It is at this time of year that our thoughts dwell on our dear friends and family who are scattered all over the world. A whole year has passed by with another in front of us and as usual we ask, where has the time gone?
In a few days we celebrate the birth of our Saviour and soon after that, we will celebrate the New Year, whereupon we will have to get used to writing 2024 instead of 2023!

As I look back over this past year, memories come flooding back of wonderful people and wonderful friendships made. New life has brightened our lives as some families have expanded producing brothers and sisters, and grandchildren for us ‘oldies’ to learn ‘baby-speak’ all over again! A very precious and blessed time indeed!

No doubt we have all had to deal with pain and sorrow as some have lost loved ones and are coming to terms with the frailty of life in general.

World events which have taken place over the last 12 months are a definite indicator that our Lord’s return is very near. The Scriptures remind us that there is a ‘narrow way’ and a ‘broad way’ that people traverse during their lives, and pondering what is happening all around us, it is astonishing the number of people who have chosen the ‘broad way’, ignoring its perilous end.

It is our earnest prayer for everyone, that we hold fast to the faith, knowing that The Saviour is coming!

WHEN I SEE HIM

Only faintly now I see Him, With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming, When His glory shall be seen,
What rejoicing in His presence, When are banished grief and pain,
When the crooked ways are straightened, And the dark things made plain.
Face to face with Christ my Saviour, What a day that will be,
When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me.

We wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Joyful New Year.
Our love to you all.
Jon and Marcy

Dear friends,
In this topsy turvy world of ours, where we lurch from one catastrophic event to another, let us use the remaining days of December to remind us of the most wonderful news the world has ever received:

The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christmas is a time of giving gifts to friends and family, all the while remembering God’s gift to us all.
This year, I would like to focus on a supposedly ‘silly song’ entitled:

“The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

It has a message of encouragement for those of old who were struggling to come to terms with what was going on around them.
The song was a mystery to us until we delved into the background of when it was written and why. This is what we discovered:
The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between December 25th, the birth of Jesus, and the 6th day of January, also known as Epiphany, which celebrates the arrival of the Magi.
Although the song may sound a little jumbled up, many question what it is all about. It actually has its roots in symbolism with a serious purpose, because it dated from the time of great religious persecution, when people were forbidden to own a Bible.

It is alleged that it was written as a kind of secret teaching so that it could be sung without fear of persecution and arrest by the ruling authorities. It was a very needed reassurance for Christians that helped them bring to mind the Love of the God they served.

The song had two meanings – the surface meaning and the hidden meaning.
On the surface, the authorities had no idea what it meant and largely ignored them whilst they sang it. It was the hidden meaning, illustrated below, that encouraged those who would have otherwise succumbed to the brutal harassment.

Even though they may not have had a physical Bible in their hands, they had the promises of God in their hearts as a constant reminder that:

God is their refuge and strength, and a very present help in times of trouble.
(Psalm 46:1)

In our day, we praise the Lord that we no longer need a secret code to find out His purpose for us in life. God’s Word is freely available!

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

If you think Jesus being symbolized as a partridge in a pear tree sounds somewhat trivial, remember what the Scriptures tell us.

– O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings ….
Luke 13:34

So, what we all regard as a somewhat meaningless song sung at Christmas time, we discover that it has far more meaning than meets the eye! The true sense of Christmas brings with it a time of remembrance, celebration and gratitude for God’s greatest gift, and what better way of describing this amazing Gift than to read of those who were amongst the first to hear of it:

v8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. v9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. v10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. v11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. v12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” v13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: v14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2: 8-14).

Can we even begin to imagine what it was like for those shepherds to witness the glory of the Lord and to hear those wonderful words spoken, and at the same time, realising that the Saviour of the world had been born! What must have gone through their hearts and minds defies adequate description! Let us use the time we have to contemplate afresh the Significance and Magnitude of His Birth.

