A Letter from Hank

Dear Friend,

Although at first blush it may seem an odd one, I want to ask you a question: Do you have the Christmas spirit? I mean, do you really have the Christmas spirit?

Better yet, what is the Christmas spirit?

Is it the warm and familiar feeling of being with family and friends around a soothing fire and flickering candlelight? Is it the joy of seeing anticipation in the eyes of a child? Is it the satisfaction of unwrapping a special gift?

Or is the spirit of Christmas something more than that?

I answer this and a host of other questions in a new resource titled The Heart of Christmas: A Devotional for the Season.

In what has arguably been one of the toughest years in recent history, The Heart of Christmas will rejuvenate your soul and reignite your passion for the things that really matter. And as you will see, this devotional may well be the most aesthetically beautiful book Thomas Nelson, the largest publisher of Bibles in the world, has ever produced. You simply have to see it to believe it!

Furthermore, The Heart of Christmas is content rich. And, like The Complete Bible Answer Book—Collector’s Edition, the content is presented in an easy to read and remember format, with one singular purpose in mind: to prepare your heart for this year’s celebration of the birth of our Savior.

Finally, this year’s offering is complete with a breathtaking solo classical guitar performance of the twenty-five Christmas hymns featured in the devotional. This collection on CD will help you capture the spirit of Christmas and turn your heart towards the Word made flesh. (While the book, The Heart of Christmas, is available in bookstores everywhere, the book & CD together are available only through the Christian Research Institute.)

Which brings me back to the original question: What is the Christmas spirit?

The answer is found in Christ, who for our sake came that Christmas morn two thousand years ago. Who for our sake condescended to cloak Himself in human flesh. Who emptied Himself. Who “made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man” (Philippians 2:7-8). Who, far from exploiting the prerogatives of divinity, “humbled himself” (v.8).

That, I would argue is the spirit of Christmas.

It is not the rush we experience when we get—get a gift, get a feeling, get a bonus. All these are wonderful in and of themselves.

The real spirit of Christmas, however, is found not in what we get, but in what we give. It is becoming ever more like our Savior in the spirit of selflessness. And not just during the Christmas season or on Christmas Day, but rather throughout the remainder of our lives.

The Heart of Christmas: A Devotional for the Season is a small token of my deep appreciation for your support of a ministry that has brought the Christ of Christmas into the hearts of people around the globe.

. . . And I want to send it to you! It’s my way of saying “thank you” for your generous and faithful support of the Christian Research Institute (CRI).

To receive your copy, all you need to do is request The Heart of Christmas and classical guitar CD on the enclosed reply card and return the card in the envelope provided.

When you do, please consider giving with joy and a generous heart in support of both the mission and the vision of the Christian Research Institute.

Our mission is to equip Christians to think “Christianly”—and our vision is to equip multiplied-millions of Christians to faithfully and fruitfully share their faith.

Two thousand years ago Jesus told His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37). And it’s still just as true today. Although it is sometimes hard to see, there is great spiritual hunger in our nation. And the Christian Research Institute is uniquely situated to make a strategic difference at just such a time as this.

It is my prayer that when you complete your journey to the heart of Christmas this year you and yours will have a renewed appreciation for salvation in Immanuel—“God with us.”

May the Christ of Christmas bless you and your family this holy-day season and throughout the coming year!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Hank Hanegraaff
President

P.S. Don’t forget to request your copy of The Heart of Christmas: A Devotional for the Season along with the exclusive CD offering.

P.P.S. To order multiple copies as Christmas gifts for family, friends, co-workers, Sunday school teachers, and Pastors, call 888-7000-CRI or simply go to www.equip.org. Thank you and God bless you during this sacred season.