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opening Who is on your gift list this Christmas? Usually, we give gifts to family and friends. We want to buy gifts for people we love and people we care about. We send gifts to those who treat us well, people who are kind and considerate to us. And often we will give gifts in return for gifts that we have received. Some of us will even buy gifts for our pets.

However, we generally don't buy gifts for our enemies, do we? We don't give a gift to the person who has slandered us in the past year. We don't give a gift to the irate neighbor who never has a kind word to say. We don't give a gift to someone who has tried to run us out of business. Nor do we send a gift to the thief who stole the car stereo last month.

But, when God sent Jesus Christ, His Son, and gave us this ultimate gift, He gave it to us while we were still His enemies. "...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) We did nothing whatsoever to merit or deserve this gift. What we really deserve is judgment, because we all have deliberately sinned against God.

The amazing truth of Christmas is that in spite of our sins, God sent His Son to save us. In that tiny manger in Bethlehem, He gave us an undeserved gift.

What gift you want to send your enemy this Christmas? Christ has left us “an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21) He told us in John 13:15 that He has set us “an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

Let us strive to be more like Christ this Christmas. “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 9.50. Live for God, on purpose, giving at this Christmas-time, for God so loved the world that He gave!

came-to-world Christ Came into the World

Answer – Life and Death.

Question – What do humans give the highest value, and what do they fear more than anything?

The most important value people have has is life. This is why we applaud medical science for advances in curing diseases. This is why there are so many new products created to save time and make our lives more efficient. This is why auto manufacturers continue to build vehicles with increasingly more sophisticated systems of protection for the occupants. This is why there are so many security checkpoints at airports. This is why the life expectancy of people (at least in our western society) continues to increase. All, because life is our most valued possession.

The thing most feared among people is death. Directly related to high value of life, people fear death because of the unknown that follows loss of life.

This is a universal concept, because man was never created to die. He was created to be an eternal being. But, since the fall of man when sin entered the world, mankind has worked and strived to regain through self-effort what was lost by his own regrettable choice to disobey the Creator.

In the Old Testament we find many examples of man’s attempt to make atonement for his sin, and to somehow re-acquire eternal life. Countless animals were slain on scores of altars to pay the price for sin and satisfy the debt that the sinner owed. However, as Hebrews 10:4 says, it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

The good news is that our God is not willing for us to die. He created us, so He knows our heart, and He knows our need. Our vain attempts to avoid death and gain eternal life are always unsuccessful. We need a way to gain life and escape death.

That is why Christ came into the world. In fact, there are three reasons why “Christ Came Into The World.” This Sunday morning at WFA we will look at Hebrews 10:1-13 and discover those three reasons. Join us for this special Christmas message.

better1 Why Jesus is Better than Santa Claus

Santa 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 did. 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.

better2 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.

It's obvious there is really no comparison. We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about. We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas. Jesus is still the reason for the season. Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa Claus.

christmas-love Christmas Love 1 Corinthians 13 Style

by Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family – I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family – I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family – It profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

from the book “Celebrating A Christ Centered Christmas” by Sharon Jaynes. www.sharonjaynes.com

ten-command The Christmas Ten Commandments

1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list

2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.

3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

9. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with those around you.

Christmas Reminders

May the Christmas presents remind you of God's Greatest GIFT – His Only Begotten Son!

May the Christmas candles remind you of Him Who is the – LIGHT of the world!

May the Christmas tree remind you of another tree on which – He died for YOU!

May the Christmas cheer remind you of Him Who said, – "Be of good cheer!"

May the Christmas feast remind you of Him Who is the – Bread of Life!

May the Christmas snow remind you of the cleansing – POWER of CHRIST!

May the Christmas bells remind you of the glorious proclamation – of His Birth!

May the Christmas carols remind you of His glad tidings which we proclaim – to ALL mankind!

May the Christmas season remind you in EVERY way of – JESUS CHRIST your King!

cheap Cheap Uncle Fred

Fred was well known for his cheapness and his "eye for a bargain." One day he was looking for a cheap Christmas present for his niece, so he went into a thrift shop.

As he was walking around, he noticed what was previously an expensive glass crystal vase laying in the corner. It was in three pieces. After some haggling with the owner, Fred bought the broken vase for $5. He then added a small Christmas card, wrote out his niece's name and address and gave the owner another $5 so that the broken vase could be gift wrapped and mailed. Fred then left the shop feeling quite pleased with himself. He expected his niece to think the vase had been broken in the mail.

A few days later, he called his niece to see if the present had arrived. "Yes, Uncle Fred, but unfortunately it was in 3 pieces when it was delivered."

"What terrible luck!" said Fred. "The Post Office is getting worse all the time!"

"It is a shame," she replied, "and it was so beautifully wrapped too... each piece separately."

last The Last Impression

Just before the church service began, the preacher spoke with the music pastor. “When I finish my sermon,” he said, “I’ll ask for all those in the congregation who want to contribute four hundred dollars toward the church’s mortgage to stand up. In the meantime, you provide appropriate music.”

“What do you mean, ‘appropriate music’?”

“Play ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’”

This will be a wonderful Sunday here at WFA as our SuperKIDS present their Christmas production, “The Best Christmas Gift Ever!” I will be sharing from God’s Word following the children, and we will worship together with great Christmas praise songs and carols. Invite your friends to join you in this great experience! They will be blessed – and so will you!