MOUNTAIN VIEW CHRISTIAN CENTER DEC - 2010

AGNIN THIS ISSUEFrom Grief to Grace -

Gina Dacus

Santa’s Surprising Origins -Rev. Austin Miles

Dance Through theHolidays and Through Life -

Don Huntington

A special edition of AGN“It’s all about Jesus”

A ChristmasCelebration! AGN

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Theology and then continue their education towards a Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree. The goal of the School of Theology is to equip men and women of God to develop and use their spiritual gifts for the

work of the ministry in the Body of Christ.

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2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,

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AGN - Pg. 3

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” Hebrews 1:1-2

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” Hebrews 1:1-2

CONTENTS

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY - PASTOR TYRONE H. PG. 3 /GINA DACUS - PG. 9 / WOW - WOMEN OF WORTH PG. 16 / WORLD NEWS - PG. 21 / DON HUNTINGTON - PG. 23 / SANTA’S SURPRISING ORIGINS - PG. 24 /

Publisher - Pastors Hanoum / Dellinger

Editor-In-Chief - Will Byrns

Managing Editor - Gina Dacus

Copy Editor - Cathy Huffman

Reporters/ColumnistsSusan Holmes, Austin Miles

Saed & Linda Awwad, Priscilla Stanley, Linda Sizuela Gina Dacus, Don Huntington,

Ramiro Amador,Don Kwong & Inga Mork

Distribution Mgr - Jerry GebroskySolano Dist. - Jeanne Byrns

5000 Amaryllis Street Oakley CA 94561

ofc: (925) 625-9570fax: 625-9003

Email: wbyrns@americasgoodnews.com Send releases, letters and reprint requests to the

Email or address above.(c) Copyright 2010 Mountain View Christian

Center. All rights reserved.

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Christian Newspaper Assoc.

Good News America covers local, national and world news headlines and stories. The views and opinions

expressed in this literature do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of America’s Good News.

Good NewsPublishing USA

Photography - Tim & Jane Vaughn

Pastor Susan HolmesA Christmas invitation

Pastor Will ByrnsChristmas for all seasons

Marnie FerreiraIt’s all about Him

Rev. Austin Miles Incredible Veteran’s Day

ResourcesA Helping Hand

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY - PASTOR TYRONE H. PG. 3 /GINA DACUS - PG. 9 / WOW - WOMEN OF WORTH PG. 16 /

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13

18

22

28

Christmas is Jesus

WORLD NEWS - PG. 21 / DON HUNTINGTON - PG. 23 / SANTA’S SURPRISING ORIGINS - PG. 24 /

Special Report

Ramiro AmadorThe origin ofChristmas Carols

“Woman To Woman”“Woman To Woman”

AGN - Pg. 8

By Susan Holmes

Every Christmas some of the wonderful stories that we are reminded of is about the three wise men from the east who where following the star to King Jesus. In Matthew 2:2 they asked King Herod, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east at its rising and have come to worship Him.” In verses 10 & 11 it says, “When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy. And upon going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him!” In Luke chapter 2, we also read the account of the shepherds coming to worship “the Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!” who the Angels had told them about and where to fi nd Him.

I can imagine hearing the wise men and shepherds sing the words in Psalm 95, “O Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! O Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.”

When Mary gave birth to Jesus there was no room for Him in the inn, and now the question is, “Is there room in your heart for Him to come and dwell?” Jesus said in John 14:23, “If a person really loves Me, he will keep My Word and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.”

We are told in James 4:8 “Come close to God and He will come close to you.” But how do we do that? We come close to God by faith! Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please God. For whoever would come near to God must believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him.”

1 Peter 2:4-5 says, “Come to Him, the living stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen and precious in God’s sight. Come and like living stones, be yourselves built into a spiritual house, for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifi ces (that are) acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.” Romans 12:1 says, “I appeal to you; therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies as a living sacrifi ce, holy and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service of spiritual worship.” When we open our hearts to Jesus we are bowing down our lives in worship to Him!

Jesus gave us an awesome invitation in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door. I will come into him and will eat with him, and he will eat with Me.” He also said in John 6:35, “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).” Jesus invites us in John 7:37-38, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in Me as the Scripture has said, from his innermost being shall fl ow springs and rivers of living water.” In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. (I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls).”

Jesus says to us in Luke 6:47-48, “For everyone who comes to Me and listens to My Words and does them, I will show you what he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a fl ood arose, the torrent broke against that house and could not shake or move it, because it had been securely built and founded on a rock.” Jesus is the Rock of our Salvation and He is worthy of all of our worship this Christmas Season.

Please stop, take a breath during this very busy time of the year and join with me in accepting this wonderful Christmas Invitation from the King of Kings Himself: “Come to Jesus!”

