The international marketing research firm Zogby has released the results of a Christmas carol survey in which participants were asked to vote for their three favorite holiday songs from a list of nine. "O Holy Night" was the clear winner, with 58% of adults voting for it. The online s

Survey included responses from 2,330 adults and was conducted from Nov. 4 to 6. Rounding out the top five holiday songs are: "White Christmas," "The Christmas Song," "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

According to the poll, 76% of adults who attend religious services more than once a week said "O Holy Night" is on their top three list. By comparison, only 25% of people who said they never attend religious services included the song as one of their favorites.

"O Holy Night" is actually a French song, dating from the 19th century. It was composed in 1847 by Adolphe Adam and was titled "Cantique de Noël." It was written during a time when the slave trade had been outlawed in Britain thanks to the efforts of Christian men and women led by William Wilberforce. Yet in many parts of their world, slavery still was legal. Some believe that this song was a ‘political comment’ on one of the great issues of those times.

We took a survey today in our home, and “O Holy Night” was the top choice of all present. When I asked why, our friend, theologian Will Riedel said: “Because it is the Christmas story and all it represents to us.”

“Us” I guess means those followers of Jesus. It’s interesting that in the Zogby survey the other four top favorites are “non-religious” in nature, and more a “Happy Holidays” type of carol (devoid of spiritual meaning). On the other hand, “O Holy Night” is a poignant description of the birth of Christ, its effect on humanity, and the proper response of the Christian community. Hum the melody as you read the following two verses from this powerful song.

Verse 1:

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of Our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world In sin and error pining,

'Til He appear'd And the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope The weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks A new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

I like the line: “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, until He appeared and the soul felt its worth.”

Jesus did come to overcome the power of sin, and give eternal value to every human life. This was a revolutionary concept for that day, and ours as well. This is where Christianity differs from every world religion.

Verse 3:

Truly He taught us To love one another;

His law is love And His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break

For the slave is our brother;

And in His name All oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy

In grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us Praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory Evermore proclaim.

The first line of this verse gives me the actual meaning of Christianity and the guide of how we Christians should carry ourselves in this world.

“Truly He taught us To love one another;

His law is love And His gospel is peace.”

Our culture talks about love, but few actually demonstrate it. It is the huge neon sign of the true Christian.

I hope that you will have many opportunities to sing this song over these next weeks, feeling the significance of the words. Our prayer is that we take to heart the message of “O Holy Night” and allow ourselves to indeed fall on our knees, and proclaim God’s Love, Power, and Glory.

Merry Christmas from Truman and our teachers in Nicaragua, and all of us here on the Team in the United States. MB

Lamb Bleatings

By Laura

“Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given to you. As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” 2 Tim 4:4-7

On our first Sunday back to Hope Chapel Kihei (Maui), we were greeted by a few of Mikaela’s friends. I recognized one of them as familiar and after inquiring, I realized that Whitney was the daughter of one of my long time friends of about 22 years. Here stood her daughter, who looked and acted just like her mom, Terry Johnson, whom I had first known years ago before I met Michael.

Terry was a pure hearted, loving, kind and joyful kind of person who always lit up the world. I used to wonder a long time ago whether she was actually “for real”. Her joy was contagious and truly beautiful...child like and very real. Her daughter, Whitney, the same.

We began hanging out with Whitney and decided to begin a bible study for all the girls their age especially after Whitney had told us that she wanted to be a “Bible Scholar” (music to Michael’s ears). She openly shared how her mom had been struggling through 11 operations on her spine and was ever in pain, but she was open to seeing me. I wept the whole time Whit had shared with me about her mom (a former dental hygienist and marathon runner - active and full of life). Now she was always in pain and often on her back...not mobile.

I began to ask Jesus if it would be alright to go over and pray for her healing. I so hated her having to suffer and curtail so many of her activities. It grieved me. Terry and I played phone tag trying to establish a time to meet, but on one Friday morning I received the news that she had expired the night before and could not be revived.

She passed from this life to the next. I asked the Lord (in guilt) “Could I have prayed for her healing and made a difference?! I am so sorry I never got to get over there!!!”

I felt the Lord answer me quietly and gently, “I did heal her. Now she is with me.”

We have had the privilege of being with Whitney, a true legacy of her mom, Terry Johnson. Whit has become a part of our family and we have become a part of hers. Terry’s life lives on.

A life well lived with honor in the midst of a great deal of pain and hardship. Whitney had written a paper about her mom about a year ago . It was a paper on Terry, her mom, who she declared as being her hero. She spoke at the memorial service reading the paper, a poem she wrote and sang a song dedicating it to her “hero” on this side of heaven. Powerful moments of honoring a precious life.

Yesterday we asked some of our kids if they could write something for the newsletter. Whit joined in the writing….

The Bagby’s By Whitney Johnson

When they first came to greet me I knew that very second Michael and Laura had a lot to offer me and to pour out their love and wisdom on me. Their family has impacted my life in so many ways even during their short time here on Maui.

I have learned a lot by observing the way they live and love Christ.

They showed me how to put faith in God under any circumstance.

I am currently attending a girl’s Bible study at their house which Mike and Laura teach.

The Bible study has pulled things literally out of my heart that I never knew was there.

I have learned a lot more about the Bible and how it became “the Bible”.

Mike is constantly testing me and helping my understanding in God grow every time I come over to their house. I see Laura as a second mom, I feel I can tell her anything.

She’s not only a leader and mentor, but she is one of the most passionate woman I have ever met on fire for God. Mike and Laura, they are like fire hydrants shooting with water overflowing out of them. Spending time with the Bagby’s has caused me to really find and search for my God, and under any circumstance to love people and look for opportunities to serve in any way possible. The way they live is a true testimony.

