This time of the year is always a great time as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!  As I travel to all of our centers it is exciting to see the smiles and the joy that so many people we serve have on their faces.  They have a joy that is only possible because of a Savior.  Many have come to us with a true sense of hopelessness and to see them with hope and joy is such a blessing.  God does change lives everyday at the Mission.

It is also so great to see the many families serving together, moms and dads, sons and daughters all pitching in to serve and make Christmas so special for all we serve.  We have generous companies from all over the area who come in as well, donate, give time and treasures to make this a special time for all  What a joy it is to see the faces of those who come to serve!  

I also see the hearts to serve that our staff show not only at Christmas but everyday.   We are so blessed with dedicated people who love the Lord and love the people we serve.  They pour out everyday to serve with the gifts that God have given them.  I have seen them pray, cry, rejoice and laugh with clients, other staff and volunteers doing the work they do.  We as a ministry are truly blessed to have them!

As we get ready to celebrate Christmas this Friday, I want to encourage all of you, stop for a minute in the midst of all the busyness, think of that baby in a manager who came down from Heaven for all of us.  If you know Him as your Savior be reminded of not only the birth, but His death on a cross and the great joy of Easter as He rose!  If you have not yet made that decision, why not now?  It is the best gift you could get at Christmas or anytime honestly, just stop, pray to God, let him know you have sinned, you have fallen short as we all have and that you believe He is the Christ who did come and take away the sins of the world and that you would like to turn your life over to Him right now.  It is not by what we do, or how many gifts or good things we do it is a free gift to all of us.  I pray if you haven’t done this yet that this Christmas would be the time you receive the gift of the Savior-born for all of us.  It is the joy that Christmas is all about!

I thank God for all of you, for all the people we get the privilege and honor to serve everyday at the Atlanta Union Mission.  We could not do what we do without the generosity and help from so many.  

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Blessings,

Jim