Christmas greetings from the Whitney family! Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

The Whitney's on a tour of the White House in August.

This is our fourth Christmas in Kentucky, and we have so much to be thankful for. Caffy is applying her incredible talents to family, church, artwork, the garden, and her bees. Laurelen is a sophomore in high school, loves her church family, won first place for her level in a statewide piano competition, sang the national anthem at an event where Laura Bush was the speaker, and won her second state fair ribbon for her knitting. Don is alive (often reflecting on our first Christmas in Kentucky) and healthy, and still the happiest person on the campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.

Most of all, we are grateful for Jesus. He is our life. In a time of political and economic upheaval, He is our unchanging hope. We are one year closer to seeing the eternally satisfying face of the One who, "though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8). Rejoice in Him every time you hear His name this Christmas season—especially when you hear it sung in the otherwise secular marketplace. Let the mention of His name in places where it is seldom heard be a reminder to you that He rules over all—every political system, every economy, every job market, every mission field, and every heart—and let that cause you to rejoice.

It's time for our annual Ten Questions to Ask at a Christmas Gathering. Many readers of this newsletter have reported that this bulletin insert has been very helpful when gathering with family or others during the Christmas season.

Some of us struggle to make conversation at Christmas gatherings, whether church events, work-related parties, neighborhood drop-ins, or annual family occasions. Sometimes our difficulty lies in having to chat with people we rarely see or have never met. At other times we simply don't know what to say to those with whom we feel little in common. Moreover, as Christians we want to take advantage of the special opportunities provided by the Christmas season to share our faith, but are often unsure how to begin.

Here's a list of questions designed not only to kindle a conversation in almost any Christmas situation, but also to take the dialogue gradually to a deeper level. Use them in a private conversation or as a group exercise, with believers or unbelievers, with strangers or with family. To read or download the bulletin insert, Ten Questions to Ask at a Christmas Gathering, click here, go to the homepage and click on "Bulletin Inserts."

If you want to think ahead to the Sunday after Christmas, here's a reminder that there's also a bulletin insert on Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year at the "Bulletin Inserts" button on the website.

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life—now on audio. Don's bestseller is now available on audio CD, or as a download in MP3, M4B, or WMA format. This unabridged recording has been professionally produced by ChristianAudio.com, the largest Christian audiobook website on the Internet. (This website is a great resource. They even provide a free, downloadable book every month.) The page for Don's book is here.

In addition to ChristianAudio.com, the CD (but not the download) is likely available through your usual book source. If you're interested in multiple copies of the CD version at a reduced price, contact The Center for Biblical Spirituality at Info@BiblicalSpirituality.org.

It's not too late—if you order quickly—to get a copy of the small book, Family Worship: In the Bible, In History, and In Your Home book and/or CD for Christmas. We can send it to you directly, of course, or straight to the recipient of your gift. Click here to read more or to order.

Been thinking of starting family worship in your home at the beginning of the year, but need some help to get started? Considering a short class at church on family worship after the first of the year (there's a five-part discussion guide both in the book and on the audio CD)? If so, then now is the time to order.

Video editing help needed. Don is looking for someone who can do professionally quality video editing. If you can do this, or know someone who does, please contact us at Info@BiblicalSpirituality.org.

Caffy's website has been revised. Go to www.CaffyWhitney.com and click on the "galleries" link to see some of her artwork. You'll see some of her murals and trompe l'oeil work, as well as some faux finishes, decorative painting, mural tapestries, book illustrations, and more. If you are a reader of Jonathan Edwards, you'll be interested in the life-size oil portrait of Edwards at the link at the bottom of the "galleries" page. And come back in a week or two when another dozen or so pictures should be added.

New doctoral programs in spirituality. Don is involved in the development and teaching of the first Ph.D. program in spirituality in the US in a non-Catholic school, and the first D.Min. program in spirituality in an SBC seminary. If you'd like to read about these new doctoral programs in Biblical Spirituality at Southern Seminary, click here.

I've never put this request in a newsletter, but I would like for you to prayerfully consider including The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (where I am a faculty member and senior associate dean) in your year-end giving. It is an incredible privilege to teach the students the Lord has given us to prepare for ministry and the mission field. The Lord is at work in powerful ways at Southern. For more information, you may call the Office of Institutional Relations at 502-897-4143. If you'd like to see the seminary's website, go to www.sbts.edu. Gifts may be sent to:

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Office of Institutional Relations
2825 Lexington Road
Louisville, KY 40206-9945

At the close of this year, I want to express my thanks to all you who pray for us. Thanks also to those who sent financial support to The Center for Biblical Spirituality this year. These are all gifts from Him "who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17). Most of all, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift," the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15). May the Lord greatly bless you this Christmas season!