Jono Miller

I DON’T BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS! . . . WELL, BUT . . .

Many people I talk to are saddened by the commercial hype of Christmas. They see reindeer and Santa and oodles of Christmas lights and too many parties and enough food to feed an army and money (or credit) spent on presents and songs about snow and sleighs and green needled pine trees in the middle of summer!! And I agree – call me a party pooper but it’s too much for me. Many of those who agree with me, say we have lost the real meaning of Christmas – something about a baby born in a manger in Bethlehem. But I’m going to be controversial – I’m over that too! We have this romanticised, sanitised nativity story which we bravely try to squeak out as being the most important part of Christmas. And basically we get drowned out. And basically we drown ourselves out by including all the things I mentioned above and yet somehow trying to make it spiritual by shoving baby Jesus into the mix. For kids, it’s a story that goes too long while you are waiting to open your presents.

However, the message brings tears to my eyes. A few of the meaningful “Christmas Carols” are packed full of the greatest message of redemption known to man. God – the Creator, God the sustainer, God the sovereign ruler of the universe, took upon Himself the form of a man, humbled Himself – and gave Himself on the cross for you, for me, for all mankind. God Incarnate! That is a message for the entire year. Not to be tacked along with the year’s biggest party. Immanuel, God is with us. Not only during the ‘silly season’, but throughout our lives. (a side note – in becoming all things to all people, we should utilise this time to spread God’s Good News – His Good News for every day)

This song greatly touched me with the every-day reality of the importance of God coming to earth as Jesus.
You can always find it on you tube too.

“So what will be your answer? Will you hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His son but gave Him for us all
On earth there is no power there is no depth or height
That could ever separate us from the love of God in Christ
Immanuel our God is with us
And if God is with us who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel”

UTSIM

Last month we had an epistle from Natasha. This month I have little to say from UTSIM. I will endeavour to have a half yearly progress report for you in January.

I do know that UTSIM is struggling to make ends meet and I am in the process of nutting out a solid business vision and mission statement and rough plan for next year and into the future. I would appreciate prayer in making wise and solid decisions, combining the gifts and opportunities God has given me with the needs of the people in and around the area of Ukraine where God has placed me.

Please remember to pray for the staff by name as they work hard leading up to the New Year and Christmas break. Pray for Shane, Natasha, Lena, Sveta, Masha, Simbo, Serge and Neil. Please pray for a replacement for Serge who with his wife will return to the US in January for the birth of their second child.

LIFE OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS (or inside Australia)

Last week I was the LOTE teacher for grades 1-5 at PHCS. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching kids to write their names in Ukrainian and talk a little about Ukraine. Jeff also enjoyed interacting with a bunch of kids again. This week I am back at PHCS again as a Kindy teacher. It is a full-on undertaking instructing a whole lot of young and easily distracted minds. I’m enjoying the challenge and am glad to be back working at PHCS. I enjoy the staff around me – a great bunch to work with.

Kid’s club at church on Tuesday afternoons is still going great guns. This week is the finale and the parents come along for a presentation. Jeff is going to hand out the prizes – and make totally appropriate comments – I am sure!

Anna Watkins turned 21 this week. It’s been great staying with the Watkins and getting to know Anna better has been a blessing to me. It’s wonderful to be challenged by the life of a young person who seeks to live and make life decisions that honour Christ as Lord in her life.

I thoroughly enjoyed table tennis on Friday night with the Russian Table Tennis Club. It was the life I’m used to – sitting in a group of people and not being able to understand everything. I’ve invited a few to our Carols in the Park coming up on December 19.

I also got to watch The Chronicles of Narnia 3, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and was again amazed at what CS Lewis can do with my heart. As in the first two films – the relationship between Aslan and Lucy is so wonderful. So simple and yet so real. So full of pure faith and trust. It brought a tear to my eye.

Come the end of this week, I’m flying to NZ for Magdala and Jamin’s wedding. Magdala was in Ukraine for about 6 years.

WHAT YA READIN’?

I’m still going with Tolstoy’s War and Peace. I have been extremely slow with reading lately – but a couple of plane trips coming up and a bit of summer holidays – I plan to finish it off and get stuck into an ever growing list of books I want to read.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

UTSIM staff

Long term planning for UTSIM

Jesus, Immanuel, God is with us always

Nastya and Mikhyey

Kindy teaching

Magdala and Jamin as they prepare for life together

THANKS

To David for your generosity with the provision of such a nice car to drive.

Love Jono

Keep Looking Up

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