My dearest friends in Christ Jesus,

A very hearty and blessed Christmas greetings to you.

What a wonderful time of the year for believers to remember the supreme price that the Lord Jesus gave for you and me, by coming down from heaven, leaving His throne of glory to become a defenceless child in the arms of a beautiful young maiden and a young businessman, a carpenter. He entrusted everything that He had into their hands for your sake and mine. At this Christmas time there is only one scripture that comes to mind for me and that is found in John 15:13 ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’. That is you and me if we love Him as Lord and Saviour. Through His death and resurrection we have the opportunity of eternal life and so if I was to be asked to summarise the Christmas festive season in one word I would use the word giving. John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world that He gave …….’

Let this be a Christmas where you give because the Bible says it is more blessed to give than to receive. Haven’t we just received so much this year? I want to honestly say to you, my dear friend, that this has been the greatest year of my life thus far. We have seen revival with our carnal eyes, and I firmly believe that this is only the beginning. Wherever you spend Christmas this year, ask the Lord to give you a heart that is full of giving.

Thank you for your love and your continuing prayers for Jill and I and indeed for the whole Shalom team. Until we meet again at the beginning of 2009, may God bless you and keep you and your family. Remember that He is with you always. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us, especially at this Christmas time.

Yours in Christ’s service

Angus & Jill and the Shalom team