And the Lord said to Bethlehem, “The Sundays you have left in December are too many to gather $104,000, lest the people vaunt themselves and say, 'We can do it of ourselves.' Behold, I will make 21 inches of snow to fall on the city and humble you and cast you upon my mercy.

“And you will have neither morning nor evening services on Sunday, December 1. The first Advent Poem will not be heard on that day, neither will there be any offering. And many will fear. For I the Lord am God! I will give snow like wool; I scatter hoarfrost like ashes. I cast forth my ice like morsels; who can stand before my cold?

“And on that day the hearts of many of my people will be perplexed. And thoughts will arise in their hearts, 'Is it not the Lord's day? Does he not prize his own worship? Does he not rule the skies?’

“But some will search the Scriptures concerning these things. They will inquire, 'Has the Lord ever done such a thing? What is his strange design in this Sabbath storm?' And my servant Steve Roy will be given the interpretation of these things. He will see that it was even so with Gideon of old, when I spoke to Gideon these words,

The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, 'My own hand has delivered me.'

“And this will be the interpretation that you shall believe concerning these things. I will get glory in the house of Bethlehem! I will gather the money I have given from high and low. From near and far it shall come to me. By my own power, by my own arm, I will get the victory. For my glory I will not give to another!

“Take heed then my servants, lest you say to yourselves, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'”

And it came to pass that on the Lord's Day, January 5, there was still needed $12,000 for the 1985 budget. And when the counters of the money had completed their counting it was discovered that $12,398 had been given for 1985, and $8, 225 had been given for 1986.

Be it therefore known to all who read this letter, that the Lord is God, and to Him belong the praise and the honor and the glory and the power and the thanks for ever and ever.

And be it further known that this is why we pray all night at Bethlehem each new year. For the Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. No eye has seen a God like him, who works for those who wait for him.

In the service of the King!

Pastor John