"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel. 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever."
Isaiah 9: 6,7

What does Christmas mean
to you?

Is the focus of your Christmas the gifts beneath your tree?
The Bible contains the word gift 45 times.

The greatest gift that you can ever receive is a FREE GIFT of salvation that Jesus Christ has already bought for you and gift wrapped! Allow our family to show you how to pick up your FREE GIFT of eternal salvation this Christmas!

"For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Is Santa Claus the savior of your Christmas?

The word "saviour" is found the Bible 39 times.

Do your children think that Santa Claus is the greatest man who has ever lived! Take a moment this Christmas to introduce your children to the BIGGEST SUPERHERO that has ever walked on this earth.

Tell your children the miraculous story of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

"for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Is your Christmas a blur of activity filled with
stress and chaos?

What does the Bible say about peace?

Keep your focus on Christ this Christmas and watch your burdens fall away! If the centerpiece of your holidays is the peace and freedom that believing in Jesus Christ offers, then all of the stressful and hectic details of the season will fall into place.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful." John 14:27

The True Meaning
of Christmas

C is for the Christ child who was born nearly 2,000 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem.

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." Luke 1:31

H is for the HOPE that Jesus brings to all who believe in Him and trust Him with their salvation.

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2

R is for resurrection of Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was both man and God, died on the crossfor all of our sins, and then was raised from the dead (resurrected) and is now sitting at the right hand of God in heaven.

"For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

I is for Israel who God chose to bring forth the promised saviour of the world.

"Of this man's seed hath God according to [his] promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:" Acts 13:23

S is for the salvation that Jesus offers to all who are willing to confess their sin, believe in Him, and confess their belief in Jesus with their mouth.

"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

T is for the empty tomb on Easter morning.

" He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." Matthew 28:6,7

M is for the mercy God has shown the world by sending His only Son to suffer for our sins and bridge the gap between man and God.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

A is for our AWESOME GOD who lovesus all unconditionally.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

S is for the shining light that Jesus brought
to the world!

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

Give the Gift of Yourself
this Christmas.

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:or I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink?And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, [even] these least, ye did it unto me."
Matthew 25:34-40

You can make a difference in the life of someone this Christmas season.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots teams us with eToys!!!

Since 1947, the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program has distributed more than 230 million toys to needy children all over the United States.

This year, eToys and Visa are helping to make it easier than ever to donate a toy to the Toys for Tots Program. Simply purchase one or more of the toys from this page with your Visa card, and eToys and Visa will do the rest! They will arrange to ship the toys to a Marine Corps Toys for Tots collection center. As Christmas nears, the Marines distribute toys to local social welfare agencies and various church organizations for ultimate distribution to needy children on Christmas Day.

Thanks to the support of eToys and Visa, the price you are paying to donate these toys is 50% below their normal cost. And, your purchase is fully tax-deductible.

Order a toy online through eToys now and make Christmas brighter for a needy child!

OR

Drop off a toy off at a location near you!

Operation Christmas Child

In December, Samaritans Purse teams spread out across the globe to deliver shoe box gifts to needy children.

Each shoe box is lovingly packed with small items - toys, school supplies, hard candy, and other small gifts - and covered in Christmas wrapping for delivery to a girl or boy caught in war or poverty. Some will have never before received a present. For some, even the box will be a treasure.

Tens of thousands of individuals, families and churches will take part. President Bill Clinton has sent a box, as did prisoners in New Jersey. An Appalachian woman collected 1,250 boxes from her own poor, coal-mining community. A 12-year-old girl with cancer began a box that was delivered after her death, to a 7-year-old Bosnian refugee.

In Bosnia, Jordan, Rwanda, Romania, and a dozen other countries, children received with these shoe boxes messages of hope and love - the love of Christ that gives light even in the darkest places of the world.

Would you like to know more about this wonderful way of bringing hope and the love of Jesus to needy children around the world?

Meals on Wheels

Meals On Wheels originated in Great Britain during the Blitz in 1939, when many people lost their homes and had no place to prepare meals. The Women's Volunteer Service for Civil Defense delivered prepared meals to disadvantaged neighbors. These same women brought refreshments in canteens to servicemen during World War II. The canteens were affectionately called "Meals On Wheels." The Meals On Wheels idea spread with the first U.S. home-delivered meals program starting in 1954 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Now more than 113 million meals are served to 877,000 individuals each year through Meals On Wheels programs.
The average age of recipients is 78.
The average meal costs $5.31.

