Thursday, December 31, 2015

Happy New Year


Another year is done. As always, there are the good memories and the bad.

As the fireworks lights up the night sky, we can look forward to God's love to light up our future. I look forward to what the new year will bring. With the help of God, I am ready to face the good and the bad.

In the meantime, I want to wish everyone, Happy New Year. May God truly bless you throughout this new year.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

We Are Being Watched

Sunday I got to enjoy being part of the 'Christmas Bird Count' that the Audubon Society does each year. This year we spotted 42 different species of birds.

While visiting a local farm, with the permission of the owner, we notice that we were being watched. In one of the trees a raccoon kept an eye on us. You can see his eye right at the bottom of the hole in this picture.

He was not the only one watching. The cows, horses, and other wild lives kept a watchful eye on us as we made our way around the farm.

Even though the purpose was to count as many birds as we could spot or hear, I could not help but enjoy all the other critters as well. I did not mind at all being watched.  

Monday, December 28, 2015

As The Child Gets Older


We have talked about a baby's first and a toddler's Christmas. Now is the time to talk about a child as he gets older. What does Christmas mean to him?

The child want the newsest game systems or any type of electronics. It is the computer age we live in now. It is all about the getting the newest PlayStation, Wii or Nintendo. Than there is the many forms of tablets and cell phones that show up on the child Christmas list.

He may still play with his toys, but that is only when you make him get off the electronics. Santa is kind of still in the picture. But he is starting to understand that there is more to Christmas.

This is the time we need to start sharing that Jesus is the center of this season. All the gadgets and electronics will break down or be replace with a newer model. But Jesus remains the same.

The hope we have in Jesus will never run down or be replace. When we receive this Hope, we learn that Christmas is more than all the gifts under the tree. Christmas is all about Jesus.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

A Toddler's Christmas

After a baby first Christmas, he start to learn many things about the holiday. As the years goes by, he learns about Santa Claus. One of the first story he will remember is 'The Night Before Christmas' by Clement Clarke Moore

The tradition of reading this story has become world wide. The Santa you see in this picture recites the whole poem. It is one of my favorite story.

Another favorite story of mine is the story of Christ. I love hearing about Jesus' birth and the three wise men. When I look to the sky, I love the part about the one star that shines on the manger.

When the angels visit the shepperd boy and proclaims the good news of a child, I feel like I am sitting there hearing the same great news.

It is a timeless story like 'The Night Before Christmas'. The difference is that the story of Jesus Christ is a real story, not a made up one for entertainment.

The true Christmas story changes lives and gives us hope. As we read the many Christmas stories to our toddlers, let the story of Jesus' birth be a part of the tradition.

Friday, December 25, 2015

Baby's First Christmas

What did you give your baby for his or her first Christmas?

Most likely clothes, toys, and books were found under the tree for them. I do not remember what I got for my children or grandchildren on their first Christmas. I am sure it was something that they needed, like clothes.

There is one baby that I know what he got for his first Christmas. Jesus.

In Matthew 2, the bible tells of the Magi who brought gifts of gold, incense and myrrh, They traveled far and followed a star to reach Jesus.

As we give our presents to our loves one today, I pray that we also give the gift of hope to those who do not know the story of Jesus.

Jesus really is the true gift of Christmas.

Merry Christmas.