All Scripture is from the Amplifi ed Version

“A Christmas Invitation”

“Woman To Woman”“Woman To Woman” From Grief to GRACEFrom Grief to C

AGN - Pg. 9

elebrati ng Christmas may be diffi cult for those who have experienced a death of a family member or friend throughout the year or even during the holiday season. Extended grief following a sense of loss even if years have elapsed can set in and trigger depression. While the holidays off er a sense of comfort, it can be a lonely and diffi cult ti me for a person that has experienced a loss.

I personally never knew how diffi cult of a ti me it could be unti l I experienced the loss of my father the day aft er Thanksgiving. No one could have told me in a million years that I would have received a phone call saying that he had been rushed to the hospital, but I did. Suff ering a massive heart att ack, my father did not survive. As a daddy’s girl, I was devastated. Although I had a number of supporti ve people and loving family members around me, the loss of my father seemed to shatt er my connecti ve support system and I had diffi culty understanding it all and putti ng the pieces of my life back together.

It was diffi cult enough getti ng through the home going services, but when Christmas arrived, I was not mentally prepared for an additi onal sense of loss that layered the grief that I was already experiencing. I’ve always loved celebrati ng the birth of Christ with my family, but the thought of the pending holiday without my father became an emoti onal trigger for a depressive spiral.

When I began to have trouble in worshipping God in home and church, I knew that if something didn’t happen quickly, I was not going to make it. I didn’t have ti me to analyze my stage of grief. Following an established system for processing my grief didn’t make sense to me as it felt as if everything else was out of order in my life. Comforti ng words helped, but could not reach the pain that nestled deep down in my heart. It was during this ti me that I learned the power of God’s words as he echoed the same words that he spoke to Paul and said, “My grace is suffi cient for you” (2 Cor 12:9).

God’s grace stopped me in my tracks and grief. In the midst of it all, I had forgott en that the grace of God was available. Here was a triune God waiti ng to comfort and console and I had run off in the opposite directi on. I had rejected him because I didn’t want to face the transiti on in my own life. Clearly, I had pushed him away at a ti me that I needed him the most. I needed an injecti on of grace at the point of my depression – the place where it hurt the most. My God did provide. He met me right there and I let him in. I let him comfort me. I let him console me.

Now four years later, tears representi ng my loss arrive, but I am in a place that I can smile at the same ti me because God sti ll comforts me. I can now celebrate my father’s life by cooking his favorite foods and teaching my children and family the recipes. I can celebrate Christmas knowing that the birth of Christ means everlasti ng life for me. I can embrace this season knowing that no matt er what I face, God’s grace will get me through anything, and I am forever grateful.

No matt er what you are facing and even in the midst of your loss, God is waiti ng right there to comfort you. “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you” (Matt 5:4 The Message).

God’s Provision through the Holidays

Author Gina Dacus

THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS

AGN - Pg. 11

By Ramiro Q. AmadorWhen we hear the words “Christmas carol” we often think of a group of people dressed in early 1800’s apparel full of the Christmas spirit, holding hand bells, showing up on our front porch singing songs like Joy To The World, Jingle Bells or Silent Night. Have you ever wondered, or asked yourself where, and how did this tradition begin? Starting with the word “carol” and examining the origin of the songs - who wrote the songs - when and why? Well, I have done some research on the history of Christmas carols, songs from yesterday written especially for the season of Christmas. I pray that after reading this you will have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the talented and gifted individuals who have given us lyrics and music for the season of Christmas. Although some songs were not written on the birth of our Lord Christ Jesus, nevertheless you will agree that the joy we have when our children sing songs like “Frosty the Snow Man” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” during the season, also play an important part of the Christmas joy and spirit.

What I have studied and learned is that the history of Christmas carols goes back as far as the 13th century. The word carol is an old word for a verse song with a refrain, so Christmas carol simply means a song with a Christmas theme. This very seasonal form of worship music has a long tradition in most countries of Western Europe, a tradition which has spread throughout the whole of the Christian world.

It is unclear when the fi rst carol was written but it is believed some were between 1350 to 1550 was the golden age of English carols. The theme often revolved around a saint, the Christ child or the Virgin Mary. During this time, elaborate arrangements were made and carols were considered an important contribution to English music. The songs were written for 3 or 4 voices and themes were mostly on the passion of Christ. By the 16th century, though the popularity of carols faltered, almost disappearing entirely if not for the revival that happened by the middle of the 18th century. Most of the carols we know today were written during this period.

Songs like Silent Night who’s author was Josef Mohr (1792-1848), an Austrian priest. The tune was composed by Franz X. Gruber (1787-1863), an organist and school teacher. In 1995, a manuscript written by Josef Mohr was discovered. The said manuscript is believed to date back to 1820 and it reveals that the lyrics were written in 1816 by Mohr, but the music was composed two years later by Gruber. Another song titled Joy to the World was composed by Lowell Mason (1792-1892), a composer of church music, but the lyrics were written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!Let earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare Him room,And Heaven and nature sing.

