Monday, December 25, 2023

#20 - 20th Christmas Tree post, the Christmas Story


Manger scene, live by little children 


What you see is a beginning scenario of the Biblical Christmas story put on by the children of our church at 4PM yesterday, Christmas Eve Candlelight service.  

The characters took the stage category of the folks at the birth of the Baby Jesus.  It began with Mary, center woman, standing by her 'husband', Joseph, as she picks up the baby from the manger in which He was born.  You may remember the song that children love to sing, "Away in a Manger," we sang it in grade school at Nebraska. 

Then up the isle beside our seats came the two shepherds, taking their place next to Joseph on the right, followed by four sheep siting on the floor in front.   Then up the isle cam the three angels to station on the left.  

Finally there three wisemen, here to be on the left but the Bible, book of Matthew, says that Jesus and his parents were in their home for the wisemen visit.  The group stayed for much singing.  The scene above the manger group is a projection that stayed for much of the program but was replaced by the lyrics of the songs when the congregation was to sing.  

The children left after the singing and would be replaced by the pastor.  His sermon was based on the use of the word, "Behold" as it meandered here and there as the Christmas story was discussed.  It started in the book of Issiah with a prophesy of Jesus' coming.  
 
Picture courtesy of Hobby Lobby

Luke 2 New King James Version:  

Christ Born of Mary 

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 

 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed a wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

 Glory in the Highest 

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!” 

 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the, shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. 
     _ _ _ _ 

If you would like to have a Bible to read this passage, and more--like a Bible search for one, you could get one on-line here, as I have done, then save it with your Favorites, or other, click here: https://www.biblegateway.com/
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Wednesday, December 13, 2023

#09 - 9th Christmas Tree - 2023 - Trains

 

[Remember, click on most any picture to make it larger]

This is the model train display in our church foyer.  Last year we had two displays, not sure the whereabouts and whys of the other one's absence. 

Most everyone likes to watch it a bit, the younger children are entranced. 


One of my favorite features is the merry'-go-round running in the near right hand corner.  Three trains go around, each on its own tracks. 


!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023 !! 
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Tuesday, December 12, 2023

# 08 - 8th Christmas Tree - 2023 - Huge Ornaments

 


Not a tree today.  This was the curb scenery at a stoplight near our home.  The colored balls are over two feet in diameter.  There were no advertising signs near, no writing at all to explain, the meaning nor purpose. 

 

!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023 !! 
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Monday, December 11, 2023

#07 - 7th Christmas Tree - 2023 - Barrowed


Our friend, Chris has this tree and dog in her home.  She has another tree in another room, it is a rather unusual tree, that I can have posted here.  

Both are on her Facebook; I probably won't see them though as she lives on the other side of Houston. Most times it takes over an hour to go there, about 50 miles away. 



And here is the dog, closer up.






!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023 !! 
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Sunday, December 10, 2023

# 06- 6th Christmas Tree - 2023 - Dutch

["Dutch"New cat in the family]

   

Not a tree today, just a story and a picture of a meanie cat.  We are talking about "Dutch".

Dutch is a Russian Blue cat that belongs to our younger daughter.  Last year she had to protect her Christmas tree from Dutch, as he wanted to disturb it.  

This year she though Dutch had better manners and would leave the tree alone.  He DID NOT.  Instead, he ate the foliage off five branches.  And had five piles of vomit.

The tree went away, back into its box and Dutch is in the 'Doghouse' for a long time.

!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023 !! 
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Saturday, December 09, 2023

#05 - 5th Christmas Tree for 2023 - Books

via HandmadeTeeFunny
[click on photo for larger view]
 
I 'picked' this tree from our meeting place, Friday Writings blog, for sharing our effort's fruit of poems and prose writings. (URL)

This week's host was Magaly.  She chose our voluntary topic, a writing prompt used for inspiration to write with a book in our minds that we have read or hoped to read in December.  

Hence this tree molded with books was the illustration she used for her post. Thank you, Magaly. 


!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023 !! 
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Friday, December 08, 2023

# 04 - 4th Christmas Tree - 2023

 

[click on photo for larger view]

This a tree that welcomed us to our local Jack-in-the-box fast food restaurant.   We were there to use a coupon that we had, BOGO chicken sandwich for $1.00.

!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023 !! 
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Thursday, December 07, 2023

# 03 - 3rd Christmas tree 2023 - Beauty Shop

[click on photos for larger views]



Mrs. Jim came for a hair trimming. While I was waiting, I had the pleasure of sharing the owner's
Christmas tree with her customers. She changed her waiting room up to make room for her tree. 

"Make room" makes me remember Jesus' birth as human.  There was no room for Mary, His mother, and she was in labor. The inn keeper gave use of a manger in his stable for the baby.  

!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023 !! 
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Wednesday, December 06, 2023

# 02 - 2nd Christmas tree 2023 - Libarry

[click on photo for larger view]

Today's Christmas tree was in the open area lobby of our town's branch of the County Library. 

The employees always do a wonderful job. Thank you guys. 

!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023 !! 
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Tuesday, December 05, 2023

# 01 -- First Christmas Tree for 2023

[click on photos for larger viewing]
 
At my doctor appointment this morning I was reminded by this tree, "Jim, I would make a good entry for your 'Christmas Tree blog for this year."  

I agreed, and here it is. 





Mrs. Jim was with me and we were waiting for me to be called.  Our medical care is mostly in the hands of the Houston Methodist Hospital West Campus. 

[a BIG LETTER reminder of where were doctoring]
This was for my Gastroenterology doctor appointment at 10:45 and we were a bit early.  Mrs. Jim and I go with each other to functions like this, as Mrs. Jim says, we are "joined at the Hip since COVID."

If you want your tree to be posted here send it to me at the eMail address that I give in the header above.  Or if it is were I can copy it you can send me the address of where I can find it.

Bye for now, 

!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023 !! 

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