and ask you to continue to pray for his full recovery. Thank you again for praying.

Faye Faller is home from the hospital.

According to Les, Faye Price is about the same. Keep praying for everyone involved.

Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas

By Mary Fairchild, About.com
12 Days Of ChristmasEnter the 12 Days of Christmas Competitions for a Chance to Winwww.raisingkids.co.uk

Keeping Christ in Christmas:

The number one way to keep Jesus Christ in your Christmas celebrations is to have him present in your daily life. If you’re not sure what it means to become a believer in Christ, check out this article on “How to Become a Christian.” If you’ve already accepted Jesus as your Savior and made him the center of your life, keeping Christ in Christmas is more about the way you live your life than the things you say—such as “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays.”

Keeping Christ in Christmas means daily revealing the character, love and spirit of Christ that dwells in you, by allowing these traits to shine through your actions. Here are simple ways to keep Christ the central focus of your life this Christmas season.
1) Give God one very special gift just from you to him:
Let this gift be something personal that no one else needs to know about, and let it be a sacrifice. David said in 2 Samuel 24 that he would not offer a sacrifice to God that cost him nothing.

Maybe your gift to God will be to forgive someone you’ve needed to forgive for a long time. You may discover that you’ve given a gift back to yourself.

Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian who survived extreme brutality in a German concentration camp after rescuing many Jews from certain death during the Nazi Holocaust, was later able to say, “Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you.”

Perhaps your gift will be to commit to spending time with God daily. Or maybe there is something God has asked you to give up, like last New Year’s resolution. Make this your most important gift of the season.
2) Set aside a special time to read the Christmas story in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20:
Consider reading this account with your family and discussing it together.
• The Christmas Story
• More Christmas Bible Verses
3) Set up a Nativity scene in your home:
If you don’t have a Nativity, here are ideas to help you make your own Nativity scene:
• Nativity Related Crafts
4) Plan a project of good will this Christmas:
A few years ago we “adopted” a single mom. My friend was barely making ends meet and didn’t have money to buy gifts for her small child. Together with my husband’s family we bought gifts for both of them and replaced her broken down washing machine the week of Christmas. Do you have an elderly neighbor in need of home repairs or yard work? Find someone with a genuine need, involve your whole family and see how happy you can make someone this Christmas.
• Top Christmas Charity Projects
5) Take a group Christmas caroling in a nursing home or a children’s hospital:
One year the staff at the office where I worked decided to incorporate Christmas caroling at a nearby nursing home into our yearly staff Christmas party plans. We all met first at the nursing home and toured the facility while singing Christmas carols. Afterwards, we headed back to our party with our hearts full of tenderness. It was the best staff Christmas party we’d ever had.
6) Give a surprise gift of service to each member of your family:
Jesus taught us to serve by washing the disciples feet. He also taught us that it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (NIV) The idea of giving an unexpected gift of service to members of your family is to demonstrate Christ-like love and service. You might consider giving a back rub to your spouse, running an errand for your brother, or cleaning out a closet for your mother. Make it personal and meaningful and watch the blessings multiply.
7) Set aside a time of family devotions on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning:
Before opening the gifts, take a few minutes to gather together as a family in prayer and devotions. Read a few Bible verses and discuss as a family the true meaning of Christmas.
• Christmas Bible Verses
• Christmas Prayers and Poems
• The Christmas Story
• Christmas Devotionals
8) Attend a Christmas church service together with your family:
If you are alone this Christmas or don’t have family living near you, invite a friend or a neighbor to join you.
9) Send Christmas cards that convey a spiritual message:
This is an easy way to share your faith at Christmastime. If you’ve already bought the reindeer cards—no problem! Just write a Bible verse and include a personal message with each card.
• Select Christmas Bible Verses
10) Write a Christmas letter to a missionary:
This idea is dear to my heart because I spent four years on the mission field. Receiving a letter always felt like opening a priceless gift on Christmas morning, no matter what day it was. Many missionaries are unable to travel home for the holidays, so it can be a very lonely time for them. Write a special Christmas letter to a missionary of your choice, thanking them for giving their life in service to the Lord. Trust me—it will mean more than you can imagine!