As you can see by the words to this song, it was written for the glory of our Lord, along with songs you might be familiar with. Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Holy Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and We Three Kings, were written about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Once again I pray that this will give you a better understanding of the history and origin of Christmas carols.

LOVE, PEACE AND FAITH....Ramiro

THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS

1 Corinthians 8:6Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

HRISTMAS FOR ALL SEASONS It’s all about Jesus!C

AGN - Pg. 13

By Will Byrns Each year as the Christmas season draws near I’m blessed by the opportunity to share with my son the true meaning of Christmas. He knows Jesus, and he believes in God, but still it gives me great joy knowing that I can use this time to explain why Christ was born. I’m grateful that it’s not just during the Christmas season that I speak of Jesus to my son, as he is usually willing and attentive in receiving the word. He’s eleven years old now and is well versed in scripture for a child of his age, but when it comes to our duties as parents the Bible always gives us direction in how we should train our children. The first scripture that comes to mind for most of us is usually Proverbs 22:6. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” I talk about the Lord quite often when we’re spending quality time together, but there has been times when I think that my son may be growing weary of my Godversations. This is a great word which means you are having a conversation about God; therefore, appropriately named; ‘Godversation.’ As an editor I must give credit where it is due. This word comes from a good friend and brother in Christ, Pastor Don Kwong. He mentioned it one day while we were having lunch together and I have used it frequently ever since. I really believe that this word needs to be added to the Webster’s Dictionary. So it is written… so it shall be done! Anyway, back to the matter at hand. When I detect that my son is getting tired of hearing me speak of how awesome our God is I usually refer to this scripture found in Deuteronomy 6:5-7. It says, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” That is pretty straightforward I would say; when you sit at home, walk along the road, lie down and when you get up. I believe that God wants us to speak into our children’s lives on a consistent basis so they really know how much our relationship with our Savior truly means to us. If we only talk about Jesus during the Christmas and Easter holiday season it doesn’t become a part of their everyday life, or a part of the lifestyle they reflect to others. If you want your children to become strong in their walk with the Lord you must lead by example. Each day I ask the Lord to renew my mind, and help me to understand the purpose that He has for my life. Lord, guide my steps so that I can be faithful and obedient to all that you call me to. If I am a Christian, I am a follower of Christ. If I am not following Christ, how can my son follow the Christ in me? If I am following Christ, then I become a leader to my son. If I humble myself and follow in His footsteps becoming a faithful servant, then in my weakness I am strong. Only then can my son truly understand that it is the Christ in me that is my strength and my hope. I would like to encourage you not just for this Christmas season, but for all seasons, seize every opportunity taking the extra time needed in order to minister to your children. They are your most important ministry. I’m not saying to beat them over the head with the bible and scriptures endlessly, but be wise in how you present it, by using parables and real life stories. Help them understand the things that Christ taught us and how they apply to our lives daily. When you plant these seeds they will last a lifetime and your children will have a strong foundation that will always be with them to help guide them in this fallen world we live in. We know that their lives will never be perfect, but as parents we should desire to give them all the tools they desperately need to protect them as they grow and become young adults and parents themselves. If we want them to succeed; if we want them to have strength; if we want them to know how to forgive others; if we want them to have joy; if we want them to love wholeheartedly then we have to give them Jesus. He is the only one who can show them the way as scripture states in John 14:6… Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

AGN - Pg. 14

Merry Christmas!

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Protection Through Prayer and Spiritual Warfare

Women of Worth -(Left to Right) Pastor Kim and Shelby Seeley

AGN - Pg. 17

November’s Women of Worth possessed a divine aftermath from the women who attended the annual Women of Worth Conference that took place just days before. A number of the women present at WOW this Monday night had just spent two and a half days in the presence of God in a mighty way and the evidence of that time hovered in the sanctuary throughout the evening.

As a continuum of the theme from the conference, Pastor Kim shared about prayer and warfare. She began the evening by stating that divine protection from the enemy comes from a house of prayer. In this case, the house she referred to was the temple of the believer. She further described that this type of prayer takes place day and night. Pastor Kim illustrated how a widow gained legal protection from her adversary. In Luke 18:1-8, the widow literally gained protection based on her continual petition to the judge. Even though this parable encourages and validates that God will protect his elect, many of us opt out of prayer, and choose to worry, stress, and become depressed about the attacks of the enemy. Yet, scripture confi rms that “we are the elect”. As Pastor Kim shared, if we believe in Jesus and we are desperate for God, then we are God’s elect.

