Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dear Friends,
Seven hundred years before the coming of the Messiah the prophet Isaiah announced that life and light was on the way: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…” (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus entered into this dark world and manifested the glory of God as he lived among us. It is almost unimaginable that the creator of the universe would come in such a humble way. When we consider why he came we should be overwhelmed with thanksgiving and praise for God’s indescribable gift. John expressed it succinctly: “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him” (I John 4:9). One of my favorite quotes reflecting on this event comes from the Jewish believer Alfred Edersheim in the classic work The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah: “Think of it, that on such a slender thread as the feeble throb of an infant life the salvation of the world should hang…...” This Christmas season we are in Brazil and are blessed to have our daughter Sarah visiting us for “winter break.” It appears some exciting changes may be on the horizon in 2010 in our lives and ministries, more to follow in our January update! Thank you for your friendship and support, and for your interest in our family and our ministry. And may God help us to look back with thanksgiving for the gift of His Son, and to look forward expectantly for the promise of His return!
Rejoicing in His birth,

Steve, Mary Ann and Sarah Nash