But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)NIV

Dear Friends,

We send our warmest Christmas greetings to you, and pray for the Lord's richest blessings in this special time of the year.

"Good news of great joy.."This Christmas, Mrs. Kayo Okuno will be baptized at the Nishi Okamoto Christ Church.Mrs. Okuno first came to our church this past summer, and has been a blessing and encouragement to us ever since.She was just married last spring, and moved here to our neighborhood.She found our church from our home page, and noticed that we had an English Conversation class, which she quickly joined.As we studied together in preparation for her baptism, she has shared how she first met the Lord.

While living and working in the nearby city of Osaka she joined a ‘Gospel Choir' at a local church.Gospel music is very popular in Japan right now, though most people are not Christians and are not interested in the message of the words, and don't necessarily go to church for worship. However her choir director insisted they end each practice with a time of Bible study.Over a period of several years, with several trips to churches in Harlem and other churches in the New York area, Mrs. Okuno came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.It will be a special Christmas.

This Christmas will be a special in many ways.Last month we told about evangelistic meetings with Rev. Brad Berglund.One of the guests who came, has joined our ‘tone chimes'. Tone Chimes are similar to hand bells, but not as delicate, so children can use them with out much concern.They meet on Thursdays to practice, and will play for our Christmas Eve service and Christmas morning worship service.Several of the ladies who play in the tone chimes are not Christians, and do not attend church.So this will be an opportunity for them to join us for worship. Pray for them.

As I write this letter, we have special friend visiting us, Jing Imamura.We first met Jing at the World Mission Conf. a few years ago.She was a Japanese student at Ft. Hays State University, and came to the WMC with Rev. Jerry Sprock and his family.If you have been getting our news letter over the years you will remember that under the ministry of Rev. Sprock and the church in Hays, Kansas, Jing became a Christian.She was a member the Xtreme team that went to Bulgaria and is now a college graduate.I ran into Jing again this past October while I was visiting churches in Southern California, and she had just finished up her degree at Cal. State San Bernardino.Now she is back here in Japan and will begin work after the first of the year.Jing will share her testimony this Sunday.

• Rejoice and pray for Mrs. Kayo Okuno as she prepares for baptism on Christmas day.
• Pray for the ladies who play in the tone chimes, but do not yet know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
• Pray for the Christmas services at Nishi Okamoto Church.This is a good time for people to hear the good news.
• Give thanks with us for the ‘Body of Chirst', churches in Kansas, California, Japan and around the world that work together to share the good news.

We give thanks for your love, prayers and support.

Merry Christmas from the Armagost family.

Tomoko, Ami (17), Alisen (12), and Andrew (10), and John