Christmas 2008

The purpose of Christmas is all about a gift--a heavenly gift. Heaven gave its greatest gift to mankind when God sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins and give us new life.

This year, you can receive and enjoy the best Christmas gift you'll ever be given. It is God's Christmas present to you.

This gift has three qualities that make it unique;

First, it is the most expensive gift you'll ever receive. It's priceless--Jesus paid for it with His life.

Second, it's the only gift you'll ever receive that will last forever.

Finally, it is an extremely practical gift--one you'll use every day for the rest of your life.

This Christmas, Mary Ann and I are especially grateful for the gracious salvation we've received, the loving family we enjoy, and the incredible church we serve.

The prayers, love, and support from our church and friends across the country have meant more than you will ever know. During those dark days in July and August when Mary Ann was hospitalized and the subsequent days of recovery, we've always felt God’s loving kindness to us.

Christmas is all about God reaching His hand from Heaven with a Savior whose blood could redeem us. And it's the story we want to keep telling. It's the story we exist to tell.

Merry Christmas.