Pleasant
News from Mt Pleasant Christian Church - http://mychristianchurch.org - December 2010
A Second Glance…
by Cortney Walcott
It is an annual tradition that has been
happening in our church for many years…
helping a family in need during the holidays.
This annual event is just that: an event that
Marla McClary, Mt. Pleasant’s youth group
leader, puts together each year. Every year,
plans are made in which the youth will gather
together and shop for a family in need. The
family usually receives a food basket as well,
which is put together from our food pantry. The
money used for the family is collected from the
youth group and donations from the church.
Originally this tradition was started by Joyce
Anderson and Tana Baker. They decided that
instead of the youth having a Christmas party
and doing a gift exchange, it would be nice to
use the money they would spend on each other
to buy for a family in need. As Marla said, a
family “in need” doesn’t necessarily mean a
family with a financial hardship, but a family in
need of support. Whether that need be a
financial need, a spiritual need, or just a rough
time, there is no better opportunity for our
church to show its support.
The family is either chosen from
members of the church or by contacting
Stinesville Elementary School and asking about
families in need. After a family has been
chosen they will be contacted so a “wish-list”
can be created. A shopping date will be set
sometime in December and Marla and her class,
along with some moms, will set out to shop for
the chosen family. Items that are needed, such
as shoes, coats, hats, clothes, etc., are usually
Times
purchased first. Once the family’s needs have
been met something from the list of “fun stuff”
can be purchased, such as dolls, games, or
coloring books. After a hard day of shopping
(wink-wink!)
Once the family’s needs have been met
something from the list of “fun stuff” can be
purchased, such as dolls, games, or coloring
books. After a hard day of shopping (wink-
wink!) the youth will head back to the church to
wrap the gifts they have bought. Usually the day
will come to an end with fellowship while having
cookies and milk and hot chocolate!
(Imaged courtesy of: http://www.gbcdecatur.org/)
We should think of the verse, “Train up a
child in the way he should go: and when he is
old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. It
is a wonderful thing that the youth group is
doing! Along with the celebration of giving
through the holidays, the youth group’s annual
Holiday outing is just around the corner. This
year they will be going ice skating on Saturday,
December 18th from 12:30pm to 2:00pm. This
event is open to all the children in the church,
however, children under the age of 10 needs to
be accompanied by an adult. Marla will have a
sign-up sheet in the back of the church if you are
interested.
Unto Us A Son Is Given
by Pastor Jon Miller

This is one of my favorite times of the year, I enjoy driving around and looking at Christmas lights
that adorn neighborhood homes. I may even be one of the few who enjoy the cold weather and snow
that we typically associate with Christmas in Indiana. But most of all I enjoy Christmas because of the
spiritual truths that surround the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Let it be known that I am not gullible enough to believe that Jesus was actually born on December 25 th,
nor do I even believe that the early church celebrated the holiday of Christmas. What I do believe is that
since we traditionally celebrate the birth of our Savior on December 25th it is important for us as
Christians to know the truths taught in scripture about His birth so that we can use this Holiday as an
opportunity to share those truths with the world and in effect point to them to the cross of Christ for the
salvation of their souls.. After all if the birth of Jesus and the events surrounding His birth weren't
important they would not have been included in the Bible to begin with.

First, Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary. This is a well known truth, but one that is sometimes
overlooked and oftentimes refuted by the skeptics. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Therefore, the Lord
himself will give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son. (Isa 7:14.) This was the verse
that Luke quoted when he was writing down the historical account of Jesus' birth. The virgin birth is
essential to our Christian faith because if Jesus was not born of the Virgin Mary then He was a
descendant of Adam which would mean that He would have been born into the sin of Adam. (Romans
5:12.) If Mary were not a virgin it would be detrimental to our faith because it would mean that Jesus was
not the sinless Son of God and we would still be in our sins. Even in Jesus' day there were people who
questioned the virgin birth. The Jews grumbled about Jesus and said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of
Joseph whose father and mother we know? (John 6:42.) The scripture teaches that Jesus existed
eternally and that all things were created by him. (John 1:1, Col 1:16.) At the virgin birth the eternal God
took upon himself flesh and became man, but he did not take the sin nature of Adam because it was
necessary for him to be sinless to offer the supreme sacrifice for our sins. That makes the virgin birth
one of the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith.

