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-- because GOD'S POWER is back of it. But we must never forget,
such a GREAT WORK does cost money! We must continually remain
FAITHFUL! We continually need, not only tithes and offerings, but
even the LOANS of larger sums where you are not free at this time
to send those sums as outright donations.
NOW WE FACE THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON!
Now is the time when so many FORGET Christ' s Work -- or
any gift for HIM -- exchanging gifts with relatives and friends
instead. This promises to be the most frenzied Christmas Shopping
Season in history. People spend lavishly -- thinking it is
Christ's birthday (which it is NOT -- ask for our free booklet,
"The Plain Truth About Christmas"). But their "birthday presents"
are NOT for CHRIST and His Work. This is the month SO MANY UTTERLY
NEGLECT CHRIST AND HIS WORK!
This is the month, dear Co-Workers, I have to ask you for
EXTRA LIBERAL OFFERINGS -- to make up for the NEGLECT of so many!
Of course many of our Co-Workers, having their eyes opened
to the TRUTH about Christmas shopping -- that it is PAGAN, and
CONDEMNED by God's Word -- have stopped this trading of gifts
entirely. They know the "wise men" did not present their gifts to
the Christ-child on the day of His birth -- nor on His birthday
at all -- and they were NOT "birthday presents" at all, but the
customary gift that is always given to royalty whenever one visits
royalty.
For example, Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy the other day visited
a king in the far east -- and presented him a gift. A meeting is
being arranged for me to visit King Hussein of Jordan soon -- and
it would be proper for me to present to him a gift - but it will
not be a birthday gift.
And beside, people seem to forget the wise men presented
their gifts to CHRIST -- they did not exchange them among
themselves. If one is giving GIFTS at this season, the ENTIRE
gifts, properly, should go to the living CHRIST for HIS WORK, don't
you think?
Let's all make sacrifices of other things during this
season, that GOD'S WORK will not suffer! THIS is the time to be
EXTRA GENEROUS! And please PRAY, more diligently than ever, for
CHRIST'S WORK -- and for me and my son Garner Ted especially -- and
for all our Co-Workers!
Sincerely, with love, in Jesus' name,
Herbert W. Armstrong