Northwest Adventist families will soon be receiving in their mailboxes a very special Christmas gift: a brand-new version of The Desire of Ages.

This freshly updated edition replaces the archaic language of the original Bible references with the fresh yet familiar feel of the New King James Version. And there are expressive new illustrations by the renowned contemporary artist Darrel Tank.

Local conference leaders are encouraging Northwest members to use this new book as a devotional guide for 2007, with the theme "Read It Again for the First Time." A person who reads an average of just two-and-a-half pages per day will be able to read the entire book in a year.

"A lot of us have read this book and gained great blessings," says Jere Patzer, North Pacific Union Conference president. "But we felt that updating the language of the Bible references would encourage more of our members to re-engage with this wonderful resource."

And so you will soon hold in your hands one of the great devotional classics on the life and teachings of Christ. Millions of people around the world from diverse cultures and faiths have described The Desire of Ages as one of their favorites. Now you will have the opportunity to rediscover it for yourself.

"Our prayer," says Patzer, "is that each of us will use the coming year as a time to recommit our lives to Christ and His calling and commission for us all."

These books will also make excellent Christmas gifts for co-workers, neighbors, friends and extended family members. Additional copies can be purchased at your local Adventist Book Center, online at www.adventistbookcenter.com or by calling (800) 795-6955.

For additional information about how you can participate in "The Desire of Ages Project" write to: Desire of Ages, North Pacific Union Conference, P.O. Box 871150, Vancouver, WA 98687-1150, call (360) 816-1400 or e-mail, gleaner@nw.npuc.org.