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%.

Not a $11 Million Tree

So stand down, Christmas soldiers, the holiday celebrating the gift to the world of the Prince of Peace is doing just fine. More than fine. Christians and their allies have been more successful converting December to Christmas than converting the world to Christ. (We are doing better than Santa though, I've been told that I worry too much about the competition.)

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.

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A Child is Born A Christmas Worship Experience of the Christ-Light

Christmas is when God is with us. This transforms people. As part of the Christmas musical program, Pastor Christy tells three stories of transformation among the members and friends of Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church. Names and some details have been changed to protect the transformed.

I'm Lynn. I came to church because of my friend. While here, I made other friends but never was a friend of God. For instead of rejecting and judging me, the people loved me and welcomed me, saying that God loved the whole world and came himself to save it, not condemn it. Well thanks to God's spirit working through these heavenly folks, I found God. I am a Christian now and welcoming others as I was welcomed into God's love.

I'm Debbie, I lived for drugs and drugs gladly took my life in exchange. Police almost took me away one day. As I was hiding from the lights and sirens, I looked at my worthless self. Money, job, friends, my marriage all were drowned and washed away by booze. I was no good to anyone, Except here, they not only let me in, they let me sing!! And pray! And help others! – God don't make no junk. But I was almost threw myself away. Born again, sure, I like to think I was recycled from trash I grew into being blessed to be blessing.

I'm Cindy. I gave up. So far removed from the church lady I was. I was such a lost soul, I would have had to make a great effort to be a heathen. Church seemed to be a fight to the world instead of a light. I had been there done that. I knew church people were way behind the times, stuck in a world gone by. Then my comfortable world crashed when wellness was stolen from me, and left my health bankrupted. Heath insurance is fine until you lose your job for being sick. The insurance goes..but not the illness. Everything else goes…friends, neighbors when you have to move, associates who don't want to catch poverty from you. When the world left, God arrived, Now I can see God, and I have found not only friends, but people who can see God too, my tribe who follow God and love people. I lost my home, but I have myself a home in God's house here.


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Here is our Christmas Letter: (download PDF version)

Matthew 11:2-11 & Luke 1:47-55

Christmas is when God turns everything upside down

Photo by Bill Geneczko © Some Rights Reserved

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Our Akron Roundtable speaker was Dr. Mody Al-Khalaf, Director, of Social and Cultural Affairs, Cultural Mission of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Al-Khalaf spoke on "Education and Development in Saudi Arabia: Women as Agents of Future Change"

Here's the prayer I offered:

As-salamu a'laikum
Peace Be Upon You All
Peace between Men and Women,
Peace among Nations and Nationalities,
Peace within the family of God

May our words and actions
always bring peace closer to our world
so that our children will be closer to each other.
Amen

Akron Roundtable is held at noon on the third Thursday of every month, Akron Roundtable is a non-partisan forum. Each event, held at the Quaker Station located at the Quaker Square Inn on the campus of The University of Akron, begins at 12:00 noon with the speaker's address immediately followed by a question and answer session. Doors open for the event at 11:45 a.m. The event concludes at approximately 1:15 p.m. $15



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