7As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.
8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;
9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. (NAS)
Do you get Christmas newsletters from friends, family members and even those you hardly know? Paul wrote at the end of the Colossian letter a series of statements and questions that read much like a Christmas newsletter. Newsletters contain universal elements. The first element is the latest information. Tychicus was the deliverer of the letter from Paul. His job was to inform the Colossians as to the well being of the Apostle; which hopefully would lead to great encouragement. Paul after all was a prisoner. Paul says that Tychicus will inform them of the whole situation. Paul continues the letter with word that Tychicus and Onesimus will be bringing encouraging words. They will accomplish that by sharing the latest news. Good news is always encouraging.
Colossians 4:10-11
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas' cousin called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who're from the circumcision; and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. (NAS)
Paul also sent greetings from the others who were with him. A good newsletter almost always has a line that says something like, "Everyone here says hi."
Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bonds lave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings. always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. (NAS)
By the way we are praying for you. There is nothing as assuring and encouraging as the knowledge that you are being prayed for. Epaphras, a pastor, was a prayer warrior. He labored in prayer and everyone must have known that he prayed for them. His prayers were specific: "that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God."
Colossians 4:18
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprissonment. Grace be with you. (NAS)
Ministry is not done without support. Prayer and encouragement, love, concern and finances were all needed to fulfill the ministry God had called Paul to accomplish. He was a prisoner spreading the gospel through verbal witness, a lifestyle and the written word. "Remember me" was Paul's reminder. Send out your newsletter. Read the ones you get. Remember to encourage everyone with the latest information, a sincere greeting, prayer, and whatever support is needed.
Merry Christmas!
________________Today's personal note from Dennis
Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ,
What a great month. Birthdays, Christmas musicals, grandon's performances and programs, Christmas, and of course shopping fills every moment. Sandy and I have so enjoyed having our family over to our home for several special occasions.
I finished the four Sunday morning teaching sessions with our Sunday School class. I really enjoyed doing that. I am grateful for Steve Landis, our regular teacher, for allowing me that privilege. They are a great class.
Collin was one of twelve in his entire elementary school to qualify for the spelling bee. He did great and we were thrilled.
Burke has a summation of his last quarter's work at a night called Summative. He constructed a castle which depicted the study of the social studies assignment. He did great as you can tell by the picture.
Mandy celebrated her birthday on Sunday evening. We had a great time in spite of the fact that both Mandy and John have shared a bad cold. They neither one were feeling very well.
Our whole family is having a great time with a baby this year at Christmas. Johnny gets to be the center of attention for everyone. Even Aunt Susan gets to give him a bottle; and he does like to eat.
Christmas Eve Services will be held in churches around our world to remind us of that wonderful night 2000 years ago when God invaded our planet in the form of a little baby. He came to die on a cross for our sins and resurrect to give us His life. That is the essence of Christmas. Emmanuel sums it up: God with us. On Christmas Day we
celebrate His birth. I do hope and pray you find a place of worship to attend with fellow believers.
telling what God has done for me. The story God gives each of us varies, but it still is HIS story. God has blessed us all so much. Praise Him, Thank Him and Worship Him
this Christmas season.
May God bless you and may you truly find the meaning of Christmas.
Sandy and I both wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. May God's joy fill your heart and mind. Share HIS story with someone this wonderful time of the year. ~ DGW
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