Greetings, December, 2004

Many years ago, I was invited to my relatives for their Christmas morning celebration. I had purchased presents for the three children and entered the house for the happy occasion; Christmas tree. Colorful presents. Excited children. Mom and dad proudly looking on. Indeed this was Christmas morning. Jerry, about ten, ripped through his gifts faster than his sisters and while still holding the last of his many nice presents he said, "Is this all the stuff I got?" Another kid disappointed by Christmas overkill! That prompts two questions. When is "too much" simply too much? When is "too little" unfortunately too little? Indeed there must be a balance between these two extremes and many American families haven't found the balance.

I trust Christmas in your home will be much more than Santa, too many gifts and too much good food. After all it is His birthday isn't it? It is His gift that makes the difference. (John 3:16)

Across our border to the south we find children who would be very happy just to have one or two small toys much less a colorful Christmas tree.

You guessed it; this is December and I'm giving my annual Christmas pitch on their behalf. While toy drives for the less fortunate are going on throughout America, few of those toys ever get into the hands of the poor across the border and across the border there are indeed poor families and children. It's an obvious case of "two little" being too little. Indeed life isn't always fair but we can try and level the field a little.

If you would like to slip a little extra into our hands this month for their Christmas we would surely appreciate it. For the children toys, for the families blankets and tarps. We would appreciate your prayers also! Getting these gifts across the border can be difficult. It makes sense to call on His help. Pray for our wisdom too, in some families the toys and blankets we give the children will be taken by their father or even their mother and sold to support a drug habit.

Many thanks for your support and prayers throughout the year. Thanks for the check you sent this past month. We appreciate you!

Each of us at Spectrum wishes you and yours a very special Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Thanks again for sharing your blessings with us.