What is the real meaning of Christmas?

It’s that time of year again. December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas and the Holiday Season. But what is the real meaning of Christmas?  Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, stockings hanging in the living room?  Is this really Christmas?

For some people, Christmas brings sadness. They may not have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Or they are forlorn at the thought of loved ones who have passed away or will not be able to come home for the holidays.

Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy for both those who are in want and those who want for nothing. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it is a time to rejoice as we reflect on how God showed His great love for us by sending his only Son to be our Savior.  And it’s a time that we can show that same great love for all mankind in many different ways.  It can also be a time of healing and renewed strength and the beginning of new things to come.

As I was writing this article, I received this email from a dear friend, and yes, I do believe in divine intervention.

At Christmas, you always hear people talking about what they want & bought.
This is what I want:
I want people who are sick with no cure, to be cured.  I want children with no families to be adopted. I want people to never have to worry about food, shelter & heat. I want peace on earth, goodwill and love for everyone!

Now, I would like to share a very special story that is dear to my heart, of how two families from Northeast Mississippi will be celebrating the upcoming holidays with their new “gifts.”  These families have joined their hearts and lives with two very special children from Nepal; Diwas and Channing now have hope for the future with a new beginning on life, because “every child does deserve a forever family.”

The current issue of Invitation Tupelo shares their stories.
To read them click here.

Everyone at Quest would like to wish you and yours a very joyous Merry Christmas, and we challenge each of you to use your “gifts” in the upcoming New Year for the greater good of all mankind and to keep the “Christmas Spirit” in your hearts all year long.

Jennifer Noel
Quest Group

Let there be Peace on Earth…and let it begin in our living rooms.

CALM means lower-volume television commercials… During this holiday season, lawmakers have given us the gift of peace. It took an act of Congress to rule that the obnoxiously loud commercials that interrupt your viewing pleasure will soon be required to lower the volume.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, December 13, the Federal Communications Commission approved new rules to implement the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, or CALM Act, which was signed into law last year. TV stations, cable companies, and others will have a year to comply.

So let’s all take pleasure in watching our favorite holiday shows and movies and enjoy those good seasonal commercials such as Santa sledding on the Norelco and the polar bear enjoying a Coke, all the while knowing this is the last year we’ll be blasted from our merry reverie by gimmicky, annoying commercials that put us out of the holiday spirit.

Happy Holidays!

Read the full story by Politico’s Brooks Boliek http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70402.html

Cindy Hodo

Quest Group Partner

A Measure of Thankfulness

The pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving was a compelling response to God’s provision in surviving the harsh conditions of life in a new land.  Do we ever give thanks for survival today?  I don’t.  I spend far more time worrying about overeating than starving from malnutrition.  How very western of me.  The poorest five percent of Americans today are wealthier than nearly 70 percent of the world’s population.*

I have friends in a third world country who begin each day with a prayer of thanks to God for safeguarding them through the night from disease, predators and their own government forces. Many of us take security, freedom and comfort for granted, even if it’s not our intent. I’ve never feared being terrorized by a secret police force.  My country doesn’t have one.  We have much for which to be grateful.

During this special week, we at Quest Group would like to express our thanks for:

• The love of our God despite our shortcomings

• Families who love us and are a blessing to us

• Freedom from tyranny and the men and women in uniform who defend that

• A government which, despite its flaws, is still the strongest democracy on Earth

• Food, health and shelter

• The privilege of working in an environment of friends

• Our clients and their loyalty to us.  We will continue to be your best cheerleaders and promoters.

Have a happy, intentional Thanksgiving!

- Kathy Kenne, Partner

 

* The Haves and Have Nots by Branko Milanovic