#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. 

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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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#19 - 19th Christmas Tree post,

[Photo copied from a FB friend, thank you]

     Santa  Ready 

'Tis Christmas Eve 

Stockings are hung 

All are asleep 

Santa will come 

Will he bring toys 

He aims to please 

All girls and boys 

So he'll for me 

Thanks in advance 

I'll dance for joy 

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- Ditty Poem Copyright, Jimmiehov 2023, all Rights Reserved 

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#18 - 18th Christmas Tree post, NYC

It's time for my Christmas tree blog again this year. Today will be the eighteenth when I post it, I started December 05, a Tuesday.   Click here to see them for 2023-1 for the first and here for the later ones at 2023-2.  

NYC Rockerfeller Plaza Christmas tree

Courtesy of NBC "Today Show", opening photo

No, we weren't in NYC for this Christmas tree time, we have seen it before though.  I like to see the ice skating; this will be there until Spring.  The Rockefeller Center, left out of sight, has shows featuring among other things, the Rockets Dancers. 

To the right, are the windows of the Today Show program, the outside visitors are in the open space between the lighted baron tree and the building.

KP and Mrs. Jim 
on the Today Show 
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Mrs. Jim and KP were there with the outside audience a day in 2022, I caught them with my camera of a saved 'replay' from our TV.   They enjoyed that visit and were enjoying others.  Their words were "We're from Houston!!"

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# 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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Galveston Mardi Gras - Number Nine 2021 Cristmas Tree Post

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

One aspect of the Galveston (TX) Mardi Gras parade is that there are several parades for each of the two week ends for the celebration.  

Back in the 90's when I was still teaching most years I was the lead sponsor for the business club, for us a chapter of Phi Beta Lamda.   PBL, as it was called for short, was a national college student organization, holding a national conference each year at various cities.  Most often I would attend with a couple of handfuls of business student members.  At the conference's student business knowledge competitions we would place high and often would win.  

For three years in a row I would take all the members who wanted to go to the Galveston Mardi Gras and have a "float" entry in the Business oriented parade.  Doing that was an attraction for securing club members.  The third year our club had 126 members, the most ever for our college and that year the club with the most members.  The parade was strictly a walking one, we were not allowed motor vehicles to ride or power "floats".  The fourth year we withdrew from activities as the function moved to the fun section of Houston and was renamed the Budweiser Celebration.  I instigated our withdrawal as I knew our college would not approve of us participating in a beer sponsored event.  

That didn't keep Mrs. Jim and me from attending the Galveston Celebration.  In addition to the parades there was a "Dickens on the Strand" celebration that lasted two weeks.  The favorite costume was old fashioned English dress.  

 Waiting 

(not for the Ball to drop)

f

[click picture for larger size viewing]

traffic stop on I-10 West Texas 

!! Happy New Year !! 

How did you spend, or celebrate, New Year's Eve?  Did it meet your expectations?"   

Yes, of course, it always has met.    We always watch the NYC Ball drop and sometimes stay up until our midnight to come an hour later.  We did that last night but this pre-teen eating chocolate ice cream had to come home a little before either times.   

Note that one foot is resting on her hover board.  Earlier we had danced with her riding on she board.  An impromptu dance but she also composes dances.  Her teachers and us, we are proud of her.  We will see her for afternoon dinner soon again, she, our daughter, and SIL will bring it here and we will celebrate that with them.

The Fruit Sculpture Band

From our Summer
2013-Venice-to-Athens-via-the-Black-Sea
Cruise

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Jim's Hawaiian shrimp salad
 

The party was held out on the upper deck. 
These were a couple of the carver artists.

 

Put-together Pumpkin from Target

We brought this pumkin for KP
It has turned out to be a table decoration

It cost $1.00 plus 8  sales tax.  The whitish looking splotches are actually gold speckle glitter which must have been sprayed on.  They are falling off onto our Karen's black table by the zillions every day.  I suppose soon the glitter will be gone.

You can make your own, it is two slotted, one at the top and the other at the bottom, pieces which are then fitted together.  These came apart from in the package from China.

To see a book pumkin made by Heather, please go here.  You could make one of these, she has very good directions on her blog, starting with the paper back book.
 

Karen and KP Mother's Day Photos

Karen and KP



Karen and KP with hubby, Billy

Karen, Mrs. Jim and KP
Three generations here



Mrs. Jim gets a lot of comments
on her FaceBook from this one!