Second, Jesus was born to die. There was really only one purpose that Jesus was born and that was to
die for the sins of the world. All the miracles he performed during his ministry were not the ultimate
purpose of his birth, they were only to give accountability to his testimony. It is impossible to celebrate
Christmas and ignore Easter. The baby in the manger grew up and kept His focus on doing the Father's
will. When the Angel of the Lord came to Joseph he said, “You shall call his name Jesus for he will save
his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21.) The only way that Jesus could save us from our sins was by
dying the death that he did on the cross of Calvary because the shedding of blood is necessary for the
remission of sins according to scripture. (Heb 9:22.) Before Jesus celebrated the final Passover with his
disciples he knew that his death was approaching and he became troubled in His soul as he prayed to
the Father. He prayed and said, “Father save me from this hour, but for this purpose I have come to this
hour.” (John 12:27.) Jesus knew the purpose that he came into the world was exactly as the angel
proclaimed at his birth, “He came to save us from our sins.” Which was only possible through his death.
Even though we enjoy celebrating Christmas the account of His birth must be connected with his death
or it loses its meaning and purpose. The early church knew this which is why they remembered the
Lord's death through the breaking of bread every time they came together.

Third, Jesus' birth fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. This is a very important truth about Christmas that
we have a tendency to forget. All throughout the Old Testament there are prophecies about the coming
Messiah, prophecies that had to be fulfilled in order that the Jews and the rest of the world couldn't be
fooled by a false Christ. The prophets predicted that Jesus would be born of a virgin, in the city of
Bethlehem, of the tribe of Judah, be an heir to the throne of David, called out of Egypt, and Daniel even
predicted the year of His birth. These are just a few of the hundred of prophecies that are fulfilled in
Christ showing that He wasn't just another baby born in a manger, but He was indeed God in Flesh.

This Christmas as you gather around the tree to exchange gifts, take a moment to meditate on these
spiritual truths about the birth of Christ. When we think about these truths we have so much to be
thankful for. His birth was no accident since it was predicted hundreds of years before by the prophets.
He was born to die. Its impossible to separate the manger from the cross. And, he was born of the
Virgin Mary indicating that He was the sinless lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.
When you think on these things you can clearly see that the best gift this Christmas is not at the mall or
the superstore, but it was given 2000 years ago on an old rugged cross as Jesus died between two
thieves.
 Birthdays
Dortha Prather December 2nd
Sharon Kerr December 2nd
Debbie Wampler December 6th
Luke Nickless December 6th
Geraldine Jones December 10th
Jennifer Duke December 11th
Carla Pruett December 12th
Jeffery Wampler December 12th
Sue Presnell December 13th
Church Bazaar Photos Carrie Turner- December 14th
Elijah Miller- December 14th
Wilta Lighter- December 19th
Reed Hodges- December 20th
Bill Taylor- December 20th
Jerry Bolinger- December 22nd
Kindra Young- December 22nd
Phillip Wampler- December 29nd
Chris Keith- December 30th

Anniversaries
Bob & Shirley Long- December 4th
Laura & Nate Hancock December 14th
Jake & Junetta Wineinger December 14th
Paul & Carrie Turner December 16th
Michael & Sherry Farmer- December 31st
 A Child’s Christmas List
Snowflakes softly falling
Upon your window they play
Your blankets snug around you,
Into sleep you drift away.
I bend to gently kiss you,
when I see that on the floor,
there's a letter, neatly written
I wonder who it's for.
I quietly unfold it
making sure you're still asleep,
It's a Christmas list for Santa
one my heart will always keep.
It started just as always
with the toys seen on TV,
A new watch for your father
and a winter coat for me.
But as my eyes read on
I could see that deep inside
there were many things you wished for
that your loving heart would hide.
You asked if your friend Molly
could have another Dad;
It seems her father hits her
and it makes you very sad.
Then you asked dear Santa
if the neighbors down the street
Could find a job, that he might have
some food, and clothes, and heat.
You saw a family on the news
whose house had blown away,
"Dear Santa, send them just one thing,
a place where they can stay."
"And Santa, those four cookies
that I left you for a treat,
Could you take them to the children
who have nothing else to eat."
"Do you know that little bear I have
the one I love so dear?
I'm leaving it for you "And a little child shall lead them,"
to take to Africa this year". was whispered in my ear
As I watched you sleep on Christmas Eve
"And as you fly your reindeer while Santa Claus was here.
on this night of Jesus' birth,
Could your magic bring to everyone
goodwill and peace on earth".
Three Wise Women
"There's one last thing before you go, Do you know what would have happened if it
so grateful I would be, had been three Wise Women instead of three
If you'd smile at Baby Jesus Wise Men?
in the manger by our tree."
They would have asked directions, arrived on
I pulled the letter close to me time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the
I felt it melt my heart. stable, made a casserole, and brought practical
Those tiny hands had written gifts.
what no other could impart.

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Mt. Pleasant Christian Church
3191 W. Burma Rd.
Gosport, IN 47433
812-876-9149