Scripture:  John 3: 16:  "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

A coworker shared two Christmas letters from a former neighbor in Raleigh with me.  The writer gave brief accounts on family events, described how God had blessed the family and mentioned prayer concerns in each letter.

The following is an excerpt from her 2002 Christmas letter:  "We have all been touched by what happened on September 11th and because of that, I feel the need to say something to each of you on a personal note.  None of us knows what the future holds for any of us or even how long we will live, but we can know what our eternal future will be.  God sent His only Son Jesus Christ into the world to be our Savior (John 3:16) and to save us from our sins (1 John 1:9).  The Bible says we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and that the only way to be saved is through Jesus and the cross (John 14:6).  I do not know who of you are saved but I am praying for your salvation and personal walk with God.  If you have never accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and made Him Lord of you life, I pray you will make that most important decision today.  If you have accepted Him as Savior, I pray you will re-dedicate yourself to Him and begin a deeper walk with Him in trust and obedience.  Jesus loves you and died for you.  Please accept Him as Savior and Lord, love Him and live each day for Him.  I am praying for you."

In her letter of 2003, she wrote of her favorite time of year, Christmas.  She wrote of Christmas carols and songs, sparkling decorations, special plays and programs at church, the extra kindnesses folks do for others and much more.  Then she writes, "But mostly I love the One whose birth we celebrate, the One Who is the reason we celebrate.  My heart is filled with gratitude to God for the most wonderful gift ever given - His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16)."  In the next paragraph she writes of her husband's unexpected death in June and continues writing of God’s goodness to her through her family and the prayers of many.

I’d like to close with a word of prayer similar to what Ms. Janie wrote in the last paragraph of her letter of 2003:
Dearest Lord and Heavenly Father, I pray that everyone who reads this devotion will receive Your gift of Your Son for themselves personally and know the joy and peace that comes when Jesus lives in their hearts.  May You make your face shine upon each of them that Your blessings will be poured out on them every day, and they will draw near to You and You will draw near to them.
I also pray for your continued blessings upon Ms. Janie and her family as she has ministered to more than she knows through her letters and love for You.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

--Vicky Williams