You may see some familar faces at http://www.commissionstories.com/?p=51.

Have a great day. Try to do some of the things listed on today’s devotional. You’ll be blessed.

Anna Lee

Sunday

He saved us and he called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:9 (TEV)

Tonight, the sanctuary choir of FBC, Kentwood will present their Christmas musical at 6 P.M. You are invited to attend.

Aiden James Ross
(December 19, 2008 – December 19, 2008)
Entered this world on December 19, 2008 and was carried away by the angels to heaven. He is survived by, mother, Pamela Ann Wilkinson, father, Joshua James Ross, sister, Alaina Kelly Ross, grandparents, Pat and Tommie Love Cooper, Stanley Rush and Donna Mann Ross, great-grandparents, Dorothy Love, Phyliss Mann, Libby and Orea Cooper, a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins, Yoga Mann, Matt Ross, Darla Mann, Donald Wilkinson, Tonya Kanter, Debbie Love, Dennis and Lynn Pennington, Clay and Phyliss Love, Jade Bankston Davis, Kevin and Devin Kelly, Taylor Metz, Nataleigh and Jayce Wilkinson, and many other numerous family members. Preceded in death by Leona and Lucy Kirkland, Tommy Love, Dennis Mann, Denny Mann, Ken Kelly, Jr. Graveside Services at 1:00PM Monday at Briar Patch Cemetery, Loranger, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is still being collected.

Can I give to the offering if I am not Southern Baptist?
Why give through LMCO?

Yes! You don’t have to be Southern Baptist to support the ministries of family or friends serving overseas.

Christian workers who serve with the International Mission Board (IMB) receive thier financial support from a network of Southern Baptist churches who give to the Cooperative Program and to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Consequently, missionaries sent through the IMB have never had to raise funds or seek donations from friends and family to cover their ministry expenses.

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is named to honor a single Christian woman who worked in China nearly a century ago. She suggested that stateside churches collect an offering for world missions. She got the idea from a Great Commission Christian partner, the Methodists, and passed it along to a network of Southern Baptist churches, and raised $3,315.

That first offering in 1888, helped place three more missionaries in China. Today, more than 5,500 Southern Baptist overseas workers benefit from this ongoing offering. About half of the living and working expenses of these families are paid with gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Even if you are not Southern Baptist, we invite you to support the ministries of these Christian workers.

If you would rather give by check, make your check payable to IMB and reference the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Send your gift to:

IMB
Development Department
PO Box 6767
Richmond, VA 23230-0767

I hope you are enjoying the questions about the birth of Jesus. Here’s ten more:

1. Who was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary?
A. Jacob
B. Eleazar
C. Azor
D. Jechonias

2. Which angel appeared to Mary?

A. Gabriel
B. The Angel of the Lord
C. Michael
D. Gideon

3. Who was promised that he would not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ?
A. Zacharias
B. Joseph
C. Simeon
D. John the Baptist

4. Who was the king of Judaea at the time of the birth of Jesus?
A. Herod
B. Pilate
C. Caesar
D. Barnabus

5. Where was Jesus born?
A. Nazareth
B. Bethlehem
C. Jerusalem
D. Egypt

6. How did the shepherds who visited Baby Jesus know where to find Him?
A. They were told in a dream.
B. An angel of the Lord told them.
C. They read it in the ancient scrolls
D. A messenger from the east informed them.

7. How did the Magi (wise men) who visited Baby Jesus know where to find Him?
A. They followed a star in the east.
B. An angel of the Lord told them.
C. They were told in a dream.
D. They followed a cloud before them.

8. Which was not a gift the wise men brought to Jesus?
A. Myrrh
B. Frankincense
C. Silver
D. Gold

9. To escape from the king, the angel of the Lord told Jesus’ family to leave and go where?
A. Syria
B. Egypt
C. Bethlehem
D. Palestine

10. Where was Jesus raised after they returned?
A. Bethlehem
B. Egypt
C. Syria
D. Nazareth

Correct answers:
1-A
2-A
3-C
4-A
5-B
6-A
7-A
8-C
9-B
10-D

Jesus is the reason for the season!
Anna Lee

Saturday

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)

Faye Faller, former secretary of FBC, Hammond and a relative of mine, is hospitalized with heart rhythm problems. Please be in prayer for her.