Yes, the attacks by the enemy are real and at an all time high -- no one is exempt. I imagine that if we were tracking the attacks on our life, many of us would break world records. Yet, going at life alone and

operating without the instruction and divine protection of the Lord in these days and times creates an unnecessary risk for God’s people. Do not believe the tricks of the enemy – God is on your side. He has not forgotten you. If you have not spent time in prayer, the larger question is have you forgotten him. It is in these times that the requirement of prayer and communing with the Father must be a daily and ongoing regiment in the life of the believer. Not just because we need something, but also because we recognize that we simply need Him. We must forsake fear and become desperate for the Father like never before.

In the story of the widow, we fi nd that she became desperate for protection from her adversary. As Pastor Kim shared, “When desperation exceeds fear, progress begins.” How desperate for God are you when it concerns the delicate matters in your life? Are you ready to prove what is good, acceptable and the perfect will of Him (Romans 12:2)?

Some may ask what legal protection offers. Pastor Kim shared that legal protection provides power and that power comes through prayer. If you are tired of feeling as if the enemy has the upper hand, I encourage you to do something different. Start now by fi nding your place of prayer. Start now by being desperate enough to seek God’s protection from the adversary on your knees. Start now by seeking God like never before. Be willing to wait in expectancy for God’s response.

As scripture says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16 KJV).

AGN - Pg. 18

By Marnie Ferreira

When I think about Christmas I think about the things I longed to know as a child. I couldn’t wait to find the gift my mom or dad had hidden in their closet. Even though I knew I shouldn’t I am embarrassed to say I tried to peak around the house to see if I could find what they had gotten me. The sad thing was the result was always the same, disappointment. If I found the gift, I was disappointed in myself for ruining the surprise. I always sat down every year to write Santa a letter and on Christmas Eve I would try my hardest to stay up to see Santa. My poor mom just tried to get me to go bed so our stockings could be stuffed. Once in bed, I would lie there awake until I heard some noise which I thought was the sound of Santa’s sleigh bell coming from the sky. I would run to the window to look out but I didn’t see anything. There was always a void in my heart after Christmas.

When I started going to church as a child, I learned about Jesus and that he was born in a manger to a virgin girl named Mary. For years, I watched and performed in many of the Christmas performances but I was still searching for more answers to this story. I had never doubted there was a God, or that Jesus was his son. I loved the bible stories that I was taught but it was like there was still a hole in my heart. I guess you could say that I learned the foundations of the bible at church, but I still was empty. The stories had taught me more about the “rules” but I hadn’t learned anything about a personal relationship with God. I needed to understand his forgiveness, grace and mercy and I honestly didn’t know how to find it. It took me many years to discover that Jesus had always been there waiting on me. I realized God was kind of like a faucet; I had to turn it on to make it work. God wanted to work in me but I had to ask and receive him.

I spent many years of my life trying to find out the answers and the meaning of this life. I looked to everyone, everywhere and in everything. I finally realized what I had been longing for was God personally working in and through my life. I couldn’t just be aware of his existence and know the stories. I had to let God be the Lord and Master of my life. I couldn’t put him on a shelf or hide him away from others. I had to keep him in my heart and wear him on my sleeve. I couldn’t put on a façade to others and never let people know who I am, in fear of being rejected. I had to put myself out there and face rejection just like he did. I am so thankful that I have found forgiveness, peace and ultimately God’s purpose for my life. Have you turned the faucet on yet to what he can do for you this Christmas? Open his gift of forgiveness this season. “For God so loved the world he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. Don’t just look for happiness in a gift this season. Find the ultimate “gift” that will never disappoint and will keep on giving.

It’s all about Him

A Story Revealing our Wonderful Work

By Janet Kleyn, President, Agape Villages Foster Family Agency With each newsletter, I struggle for just the right story to tell you to give you just a small idea of the wonderful work I am blessed to see every day; the lives changed; the sacrificial love of the foster parents; the devoted care by staff.

I want to tell you about a sibling group of three children who came to us about a year ago. Jack was 4, Jennifer was 3, and baby Jason was not yet a year old (names have been changed for privacy). They were welcomed by one of our families who immediately loved them. Jason was severely developmentally delayed – not crawling, not making any sounds or gestures. The family never lost hope. With perseverance, love, physical therapy and a tremendous amount of patience, Jason is now doing all age-appropriate things!

The family is in the process of adopting all three children. Sadly, last month, Jason (who just turned two) was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a childhood kidney cancer, and is now receiving chemotherapy. His foster mom has been by his side every moment, comforting him, loving him, and just being his mom in every sense of the word.

I visited Jason and Mom in the hospital not long ago. Jason is a very sweet little boy who shows tremendous resilience and understanding through all of this. Dad is at home with the two children mentioned above and two other children. His work has allowed him to work from home. Extended family has stepped in, church and friends have helped, and of course, the Agape family has been there, taking children to doc-tor’s appointments, providing meals and doing whatever we can. Many prayers have been lifted up.

