A letter from Stan Bower to the businessmen in the St. Louis region Dear Friend: The pain of life is acute. Life today is so busy and full of uncertainty that it is hard to keep my wits about me. Emotions seem to be overwhelming, especially at Christmas. Even though our needs may be met, our expectations and hopes are being dashed. With what I see and deal with in the workplace, people’s lives are so charged with pain that my heart is continually broken. The sadness I feel for them is very painful to carry. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make life better, but I can’t. The pain sometimes drives me to music, where I find comfort and hope - especially at this time of year. One song really grabs my heart! Please don’t simply read the words, but hear and understand the meaning of what is being said. O come O come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel – Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyrrany From depths of hell Thy people save And give them victory o’er the grave Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel – Shall come to thee, O Israel. The hope I feel through this song is so grand and peaceful that it brings tears to my eyes. My mind becomes dizzy with hope, followed by expectations swelling within my heart. I pray as you read this letter and listen to different Christmas songs that you will feel the same true hope that I do. To me - Jesus is the only hope we have for peace. While the world is in such unrest, I am peaceful and full of hope with the expectation of what the Lord has done and will do. Please consider Him for real this Christmas. For He is the only reason for the season … the psalmist says, “My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation.” Go in peace & Merry Christmas to all. Stanley A. Bower