Continue to pray for the Price family. I’ll post an update later.

Pray for all the school children who are beginning a two week holiday. Pray that they know in their hearts the reason they have this holiday. Pray for safety and security as well as a sense of being loved for each of them.

Pray for those who will be alone during the holidays. Do your part in helping them in any way you can.

Missions: It takes
a lot of faith
By Jerry Rankin

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, with a goal of $170 million in gifts through Southern Baptist churches, will support the ministry of more than 5,300 missionaries worldwide appointed by the International Mission Board.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)–Missionaries who raise their own support are often called “faith” missionaries in contrast with those sent out by denominational entities such as the International Mission Board, which provides support and benefits.

However, the IMB does not generate income to support the more than 5,500 missionaries overseas receiving financial support. We are totally dependent on the gifts of Southern Baptists.

It takes faith to believe God will provide $170 million through a once-a-year missions offering named after a 19th-century missionary. It takes faith to trust Southern Baptists to have a mission heart and allocate a percentage of their church gifts to the Cooperative Program.

Last year the IMB sent out 841 new missionaries — none were delayed in leaving for their field of assignment because they couldn’t raise funds. They followed God’s will, confident God would provide for their needs through our churches.

Earlier this year I had the privilege of meeting three young missionaries on our Xtreme Team in the jungles of Peru’s Amazon Basin. After a flight to a city in the northwestern part of the country, we flew in a chartered plane to a remote landing strip near the border with Brazil. Following a five-hour ride in a motorized canoe, we reached a Yaminahua village where the Xtreme team members had been living for a couple months.

Missionaries like these who have been sent out by the IMB are able to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth because of the faithful giving of Southern Baptists. Your support through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering enables these young men to live among this indigenous people group, where there is now a thriving church.

It is a joy to represent the entity that serves the churches of our denomination by channeling support to those sharing the Gospel among the nations.

Never forget, it is a challenging world to which God is calling us to go and tell the Gospel. We cannot wait while multitudes enter eternity without Christ. I pray that we as Southern Baptists will be found faithful and obedient in our giving and will challenge the next generation to be faithful in fulfilling our missions task.

(Jerry Rankin is president of the International Mission Board. Gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering to support Southern Baptists’ global outreach can be made at http://www.imb.org/offering.)

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor

ON FEBRUARY 26, 1829, A Jewish boy named Loeb Strauss was born in a cottage in the Bavarian village of Buttenheim…

As a young man, Loeb changed his name to Levi and wound up in California where he opened a textile company in San Francisco. One day a gold miner walked into Levi’s shop and assailed the young merchant. “Look at these,” said the miner, pointing to the pants. “I bought ’em six months ago, and now they’re full of holes!”

When Levi asked why, the miner explained, “We work on our knees most of the time.”

What you need is some really strong material,” replied Levi. “We have some canvas. It’s used to make tents. If we make your trousers out of canvas, I’m sure they won’t get holes.”

A tailor was called, and presently the miner had a set of trousers — and the rest is history. Soon minors across the West were wearing Levi Strauss’s jeans. (Stephen Van Dulken)

Christians should have the same problem that plagued that miner — pants with worn-out knees — for we ought to do most of our kingdom work on our knees.

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 3:14).

Have a great day!
Anna Lee

Friday

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, NKJV)

Remember, we are in a twenty-four hour time of special prayer for the Price family.

I wanted to give you one last update on my cousin’s wife, Melissa. Through this trial for her and her family God has shown them and us of his awesomeness. Yes I know we should never be surprised but always seem to be.

Thank you for lifting Melissa up in prayer.

Love,

Melinda

Date: Thursday, December 18, 2008, 12:40 PM

Dear Friends and Family,

I cried this morning more than I have throughout this entire journey!!!

This time they were tears of joy as I heard the words I have prayed to

hear…REMISSION!!! I saw the doctor this morning to have my staples

removed and go over all of the tissue sample reports. No sign of cancer

found anywhere in my body!!! The pathology report on my reproductive

organs revealed that the cancer remained confined to the cervix only!!!