Every child deserves a home. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that there are just not enough to go around. There remains a tremendous need in our state for more foster homes for children of all ages, especially children eight years and older and sibling groups.

Agape Villages Foster Family Agency seeks strong, Christian families to partner with us to meet this need. For more information on foster parenting, call Isaura Roots at the Agape office, 800-566-2225. Donations are also needed – mail to 3160 Crow Canyon Pl. Ste 120 San Ramon, CA 94583 or donate on-line at our website www.agapevillages.org. May God bless you.

EYE ON WORLD NEWS

AGN - Pg. 20

EYE ON WORLD NEWSGrowing demand for

military BibleSticks

Is California gradually shiftingtoward conservatism?

Russ Jones - OneNewsNow

Through the work of an international Bible ministry, thousands of troops are hearing God’s Word.

In October alone, Faith Comes By Hearing deployed 20,000 BibleSticks to military personnel, giving them the opportunity to stay in contact with God’s Word. The world’s largest audio Bible ministry began the project in 2008, and it has since provided more than 100,000 BibleSticks to chaplains who distribute them to troops. According to Jon Wilke, spokesperson for Faith Comes By Hearing, his group is trying to keep up with demand.

“It’s just gone incredibly well. We’re really hanging on as a ministry because the demand for these has completely outstripped our resources,” he reports. “As an international audio Bible ministry, this is just a small fraction of...the outreach that we do every year. But because of the immediacy and the urgency of it, we’re just hanging on.”

He explains that a small, portable audio player dramatizes the Bible with music and sound effects.

“One of the lands corporals [overseas] wrote that after a long, hot day on foot patrol, he has a hard time sitting up to read because he’s so tired. [But] he begins listening to the Bible, and he feels this renewal and this refreshing in his spirit; he says he wakes up and he’s renewed,” Wilke shares.

He is encouraging churches, parishes and individuals to make military BibleSticks part of their military care programs. More information about that can be found on the ministry’s website.

Becky Yeh - OneNewsNow A political commentator says the outcome of the attorney general's race in California indicates that the state has a new generation of voters with different political and social values. Joel Fox, editor of Fox & Hounds Daily says Kamala Harris' win in the attorney general's race would not have played out a generation ago because of the values of the California electorate then.

"She comes from a very liberal city, and she had no support from her hometown police. Ev-ery police association in the state supported her opponent, [and] most of the district attorneys did [because] she's anti-death penalty," Fox points out. "So a generation ago in California with those cre-dentials, that candidate would not win the attorney general's race."

The Fox & Hounds editor attributes the shift in voter values to the change in the state's demo-graphics, as the foreign-born population has nearly doubled and the voice of minority voters has grown increasingly strong. "So we have dents in demographics dealing with our voters, and that, I believe, is clearly reflected in Harris' victory for the position of attorney general," he suggests.

Fox further contends that Harris' stance against Proposition 8 may have helped her as well, and he believes California voters resonated with the Democrat because she pushed environ-mental issues.

"I know one of the things that she heavily ad-vertised was her strong stand on the environment; that was in a lot of her commercials," the com-mentator notes. "And California voters are clearly sensitive to the environmental issues."

Even though the values of "Reagan Country" do not currently dominate California, Fox still be-lieves a future shift towards conservatism is likely.