For those who are fearful of what might happen in the near future, let us remind ourselves of the breath-taking power of God by reading the awesome words in the Book of Job:

v7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing. v8 He binds up the waters in His thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them. v9 He covers the face of the full moon and spreads over it His cloud. v10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness. v11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at His rebuke. v12 By His power He stilled the sea; by His understanding He shattered Rahab. v13 By His wind the heavens were made fair; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. v14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of His ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?
Job: 26:7-14

With this awe-inspiring power in us, with us, before us and behind us, may we boldly stand our ground as we endeavour to live lives that are pleasing to Him, all the while remembering that we are a broken people living in a broken world, in which we hear but a tiny whisper of His Majesty.
May God richly bless each and every one of you as you keep faith in the Saviour, Jesus Christ.

To my dear friends and Family,
My Christmas Message comes to you with thankfulness for your love and fellowship throughout 2020.
Our weather report on Monday forecast sleet with a hint of snow, which did not materialize.
It remains cold, wet and windy, which accurately describes England at this time of year.
And what a year we have all had!
Our bags were packed ready to fly to South Africa and Zimbabwe early in the year, when we received news that our flights had been cancelled due to the Virus.

Rather stunned, we waited for news that the skies would open to allow us to resume normal life. We are still waiting!!
In the meantime, we have witnessed great hardship by those who have lost their jobs as a result of the worldwide ‘lock down’ imposed. Businesses have gone under and many economies have almost collapsed.
We have also witnessed great sadness, as many have succumbed to the ravages of poverty, infection and disease. Taking all of this into consideration, how does one even begin to spread joy and Christmas Cheer to those so badly affected? This is a question I have pondered for some weeks, until today.
I have decided to use whatever means available to spread the Good News that this time of year should be used to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Truthfully, there is really nothing more important to celebrate!
Never since time began, did such a monumentally important event take place.
Let us embrace this Christmas Season, and let it be a solemn reminder that the One who was born in Bethlehem is soon to return to this earth in power and great glory.
Despite the fact that the commercialization of the Saviour’s birth by merchants is overwhelming, we should discreetly use this season for proclaiming the wonderful news of the Gospel.
So seize the opportunity this month offers!!
Jesus told us that in His Father’s House there are many mansions, waiting for those who trust in Him.
We could be caught up at any moment to meet Him in the air.
This Blessed Hope, causes this earth, with all its problems, to lose its attraction.
It purifies our lives and motivates us to win the lost over to the Gospel because we believe the time is short.
May His joy be our strength in the coming year until He returns to take us to be with Him evermore.
May that glorious day come soon!
In setting our affection on things above instead of on this world, it is helpful to remember the words of David, where he said:

In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm16:11).

Such a hope gives strength to serve our Lord with great courage and joyfulness.
With much love and gratefulness to you all.

Around this time as I prepare my Christmas Message to be sent, I utter the same words: Where have the days gone?  12 months have slipped away and here we are facing yet another year! I know for some, the last 12 months have brought great sadness. Losing someone you love dearly leaves a hole that never seems to close, altering one’s life forever. We as a family have not escaped this heartache.
Eventually the pain may fade away, but the gap left behind never closes. And yet, Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of the Saviour of the World.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills,
And plains repeat the sounding joy,
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

These lyrics are familiar to untold millions, especially at this time of year, sung by churchgoers worldwide. Multitudes can hum the tune, and many remember the words. Sadly, few know what they mean. Biblical Christians rejoice at the message this song conveys because most of us understand its significance.

There is no doubt that the world craves joy. Regrettably, the prospect of this craving dissolves when people are ignorant regarding the conditions for joy to the world. Yes, indeed there are conditions to possessing real, satisfying Joy.

1st we must recognise that THE LORD HAS COME!
2nd we must ACCEPT HIM!
3rd our hearts must be prepared to RECEIVE HIM!
4th we must TRUST HIM!

Then and only then can we sing: And Heaven and nature sing, Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns!

Our sadness during the past 12 months can only melt away as we realise the full impact of the birth of The Saviour of the World and the penalty paid by Him.