There are many benefits offered by Meals On Wheels. Some homebound recipients look forward to the human contact offered by the Meals On Wheels volunteer. For others, Meals On Wheels enables them to maintain their independence and quality of life. An additional benefit is the avoidance of high institutional care costs.

Want to volunteer to serve meals to the homebound residents in your neighborhood and community?

CAll 1-888-MEAL HELP

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for humanity international brings families and communities in need together with volunteers and resources to build decent, affordable housing.

Habitat for humanity international houses are sold with no profit made. Homeowners contribute "sweat equity" and house payments are recycled to build additional houses.

is a Christian organization and welcomes volunteers from all faiths who are committed to Habitats goal of eliminating poverty housing.

You can make an online donation and help make someone's dream of owning a home become a reality!

Get involved with Habitat for Humanity by volunteering
your time or services.

Make a Wish Foundation

Granting the wishes of children with terminal or
life-threatening illnesses.

Learn how wishes are granted for these children.

How you can donate to help make a wish come true!

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is an integral part of the Christian Church, although distinctive in government and practice. The Army's doctrine follows the mainstream of Christian belief and its articles of faith emphasise God's saving purposes. Its objects are 'the advancement of the Christian religion... of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole'. (Salvation Army Act 1980)

The movement, founded in 1865 by William Booth, has spread from London, England, to many parts of the world. Salvationists of many races and cultural backgrounds enjoy an international fellowship. Its evangelistic and social enterprises are maintained under the authority of the General by full-time officers, employees, and soldiers who give service in their free time.

The Salvation Army's message is based on the Bible; its motivation is the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. Its mission is to proclaim His gospel, to persuade men and women to become His disciples and to engage in a programme of practical concern for the needs of humanity. Its ministry is offered to all, regardless of race, creed, colour, age or sex.

Check the yellow pages for your local Salvation Army!

Sidewalk Santas

It is an image that will probably live forever in American popular culture: a wintry street corner, holiday crowds, and the Volunteers of America Sidewalk Santa by his chimney, ringing his bell to help those in need.

He has appeared on countless greeting cards, in magazine cartoons and covers, in TV comedy sketches and in movies like "The French Connection" and "When Harry Met Sally." Now 94 years old, the Volunteers of America Sidewalk Santa is an enduring icon of the Christmas season.

At one time, there were legions of Volunteers of America Sidewalk Santas, dispensing joy on the streets of nearly every city served by Volunteers of America.

But with indoor shopping malls and a switch to more sophisticated fund-raising programs - such as Volunteers of America's "Caring Gifts" local television campaigns - the Sidewalk Santa was going the way of the buffalo nickel.

By the 1980s, the last bona fide Sidewalk Santas were found only in New York City, where it just wouldn't be Christmas without them.

Indeed, Volunteers of America of Greater New York has taken the art of Sidewalk Santa-Clausing to its ultimate expression. There's even a Sidewalk Santa College; commencement exercises are held annually on the day after Thanksgiving. The 30 to 40 Sidewalk Santas-to-be, men and women both, don full gear, practice bell-ringing and "Ho-ho-hos," recite the Sidewalk Santa Pledge, and receive their diplomas.

After a hearty steak-and-egg breakfast, the Sidewalk Santas take up positions around midtown Manhattan. Braving street life and bone-chilling weather, there they stay eight hours a day until Christmas Eve.

The Volunteers of America Sidewalk Santas' first documented appearance anywhere was in Los Angeles, in the balmy winter of 1900.

History records that the five original Sidewalk Santas were hauled into jail and booked with creating a nuisance. A public outcry ensued and the Santas were promptly released. They went on to raise some $800 for Christmas dinners for the poor, far exceeding their goal of $500.

Then, as now, our Santa had many, many friends.

For more information on Volunteers of America® please visit our web site at

Sidewalk Santas

Help the needy by making a donation to Volunteers of America and Sidwalk Santas!

American Lung Associations
Christmas Seals

Make a donation to Christmas Seals and help fight lung disease.

Twas the night before Jesus Came

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

copyright © 1993 Bethany Farms, Carrollton, IL

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