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opening The classic Christmas joke in families with really young children is that they enjoy the boxes more than the toys. They hide in them, make forts out of them, stack them up and knock them down. Meanwhile, their parents watch and wonder, thinking, "Why didn't we just get them an assortment of boxes for Christmas?"

If that's what happens with little kids at Christmas, something similar happens to almost everyone. We enjoy our presents for Christmas Day, maybe for a week, even a month. And then they tend to lose their luster. We revert back to the life we were living before Christmas Day. It's what was comfortable, what we're used to. It's not that we didn't appreciate our gifts. We just get busy with the post-Christmas routine.

Is it possible to treat the gift of Jesus that way? Not that we're not grateful. But once we stop hearing "Christmas" every day, we tend to forget about The Gift.

Don't let that happen to you this year. Keep your Gift close by staying in the Word and in prayer. Plan now to take Jesus with you into 2010, to benefit from your Gift every day. Don't revel in the wrappings of the season, and forget not that the Gift is yours to keep. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.”

If Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it in your home or under a tree.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 9.49. Live for God, on purpose, treasuring the gift of salvation that you have been given.

Christmas Dreaming

Do you have a dream? When you close your eyes and allow yourself to think about your future, what does it look like? Where do you see yourself in a year? In five years? What is your dream?

As I teach and coach pastors, one of the most important things I try to communicate to them is the need for them to have a dream. They need, under God, to have a picture in their mind of where they believe the Lord would desire them to be, and their church to be, in the days, months, and years into the future. They need to be able to see this dream – this vision, if you will – at least as clearly as they see the present. They need to be able to communicate that dream with those around them. They need to be motivated and driven to see this God-given dream and vision become reality.

This is not only true for pastors, but it is equally true for anyone who wants to serve the Lord as closely as possible, and be in His absolute perfect will.

So, let me ask you again – do you have a dream? Perhaps you think that your life is too complicated, and there are too many distractions and so many difficulties that you just can’t even think beyond just making it through this week, let alone dream about tomorrow.

Well, Christmas is a time for dreaming! And, I’m not talking about dreaming about a white Christmas! In Matthew 1:18-21 the Bible tells us about a very special dream – the one that Joseph had as his espoused wife was carrying the Savior of the world! Joseph’s life was about to get very complicated and difficult! But, God gave him a dream, and as he obeyed and followed the dream, God’s perfect will for all mankind was fulfilled!

God wants to give you a dream, too! God has a special plan for you, and a unique direction for you to go. This Sunday at WFA we will be sharing from this passage, and encouraging you to begin your “Christmas Dreaming!” Don’t miss this special Christmas message. It can change your life!

letter A Letter from Jesus About Christmas

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year, and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival, although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that once in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up in John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know. They tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary – especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget – I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love, and remember...

I love you,
Jesus

ready Ready for Christmas

"Ready for Christmas!" she said with a sigh,
as she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high;
then wearily sat for a moment to read
till soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.

Then quickly spoke a voice in her dream,
"Ready for Christmas? What do you mean?
Ready for CHRIST, when only this week
not one nice thing to your spouse did you speak."

"Ready for Christmas, while holding a grudge?
Why, how can the CHRIST CHILD come and abide
in a heart that is selfish and filled with pride?

Ready for Christmas, when only today
your spouse needed love and you turned him away -
without even a smile to show that you cared?
The little he asked – it could have been spared.
Ready for Christmas, your circle's too small.
Why, you're not ready for Christmas at all!"

She awoke with a start, and a cry of despair,
"There's so little time I still have to prepare!
O FATHER, forgive me, I see what you mean.
To be ready means more than a house that's swept clean."

Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree,
it's the heart swept clean that HE wants to see,
a heart that is free from bitterness and sin,
ready for Christmas – and ready for HIM!

joseph Joseph’s Christmas Faith

by Marji "Mike" Kruger

“...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” – Matthew 1:20-21; 24

The appearance: Mary, who is pledged to be married to Joseph, is pregnant before their marriage.