As a matter of fact God’s hand is so awesome that the cancer margins

stopped within 0.6 of a centimeter from my bladder and my rectum!!! My

doctor is even stunned and told my husband that I was a real trooper!!!

He just shook his head the entire visit in amazement at how well I have

done. I told him that it was not me it was God and the power of prayer!!!

He agreed!!! I go back in 4 weeks to make sure that I am still healing

well from the surgery and then he will follow me every 3 months. We can

breathe easier at the two year mark and we can call it a cure at five

years…I am looking forward to the celebration!!!

No need to tell you that this is going to be the best Christmas EVER!!! I

am going to hug my husband and my children (Eric, Haley and Hannah) and praise God for the

wonderful gift of life for which I will use with a grateful heart to

serve Him!!!

Thank you a million thank you’s for traveling this road with me!! I could

have never made it to the finish line without you!!! You don’t know how

many times throughout this journey that you and your love and prayers

have carried me!!! God is so awesome and I just scream praise for His

mighty hand!!! I hope you have half as Merry of a Christmas as I am going

to have!!! And may your 2009 be awesome!!!

Love to all!!!

Melissa

Dot Marlett-Allen
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Dot was a retired administrative secretary with the state of Louisiana, Division of Administration. She was 76 and a native of Kentwood. Dot died at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, at her residence in Denham Springs. Visiting at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., on Thursday, Dec. 18, was from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting resumes at the funeral home chapel on Friday from 9 a.m. until religious service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Don Hoy. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Dot is survived by her three children, Sheila Menck, Gracie M. and Patrick Dias and Robert “Keith” and April Menck; two sisters, Bettie G. Conley and husband Neal, and Sylvia G. McBride and husband John; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Dot was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert A. Menck, Joseph Marlett and Wallace Cooper Allen; parents, Grace Gibson Hanks and Wilmer E. Gibson; and sister, Evelyn Gibson. Dot was an active member of Brookstown Baptist Church.

Dorothy Newman Cutrer
A resident of Baker, she died at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, at Baton Rouge Health Care Center. She was 76 and a native of Magnolia, Miss. Visiting at Baker Funeral Home, 6401 Groom Road, Baker, on Thursday, Dec. 18, was from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visiting on Friday from 9 a.m. until religious service in the chapel at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Bud Traylor. Graveside service at noon Friday at Osyka Cemetery, Osyka, Miss. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Patti and Billy Erwin and Lisa Cutrer, all of Central, and Harvey Stiegler, of Plano, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Lynette Cutrer, of Sugarland, Texas; three grandchildren, Ben, Lacey and Carly Erwin; and a great- grandchild, Gavin Erwin-Cuenca. Preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Moise Cutrer; daughter, Sandra Stiegler; and brother, Vernon Newman. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Baker. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to a charity of choice.

Prayer requests

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

KOMpray
Kids on Mission Pray

COOKIES OF LOVE

During the Christmas holidays, many families bake LOTS of cookies. You bake them and wait til they cool. Maybe they are sugar cookies, so you get to decorate them with fun faces. Then you put the cookies on pretty Christmas plates and wrap them up with colorful paper and ribbon. Then one afternoon or at church on Sunday morning, you take the cookies to your friends and neighbors. The cookies are a simple gift of love. When you hand a friend in the United States a plate of cookies, they are usually very happy. They only worry about how much weight they will gain!

Sometimes, though, people in other countries don’t really understand gifts of food. In West Africa, a Christian asked her Maninka (MAH-nee-kah) friend some questions about Christmas. The Christian wanted to know what her friend thought about Christmas customs. She asked her what she thought Christians were doing when they gave gifts.

The young Maninka woman said that Christmas is a time when Christians prepare special foods as a sacrifice to their god then share some of the food with friends. She didn’t understand at all. She didn’t know they were just simple gifts of love between friends.

She also didn’t know that baby Jesus was born to be the Savior of the world.

