I freely admit that I love the Christmas holiday season. Some of you may think that this is just my "inner child" finding its expression. Well, if that's so, then so be it! I'm still going to enjoy it!

Some Christians tell me we shouldn't celebrate Christmas at all, citing its pagan roots, materialism, or whatever. Well, Romans 14:6 -"He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it"- is still in the Bible, and so I give my brothers the freedom to make up their own minds about such matters. Nevertheless, the sights, sounds, and sensations of Christmas still bring a smile to my face, and many happy memories of people and events gone by.

However, behind it all there's an event of such magnitude that, strange as it may sound, I think it's very grandeur sometimes causes it to be missed completely. Have you ever really stopped and considered just what took place when our Lord, Jesus Christ, was born? Let's think about it...

In Psalm 113, we read, "Who is like the LORD our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?" (vv. 5&6 NKJV, emphasis mine)

Man's exploration of space has only enhanced our natural fascination with the night sky. Pictures of the earth and stars taken by man or satellite usually elicit within our hearts the cry of the Psalmist, "When I consider the heavens...what is man that you are mindful of him?!"

Truly, we are humbled when we look at the earth and the heavens, as they reveal to us our own frailty and virtual insignificance. However, notice that God, on the other hand, humbles Himself to look at the earth. For Him, even just to glimpse the universe, the earth, and mankind requires a condescension, a willingness to have His senses and sensibilities assaulted.

After all, this is the God who created and sustains the universe by the word of His mouth. This is the God Who touches the mountains and they smoke, Who holds the waters in the palm of His hand, and measures the universe in a handbreadth.

And yet, He didn't just glance sideways to take a peek at us. No. He turned His full attention toward us, considered our plight, and then did the most unthinkable: He joined us. God became a Man. The unequaled and uncontainable God of heaven suffered Himself to take on human flesh, with all of its frailties, limitations, and dependencies. "Who, being in the form of God...made Himself of no reputation, (took) the form of a bondservant, and (came)in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:6,7)

He did not come as a mighty warrior or even as a mature man ready to make the supreme sacrifice for sin. He came as a baby, the most helpless and needy state of humanity. Through His birth and physical maturation He identified completely with us in every way. Why? So that He "might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17). From His first cry in the manger, the shadow of the cross was upon Him - not to simply be a martyr for a cause, but to purchase for us eternal redemption. However, if He had not experienced life as we do, His sacrifice would have been, frankly, insufficient for that purpose.

Thus, I ask you: can any gift of God be greater than the Incarnation? Is there any thought more marvelous than the consideration of God humbling Himself to not just look on the earth, but to become a part of it?

So, at this time when we traditionally reflect on the birth of Jesus, even if you don't care for all the trappings of the holiday, I hope the majesty of the moment that God became man will at least capture your heart and mind. And if it does...enjoy it. After all, He did it for you.

May God bless you abundantly, and grant you a joyous holiday season.

In His Service,

Stephen Tecklenberg
President / Executive Director

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Ministry Report

You may have noticed that we skipped our usual publication of this newsletter in November. There were two reasons for this: we wanted the opportunity to write a Christmas article (usually not appropriate due to production schedules), and we also were quite simply too busy then to even think about publishing. Here's a brief account of some of that time...

Discipleship Training Courses (DTC).

Romania: It's probably normal to wonder how a second installation of a program such as DTC would be received. Would the initial enthusiasm still be there, or would it have waned? Well, the experience with the young people in Bucharest showed such concerns to be completely unfounded.

Our topic was "The Nature And Character Of God". Beyond just a study of His attributes, it dealt with areas of His essence, His activities, and answers to false ideas about God. Of course, our greatest desire was that they wouldn't just know more about God, but actually know Him better.

Steve also had several opportunities to speak in area churches, among them a local Messianic Jewish congregation. What a joy to participate in the worship of Jehovah with His (twice) chosen people, and to realize that we are all children of Abraham - some by blood, but all by faith, and united together in the common bond of the blood of Messiah Jesus.

Ireland: It was a distinct pleasure to see the DTC expand to include youth from the Republic of Ireland, where Steve has worked many times over the years with the Montgomery family and the Athlone Baptist Church.

The DTC series begins with "The Nature And Character Of The Word", focusing on various doctrines about the Bible itself. We believe this to be of primary importance, as any meaningful discussion on other issues must be founded in that Word.

In addition to the DTC and church, Steve was also invited to a local college campus on two occasions. One of them was a unique outreach event entitled "Roast A Christian", designed to be a forum for any student to ask any question they desired. Though only a handful of students attended (most of them Christians already) Steve nevertheless had a lot of fun with them, handling their different questions on various areas of Christian teaching.

Mission To Europe.

Denmark. Returning to the land of one's ancestry is always a thrill, and though it was the third such visit for Steve, it was still a special time of reuniting and working with several of his cousins living on the island of Bornholm.

In addition to speaking in local churches, Steve was asked to minister at a youth camp over one weekend, and also at the school where his cousin, Levy, teaches. This turned into a two-hour Q&A session with one of the classes. It was noteworthy that the students involved asked very deep and searching questions, with an obviously genuine desire to know the truth. Two of the young men even joined the weekend camp as a result.

U.K. Throughout Steve's many travels he has found a warm and welcoming home with the Thomas families during his layovers in London. On one such occasion, they planned a special gathering for him with the youth from their church, the St. Thomas Church of India. These young people face unique challenges being a part of an immigrant community, and it was a privilege for Steve to speak with and fellowship with them, and to gain an understanding of how to pray for them.

We thank God for each one of these opportunities, and ask that you would pray with us, that He will continue His good work in the lives of those we were privileged to serve.