His declaration from the Cross on Calvary’s Hill was explicit and unmistakeable:

IT IS FINISHED! 

The Greek term used is tetelestai, which was found marked on bills of sale during the time of Christ and meant:

PAID IN FULL!

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9

Therefore, the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isaiah 51:11

How could we ask for more? We celebrate God’s greatest gift to mankind:

THE BIRTH OF JESUS HIS SON – OUR SAVIOUR

Glory to God, peace and goodwill to men.
This still echoes from Calvary, just as it did then.
For the love call of Heaven
Came through great suffering and loss,
Proclaimed o’er the cradle,
‘Twas procured at the Cross.

Dear friends, may this Christmas be a time of joy and celebration, and as we enter 2020 may we be obedient to His Word and determine to live for Him and Him alone, day by day, until He comes!

I cannot think of anything better to do than to rejoice in the knowledge that this earth, with all its problems, is not our home, because as believers, we are merely passing through.
Our Saviour has gone ahead to prepare a place and we will be with Him forever!

Finally, I would like to leave you with a quote from Michelangelo which I am especially fond of. He was discussing life with an old friend of his.

His friend said: Yes, after such a good life, it’s hard to look death in the eye.
Not at all! Contradicted Michelangelo. Since life was such a pleasure, death coming from the same Source cannot displease us.

With much love to you all.

MY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE – 2018

Christmas and the New Year is upon us once again!
Where have the last 365 days disappeared to?
Many of you are asking the same questions.

Christmas time always brings with it a mixture of sadness and gladness.
Sadness because we feel just that little bit older and our aches and pains seem more like Rice Krispies as we ‘snap, crackle and pop’ getting up in the mornings.
Gladness because it is a time of delight and joyfulness with friends and family.
The children, no matter what age, always bring with them an air of expectation and happiness.
Those of us who are older, ponder the Old and the New, offering advice to the young:

• We must not carry the mistakes of the past with us.
• We should not harbour the memory of those who in times of testing, have failed and fled from us.
• Let the past teach us, but don’t let it rule you.
• Learn from the past, but don’t ever let it hinder you.

The OLD YEAR –

• We should look back with humility.
• We should look back with gratitude.
• We should look back with praise and worship.

The NEW YEAR –

• We look forward with faith in God’s Power.
• We look forward with Hope in God’s Promises.
• We look forward to the Love in God’s Person.
• We look forward to God’s Provision in His Son.

Let’s look at some Scriptures which tell us of people who looked back:
In Genesis 47:9 we read that Jacob looked back and said: …. few and evil have the days of the years of my life been.
In 2 Timothy 4:7-8 we read that Paul looked back and said: ….
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.
In Luke 1:46-48 we read that Mary looked back and forward and said: … My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. From henceforth all people shall call me blessed.
In Deuteronomy 8:2 we read that Moses looked back and said: You shall remember all the ways the Lord your God has led you and brought you to this place.
In Psalm 77:10 David looked back and said: I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

At the end of the day what you and I have to look back on is what we are building today into our lives and the lives of others.
What we will see in a day to come, is the golden crop that was the product of toil, tears and grievous trials.

• We will see the things of worth that many would have counted worthless, because they didn’t produce immediate results.
• We will look back and be truly grateful for every time we had followed God’s Word and sought God’s Will and walked God’s Way, often at seeming great cost.
• Or we will look back on Fields that were not ploughed, because they were used for playing fields.
• Or we will look back on Crops that were not sown, because the Crops were used for feasting.
• Or we will look back at Tasks that were not tackled, because the Tasks, though sometimes talked of, were never tackled, or when it was too late.

And now all that is left is the sad memory of what might have been and should have been, had we followed the Word of God.

It is our sincere hope and prayer at JAM Publishing that you will have a truly Spirit-filled Christmas where the Saviour is given His rightful place and that 2019 brings us closer to the time when we will finally see Him face to face!

