Here are a few things I found to put on this page, so if you like, feel free to read them!!

Rummaging through our garage one December afternoon, I sniffed the unmistakable fragrance of new leather. My 7-year-old fingers found it behind a box ~~ a new pony bridle.

From that moment, Santa Claus was dethroned from my childhood. No more leaving 7-Up and cookies on the mantel-piece on Christmas Eve. No more bleeding heart letters to the North Pole. No more sugar or carrots for the reindeer. I was relieved. Something deep down told me it had all been a ploy, anyway.

From then on, December 25^th was a special day -- a holy day. The candlelight Christmas Eve service at our church had new and deeper meaning. Almost overnight, Christmas Eve became one of those "silent nights" to ponder the miracle of Jesus.

And ponder I did, long and earnest. But always, as I sat back into the pew, I expected something else to happen ~~ something to fill the longing inside me.

I know now that I was deep into a Christmas longing. It's a longing each of us senses this tiem of year ~~ especially when we listen to the child inside of us. It's a desire to be home, to belong, to find fulfillment, complete and eternal. Christmas is an invitation to a celebration yet to happen.

On this side of eternity, Christmas is still a promise. The Saviour brings inner peace to those who receive Him. But the story is not finished until there is peace in our world. Every Christmas is still a "turning of the page" until Jesus returns. Every December 25^th marks another year that draws us closer to the fulfillment of the ages, that draws us closer to Home.

Every holiday carol is a beautiful echo of the Heavenly Choir that will one day fill the universe with joy and singing. Each Christmas gift is a foreshadowing of the gifts of golden crowns to be cast at the feet of the King of Kings.

Each smile, each embrace beckons onward, calls upward when those who have received the gift of God's Son will see the Lord face to face.

Angels hovering over treetops may have heralded His birth in the Bethlehem night, but one day they will herald the dawning of a new day.

This Christmas I pray that God will fill the longing of your heart with the reality of His Son. May the Babe of Bethlehem who gave His life on the Cross of Calvary bring you love and joy and peace throughout the year and on into eternity. Amen.

Everyone loves to be loved. Everyone needs love. You like people to talk to you, play with you, care about you, and do things for you, don't you? Sure you do!! I think a friend is someone like this. A friend could be a girl or a boy ~~ or even your dog or cat. Bu there is someone who loves you more than anyone else in the whole world, and He wants to be your very best friend. His name is Jesus. Jesus is God's only Son. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life!!!" (st. john 3:16) He loves you so much that He did all that for you. Now that's a REAL friend!!! He has done so much for you, and all He wants you to do is believe in Him. He says, "Behold, I stand at the door (of your heart), and knock: IF ANY GIRL OR BOY hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him." (revelation 3:20)

HE LOVES YOU!!!

God made everything・he earth, sun, moon, and stars. He is the King of the universe. God has no beginning or ending. God is three (3) persons?Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God made every person. What is one (1) thing that makes God so special?

This Ruler stands for how much God loves us. His love is so big that it cannot be measured. Jesus Christ, God the Son, was sent by His Father to do something no one else could do. Jesus became a human being and showed us how much God wants to reach us with His love. Who does God love so much????

The world means people. We are very special to God because He gave us all a spirit that will live forever. However, we have all disobeyed God's rules ~~ lying, cheating, stealing, disobeying parents. We have all sinned. Romans 3:23 WHAT MUST GOD DO ABOUT SIN?!?!?!?

God wants to give us a very special gift. You cannot buy or earn it. But you can say "yes" or "no" to it. Jesus Christ is God's gift to us. He wants to give us eternal life, forgiveness of sins, a home in Heaven, and His Holy Spirit to be with us forever. HOW CAN JESUS GIVE US ALL THIS?!?

Jesus is God's only Son. He died on a cross for our sins. Dying this way was a punishment for the very worst criminals. Jesus had never done anything wrong. While hanging on the cross, God placed all of our sins on Him. Jesus suffered and was punished for us. Jesus died and three (3) days later came back to life again. 1Peter 2:24 WHY DID CHRIST DIE?!

Anybody, any kind of person・ood or bad, different nationalities, rich or poor, young or old・nybody can receive God's gift. DOES THAT MEAN YOU????

With your heart you must receive God's gift・he death of Jesus. When we believe in Him, He forgives our sins and we become Children of God. John 1:12; Romans 12:9 WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO DO NOT TRUST JESUS TO SAVE THEM???

Separation from God forever is in a place called Hell. John 3:36; Luke 16:23, 26 WHAT DOES JESUS GIVE TO THOSE WHO DO TRUST HIM TO SAVE THEM???

Eternal life means knowing God personally. When one has eternal life, God will always be with them and someday take them to be with Him in His Heavenly Home. DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE????????