What Are You Giving God For Christmas?~ A Spritual Article by Emily Ciszewski

I was trying really hard to think up something to write for my spiritual article this month! I often find my best work comes from my journal entries and little lists I make all the time! (A first-born trait!)

Here is what came to mind the other day; If God is the biggest thing in my life - how am I showing it? I thought of all the important people in my life - familyand friends - and then about my dream boyfriend - and that is what got me thinking! If I had a boyfriend, I would shower him with affection! Seriously - I love doing things for people - giving them gifts, cooking for them, visiting them without telling them beforehand - all that. This got me making a list of all the things I'll want to do for my boyfriend or fiance.
- Make him meals
- Read to him
- Visit him
- Write letters to him- Sing to him (I can't sing...oh well!)
- Do special little things for him - like chores and yard work
- Ect. Ect. Ect.! :)

Then I thought to myself, if this is how I would treat my boyfriend, God is really missing out! I've decided what to give God this Christmas - all that on the list! God came to earth and gave me the bestest gift ever! His Son came to DIE for me! DIE FOR ME! He died so that me - little Em Ciszewski - could go to Heaven! Yes - I've given Him my heart - or have I? How many times have I given him a simple thing on that list just because I love him? He who has blessed me so much! Just for your info - if you have money in your wallet and money in the bank - you are one of the top richest 8% in the world! That is a fact! So, again - what are you getting God for Christmas?

"The Kind will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matt. 25:40

My challenge is this; to find one person each to perform these good deeds to - someone to make a meal for, to read to, to visit and so on. I want you to make your own list. Make your own list and think hard for people to serve!

You know the Christmas story. You know the cliche articles on the wise men's gifts - I want to give you some cud to chew on (nice mental image, huh) - how many Christmas gifts have you given Christ in your life time?

I hope I lose count!

Merry Christmas all!

Love,
 Emily

The Song That Got Me In The Christmas Spirit

I love country music and Chris Young is my current favorite. This Christmas song got me in the Christmas mood. I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did.

Haylie

How You Can Help Other This Season~ An Organizations Article by Rachel Melillo

Christmas time is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ.  So often by families, we practice this holiday by giving gifts to our friends and family.  However, there are so many others who also need the love Christ came to bring. Think of them this Christmas as you consider giving to any of the following organizations.

 

 

 

1.    Samaritan’s purse.  You’ve probably all heard of this organization.  They pack shoe boxes with gifts for underprivileged children in third world countries.  Perhaps your church hosts an Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoebox filling event, and maybe they didn’t but you sent one anyway.  Well, since it’s too late to send in a shoebox, what they do need is also money donations.  Although with each shoebox, people give a seven dollar donation to assist with sending it, they also pack many shoe boxes themselves, along with having extra expenses to cover the cost of the materials and such.  So even though it’s December, you can still help by donating and by that donation, you’ll be indirectly helping an impoverished kid somewhere.  Visit www.samaritanspurse.org for more information.

2.    There are about fifty two countries where it’s illegal to be a Christian and many more where they are hostile towards Christians.  Voice of the Martyrs attempts to help those who have been imprisoned in their faith and their families while they go through this persecution for the name of Christ.  Not only can you help by donating money to help support families whose fathers or mothers are in jail for their beliefs, but you can also write to government officials asking for the release of family members, to family members to know that you’re praying for them, and to the prisoners themselves applauding them for standing strong in their beliefs and convictions.   Also, make sure you pray for these countries, for God to touch the leaders and spark a Christian revival so that we may worship freely and speak of our faith openly no matter where we are.  Wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in your letter as well. J  More information and stories at www.persecution.com.

 

 

3.    This year 1.7 million children will have a parent in jail.   Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship, seeks to reconcile prisoners and their families to God and to each other by giving Christmas gifts and the Gospel message to families that have a parent in prison.  There are three ways you can help.  Firstly, you can recruit your church to participate in Angel Tree program.  Perhaps it already is registered, if so; sign up to buy gifts for a needy family to make this Christmas one to remember.  Secondly, you can donate money to buy families what they really need and want for Christmas.  Finally, you can sign up online to give gifts to a family or perhaps even just one kid and make their Christmas dreams a reality.  Find out more at www.angeltree.org.

 

 

4.    The Make-A-Wish Foundation helps the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions by making their wishes come true. In 1980, 7-year-old Chris Greicius was being treated for leukemia. Every day, he dreamed of becoming a police officer.  U.S. Customs Officer Tommy Austin had befriended Chris and his mother.  He promised Chris a ride in a police helicopter. When Chris’ health worsened, Austin contacted Ron Cox, an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer, and planned a day that would lift Chris’ spirits. Austin and a caring group of DPS personnel started Chris’ day with a tour of the city in a department helicopter, which also flew him to headquarters. Three cruisers and a motorcycle officer greeted him before his meeting with the DPS command staff. There, Chris was sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history.  But his experience didn’t stop there. Cox contacted John’s Uniforms, which agreed to make a custom-tailored DPS uniform for Chris. The store owner and two seamstresses worked through the night to finish it. The officers presented the official uniform to Chris on May 1 and arranged a motorcycle proficiency test so he could earn wings to pin on his uniform. Needless to say, Chris passed the test with flying colours on his battery-operated motorcycle.  This boy’s wish was the inspiration for the Make-A-Wish-Foundation.  More stories and ways to help at their website www.wish.org

I hope that this Christmas season, you find it in your heart to help at least one of these organizations. We don’t realize how much we have until we look at others who have so much less than we do.

Must Have Books and Cd's~ Book and CD Reviews by Michelle Pell

During this Christmas season I wanted to tell you three of my must-have books and Cd's. These are great ideas for Christmas presents and for you to ask for also!

Books:

Dreaming of Dior by Charlotte Smith

This book is packed full with beautiful illustrations of the most gorgeous dresses and gowns I have ever set eyes on. The pages are lined with pieces from 1790 all the way to 1995 fashion. This book is a must have for any fashion-loving girl.

And The Bride Wore White by Dannah Gresh

“Seven secrets to sexual purity".The subtitle to this book tells just what's in it. Seven practical ways to keep your purity in a world that's telling you it's okay to give yourself away. This book is like a breath of fresh air.

Hallie's Heart by Shelly Beach

A heart-felt tale of two women, this book shows how two girls, coming from hurting homes and struggling with life, can help each other heal and together find renewal in God.

Music:

WOW New and Next

This CD came out in the beginning of this year and has 12 up and coming songs. Artists such as Chris August, Kerrie Roberts, and Satellites and Sirens sing about winning the Christian battle, singing glory, and how God is our anchor. This CD is super cheap, priced at only $2.99 or free with any WOW purchase at most stores.

Kari Jobe

Kari has a sweet, clear, beautiful voice that is restful and calming. The songs on her CD are filled with lyrics singing praise and glory to our heavenly Father. On her CD is also my absolute favorite worship song, Revelation Song. She sings it beautifully.

The Light Meets the Dark - Tenth Avenue North

Some of the most popular songs on this CD include Healing Begins and You Are More. Tenth Avenue North brings a fresh, unique sound to the Christian music industry, and I love that their music is filled with verses straight from Scripture.