 When God came Down to Me

A wonderful poem written by the late A. M. Ross (22 August 1923 – 6 February 2005)

Out of an unknown dimension

This universe held in His Hand

The Lord of this awesome creation

A greater creation had planned

In planting a Seed in a Virgin womb

So small that the eye could not see

How great was the power in that epochal hour

When the Mighty God came down to me

Unknown as a babe in a manger

The lowing of cattle His Song

To the people this King is a stranger

Unsought by the bustling throng

Yet down from the hills hastened the shepherds

Their quest was a sight of this child

And here with the beasts in the stable

Their eyes rest on One undefiled

Their lambs may be bred for the Altar

As type of the true Lamb of God

Still there on the straw lay the Saviour

Heaven’s eye His perfection had scanned

And there with believing hearts pounding

Their souls welling up with the news

To doubters their faith was confounding

Though saints would feign stand in their shoes

Their rapture, their bliss are unending

Here lies their Creator and Lord

A sight holy men would have treasured

Yet the richest could never afford

And yet to humble shepherds are given

To witness the birth of God’s Son

The favour and smile of Heaven

Shines forth on this thrice Holy One

No wonder they haste with singing

To tell of this day of all days

As to all they were bringing

 Their carols of love and of praise

Come then with the shepherds and view

The Babe whom the angels adore

Then boast of deliverance through Him

Who will save to earth’s furthest shore!

 Written by A. M. Ross

It is at this time of year that my thoughts dwell especially on my dear friends and family who are scattered all over the world. A whole year has passed by and another year is in front of us and as usual we ask, where has the time gone to? In a few weeks we celebrate the birth of our Saviour and soon after that, we will celebrate the New Year, whereupon we will have to get used to writing 2015 instead of 2014!
One wonders just what the world is coming to because everything is changing. Here in the UK people are now taking their comedians seriously and the Politicians as a joke.
As I look back over the years that have passed, memories come flooding back of wonderful people and wonderful friendships made along the path of life.
I know from personal contact with some friends that they are experiencing immense pain and sorrow and I want them to know that my thoughts and prayers go out to them every day.
In celebration of the birth of our Saviour, we would do well to remember that self-emptying and self-sacrifice together with obedience to God’s will and the love to all men, even unto death on the Cross was the very character of Jesus and it is this glorious nature that we are to imitate.

On Christmas day, Jesus came to earth in the likeness of a man, that we might be conformed into the likeness of God. As the great Apostle Paul said:
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain – Philippians 1:21

 WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN?

C – is for Christ who gave His life that we might live.

H – is for Holy that we might live His way.

R – is for Risen which He did on the third day.

I – is for I Am, His rightful title.

S – is for Salvation which He freely offers.

T – is for Thanksgiving that He rightly deserves.

M – is for Miracles with which we are blessed each day.

A – is for Almighty our God and our Saviour.

S – is for Shepherd the Bishop of our souls.

WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?

No matter what the New Year brings in your life, remember what Jesus said to His disciples:
….be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5-6

Let no one say that the experience of Christ’s being with us each and every day of our lives is impossible. Jesus meant His word to be a simple and eternal reality. He meant the promises to be accepted as absolute truth. But, and there is a big but! This truth can only be known and experienced by those who have invited Him into their lives and who believe in the truth and obey it, because the Spirit of God claims absolute obedience from those who wish to enter into a relationship with Him.

My prayer for all of you is that 2015 will be the year that you experience the love of God through Jesus all day and every day and that you will discover an increased desire to live for Him and Him alone.

Wow!
Can you believe that Christmas is almost upon us?
It was only yesterday I was in the kitchen, slaving away preparing the roast last Christmas and, here I am in the kitchen planning the roast for this Christmas! Where has the time gone to?
I hope you are all well and that 2017 has not been too stressful.
The other day, at the checkout counter, I overheard two dear old ladies discussing the state our beloved country is in. Their list of complaints went something like this:

• Schools failing Educational Inspections and being downgraded.
• The lack of discipline, with children running riot and behaving as they please.
• The amount of drugs young people are taking.
• Child abuse.
• Politicians telling lies and fiddling their expenses.