By Rev. Austi n Miles (November 11, 2010). I just returned from a Veteran’s Day parade, one of the many throughout the United States. This one was held in Anti och, California, a riverfront town in the northern part of the state. What a joy to see hundreds of patrioti c Americans lining the sidewalks cheering on the veterans and military units traversing the main street of town, along with some of the newly elected politi cians put into offi ce by revoluti onary voters in the most energized electi on in recent politi cal history. These newly elected politi cians love America, strength of family and those in the service of our country. Indeed, 25 newly elected members of Congress are veterans, which represents about half of the new House Representati ves who will take their seats. As the town clock struck 11, a spectacular helicopter fl y-over brought cheers from the crowd as it roared down the parade route and back, so close that it absolutely skimmed the top of the trees as awed parade goers waved at a young soldier manning a machine gun in the open side. There was also a seagull fl yover which received no response. There were very talented, disciplined high school bands, veteran’s motorcycle groups, anti que cars and old army vehicles. There was also a marching veteran smartly dressed in a World War I uniform in an anti que car with another man dressed as a WWI soldier along with a woman companion dressed in clothing of that period. As each honor guard passed carrying the American fl ag, my cap came off with the rest of the crowd and a salute was off ered. At one point, tears rolled down my face which happens at every veteran or Memorial Day celebrati on. I can’t help but think of the two young soldiers who died next to me during my ti me in service during the Korean confl ict. That is something I will never forget. At the end of the parade, the crowd moved down to the Marina where a “Batt le of the (high school) Bands” took place. Leaders of the community spoke along with high school students with a special ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial Monument located there. Appreciati on for veterans was shown by Pinkey’s Klassy Kar Wash located on 18th Street in Anti och, by off ering free, detailed car washes for veterans. Many vets showed up and those working there greeted and welcomed each one and detailed each car as though it was a personal privilege for them to do so. The care they gave each car was superb! I know I will certainly become a loyal customer, as they love vets and their prices are reasonable; surprisingly so considering the thorough cleaning they do for your vehicle. From there, a free lunch was given to all veterans at the VFW Hall on Fulton Shipyards Road hosted by former Mayor of Anti och, Mary Rocha and her husband who is a veteran. Many restaurants including Applebees off ered free lunches for veterans. This was an incredible Veteran’s Day which started last evening. In a special ceremony before the Mountain View Christi an Center Intern Ministry class, fi ve individuals were sworn in as military chaplains by Colonel Dennis Edmoneson US-V with rank and orders given by 1st Lietenant Kevin Graves and presented by General Dan Helix U.S.-V. MVCC Chaplains sworn-in include; Bill Phillips with the rank of Captain, Michael Smith with the rank of Sgt. E-5, Carleton Booker with the rank of 1st Lieutenant and Linda Maxwell with the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6. These newly installed military chaplains will study further to become Certi fi ed MVCC Chaplains with excepti on of Pastor Carleton Booker who is already a Certi fi ed MVCC Chaplain. An outreach ministry to military personnel and veterans is in the process of being established at MVCC of Oakley. I believe the church can do much more in supporti ng veterans. There will be veterans in every congregati on. As for me and my church....we will welcome, support and serve our veterans. Happy Veteran’s Day to all.

IncredibleVeteran’s Day!

AGN - Pg. 23

Put Your Whole Self In

By Don Huntington

M

Dance Through the Holidays and

Through Life

y successful engagement with life and with living requires me to live above circumstances — throwing myself into the processes of life whether struggling with cancer or on vacati on in Yosemite. As a direct result, I have been in a decades-long process of learning the wonderful truth concealed within this column’s key quote.

I relish the cadences of the individual weeks! Each Monday morning I begin work with keen anti cipati on of the gift s that Heaven will send my way during the coming week. I love the weekends and enjoy leisurely Saturday mornings with my wife, Sundays at church with my friends and my God, and popcorn on Sunday evenings.

Each individual day comes with rhythms that renew and bless my life. My morning runs through the dark neighborhoods or workouts on my Wii Fit, followed by a delicious cup of coff ee, then the pleasure of fellowship with my fellow-workers, a tasty lunch enjoyed with family or friends, aft ernoons full of sati sfying work and cheerful banter with whatever people come into my life, the pleasures of dinner, enjoyment of ten pages of a good book in bed, and fi nally falling into welcome sleep. How many ti mes as I closed my eyes have I rejoiced in the realizati on that I had spent the enti re day pursuing happy challenges, without experiencing a single unpleasant moment or being with one person whose company I didn’t enjoy!

My enti re life has followed an art that is analogous to a single day. I experienced some tough weather during the early spring and summer periods of youth and young adulthood. Now that I am in the midst of my autumn years, however, I have learned to put my whole self into appreciati ng the patt erns with which my life seems to be conti nually blessed.

My death will certainly conclude the approaching winter of my life, but I am planning to experience my demise…. “Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.” As Master Bryant advised.

In this month’s key quote, from C.S. Lewis’ incomparable Screwtape Lett ers, the arch-demon, Screwtape, notes that a joyful embracing of life would be the normal experience of all human beings if they, the devils, were not diligent at their work. By the grace of Heaven, a great wall seems to have been erected for me behind which I am sheltered from any dark or dysfuncti onal powers. I seem to be living my life in a space in which the endless “novelty and familiarity” of existence is made beauti ful by the light of God’s presence.

My conti nual sati sfacti on reminds me of the words of my favorite hymn:

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning

Born of the one light Eden saw play. Praise with elation! Praise every morning

God’s recreation of the new day! The older and more experienced I become in the ways of heaven and earth, the more I am “transported,” to use C.S. Lewis’

term, by the normal rhythms of the year. The blossoms of springti me lift my heart for many weeks. I deeply enjoy the segue of springti me bloom which blossom into summer fruit and leaf, and then into beauti ful and delicious fall harvests. Especially during these winter months, do I fi rst anti cipate and then revel in the lively festi viti es of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

I am so grateful that the cadences in my life — the daily, seasonal, quarterly, yearly, and decade-long rhythms — provide a never-failing source of fuel for the bonfi res of my joy. My whole life seems fi lled with a conti nual Christmas morning delight; I am up on my feet and I am dancing!

