An awe-ful Christmas

I love Christmas: the lights, the carols,the greeting cards, the family gatherings. But there is a danger that we miss what Christmas is all about. I therefore wish all my friends an awe-ful Christmas - that is, a time when they sense the awe-some truth that God was down to earth in the coming of Jesus Christ. He visited our shores and through his Spirit is a permanent resident with those who open their hearts to him. Wow! Is'nt that something?

A bad press

Booze has had some bad press - and deserved it! The 'Herald Sun' carried a report that more than 2500 Australian babies are born brain damaged each year because their mothers drink alcohol during pregnancy. Add that statistic to those about alcohol related road accidents, domestic violence, binge drinking and time lost from the workplace through alcohol and talk about the demon drink doesn't sound like a joke any more. People such as Salvationists who are pledged to total abstinence should not be dismissed as wowsers; on the contrary. For those with addiction problems the up coming Christmas season can be scary which is why my wife and I invited one such person to spend Christmas in our safe house. Others might consider doing something similar.