Pray for missionaries who live in foreign countries. Pray for them to tell people about Jesus in a simple, understandable way. Ask God to help this young Maninka woman know more about the love of Jesus.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

My best friend from school is Hindu. Please pray for her to believe in God so she can get saved. Every Sunday we go out to a Zulu Baptist church. The roads are very dangerous and there have been several car-jackings. Please pray for our safety. Please pray for our safety when we go out to town and going to tell the Zulu people about God. Please pray for the Zulu people to come to Christ. MARIAH, age 14, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Ask God to help me make new friends in Penang. KIRK, age 11 (Pacific Rim)

Please pray for my friends to come to know Jesus. And help me and my family to help the neighbors that my mom and dad talk to. And that they will accept Jesus in their heart. ANDRIANI, age 9 (Pacific Rim)

I go to downtown Nairobi often to work with street kids. One child comes across my mind. His is MI and he is four years old. His mom was often “high” on drugs, so he was taken away from her and put in an orphanage. We don’t know where he is. Pray for MI as he struggles through life without parents! Many of the other street kids are going through life the hard way. They get beaten up and are always hungry! Pray that they will find God and that they will trust in him.

NATALIE, age 13 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Pray that many people may come to believe in Jesus and that every animal may live all the time. CHERRY, age 7 (South Asia)

My brother-in-law is in the US military. He is in the war and that makes it harder on my sister. She has a 2 ½ year old and a 3 month old. Please pray for them. JESSICA, age 10 (Middle America and Caribbean)

My prayer request is for the Chinese people to know more about Jesus. HT, age 10 (East Asia)

I’m worried about some of my friends at school. One believes in astrology, writes her horoscopes, healing powers in crystals, etc, another has a severe hatred for God, and doesn’t want anything to do with Him. Most of my friends are simply indifferent. Please pray for them, and that God may have His way in their lives. JILLIAN, age 14, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Friday, December 19, 2008

“Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts” (Matthew 2:11a, HCSB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, thanking God with you for His gift to all mankind.

“Three thousand gifts! That’s how many gifts are being assembled for distribution around the holidays,” writes a worker among a Last Frontier people group. “Each gift will include several items: a calendar, a CD, the ‘JESUS’ film, booklets explaining ‘Why Christmas?’ and more. Pray that the Lord is, even now, preparing hearts to be fertile soil for the planting of His truth!”

A member of the Maninka Team in West Africa shares: “When we first moved to our city several years ago, I asked a young Maninka woman to explain her understanding of Christmas and its customs. She saw it as a time when Christians prepared food as a sacrifice and then shared it with friends as gifts. A worker had once given her baked goods at Christmas and that is how she interpreted the gift, even though the worker had shared the Christmas story with her. Often the message we share is seen through a cultural lens. As we talk about Christmas with our friends and with university students, pray that our message will be clear and God’s Spirit will speak across cultures.”

Many Sri Lankans like to get in on the festivities of Christmas, not because they want to celebrate the birth of our Savior, but simply because they like gift giving. Pray for international Christians to have special opportunities to share the greatest gift of all–salvation through Jesus.

Whether it is through tree-trimming or cookie-decorating parties, pray that believers will pass on Truth in unique ways. The number of prayer requests submitted for Christmas are too numerous to list individually in PrayerLine, but all ask for hearts to be open to Jesus. Please pray for Christians to be bold in their witness in Ghana, Senegal, China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Thailand, India, Hungary, England, Croatia, Tanzania, and Haiti.

Practice up on singing “Happy Birthday, Jesus”!
Anna Lee

Thursday

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)

Mrs. Faye Price continues to be in ICU at North Oaks. This is day 15. Please continue to pray for God’s will to be done3.

Holly K. will be returning to this area today after completing her missionary orientation. Pray for her as she speaks in various churches for the next few weeks.

You are invited to join us at the cabin for food, fellowship, and a devotional tonight. We meet at 6:30. Call if you need directions to the cabin.

Dot Marlett-Allen
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Dot was a retired administrative secretary with the state of Louisiana, Division of Administration. She was 76, a native of Kentwood and resident of Denham Springs. Dot died 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at her residence. Visiting will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting resumes Friday Dec. 19, 2008, 9 a.m. until religious services at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Don Hoy. Interment will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Dot is survived by her three children, Sheila Menck, Gracie M. and Patrick Dias and Robert “Keith” and April Menck; two sisters, Bettie G. Conley and husband Neal and Sylvia G. McBride and husband John; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Dot was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert A. Menck, Joseph Marlett and Wallace Cooper Allen; parents, Grace Gibson Hanks and Wilmer E. Gibson and a sister, Evelyn Gibson. Dot was an active member of Brookstown Baptist Church.

