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The WORLD TOMORROW
A WORLDWIDE BROADCAST
HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
Proclaims to the World the
GOOD NEWS OF THE WORLD TOMORROW
BOX 111, Pasadena, Calif. 91109
Publishing:
The PLAIN TRUTH
a Magazine of UNDERSTANDING
November 30, 1965
Dear Co-Worker with Christ:
I have just had a visitor in my office, on MOST URGENT
business! It was Mr. Albert J. Portune, manager of the business
office of the most important activity on earth -- the great WORK OF
GOD!
I'm going to have to rush this letter to you by AIRMAIL
because of the very serious URGENCY. The receipt of tithes and
offerings for the Work CHRIST HIMSELF is directing, says Mr.
Portune, has taken a nose dive the past few days -- especially
since Thanksgiving Day!
Thanksgiving Day originally was intended to be a day for
GIVING GOD THANKS for His blessings, and the prosperity He has
granted. But, when people turn attention to their stomachs and
feasting, it seems to be only human to get their minds off of
the living Jesus Christ and HIS WORK!
But that's not all. Right now, once again, most people have
their minds on Christmas shopping -- exchanging presents AMONG
THEMSELVES! Many of Christ's Co-Workers are right now WITHHOLDING
their gifts from the living CHRIST -- taking the money which could
go for His Work, spending lavishly, buying presents (as they
suppose) FOR HIS BIRTHDAY! But these gifts are not going to
CHRIST. Right now many Co-Workers are FORGETTING CHRIST --
NEGLECTING Him -- and His Work is suffering!
I'm sure you know that Jesus was NOT born on December 25th
-- or even any-where near that date. The ancient pagans celebrated
this season of the year in honor of the SUN-god. By the calendar
then used, December 25th was regarded as the nativity (BIRTH) of
the SUN, because the sun begins to lengthen and the power of the
sun to increase from that time of year.
And I wonder if you ever noticed what GOD SAYS about taking
PAGAN customs, and using them for the worship of the true God.
Many people say: "Yes, I know Christmas is an old PAGAN custom,
nowhere authorized in the Bible -- BUT" (they argue) "WE use it to
honor CHRIST! WE use it for worship of the TRUE God." BUT WHAT
DOES GOD SAY? He says: "Take heed to thyself that thou be not
snared by following them (the pagans) . . . and that thou enquire
NOT after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their