Mailing address:
December 25, 2001 |
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Stephen Pape |
Email: Speak to me. |
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Christmas 2001 is here! It is our hope that each of you will have the time to reflect on the meaning of the event that occurred over 2000 years ago which we still celebrate today: The birth that occurred in Bethlehem that changed the world forever.
Most people are still fortunate enough to be able to visit with friends and family over the Christmas and New Years Holidays. For each of you, I hope you will take time to overlook all those faults and search out and enjoy the good things you see in each other.
Others may long for the days of yesteryear when loved ones all gathered together but no longer are able. Even though life brings sadness at times, the message brought at Christmas gives us all hope. A better day is coming.
A price is owed for each sin we commit against God. Even for a good person with very good intent, sin is present. The original covenant God made with man involved giving up the best of our possessions in order to gain forgiveness but we did not have enough possessions to pay the price. The most cherished possession we have is life itself and God decided to become human and give his life to serve as the ultimate sacrifice for everyone that would only accept His gift.
Christmas is a celebration of this gift. We do not have to pray so many times a day, travel to holy sites, live in poverty, kill infidels, worship objects, harm ourselves, or sacrifice our prized possessions to pay the price for our sins. All we have to do is accept God's gift: Jesus Christ, as our Savior, The Messiah.
The good news is that:
God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son so that who ever shall believe in Him shall not perish but shall
have everlasting life. He did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save it.
Christmas is a time to rejoice, for unto us a Savior has been born.
Look at the stars, take a walk, watch the sunset, listen to the birds sing. Make each day special for life itself is a gift. Just as we do not earn the gifts we receive from friends and family at Christmas, we cannot earn gifts from God. Accept them willingly. If you feel inclined to give God a gift in return it is common knowledge that he loves to receive the following: Love, Praise, Worship. While not required, a little clean living would please Him as well.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Over 70 thousand gifts were gathered this year thanks to the generous contribution of people like you! Thank you for your help for those in need. Don't forget that needs continue throughout the year. Give to a local church, a local outreach, the Red Cross, the United Way, or you name it. Try to see that your contributions are not used up in the administrative operation of the agency. You have a right to ask where the money goes. Other ways to give include regularly giving blood, signing up for organ donations, volunteering to work with kids and on and on.
Make 2002 a better year by helping those in need. Special thanks go to Councilwoman Pamela Anderson who stood up to the political machine and tried to make a positive difference in her City. Even though a couple of her senior elected officials (both up for election in May) thwarted her effort by banning the notification she had prepared for the City's December newsletter, Pamela did her best. It is hard to believe that there are people that stand in the way of helping others. Thanks to Pamela for doing her best. Thanks also to the City employees and businesses that pitched in to help Pamela!
Thankfully we have some leaders that are not so busy leading that they can take time to see what is needed in the community. Keep up the good work!
(From December 8) This year Pape Air Conditioning has joined as a collection point for "Santa's Helpers". Our office which is located at 208 South Hampton in DeSoto(South of Sonic) will be open from 8:00 to 5:00 each week day to receive your unwrapped new gifts for children. Please join us in teaming up with ACCA, Channel 8 and others across the Metroplex in gathering gifts for families in the Dallas Ft. Worth area.
This year will be rough for many families due to the downturn in the economy. While the slow economy is temporary, for a child, going without gifts at Christmas might be remembered for a lifetime. Let's work together to make Christmas special for those we don't even know. Please give generously.
Thanks for your help.
Stephen
If you want to have a good neighbor you must be a good neighbor.
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