"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:14 NIV).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Throughout the year we have been sharing "Thank God It's Monday"- (meditations encouraging us to put our faith into action throughout the week). Each week our on-line family of friends grows.

I would like to take this time to wish you a spiritually uplifting and fulfilling holiday, remembering the reason for the season: God is with us through Jesus Christ, God's gift of a mediator between man and God. He is the gift that we all desperately need.

• The Lord has proved Himself to be faithful to our family as we have leaned on Him more in the past year.
• We have been blessed by being able to visit old friends and make many new ones on trips to England, Virginia, Arizona, and throughout New England.
• Pieces are coming together towards the fulfillment of a vision to encourage and equip believers through an audio and videotape ministry.
• New Christ-centered communities (Life Groups) have been established to reach out and make disciples.
• Successful productions of both "Celestial City" and "Ebenezer Scrooge: A Christmas Carol" have helped to bolster the vision for an on-going high quality Christian Theater ministry in New England that will complement the preaching of the gospel. (We have our last performance in a sell-out run of "Scrooge" this evening at The Friends of the Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden Street.)
• Jonathan (20) is enjoying his junior year at Gordon College in nearby Wenham, Massachusetts, where he has been also working as a teacher's assistant in the Art Department. Heather (19) now a sophomore, is focusing on her social work and enjoyed working on a Habitat for Humanity project in Harrisburg. She recently visited Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is transferring there next month. Ben (13) is a very active 8th grader. He is helping out with lighting on the technical side of the New Life Drama Company's recent production of Scrooge. MaryEllen, my wife, enjoys using her spiritual gifts in the area of her passion - children. She works at the New Creation Daycare as well as supervising the children's ministries of New Life Community Church. Our most recent addition to the family is a golden retriever, Naomi, one of the nine pups born to MaryEllen's brother's dog. She keeps us all from becoming preoccupied with our own agendas and looks forward to our daily walks in our neck of Walden's woods.

May you have a blessed New Year,