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Remember the True Reason For The Season
by Christina Farris 12/01/2016

The retelling of the story of Christ's birth is important. Take time to read the story with your family outside of church and discuss the importance of Christ coming. Let us remember the true reason for the season of Christmas. If you do not discuss it no one else will.

Luke 2:8-18 KJV
(8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
(9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
(10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
(11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
(12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
(13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
(14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(15) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
(16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
(17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
(18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Christmas News 2016
by Christina Farris 12/01/2016

As another Christmas comes to be, we begin this season with news of another communist leader of a small country called Cuba. Fidel Castro died in November, and my hope and prayers is the work already done between our nation and Cuba is that the talk of freedom remains.

As wild fires plague our world we live in from my own area recent wild fire that did little damage, to the Great Smokies of Tennessee which had great devastation. Once a fire or blaze is started and gets into the tree tops there little anyone can do. When winds pick up it makes it harder for crews to put the fire out. As clean up crews go in to try and clean up what remains so that rebuilding can take place, news of tornadoes across the south came. It seems to be late in the seaso for tornadoes, but my own area had a thunder storm of its own. With the chaos of weather, we can only pray God will have mercy not only on his people but those who yet to know Him and His love. Let us pray for those struck by disasters and loss of life be given the hope and strength of the hope and promises of the reminder of the Christ Child brings each year. Those of us that are blessed let us Thank the Lord for His mercy and grace. If we have the finances to let us help those in areas in need, beyond just praying. If all you can do is pray do so. Also remember those in North Carolina that are still doing repairs after the flood. Those in the west I pray for your safety as well. Another school shooting in the North is only a sign the devil time is growing short and he knows it with each storm that crosses our country.

Let us stand united in prayer this Christmas Season. Nowing Christ mercy is the only thing that will give us peace even in troubless times.

Christmas
Cards

by Christina Farris 12/21/2016

Christmas eve has been traditional for kenny and I every year to cook what I call dinner or a feast. It maybe only a little fancier then regular meal Yet as we age meals get smaller not by choice, but because stomachs seem to hold less then they did the year before. I discovered that my eyes are now much larger then my tummy, yet it appears the other way around. In all truth whether you have dinner on eve or on Christmas day else where, one can not hold all the good food one sees.

Yet thinking back I remember a lean Christmas where I took a small roast beef and turned it into a steak and even cooked it on the grill. Kenny did not know it then but I do believe that would be the best meal I ever cooked. Beef roast being rare with those prices soaring, I have to wonder if the price came down would I have roast steak again. Yet the truth of the matter looking at beef prices scare me. I know many people are looking for alternative meals besides me. Beef always been a kings dinner, next to chicken. But in truth chicken not cheap either, but cost more efficient. The truth of matter if I had land would I raise chicken and the answer is only if it was more cost efficient to do so. Now what the meaning of this rant. I do not doubt there be people sitting down to their tables enjoy perhaps a grilled cheese sandwich instead of turkey this holiday season. Nothing wrong with pizza or cheese sandwich if you are with the love ones you hold so dear.

If you know of anyone and got extra ham or turket consider dropping it off to that family or share your meal with them. If not then maybe that extra piece of expensive roast beef would be lovely too.

Christmas is not about the fancy meals or even about the gifts under the tree. Christmas comes from the heart as we remember how much God loved us when He sent His Son has a baby boy to you and me.