December 17, 2015 Steps to Life Newsletter

 

Dear STL Supporter

Christmas Time Again

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12: 2

A little bit of research tells us that December 25 was most likely not the birth day of baby Jesus. In Palestine the shepherds were out in the fields watching their flocks - it was probably around September when it was warm enough to be out in the fields with flocks. December is winter time and too cold to have the flocks and shepherds out in the fields. Also, the birthday of Jesus was at the time of the Roman census. Censuses were only undertaken when the weather was good enough for people to travel long distances by foot or on animals in large numbers over dirt roads. December 25 probably has more to do with the Roman amalgamation of the birth of Jesus with a pagan festival for sun worship, as the two religions were blended/syncretized about 350 years after the birth of Jesus.

However, Christmas does give us the opportunity to honour God and reflect on the significance of the birth of Jesus. Angels celebrated the birth of Jesus as the heavenly choir sang for joy. It is a pause in our hectic lives giving us opportunity for time with family and for reflection. For those with family it can be a time of warm relationships. For those without family, it's a time when one can feel very lonely, if we don't include them.

Peace, joy, hope, generosity and love for all men are all words we hear a lot of at Christmas time. Then there are the classical goodwill Christmas stories, poems and songs from the Bible and those based on the pagan myths, from the lands of snow to the lands of drought. However, it's also a time when giving competes with getting. Each year the gigantic struggle between philanthropic altruism competes for our attention with rampant consumerism. Self-control wrestles with over-indulgence.

Giving gifts is a token of our affection - but are the gifts we give always for the good of those we give them to? And what type of value do they have? Temporal or eternal? Millions of dollars are spent on objects that will quickly be thrown away. Jesus is the

Pearl of Great Price - and His gift of salvation is free for the asking. The gifts of the three wise men were given to Jesus, not to themselves. What can we give to Jesus in gratitude for His birth, life, death and resurrection? The hymn says - All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give... What is the greatest gift we can give others? The knowledge of what Jesus has done for all of us!

If you want to re-think how you keep Christmas Day why not type Christmas into the Ellen G White Estate search engine and consider what you find. (www.egwwritings.org)

Dragon Revealed Down Under - February/ March 2015

Eric and Sarah Wilson are coming to Australia for STL. The enclosed/attached brochure has all the details. You can watch a promo video clip of the program by going to www.steps.org.au/eric-wilson.

Mark Woodman's God's Temple of Truth Now for Free Down Load. It's Our Christmas Gift to You!

There is a very interesting, insightful and truth filled series on the Sanctuary and it's relevance to us that was filmed by Mark when he was in Australia 2009. As events have progressed over the last six years Mark's presentations have increased in relevance. God's Temple of Truth can be viewed for free by going to www.steps.org.au/Videos/Gods-Temple-of-Truth.

Closing Times for STL Over the Holiday Period

We will be closed over the holiday period from Dec 25th to Jan 11th However, online orders for products will be dispatched at frequent intervals.

Thanks for Your Interest and Support During 2015

The team at STL sincerely hopes that we have been of spiritual encourage and in some way have helped you to be a healthier person, more able to serve in 2015. It's been for us a full year of seminars, health programs and filming. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to being of service to you again in 2016. We are very grateful to God for the way in which He has led and directed us and provided for the needs of STL in 2015.

Christian greetings from Cherryl and the Steps to Life team.

Brian Way/Programs Coordinator

 
 
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