From SHAKEY MIKE GWIRTZ
<Shakey1aa@...> (Shakey1aa at aol.com)

and JESSE GILLIAM
<mr_clean1991@...> (mr_clean1991 at yahoo.com)

TO ALL MEMBERS

Greetings On Our 10th Christmas

1944

Yes, it's in the air! The spirit of Christmas
once more warms this poor distraught world.
Over the whole globe millions are looking
forward to that one day when strife can be
forgotten, when it will be remembered that
all human beings, even the least are loved by
God, when men will hope for the coming of
the Prince of Peace as they never hoped
before.

But there is another world which is not poor.
Neither is it distraught. It is the world of
Alcoholics Anonymous, where thousands dwell
happily and secure. Secure because each of us,
in his own way, knows a greater power who is
love, who is just, and who can be trusted.

Nor can men and women of AA ever forget that
only through suffering did they find enough
humility to enter the portals of that New
World.

How privileged we are to understand so well
the divine paradox that strength rises from
weakness, that humiliation goes before
resurrection; that pain is not only the price
but the very touchstone of spiritual rebirth.

Knowing it's full worth and purpose, we can
no longer fear adversity, we have found pros-
perity where there was poverty, peace and joy
have sprung out of the very midst of chaos.

Great indeed, our blessings!

And so -- Merry Christmas to you all --
from the Trustees, from Bobbie and from
Lois and me.

Bill Wilson