After paying for my groceries, I walked home feeling rather sad knowing that they were right in their assessment of our world, simply because society appears to have lost its way.
There is no effective leadership anywhere, in any country and people really are at a loss to know what to do about it.
This reminded me of some verses of Scripture and a message of hope, which I would like to share with you all:

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes – Judges 21:25

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 

There is no doubt that we all live in countries that for all intents and purposes, are morally and spiritually bankrupt and I am sure, like me, you have been shaken to the core as we witness the drastic downward spiral of morals and common sense, so much so that one could be forgiven for thinking that all is lost!
How wonderful it is to realise that God has not left us to fend for ourselves.

Read again the words quoted above: be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter.
We should make a note of these words and put them under the title of:

BE NOT SHAKEN!

The Apostle Paul tells us:

• Not to be shaken in mind: We are to guard against being tossed about, to and fro, like a ship in rough seas.
• Not to be troubled: We are to avoid being emotional and agitated by what we see going on around us. Not very easy!!!
• Not to be troubled by word: With so many different theories and ideas coupled with rumours which surround us every day of our lives, we are not to listen to those who do not preach the truth as found in the Word of God.
• Not to be troubled by letter: Questionable reading material is to be found in every bookstore and library throughout the land, and we are to avoid it!

The Scriptures are full of warnings of things getting worse and worse around us, and we are to comfort ourselves and comfort and support one another with the knowledge of our Lord’s coming.

Jesus is coming again!

Just when we think that hope has taken wings, we have even more wonderful news in the form of Psalm 40:1-3 which says:

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

With so many people disillusioned with the world around them, wouldn’t it be amazing if they could read Psalm 40 and truly identify with the words and alter the circumstances they find themselves in.

• Our situation – I waited patiently for the Lord.
• Our realization – And He inclined unto me.
• Our plea – He heard my cry.
• Our rescue – He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay.
• Our security –  And set my feet upon a ROCK and established my goings.
• Our song –  And He hath put a NEW SONG in my mouth, even praise unto our God.
• Our message – Many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

None of this could be even remotely possible if our Saviour had never been born.
But He was!
This is what Christmas is all about!
A celebration of the birth of the Saviour – JESUS!

By putting our trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we have been rescued, we have security, and we have peace of mind no matter what this world throws at us.

• We have a New Song in our heart.
• We have music on our lips.
• We have music that only a Holy God can give.
• And we have a message to share with others that is full of meaning.
• A message which brings Glory and Praise to God our loving Father.

It is our prayer that you will have a blessed Christmas and that 2018 will bring you closer to our Lord and Saviour.
There is no doubt that we will be seeing Him face to face very soon!

Throughout 2016 one piece of Scripture has imbedded itself in my mind and it is this:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:1-5

A quick glance at any Newspaper on any day of the week will convince anyone who is concerned for others that something is very wrong in today’s world. Very wrong indeed! Everything that man does today, almost without exception, is the exact opposite of what God would have us do.
One of the amazing revelations (and there are many) in the Word of God is that what man casts away, God keeps and what man keeps God casts away. Many Scriptures bear out this truth and whereas man will always gravitate toward and be attracted to the rich and famous, God has chosen the poor of this world to be recipients of His promises. What man thinks of as wise, God calls foolish and what man thinks of as foolish, God calls wise. God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. He has chosen the weak things to confound those things man would consider tough and mighty.

And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Luke 16:15

• At Christmas time we celebrate the birth of Jesus – the Saviour of the world.
• He came from Heaven to be born in a stable.
• His Mother and Father could not even find a proper room in an inn.
• He was born amongst cattle and other farm animals.
• He grew up surrounded by people who had no idea who He was.
• He proved Himself over and over again to be the Son of God.
• One week the people heralded Him as their King.
• The following week they called for His execution.
• They exchanged Him for a common criminal.
• They crucified Him and then went about their daily business as if nothing had happened.