The options: Joseph could confess that he is not the father and allow Mary to be condemned as an adultress and possibly face death. Or, he could lie and say he was the father.

The reality: Mary was pregnant in a unique and miraculous way – Jesus was virgin born, supernaturally conceived, fulfilling Isaiah 7:14.

The appearance: Mary and Joseph had an illegitimate child. Jesus would have been disqualified from normal worship in the synagogues.

The reality: Jesus is the One who was, who is, and who is to come... He alone is worthy of our worship!

Often appearances are the opposite of reality and thus require faith. Joseph demonstrated his faith by believing the reality of what God had said to him rather than believing in the appearance of the situation. For us today, the appearance is that another holiday season has approached. We've been taught to say: "Happy Holidays", not "Merry Christmas." We plan to spend extra time and money buying gifts. We sing Christmas carols and feel good. But, the reality is that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless life and thus was qualified to become the sin-bearer for the sins of men. Are you celebrating Christmas – are you living your life – according to appearances or reality?

The Invitation

You are cordially invited to a birthday celebration!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25 but He's always around, so the date is flexible...

Time: Whenever you're ready. (Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!)

Place: In your heart... He'll meet you there. (You'll hear Him knock.)

Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay. He'll be washing us clean anyway.

Cost: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone. You wouldn't have been able to afford it anyway... it cost Him everything He had. But you do need to accept the ticket!!

Gift Suggestions: Your life. He's one of those people who already has everything else. He's very generous in return though. Just wait until you see what He has for you!

What an invitation! I know I don’t want to miss out on this one. It’s that time of year again, where people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is a great party. The only problem is that it is not something that should be celebrated simply once a year. God is waiting for you each and everyday, no matter what place along the journey of faith you find yourself. He wants you to give him your life and your heart. He wants you to know you are made uniquely and you are special. Perhaps you should take some time now to accept or renew your acceptance to this gracious invitation. The invitation is open-ended, so you are invited each day to celebrate and participate in the love of Jesus.

heart When Your Heart Grows
Three Sizes

by Jim Liebelt

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26

In Dr. Seuss‘ classic Christmas tale, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch suffers from having a small heart. The source of his heart problem is his lack of understanding the meaning of Christmas. As the story goes, the Grinch tries to put a stop to Christmas, but in the end, he comes to understand what Christmas is all about and his heart grows three sizes! This heart change makes a big difference in his life.

I’m not sure what Dr. Seuss‘ intentions were when he wrote the story back in 1957, but it certainly comes across as a Christian parable to me that parallels the change that takes place in a person’s life when he or she comes to understand the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus, God’s Son, who was born to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). When the light of the Good News of Jesus dawns upon the heart of a person, God replaces the old heart of stone, with a new, fleshy heart – and a new person emerges. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“Welcome Christmas – While we stand – Heart to heart – And hand in hand.” It might just make all the difference in the world.

O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in;
Be born in us today!
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

(from O Little Town of Bethlehem)

We celebrate Christmas because of the power Jesus brought to change our hearts.

as seen in “Today’s HomeWord,” a daily devotional with Jim Burns. Visit them online at www.homeword.com

last-impress The Last Impression

A church was preparing for Christmas services. The pastor decided he wanted a banner made for the entryway and had his secretary call the sign company.

The secretary told the man on the phone the message she wanted and the dimensions needed for the entryway.

The sign came back a few days later... "Unto Mary Jesus was born, six feet long and two feet wide."

Well, there will be no new signs this week at WFA. But – I am pleased to report that our new chairs have arrived! They aren’t six feet long and two feet wide, but they are beautiful, large, and very comfortable! Now, I will have to work even harder to keep everyone from drifting off into comfortable sleep! Seriously, you are going to be very pleased with the look and the comfort, and it will be a great blessing to worship with these new seats! Give them a try this week here at WFA!