Mission Accomplished A new study by LifeWay Research reveals that nine in 10 Americans (91%) personally celebrate Christmas, which is impressive because the percentage of folks claiming to be Christians has dropped from 86% in 1990 to 76% of America in 2008 (according to a Trinity college survey). Even the UAE, a Muslim nation, goes for Christmas in a big way. A hotel in Abu Dhabi put up an 11 million dollar Christmas tree this year. The same Lifeway Research says that even though, at 89%, gift giving is the most popular Christmas observance, the number of households that encourage a belief in Santa is only 38%. | ![]() |
Maybe there should be a Christmas Church. Where giving to others was the most important belief and practice. Already got almost 90% of America with us. (However, that percentage is those giving to family.) Would be a good way to follow Christ, the one who gave his life to the world. Who knows, we might even move that Christian percentage back up!
The Church that Gave All
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. - Acts 4:32-37
The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

This work by J. Christy Ramsey is licensed under a
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