The special color cover on this issue comes to our readers with our hearty greetings for a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

At this Christmas season, the season of hope, many people are asking, Is there some new message that will save the world? Yes, there is an ever new though old message. God has spoken, and his Son was made flesh—for us; a cross was borne—for us; a tomb was emptied—for us. To a world that lies torn and wounded, to people who are perplexed and in despair, we say: Christianity has not failed; it has never really been tried. At this season of the year—and at every other—it is the special business of Christians to present this old message in new ways to those who have nothing to lose but their sins.

A newcomer to our editorial roster is Edward Plowman, pastor of a San Francisco church for a decade, who has been associated with us for several years as a correspondent and also a summer replacement. He earned the B.A. at Wheaton College and the Th.M. from Dallas. Ed and his wife have four children, including a set of twins. As assistant editor he will work on both the editorial and the news side of the magazine. We welcome him warmly to our midst.

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