The Birth of Jesus
Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (TNIV)

An Angel Visits Mary

One day about 2,000 years ago an angel named Gabriel appeared to a young Jewish woman named Mary. Gabriel told Mary she would have a son, Jesus, who would be the Son of God! Mary was confused and worried about this sudden news, but she had faith in God and said, “I am the Lord’s servant; let it be as you say.”

Journey to Bethlehem

Mary and her husband-to-be, Joseph, lived in a town called Nazareth. But they had to travel to the city of Bethlehem to register for a census ordered by the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus. Both Nazareth and Bethlehem are in the country now called Israel. It is about 65 miles (105 km) from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and the trip probably took them several days.

When Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem, there was no place for them to stay because the inn was already full. They ended up spending the night in a stable, a place where animals were kept. There was probably fresh hay on the floor that they used for beds.

That night, Jesus was born. There was no crib, so they laid baby Jesus in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. The manger probably had fresh hay in it and made a nice bed for the baby.

Shepherds Visit Jesus

Jesus was born in a stable and laid to sleep in a manger. The shepherds came to see firsthand the things the angel had told them.
That night, some shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem, keeping watch over their flocks of sheep. An angel appeared to them and gave them the good news that a Savior, the Messiah, had been born. The angel told the shepherds they could find Jesus lying in a manger. Suddenly a whole group of angels appeared saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

The shepherds hurried into Bethlehem and found Jesus in the manger, just as the angel had told them. After they had seen Jesus, they spread the news, and everyone who heard was in awe.

Wise Men Visit Jesus

Wise men from the East came to worship Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Some time later, wise men, or magi, from eastern countries saw a star in the sky that signaled the birth of a new king. They came to Judea, the region around Jerusalem and Bethlehem, to worship Jesus, the new king.

A man named Herod was the king of Judea. He called the wise men to a meeting and told them to find the new king so he could go and worship him, too.

The wise men continued on to Bethlehem and followed the star until it was directly above the house where Jesus was. They found Mary and Jesus in the house and knelt down to worship Him. They brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, some of the finest things in the ancient world. Frankincense was burned to make a sweet smell, and myrrh was an expensive perfume.

After visiting Jesus, the wise men had a dream that warned them not to go back to King Herod, so they took a different route home.

Journey to Egypt

King Herod lied when he told the wise men he wanted to worship Jesus. He was afraid this new “king” would replace him as king of Judea. He did not understand that Jesus would grow up to be king of God’s spiritual kingdom, not king of Judea.

What Herod really wanted was to find Jesus and kill Him! Herod was furious when he realized the wise men had not come back to tell him where to find Jesus. He sent his soldiers to Bethlehem to kill all the children under two years old, thinking Jesus would certainly be one of the ones killed.

But God had told Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt. Joseph took Mary and Jesus to live in Egypt where they would be safe from Herod. Joseph, Mary and Jesus stayed in Egypt until Herod had died, and then they returned to Nazareth.

Question

Was Jesus born on Christmas day? We celebrate Jesus’ birth on Christmas, but no one really knows what day Jesus was born, or even exactly what year. In 336 A.D., the Western Church, based in Rome, chose December 25 to celebrate as Christmas, meaning “Christ’s Mass.” The Eastern Church chose January 6. The day was named Epiphany, meaning “appearance.” Eventually the period from December 25 to January 6 became known as the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Lessons

The stories of Jesus’ birth link to both the past and the future. The circumstances of Jesus’ birth show He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). He was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5-6). He was called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15).

Jesus was born in a stable – the most humble of circumstances. Similarly, Jesus showed us how God’s favor rests with the poor and downtrodden. The Gentile wise men came to worship Jesus. Later, the Gentiles would make up most of the Christian world. Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus foreshadows His crucifixion about 33 years later.

Take some time to this about the statement “Jesus is the reason for the season”.
Anna Lee