(A devil speaking) If we neglect our duty, men will not only be contented but transported by the mixed nov-elty and familiarity of snowdrops this January, sunrises this morning, plum pudding this Christmas.... Only by our incessant efforts is the demand for infi -nite, or unrhythmical, change kept up. –C.S. Lewis

Try This: 1. Open yourself to experience the warmth and love of friends, family members, and co-workers during the coming days of Christ mas celebrations. 2. Remain aware of the seasonal beauties that surround you. Look for them! Enjoy them! Don Huntingtonwww.donwriteforyou.comdon.huntington@gmail.com925-634-7927

AGN - Pg. 24

By Rev. Austin Miles

He is loveable, congenial, giving and jolly. What’s more he knows everything, as any child will readily testify. He is a colorful old man, whose visits are eagerly awaited by millions of children each year and who, for a little while, makes the world a happier place.

Is Santa Claus a good influence on children, or a bad influence whose image merely commercializes Christmas and who takes the reason out of the season, as some charge?

Where did Santa come from? It will surprise many to learn that Santa Claus (as we know him today) came out of the church itself through the charity of a very devout and caring priest.

Now bear in mind that this is a true, historically documented account. Approximately 200 years after the birth of Christ, a meeting of the elders of a little church in Myra, Turkey had just been called to order. They needed to appoint a bishop but no fitting candidate could be found. So great was the need that they decided to pray.

Out at sea, a ship battled a raging storm. The crew valiantly fought to keep it afloat. Trunks were being thrown overboard to lighten the load as frightened passengers held onto whatever they could to keep from being swept overboard while others huddled in their cabins. The ravaging waves tore some wood from the sides of the ship.

“Nicholas... NICHOLAS!” someone yelled frantically. It had been noised about that a man named Nicholas, who was known to be a man of God, was on board.

Out of a cabin, in response to the call, came a man with a long white beard. Holding onto the rail of the tossing ship, he began to pray for the storm to cease. As he prayed he lifted his hands heavenward. Miraculously, the storm calmed. The crippled ship drifted into the harbor of Myra.

The elders of the little church suddenly stopped in the midst of their intense prayer, opened their eyes and looked around at each other, startled at a message from God that had come to each of them in the form of a vision. They were to appoint as their bishop, the first man named Nicholas who would, within the hour, enter the church to pray.

As the leaning ship hobbled into the port and was docked, Nicholas disembarked and made his way into the village to seek a church. He wanted to give thanks to God for His intervention during the storm that could have killed everyone on board.

Finding the church, he eagerly approached it. The elders turned their heads toward the door as it slowly opened. The stately man with the snow-white beard entered and focused on the altar, made his way down to the front and knelt in a prayer of thanksgiving. As he rose to leave, the elders approached him. “What is your name?” asked one. “Nicholas”, came the reply. “God has sent you to us to be our new bishop,” said another. The group joyfully fitted the surprised Nicholas with a long red priestly robe and miter.

Nicholas quickly became known as, “The Bishop of Miracles,” because of so many spectacular answers to his prayers.

Unlike most priests, Bishop Nicholas was wealthy through family inheritance. In his mind, wealth came from God and belonged to God. The very reason for his existence was to serve God. And that is how he lived his life.

Nicholas became increasingly concerned about a custom in Turkey. If little girls did not have a dowry so that they could marry, they would be sold into slavery, which included prostitution. Bishop Nicholas had given away most of his own fortune so he went about and managed to collect gold from admirers.

On December 6th, under cover of darkness, he wrapped the gold coins in several little bags and visited each home that had a daughter without a dowry, dropping a bag of gold through the windows of each, which landed on the hearth where the little girl’s clothes would be drying. When the gold was discovered the next morning, the family rejoiced. Their little daughters were saved from slavery.

Nicholas continued what was to become an annual tradition. Nobody knew the identity of the mysterious benefactor who would slip around the village on that date each year. On one such night, as Nicholas put his arm through the window to drop the bag of gold, instead of it landing on the hearth, the bag fell into a stocking that was hanging in front of the fireplace to dry. It was found the next morning, to the delight of the family. Which, by the way, is how the custom of hanging up Christmas stockings came to be!

Shortly before Nicholas’ death which occurred on December 6th, the date of his annual visit, it was learned that he was the individual who brought so much joy to so many families. In the 9th Century, Nicholas was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, hence the name Saint Nicholas. Since the celebration of Christmas came after the life of St. Nicholas, he actually preceded Christmas, as we know it today.

As the story of St. Nicholas spread, French nuns in the 12th century began making annual night-time visits to poor families with children, leaving fruit and nuts which these families could not afford. The nuns made their gift-giving rounds on what became known as, “St. Nicholas Eve,” December 5th. The tradition spread throughout the Old World and across the ocean to the new. Many people to this day celebrate Christmas on December 6th. St. Nicholas became the Patron Saint of many countries including Russia--becoming a major ingredient in the Russian Christmas celebration. England made St. Nicholas, “Father Christmas.” Germany picked up on that title and in France, he became known as “Papa Noel.”