May this Christmas and the coming New Year be a time when we truly reverence and honour our wonderful Saviour above everything else in our lives and that we finally realise the wonderful truth that He is in charge. Not man. That He is in control. Not us. That we owe everything to Him, including our very lives.

Thank you all for your prayers and support throughout the past year. To those who we may never see again on this earth, don’t forget, we will see each other in Heaven.
The prospect of seeing our Saviour face to face is the most exciting thing we have to look forward to!

Throughout 2015 one piece of Scripture has imbedded itself in my mind and it is this:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

A quick glance at any Newspaper on any day of the week will convince anyone who is concerned for others that something is very wrong in today’s world. Very wrong indeed! Everything that man does today, almost without exception, is the exact opposite of what God would have us do.

One of the amazing revelations (and there are many) in the Word of God is that what man casts away, God keeps and what man keeps God casts away. Many Scriptures bear out this truth and whereas man will always gravitate toward and be attracted to the rich and famous, God has chosen the poor of this world to be recipients of His promises.
What man thinks of as wise, God calls foolish and what man thinks of as foolish, God calls wise. God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. He has chosen the weak things to confound those things man would consider tough and mighty.

And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15

• At Christmas time we celebrate the birth of Jesus – the Saviour of the world.
• He came from Heaven to be born in a stable.
• His Mother and Father could not even find a proper room in an inn.
• He was born amongst cattle and other farm animals.
• He grew up surrounded by people who had no idea who He was.
• He proved Himself over and over again to be the Son of God.
• One week the people heralded Him as their King.
• The following week they called for His execution.
• They exchanged Him for a common criminal.
• They crucified Him and then went about their daily business as if nothing had happened.

May this Christmas and the coming New Year be a time when we truly reverence and honour our wonderful Saviour above everything else in our lives and that we finally realise the wonderful truth that He is in charge. Not man. That He is in control. Not us. That we owe everything to Him, including our very lives.

Thank you all for your prayers and support throughout the past year. To those who we may never see again on this earth, don’t forget, we will see each other in Heaven.

The prospect of seeing our Saviour face to face is the most exciting thing we have to look forward to!

With much love to you all,

UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

All too often when we read this verse of Scripture we tend to lose sight of the Majesty of what happened and how it happened. The Holy Spirit came upon Mary and she conceived. How wonderful and utterly amazing is that! In the physical reality so often we miss the Spiritual reality.
In the appearance of a tiny, loveable and dependant creature we can and do miss the concealed but loving independent, infinite Creator. The Prophet Isaiah brings us up with a jolt, when he tells us!

Unto us a child is born.

There is no mention of parentage or offspring. The glory of His birth will not be shared with, much less given to, earthly parents. This child who came from Mary was first and foremost the Creator from whom Mary came!

• We were created by Him who was born unto us.
• He who created the whole universe is now cradled in a manger.
• He who was born in a stable went from Supreme Majesty to sublime meekness, only because of who He is.
• He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, and He must be all else in between.
• He is the Wonderful Counseller to a condemned and confused world.
• He is the Mighty God to an idolatrous world.
• He is the Everlasting Father to a dying and orphaned world.
• He is the Prince of Peace to a strife and war torn world.
• The greatest of all Christmas gifts is Christ.
• Sadly though, like so many Christmas gifts, He remains concealed, undesired, unused and unwanted.
• For most, the gift of all gifts, has not even been unwrapped!

Have you given thought to the Gift of all Gifts? Have you unwrapped this gift? Jesus is the child who was born for all of us. He came into this world to seek and to save those who were lost and ended up laying down His life for us.

He gave His life on the Cross of Calvary that you might live! If you have not received Him as your Saviour then you are lost. The Bible tells us that you will forever be separated from God.
Don’t wait until Christmas to receive Him. Do it now.
Ask the Saviour of the whole world to come into your heart and begin to live with Him and for Him.

It is our sincere prayer that, if you haven’t already done so, you will receive the greatest gift in all the world this Christmas and that the coming year will be one of joy and happiness as you learn more of Jesus Christ.