Christmas Blessings

December 7, 2004

Dear Friend of Mary Craig Ministries,

Everyone doing his/her part--that’s what it takes to fulfill the desires in God’s heart and accomplish His plan. So, when Rev. Jim Craig, Mary Craig, Emily Eason, Stephen Craig, Shelly Kutluay and her son Deniz, Betty, David, and Ben Patten, Cheri Fritts, Marcia Murray, Carlos Vera, and Kroy Ellis unloaded two trucks and three trunkfuls of all the items donated for the "Mayan Event" December 5^th, it was the culmination of efforts on the part of David Patten, Barnabas Project Director, to help the Mayan Mexican and Guatemalan migrant workers in Palm Beach County, Florida. Many of you participated as well by giving clothing, school supplies, toys, non-perishable items, money donations, and gift cards for new "goods" from Target and Office Depot. God’s desire to bless and break the strongholds of the curse is starting to take shape as working together in the name of Jesus we demonstrated to them the love of Christ and the power of the gospel in the free gift of grace.

Miguel Chiquin Yat, Mayan community leader with the Organization of Maya People in Exile, played a huge part by announcing the event on his radio program and then coming to encourage people and us. For a little more than two hours people came in families to receive freely whatever items they desired. They called their friends and word spread. We were in the largest pavilion at John Prince Park and every table was brimming with donated items. It is always rewarding to see a child holding a doll or stuffed animal, or discover someone wanting a Bible and asking about Jesus. We distributed two cases of Bibles in Spanish and gave away many more books about Jesus and God’s Word.

Pastor Jim and I like to say that on these mission trip occasions we are "doing church, not having church." These ventures strengthen the fact that we are designed for, defined by, and develop in community.

And at Christmas we see that manifested all over the world.

We also see continuity in Christmas. Each year we anticipate the giving of gifts, family traditions, finding that special ornament or food, and smelling good home cooking and the familiar scents of the season. We love hearing the familiar story of Jesus’ birth, singing timeless Christmas carols, waiting for friends and family coming to visit. We build on the shoulders of generations past in order to press into the future with courage, confidence, and hope.

More than anything, Christmas is about covenant. God keeps His promises and ushers in the new covenant in an unprecedented display of grace as He sends His Son as the Message and Messenger, the Messiah of everything better. Born of a woman, born under the law, born in the fullness of time, the only begotten of the Father, the Incarnate Word, Jesus appears, God in flesh. Will we ever fathom the depth of God’s love for us? As the world turns on lights and decorates houses and streets and buildings and churches during the darkest days of night, will we get it? Will we see that God commanded light into our darkness and love to be shed abroad in our hearts? Will we be looking for His appearing and find the life He is and brings? Will we see the triumph of Jesus in the midst of the tribulation of the world? And then, will we embrace all that God has for us in Jesus Christ today and every day?

For His glory,

Mary Craig

P.S. In the area? Worship with us at Craighouse®, located in the Pompano Plaza at 114 E. McNab Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. People bring people to help and hope in Jesus, and they are saved, healed, and delivered by the grace of God at Craighouse®. Visit www.craighouse.org for more!

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He has visited and
Redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; as He spoke by the mouth of His holy
Prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be saved
From our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to
Perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy
Covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham;
That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the
Hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear
In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of
Our life. (Luke 1.68-75) 

Merry Christmas with Love