As the various forms of Nicholas began to emerge in the secular world over the years, some unanticipated problems arose: protests which came out of... the church! Martin Luther pounded his pulpit proclaiming that the true Christmas message was being lost by the St. Nicholas connection.

The Dutch came to the rescue and adopted what they believed

Santa’s Surprising Origins A Christmas Classic

to be a more religious view of Nicholas that would satisfy the critics. The Dutch-German Protestant Reform Movement brought with it the idea that the Christ child should be the standard bearer for Christmas. The German word for Christ child, “Christkindl,” evolved to, “Kris Kringle,” yet another version and another irritant for Luther.

In 1822, on the night before Christmas, which the world began to celebrate on December 24th, Clement Moore wrote a poem about the gift-giver for his six children. That poem, “The Night Before Christmas,” was published the following year in the Sentinel of Troy, New York. Up to that time, Nicholas had taken various forms. He was portrayed with a black beard, then a white beard. He was shown dressed in everything including buckskin. Mr. Moore defined Nicholas once and for all and renamed him, Santa Claus. He had, no doubt, been influenced by the Dutch who named him, “Sinter (Saint) Klass (short for Nicholas)” which became, “Sinterklass.”

Others who spoke broken English, knowing that gold had been found on the hearth by the fireplace, started a new legend. The gift-giver came down the chimney and would land in the cinders of burning embers, so they called him, “Cinder Klaussen,” which would in Moore’s hands become, Santa Claus.

Clement Moore’s poem made Santa famous. He even named the reindeer. Not only did he name them, he made them fly. He might have taken that idea from the poet, Washington Irving, who wrote a book in 1809 about a Dutch Colonist’s dream in which St. Nick came riding over the tops of trees in a wagon wherein he brings yearly presents to the children.

An artist named Thomas Nast, who was a Harper’s Weekly cartoonist, began to show what Santa looked like. He dressed him in red, which had been the official color of the priestly robes worn by St. Nicholas and went further by making Santa plump and jolly.

To show how much of a church connection to Santa there is, Clement Moore’s father was the Episcopal Bishop of New York, and Clement Moore himself was Professor of Theology at Union Theological Seminary.

In 1897, a little girl named Virginia Hanlon, had been told that there really was no Santa Claus. She was so disturbed about it that she wrote a letter to the editor of The New York Sun, whose name by the way, was Francis P. Church... can’t get away from that connection. He responded with a story titled, “Yes Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus.” And the world breathed a sigh of relief.

It is interesting to note that the clearest image of Santa came not from the church or from a poet, but by, of all things, a soft drink company advertisement! That drawing, known as ‘the Coca Cola Santa,’ created and drawn by Haddon Sundblom, made him totally definable. And the elves? Well, they were first seen in Ireland as Leprechauns.

St. Nicholas has been replaced by the created Santa who does indeed delight millions of children. But maybe through the hustle and bustle we have lost the very core of what Christmas is

and should be; a time of love and sharing with people in need (whether we know them or not), rather than an orgy of gift giving, receiving, and thinking of one’s personal wants.

I would like to see the original idea of giving and charity, as set forth by the real St. Nick, with nothing expected in return, brought back.

As for the commercialization of Christmas, there still is a bright side. It is the one time in the year where we can hear songs proclaiming the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, with others heralding the birth of the Holy Child, Jesus Christ our Savior, coming through the loud speakers of the malls and shopping centers of the secular world. Homes are decorated with lights to proclaim Him. People are a little nicer to one another at least once a year. So maybe this commercialized version is better than having no celebration at all. (Editor’s Note: Since this story was first published, atheists and leftist politicians have attempted to ban the name, “Christmas” along with any carols with references to Jesus Christ.) This story, caught the attention of a director for Hallmark Productions who contacted and booked the author to appear in a Movie titled, Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus. Rev. Miles (who sports a full white beard) plays a Mall Santa who magically receives the gift of sign language. Filmed in 2004, it has become a Christmas favorite that is re-aired several times every Holiday Season, on The Hallmark Channel. Watch for local listings.

Santa’s Surprising Origins A Christmas Classic

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FOSTER PARENTS NEEDEDEvery child deserves a home. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that there are just not enough to go around.

There remains a tremendous need in our state for more foster homes for children of all ages, especially children eight years and older and sibling groups.

Agape seeks strong families to partner with us to meet this need. For more information on foster parenting, call Isaura Roots at the Agape Villages offi ce, 800-566-2225. On the web - www.agapevillages.org

Share your love with a child.

AGN - Pg. 28

John 1:17For the law was given through Mo-ses; grace and truth came through

Jesus Christ.

John 17:3Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Acts 10:36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus

Christ, who is Lord of all.