The season of Advent is here­the season of preparation in which we look forward to the coming of our Lord. During Advent, God’s people not only anticipate the celebration of the Savior’s nativity in Bethlehem, but we also acknowledge our expectation of His glorious second coming.

The Symbolism of the Advent Wreath

Purple, the color associated with kings and royalty, is the color for Advent. Lighting one of the candles of the Advent wreath on each of the four Sundays adds to our worship. Each candle reminds us of an Advent theme. The first candle is the Prophesy candle, symbolic of the long years of waiting before Christ’s nativity. The second, the Bethlehem candle, represents the preparations made for the coming of the Savior. The Shepherds’ candle, the third candle, represents the responsibility of God’s people to share His gospel. The fourth is the Angels’ candle, symbolizing Christ’s love and His second coming.

The Pilgrim’s Prayer at Christmas

One of my favorite prayers originated in Germany (in October I did a seminar there for Operation Mobilization’s International Conference). Many of the participants were already looking forward to this blessed season.

May the Babe of Bethlehem be yours to tend;
May the Boy of Nazareth be yours for a friend;
May the Man of Galilee His healing send;
May the Christ of Calvary His courage lend;
May the Risen Lord His presence commend;
And His holy angels defend you to the end.

Many Special Blessings

I’m very thankful for the opportunities that I have had this year to conduct seminars and workshops in many places, and for the wonderful participants who have attended. Thanks to all of you who have made it possible for me to ‘keep on keeping on’ with my traveling and teaching­without your gifts to my work, your prayers, and your encouragement I would not be able to continue my Wycliffe ministry. I’m also grateful for stable health this year, the resolution of car problems, some personal retreats, and the gift of the Everett Foundation funds for financial assistance for persons who will be taking my courses next year. I indeed have a very grateful heart!

New Testaments Nearing Completion

The Wycliffe Prayer Ministries wants to thank everyone who has given our translators prayer support, and asks that in the New Year you particularly remember those who are in the final years of their projects. Translators often struggle through great difficulties during this time­even after some have already completed up to 20 years or more of challenging work. They often face spiritual oppression; computers fail; families become sick; and traumatic events sometimes happen as they labor through the final steps of the process. The enemy does not want God’s Word to get out and will do whatever he can to try to stop it­but we know there is power in prayer to triumph over his schemes.

Seasonal Greetings from Evelyn Davis’ Advisory Board

Here we are again at the end of another glorious and blessed year. We would like to thank you for your prayers and support. God is good­all the time God is good. God provides so much to each one of us so that we can enjoy all the comforts of life in an abundant way. If our Lord has truly blessed you this year, we would ask that when you consider your end-of-year giving, that you would consider Evelyn Davis’ ministry, that does so much for so many. Your support can be directed as listed below.

John Hrisak for the Advisory Board

1. Support for her regular, on-going needs should be sent to WBT, P. O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL, 32862-8200 and marked ‘for Evelyn Davis.’
2. Gifts for her travel, equipment, and other special needs should be sent to WBT at the same Orlando address and marked ‘990051 for Evelyn Davis’ 47303 YTRNCN Fund.’
3. Contributions for her medical and dental expenses, and to provide a stipend to persons assisting with the preparation of her training materials should be sent to Carmel Presbyterian Church, Attn: Accounting Assistant, 2048 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226-5098 and marked ‘for Evelyn Davis.’

Recipe for a Happy New Year!

Take 12 fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor, and hate; cleanse them completely from every clinging spot; pick off all specks, pettiness, and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past. Have them as fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into 30 or 31 equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time, but prepare one day at a time.

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work, hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving out rest is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

In Joy I Serve Him,

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