December 1992 Personal Letter

Shalom, Dear Friend,

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!

The world celebrates two major religious holidays this month. Jews observe Hanukkah — the Feast of Lights, and Christians observe Christmas — the birth of Jesus Christ.

Let me take a moment to review the history of Hanukkah.

It’s called the Feast of Lights or Festival of Dedication. After a three-year struggle, the Jews defeated the Syrian tyrant Antiochus. This was in 165 B.C. Syrian idols were destroyed and the Temple was cleansed and dedicated to God. Only one small cruse of precious consecrated oil was found with which to light the holy lamp.

Miraculously, this one day’s supply provided enough oil to sustain the flame of the holy lamp for eight days — until more oil was ready.

Judas Maccabaee proclaimed a festival to celebrate the reestablishment of worship in the Temple. Today, during Hanukkah, gifts are exchanged and contributions made to the poor. Each evening, one additional candle is lighted on the menorah — the candelabra — until all eight are burning. Hanukkah will be observed this year from sundown, December 19 to sundown December 26. Take a moment to express holiday greetings to your Jewish friends.

What about Christmas? Our culture has turned the observance of Christmas into an orgy of commercialism, hiding its true meaning. Christmas marks the moment God invaded human history to become one of us. This is called the incarnation. Christ’s birth has both thrilled and confounded believers down through the ages.

Who can fully understand it – God corning to earth as a man to reveal Himself to us and experiencing life as we know it?

In Colossians 2:9, Paul tells us that the newborn baby was not just a likeness of God … Jesus Christ was God! “For in Him (Christ) dwelleth all the fullness of the godhead bodily.” I Timothy 3:16 states that “God was manifest in the flesh.” The Old Testament gives scores of Messianic prophecies regarding Jesus Christ — Messiah Yeshua. Look at the specific prophecies that were remarkably fulfilled by the historic birth of Jesus Christ:

Speaking centuries before Christ’s birth, Isaiah named the baby Immanuel or God with us. As difficult as it may be for some to understand, this is the real message of Christmas — God is with us! …even when we’re impacted by personal or global concerns:

• Worldwide financial problems;
• Instability of small countries now controlling nuclear weapons;
• A culture that has rejected Judeo-Christian values;
• The prospect of vast social engineering as a new administration is inaugurated in January 1993.

In the midst of these massive concerns — and whatever else you can add from your immediate personal situation — we don’t need to worry! We don’t need to fear the future! Immanuel, God is with us!

God is with us and in total control! He loves us, saves us, keeps us, listens to us, and waits for us in heaven. He’s our Immanuel! Celebrate Christmas with this truth as your focus.

Our nation has elected a new President. No matter how you voted, God has a clear command for all of us. We must pray for President-elect Bill Clinton, his newly appointed staff and all who govern us. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, and intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life…” Read the rest of I Timothy 2:1–4, I Peter 2:13–15 and Romans 13:1–7.

The President carries out many vital responsibilities for our country, but I’m most concerned about what America’s foreign policy position will be toward Israel! Pray as this is established!

As you plan end-of-the-year giving to your church and other organizations that have ministered to you, I ask that you prayerfully consider including Zola Levitt Ministries in your plans. Our purpose is unique. God has given us a teaching role — to help believers better understand God’s plan for present day Israel and the “end times.” And, I believe, we present a clear witness to Jews who have not yet met Messiah Yeshua.

I deeply appreciate your regular monthly support. It enables us to produce and broadcast timely, biblical television programs, respond to requests for educational materials and provide those in Israel scores of ministry materials. You make it possible for me to personally teach, inform, and minister to thousands of interested, seeking people! We pledge the continued stewardship of your trust. Your gift is God’s provision for us to continue. If you’re on a limited income and cannot help financially — God intends for you to help in a vital way — include us in your daily prayers!

Your Messenger,

P.S. It would mean so much to us if you would include, with your regular monthly gift, an “end-of-the-year” contribution to the teaching outreach of Zola Levitt Ministries. Gifts postmarked December 31, or prior, will be credited to 1992.