As I have quickly gotten to my first Christmas at the Mission, I have seen and continue to see wonderful things take place and at the same time heart breaking stories of people who are in desperate need. 

This Christmas I have been really focused on the words of the Lord thru the Angels to the Shepherds captured in Luke 2:8-11:  "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Christ, the Lord."

God sent His, Son, and the angels shared it was good news for all the people!   As we serve over 1100 people everyday I am reminded that they as well as myself are part of "all the people".  Many times they come in our doors with no hope, hungry, afraid hurting sometimes physically and most hurting mentally by damages of there life.  But as the angels declared God sent His Son for all the People!  I watch our people be the feet and hands of Christ, I watch our many volunteers love on people and show the love of Christ and I watch and get to see the miracles of God changing lives.  

A couple of quick stories over the past several weeks that I would like to share:

On the 14th we had an event called WinterFest where a previous client of my sisters house puts on a great Sunday afternoon celebration to honor those who are in the program today-providing encouragement and hope to them.  She has done this for the last 12 years and is a great inspiration to us all!  How God is using the restoration of her life to truly impact so many!

At our Christmas lunch for the staff this year we took to time to have people share stories of God working across the Mission, and a couple of these included a lady giving money for a man to get a new pair of shoes at one of our Thrift Stores-when asked if he would like new pants or a shirt he said no all he needed was shoes-even in the midst of difficult circumstances a heart of contentment and gratitude.

We have put another 80 permanent beds in The Shepherds House and a group of friends came together and honored a widow and her family for the impact of her husband who had passed away five years ago by contributing $30,000 to get this done.   Now 29,200 additional men will have a place to rest there heads over this year and years to come and this family was honored in a special way by these friends.

A man receives our publication "the Light" and is blessed and sends and encouraging email to us to thank us for all God is doing. 

And just this morning as I stood in line greeting and talking to the men who were receiving breakfast, I was blessed by the smiles on their faces as we shared a greeting and an opportunity to shake hands and wish each other a "Merry Christmas"! 

To the entire Atlanta Union Mission Family, I want to thank you all for your care, love and support of the Mission.  We could not do the work we do without your help and your contributions.  As I read the cards and letters that come in, I am so moved by the faithfulness of so many of you that contribute to the Mission.  God is truly doing great things in all of us who are touched by the Mission.  I have been so humbled and blessed by the chance to serve alongside all of you.

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and pray God blessings on you all.  I also know that for many this time of the year is a difficult time and I pray a special pray for you that you would be comforted by God and you would feel His presence in a special way. 

I would also ask that you would remember our guests and clients that we serve in your prayers, for some this might be a Christmas away from home-a chance to really be healed by God but still a very difficult time and for many the pains of past Christmas bring a hurt and a reminder of the past and for others a true blessing that this Christmas might be the first time in many years that they are not bound by the chains of addiction.

Merry Christmas!

Jim