Merry Christmas to each reader and your family. May each of you remember the real reason for the season. It is to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift, not simply a baby in a manger but the One who lived and served, died on the cross for our sins, was raised from the dead, and is now our living Lord and Savior. At Christmas we focus on the miracles surrounding His birth, but we also follow Him all the way. After all, the manger is empty, the cross is empty, and the grave is empty. Now comes a question, what shall I do with the gift of Christmas? Food for thought. Phillips Mill Baptist Church will not have any services on Christmas Day 2005, which is on Sunday. The church members are encouraged to spend quality time with their families. Wednesday night prayer service will be held on Wednesday night, December 28, and regular deacons meeting next week. Sunday morning services will be held on New Year’s Day, January 1. On December 8, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Miller, Debbie and Ashton Tanner attended the Georgia Sheriffs Association Christmas party at the Herring Homestead Youth Home in Swainsboro. They enjoyed a delicious dinner and afterwards the boys put on a delightful play, “’T’was the Night Before Christmas.

Later the Miller family gave gift certificates to the boys to enjoy for the holidays. The Herrington Homestead is the location where they started the Bradford Combs Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Debbie’s son, Brad, who passed away in March. If you would like to make a donation in honor of a loved one, please contact Stan Reeves at 1-678-372-1912. Saturday, December 17, Mary Jane Scarborough and son Tyler visited his great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Sloan, in Alto. They exchanged Christmas gifts and had a nice visit. Please continue to pray for Mr. Dan McAvoy and his family, as he is very sick. All the children and some of their families have been faithful checking on them and helping where they can. Your loving concern is greatly appreciated.