Christmas: A Few of My Favorite Things

I can't remember a Christmas season that I have enjoyed any more than 2009. Perhaps it is because we are all excited to spend time with our new grandson Aiden. I have been blessed to have wonderful tradition passed down to me.

So to Aiden and all of you, here are a few of my favorite things at Christmas time:

• Jesus!
• Family
• The Christmas Story from the Bible
• The Music: Favorite Carols ( Oh Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful)
• The buzz in the air of excitement
• Church Choir programs
• Children's choirs
• fudge
• sleds
• galoshes (boots?)
• kids
• babies
• Mom's cooking
• Salad that has mandarin oranges, marshmellows, cocunut, nuts ( You get the picture)
• Spending on others
• A great bargain
• Christmas treat bags at church
• Red Poinsettias
• Snow
• Hearing from friends
• Charlie Brown Christmas
• It's a Wonderful Life
• White Christmas
• A fire burning
• A lit tree.

And this brings me to my point. As we were gazing at our tree the other night, all but two strands of lights went out at the same time. It was very sad looking. Renee searched and found out that one strand went out, and after removing and reconnecting, it was soon shining in full beauty. That's the way it is with God. He wants to remove all of the stuff in our lives that keep Him from shining through us. When we connect with Him, people will see Christ is our lives, especially this Christmas.

Merry Christmas from Pastor Greg and Renee.

Just Like That? Merry Christmas

Prov. 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.

He came around the corner, walking tall. My son was about to introduce us to a little man that would change our world. Our new grandbaby. A boy! Aiden Andrew Jackson.

As Renee and I had the chance to hold him in those first few minutes of life, it was as if we were stepping back in time twenty four years. It was our boy that we were supposed to hold, as parents. But just like that........ we became grandparents.

What will he call me? Papaw, Poppy, Granddad, GRANDBROTHER Greg? You know what, what ever he decides will be perfect.

The spoiling, the fishing rods, the ball games, the fun ahead of him.... and us! These are exciting days. What a hap...happiest season of them all.

Christmas is the perfect time to have a baby. It is a fresh reminder that Jesus is Christmas. Can you imagine looking into the eyes of your newborn, knowing that you would one day have to give them up to die on a cruel cross of sacrifice? Can you imagine cringing everytime your heard a hammer drive a nail? Can you imagine watching him suffer, while being inocent the whole time?

Some say they can't live the christian life. None of us can keep it by ourselves. Remember that it is Jesus that does the saving. It is God who gives the gift of eternal life. That first Christmas He gave us a gift that would never fade. He brought hope to mankind. Why not accept Christ as your own personal Savior this Christmas, and just like that... your sins will be forgiven, heaven will be your home..... and your world will be forever changed.

The verse in Proverbs came to life. Aiden indeed is a crown... and just like that, I must be getting old.

Merry Christmas to all of you readers. Keep Jesus first!