The best Christmas gift for 2009 came early.  His name is Benjamin Kai, born on

September 19, son of Adam and Tori and our very first grandchild.  As you can tell,

he is exceptionally handsome, very bright, musical, athletic, charming and spiritually

sensitive. What more can be said?!

       And he is a Christmas present.  Kai will not recognize or remember his first Advent,

but we are fully aware  that  he is  with  us and  how  his presence  shapes  the season.

Holding him.  Loving him.  Talking about him.  Talking to him.  Buying for him.

Traveling because of him. Planning around his schedule. Thinking about him. Praying

for him.  It’s remarkable how much a little baby changes life.

      Looking to the future, we see many delightful Christmas seasons with him as well

as other grandchildren, like the little girl that our daughter Rachel and husband Chris

are expecting in January.

      Most of all, we pray that our grandchildren will know Jesus Christ as personal

Savior and Lord and that together we may able to celebrate Christmas as Christ- followers.

 A baby at Christmas time is a wonderful gift.  We thank God for children, grandchildren,

and perhaps someday, great-grandchildren.  A baby born 2000 years ago, however, is the

One we are most thankful for.  He’s the One who was born to die.  Born to die on a cross,

so that you and I could have eternal life.  His name is Jesus and He is the One who

truly shapes this glorious season and all the seasons.

                                  “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”

                                                    (II Corinthians 9:15).

We pray that your Christmas may be filled with Him and that your new year may be more

of Him.

                       Ben and Kathy