December 11

WHICH IS THE TRUE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS?

 

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a True Caring Christmas Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor!

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!  It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?  Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.  Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.  Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamin’s on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.  There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.

Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.  How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?  Thinking about a heartfelt gift for Mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.  My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young person who is struggling to get his or her repair business up and running. 

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.  Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands. 

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or a babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. 

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.  This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that to a large degree what Christmas is about?

Prayer Concerns!

As we move into the Advent Season let’s remember to Pray for our unsaved friends here in our Village as well as around the world.

Satan becomes even more active this time of the year, as he wants to take our mind off the true REASON FOR THE SEASON, and that is, GOD COMING, STEPPING INTO HISTORY in the form of the man called Jesus. Satan will do everything he can to distract us from that truth.

Pray for Kathy and me as we are confronted with anti-Christian sentiment. Remember what the Apostle James tells us in James 4:7-8 (NIV) “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.”

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS AT HO HO KAM VILLAGE

Our home is starting to have the look of Christmas, and the aroma of Christmas cookies is in the air.

The club house is getting a bit of a face lift, as the signs of Christmas is everywhere!

We have our Christmas tree up and looking pretty good, with lights on the outside also

The village neighborhood is truly beginning to LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

Also, in the Coolidge City Park “Joy to the World, the Lord has come.”

To hear this week's message, click here.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in the desert.
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