I see them bringing heaven to earth in everything that they do. They are available to God and he uses them to impact many lives, truly making disciples and really changing the world. They have inspired me to do the same thing. Whitney

School’s Out !

Project Ezra finishes its 23^rd Year

Final exams are done! The 2009 school years is over for our 2600 students on the Rio Coco in Nicaragua.

December is our month to finalize all the grades and reports, and begin to make plans for 2010. This is an exciting month, as we have to ask the Lord what HIS plans are for the next school year. With our economy as it is, these are time of wisdom and faith.

Pictured above are Truman, Onofre, and teacher Jons Dino along with a few of or students. Jons is one of our former students, and knows the value of education. Pray with us for a bountiful 2010. We need your prayers this month! MB

Christmas time is here!

By Mikaela Bagby

I’m especially excited for this year because we get to spend it on Maui! I’ve never spent Christmas here ever…My Grandparents are going to fly over from Oahu so it should be a really good time.

Always during Christmas I tend to think a lot about everything I’m thankful for…

The main thing that comes to mind is FAMILY, and I think that’s because I see everyone coming home from college, out of town, etc, to see their loved ones during the Christmas break. I kinda dread thinking about not seeing my family on a daily basis when and if I go to college out of state or something. I can’t imagine not seeing them every day and spending time with them. It’s a weird thing to think about for me, and the thing is because I am privileged to see my family everyday because were home schooled and all travel together for this time… I catch myself taking it for granted.

Sometimes I go through seasons where I take it for granted A LOT.

I do things like, pitch an attitude when my dad tells me to do a task, or talk harshly when my sisters do something incorrectly. The list goes on… but my attitude has always been the hard one to control.

I look back on the many times I’ve done that and I think to myself, wow did I actually say that? Did I say that to a person that knows me just as well as I know myself, and puts up with me every stinkin day of their life?!

Yea I did and still do from time to time, it’s a sad thing, but I’m glad I catch myself more often now. You can never take family for granted…not ever. Because everyday you spend with people you love you need to think of it as a “gift”. At Christmas we get lots of gifts and yea we enjoy them… but the life long gifts… the things that actually matter forever are things like family.

I encourage you to think of your loved ones not just as people stuck there in your life, but as ‘gifts’.

Life is like a vapor, like a wind.

Never take your family for granted. Mikaela

Krismis Lilya!

By Nutie Melrose-Keogh

Tom and I are sending you, our dear Seek The Lamb family, Christmas greetings. We have just returned from Nicaragua after 6 fruitful months of service on the Rio Coco, and we bring with us salutations and thanks giving from our Miskito brothers, to each of you. God has poured out his blessing on them this Year, amidst difficulties, and they want to say THANK YOU for partnering with God on their behalf.

As the Christmas season is upon us, we, too, are worshipping our Father in heaven with gratitude and awe for his kindness and faithfulness. It truly is a privilege to KNOW and SERVE JESUS, the King of Kings, Savior, Prince of Peace, Counselor, and our Best Friend! His presence and character have been strong with us this year as he allowed us opportunity to serve the people of the Wangky through teaching, preaching, singing and hands-on loving. It was a perfect way to establish our first year of marriage!

Now we are preparing to share our first “blended Christmas” with all our children coming to Florida for the holidays. We are in the midst of Tom’s community of faith here at Sebring Grace Church and we feel very full and blessed.

May God also delight you with His Presence and Goodness this season! We love you all! Merry Christmas! Nutie & Tom

The Bagby Bunch Corner

We are in “our season”. It is not about “Happy Holidays”. It is about the coming of our Lord Jesus, and his outreach to all mankind. It is a time for celebration and reflection. We did receive the greatest gift possible ever– a personal relationship with the Creator and an eternal future as members of His Family. We get to enjoy it now, and it will never end. This is the message for us to proclaim to all this season. And this is why it is a “Merry Christmas”!

We have so enjoyed our time here on Maui, working with our parenting classes, young couples Bible Study, and Miakela’s high school group. We have seen God do some incredible thing in relationships, and we have learned so much ourselves. It is a sweet time for us here. The photo was taken in Haleakala crater with a silversword plant in bloom. We spent two days there last month. Looks like a Christmas tree to me!

We are already making plans to return to Florida on December 30, and be in Nicaragua at the beginning of March. We are planning another trip to the Vida Joven Coffee Farm, and a construction trip to the Rio Coco. Please consider joining us for adventure this year.

Merry Christmas! May God pour out Peace and Joy as we celebrate!

Laura and Maik

How to Make a difference with us this month.

Would you like to sponsor a child? Support one of our missionaries? Make a gift to our school project in Nicaragua?

Please click here for our secure website giving page.

This Month’s Prayer Needs:

December Arrows

This month, please pray for the following:

1) That we will be able to pay all our teachers in Nicaragua their end of year salaries: by law they receive a “13th month” salary each December.

2) For God’s wisdom in planning the budget for our Nicaraguan schools next year. We don’t want to cut back unless He tells us to. Pray for Truman as he meets with government and community leaders, and our teachers.

3) For our dear friend Kelly, who is suffering severe headaches, which we think is due to the fact that she is the leader of the Precepts Bible Study ministry on Maui. Pray for protection from the enemy.

4) For a truck for the Bagby Family to replace the one destroyed by fire in June.

5) For wisdom for Laura and Maik as they plan the 2010 ministry calendar.

We need your prayers! We know that God wants to provide all our needs, and He wants us to be active in asking Him to do it!