Nate Saint, better than anyone else I know, may have captured Christmas from heaven's perspective. I've stood on that beach where Nate Saint, Jim Elliott, and the others died at the hands of the Aucas. But today, the men who murdered them are leaders of the Auca Church, and many, including me, were inspired by their example to serve Christ. On the eve of his last Christmas on earth, Nate Saint wrote his perspective on Christmas, and I can't get it out of my mind. I hope you won't either. I believe this is the heart of God about Christmas.
Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Christmas season. Now, please don't ask why; no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. Or it could be that his head wasn't screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
(from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," 1966)
Much to the dismay of the Grinch, there is definitely something about Christmas that transcends the giving and receiving of gifts and meal times spent with family.
We are quickly approaching the end of the year. Your gifts and prayers have helped to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with adults and young people in many parts of the world and across the United States.
Every person you know, every person you love, is on one of two lists.
Titanic was gone. Relatives of Titanic's passengers agonized in the Liverpool office of White Star Lines, waiting to learn the fate of their loved ones. The company had the difficult challenge of informing the family members of the 2,200 passengers when word finally came. Ultimately, they set up a huge board with two lists, headed by two cardboard signs: "Known to be saved" and "Known to be lost."
