But Christ’s birth isn’t all we celebrate. Thirty-one years ago, an event transpired that has proven to be seminal, especially for those of us whose lives have been changed by a small, innocuous-looking book entitled Embraced by the Light, a book that has quietly taken the world by storm. November 19^th was the anniversary of Betty’s near-death experience, an experience that put into motion the world-wide awakening of which we are all a part.

There are other events we celebrate this season. In late October, Pastor Yusef Weston returned to the waiting arms of our Lord and to what was no doubt a joyous reunion of relatives, friends, and former church members. To those of us who knew him from the Ten-Year EBTL Anniversary celebration in Seattle two years ago, Pastor Yusef was a dear, caring soul, a man who labored joyfully even in the face of serious medical problems. Yes, we mourn his passing, but even more we celebrate his “graduation” and return to his, and our, true Home. We have included in this issue a memoriam to Pastor Yusef based on a compilation of postings by Betty Eadie.

Pastor Yusef was joined in heaven by another beautiful soul that will be dearly missed, George Rodonaia. A native of Russia who later emigrated to the U.S. and became a Methodist minister, George lived through one of the most interesting NDEs on record; it lasted for three days and culminated in his returning to his body as it lay in the morgue. Not surprisingly, the experience changed his life, and, in various videotaped interviews I saw, it was obvious it turned him into one of the most joyful people I have ever seen. To say that he lit up the room would be an understatement; he was literally radiant. His very life was a celebration. And while I never had the pleasure of meeting George face-to-face, when this earthly tour of duty is up, I plan on looking him up first thing.

While we’re celebrating, I also want to make special mention of someone who has been very important to this publication, former editor Sharon Robbins. Over the last couple of years, she has given her heart and soul to the newsletter as it grew to become what it is today. Though she has decided to focus her energies in other areas, she won’t be leaving us, but rather will continue to be part of the newsletter staff and regularly contribute articles. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Sharon for the willing sharing of her gifts and the legacy she passes on.

We also have a new member of the newsletter staff in the person of Lilian James. Lily wrote and asked if we had a Spanish version of the newsletter (we didn’t); we wondered if she was fluent in Spanish (she is) and whether she would be interested in working on just such an undertaking (she would!). It turns out our wonderful copy editor, Barbara Diaz, is fluent in Spanish as well, and the two of them have teamed up to translate the fall edition. It has turned out to be a bigger project than any of us expected, but, God willing, we should soon be celebrating a new addition to our regular publication. Thanks to Lily and Barbara for all their hard work and devotion to this project. Be sure to read Lily’s biography elsewhere in this issue.

In the meantime, there are many other wonderful contributions to celebrate in this issue: original artwork, wonderful stories, stirring sharings and postings, and happy poems. Be sure that you don’t miss a single page, for each one is loaded with love, sincerity, and truth. And as you read, celebrate with me the joy of this holy season.

From all of us on the newsletter staff, we wish you the most blessed and peaceful of holiday seasons as we celebrate together the birth of our brother and Lord, Jesus. We pray that you and your family continue to awaken to the ripple of that great Love, born in a humble manger, which has been reborn in each of our hearts, as it spreads to every corner of the earth.