Cé CHRISTMAS GREETINGS, December 24, 1986 May your holidays be o pertect picture of family fun ond togetherness Please accept our thanks for your loyal support. BASEMENT BREWS & FOTO SHOPPES 278 Cotumbia Ave... Costegar 366-2008 LEGAR IMPORT CENTER 2701 Columbia Ave., Castlegar * 365-5111 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND STAFF OF THE Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ ROADSIDE CREEK . . . Creek winds its way through snow-covered field along Highway 3A in Thrums Castews Photo The true Christmas By GEORGE JAMES Calvary Baptist Church What's this Dec. 25 affair all about, anyway? It is quite evident, surely. The signs are all around us; family coming home for the holidays, mom and dad squirreling away presents for the children, the sound of carols, merchants cometing for the last dollar. That's not all that goes on this time of the year though. Somehow friends are drawn closer and even casual ac quaintences stop to wish us the best. There is an aroma of special baking under the sparkling eyes of inquisitive youngsters who are being extra well behaved waiting for special favor from Santa Churches make a lot of the end days of December, with concerts, special music and a gift to their pastor and fam ily. Houses are bright with colored lights and families celebrate in their own trad LAUENER BROS. JEWELLERS LTD. itional way. Automobile acci dents soar because often road conditions are dangerous but mostly because some folk think it is fitting to drink to health and drive tempting disaster. Now what in the world have I been writing about? We are all aware of course that there is all over the world a celebration called Christmas. But Christmas, by the way, is not what the above paragraph is all about Perhaps you think it was Christmas to which I was alluding with so much of the Dee. 25 tradition around Well I wasn't. It is called Christmas by those who don't know any better, but it is like going on a picnic without taking a luneh. It is like applauding an opera when the musicians have left their instruments at home. The important part is missing. It may be a celebration a goodwill gesture from the heart, even tears of joy for the sentiment of it all, but it isn't Christmas unless Jesus, the Son of God, is the focal point, as our Redeemer, the crowned and coming King. It is a pity the one whose birth day we remember (the actual date is not clear nor im portant) has been forgotten in the passion to only have a good time. Would to God there were not two celebrations occur ring at this time, but so long as some people remain mis informed or choose to cele brate they know not what, then there shall always be Dec. 25 and the true Christ Season's Greetings from Phil a..d Larry at Columbia Auto Service RIVERSIDE VISTA ... Pioneer cabins alongside Kootenay River near Thrums. Costtews Photo Why celebrate Christmas? By Pastor IRA JOHNSON Kinnaird Church of God Most of the people in our community celebrate Christ mas. Judging by the multi tude of advertising efforts and the numbers of people who are feverishly involved in doing their “Christmas shopping,” one would con clude that Christmas is being celebrated very well indeed. Everyone who celebrates the season seems to be ex cited about getting together with friends and family, with enjoying great feasts, and with the giving and receiving of gifts. But is this level of celebration missing the most important causes for celebra tion? Should we not consider what prompted God to enter our world in such a unique way nearly 2,000 years ago? Why Christ Was Born Jesus Christ is the central figure of the entire Bible. He did not have His beginning as a baby in Bethlehem, but al ways existed, and through Him all our universe was created. (See John 1:1-12) (Colossians 1:15-20) Not only did Christ create a marvellous universe, He created all life forms and cre ated mankind — not to only take eare of the planet Earth, but to enjoy a special re lationship of companionship with God. (See Psalm 8) (Genesis 1:26-27) Part of the uniqueness’ of the human race was the abil ity to choose, and that choice included the ability to ignore God and to even reject His rightful claims. Because the human race chose to disobey and disregard God's wishes, mankind set out on a course that led further and further into spiritual and moral dark ness. The only way God could restore mankind to himself and to prevent mankind's eternal destruction was to find a way to redirect the course mankind was on, and bring it back into true fellowship again. That is why Christ our Lord humbled Himself and ‘laying aside the glories of heaven came to earth as a tiny baby.” (See Philipians 2:5-11) fhe Mission of Christ Christ came into our world to do something for us that we could never do for our. selves. He taught mankind the matchless truths of God. He lived a perfect example for us to follow. He willingly laid down His life as a ransom price for the sins of the whole world. (All mankind experi ences slavery to sin and needs deliverance). Christ climaxed His re demptive work for mankind by defeating death and rising in triumph ‘over it! (See Acts 10:34-43 and I Corinthians 15: 12-28) So the coming of Christ into our world dealt with the greatest questions we as humans face: 1. What to do about our sins? 2. How to know what is right? 3. What in life is really worth living for? 4. Where will I eternity? spend The Big The big question for each of us to answer is this: “What will I do with Christ? Will I allow Him to lead me out of spiritual darkness? Will I humbly ask His for- giveness and experience the peace He came to bring to me? Will I allow Him to guide my life in a way that enables me to live for all that is right and true and eternal in value? I earnestly pray that you will answer these important questions in the affirmative, that you will say a big “yes” and a big “thank you” to Jesus. Welcome Him as your own Savior and Lord, and become one of His loving servants help others find “the Counting our many blessings, our good friends figure at the top of the list, and so we thank you for your confidence and trust. We hope your Christmas will be rich in happiness and cheer. MOROSO, MARKIN & BLAIN CHRISTMAS GREETINGS, December 24, 1986 Lad Detvering a message of cheer and gratitude to all our wonderful friends. From the Officers, Directors Management & Staff of ROSSLAND CREDIT UNION wishes just meant for you . . our good 1507 Columbia Ave., Castlegar * 365-7787 “For to us a Child is born.” All the Best for the New Year from all of us at CURRIER’S INSURANCE Trail Walter Siemens Notary Public Irene Renz Terry Konschuh Peter Majesgey Alice Negus Lynda Aldorter Gaye Coleman Bill Russel ROSSLAND INSURANCE Byron Siemens Edith McCueig Lil Karenko 1331 Bay Avenue .-- Isaiah 9:16 May you experience the true peace of this Christmas Season.