This week on the ‘Countdown’ I present to you the TOP 5 (+ 1) Scriptures out of the Good News that were referenced on actual Christmas cards that were sent or given to me by friends and family during this most festive of holiday seasons.
Always remember the true reason for the season.
6. Isaiah 9:6 – And His name shall be called The Prince of Peace.
5. Luke 2:9 – And, lo … the Glory of the Lord shone round about them …
4. Luke 1:46-47,49 – And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and Holy is His name.
3. Ruth 2:4 – The Lord be with you ! The Lord bless you ! …
2. Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice !
1. James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.
May we walk together as we always follow Him on this journey.
This edition of the ‘Retro’ is not about a specific year, but rather the good times and past memories of Christmas Day mornings gone by with my family.
Back during the early-1980s in Northern Virginia me and my little brother would wake up extra early – like at around 4 AM or so. We would quietly bundle up, go out in the dark and cold of wintertime, and deliver newspapers for a couple of hours. We would then come back inside into the warmth of the house and prepare for the opening of the Christmas presents that had gathered and multiplied underneath the Christmas tree since about Thanksgiving Day.
Mom, Dad, Me, My Brother, and even Fluffy our Manx cat were all together for about an hour of warm giving and receiving. Even our lovable cat got a present or two, and as the gifts were opened and the wrapping paper was thrown astray a bunch of the decorative bows and ribbons eventually ended up on Fluffy. She would also tend to play with all of the wrapping paper that was all around her. We would rather that she play with the wrapping paper than ingest the icicles off of the Christmas tree and then wait for the undesirable result of that a day or two later.
My very first Christmas Day away from home occurred in 1985. I had only been living in the U.K. for about 6 weeks, and since I was so new over there (as an Air Force Airman) I couldn’t take time off to fly back to the States. I wouldn’t miss many more Christmases after that one.
During much of the early-1990s I drove the 2,200+ miles to and from the Washington D.C. area to visit my family from Homestead. Late in 1996 they moved down to Jacksonville Florida, so that 2,200+ mile round trip was reduced down to 800 miles or so.
This Christmas Eve I’ll be driving up there again to visit my Mom, Dad, and their current cat – Pumpkin. My brother and his wife won’t be there, but it will still be fine. We enjoyed Thanksgiving together at their place in the north of Dallas Texas.
Oh Christmas Tree - Late-1990s - Jacksonville Florida
It’s been awhile since I did an edition of ‘Bedtime Stories’ on here. I’m surprised that my dear friend of the past 23 months Ela O. hasn’t complained in public about that fact.
So it’s the end of the 18TH day of December in 2008. Christmas Eve is just 6 nights away, and a week from now Christmas Day will be just about done and over with. But let us all remember the reason for the season. It is to celebrate the glorious birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – not just on December 25TH, but every day before and after that. It’s a joyous event that means so much more to me now than it ever did before this journey began for me.
I’ve just about wrapped-up the preparing and the sending of the Christmas Cards for this festive season. I’ve sent out more cards this year than in any previous year. Thank You Lord for all of these new friends that you have blessed me with to share Life on this fantastic journey that you’ve created especially for me.
Although I will be going out-of-town next week I will not be missing any Sunday mornings at Life Pointe Church. Anne J. wouldn’t allow me to take church leave. 😆
If I don’t see you between now and then I wish each and every one of you reading this a very Merry Christmas. May it be safe and peaceful with yourself and your loved ones. Remember the reason for the season.
Oh yeah – and also REMEMBER THIS !
Me And The $8 Turkey Leg - A Feast For The Beast
Thank You Patricia for taking this shot of me via your cell phone. I had no idea that you were doing so. That’s how I always look when I eat MASSIVE turkey legs !
Ladies and Gentlemen – Boys and Girls – I present to you for your ‘Retro’ review on this Saturday night in December this 1987 Yuletide classic that just keeps on coming back on the radio year after year for the festive Christmas season.
It’s rock and roll radio deejay Bob Rivers and his Comedy Corporation with “The Twelve Pains Of Christmas”, and I’ve got two music videos for you for the price of one – the official late-1980s version of it as well as a modern homemade version done by an apparent college kid and his friend. Check them out:
CountUp 