Amen!

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And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord... Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:10,11,14)

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To those who have accepted His gift of salvation, the reason why He came, lived, and died should result in a most joyful reaction.

Yes...Chrsitmas was wonderful here, as the underground church continued their Daniel study Christmas Eve(not the SS school one; we do that on Sabbath) and had a new Adventist join us! We read EGW's 1884 Christmas message, and the mission hosted dinner at our house.

It was a blesed and warm family Christmas for all; we prayed for the poor in the Philippines who had nothing for this season due to four typhoons in a row!

On Christmas day we remember the day Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but we should also remember the day Jesus was born again in our hearts. Since we are born again anew every day, every day is a Christmas day. But I guess we could say today is a High Day. The greatest gift ever given was the gift of Christ and Him crucified. Merry Christmas everyone!

I especially look forward to Christmas because that's one of two days out of the year my non-Christian family insists that Pastor Mike says grace for the food and the family. Of course, the other time is Thanksgiving. I keep hoping and praying that they will turn to Jesus every day of the year, and soon.

I also want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Despite Christmas Eve and Christmas day being business as usual. Thinking about the families of those lost in the recent attacks, and doing paperwork to prepare the survivors to move on, had a good talk with one survivor last night evening. Also had some more patients fly in both last night as well as today. Yet there is still the feel of Christmas in the air. Phone calls home, a lot of snacks, and some time that we got together for Christmas with some food, games and participate in a "White Elephant" gift exchange gave some feel of the holiday. Of course being an Adventists there was a nice Christmas program for the Adventist chapel service, and last week I gave the sermon (looking at the way Jesus tied together Hanukkah with the Raising of Lazarus, pain during the holiday season, and the wonderful gift of salvation and the promice of the resurection that Jesus came to give us. People at chapel requested copies and some I've worked with have read it and asked for copies) with of course the Christmas hymns and playing CD's of Christmas music helps. Also, unlike 1990 when I was down-range in the theater of operations, Christmas decorations are a part of the local community. And I have to admit it was a strange feeling when doing the medication count this morning to write 25 Dec 2004.

Please remember especially those down-range, as well as the rest of us serving farther up-range in support and treatment roles.