Tonight, if all goes as planned, I will have an opportunity to reflect on these words of Christy Davis, my wonderful former student, as I stand in the annual Trinity nativity scene, shepherd's crook or wise man's gift in hand -- feeling the cold air on my face; smelling the hay; hearing Christmas carols punctuated with traffic noises, whispered talk among the viewers, and the animals milling about the scene; and watching denizens of the 21st century trying to recreate the wonder of those gathered at that humble stable at the beginning of the first. These are among my most cherished minutes of the Christmas season.
I think we downplay Christmas too much by making sweeping statements about Christ's divinity and the ultimate sacrifice to come. The magic of Christmas is that He arrived in the lowest of circumstances to a family that had been overlooked. Poor, hungry, and desperate for rest, they found the manger and the Child was born surrounded by animals and His parents. Isn't it interesting that in our lives, the most concrete examples we'll see of the unwavering, unfailing, and unquestioning love of Christ are our parents and our pets?That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. Love, expressed though undeserved, and always meant to be passed on without conditions or judgment.Merry Christmas Eve, y'all. May you have shelter and food, warmth and safety, but may you also feel love beyond our own understanding and pass it on to someone who didn't earn it...Just like we did.As we received, so may we give. - Christy Davis, FaceBook, December 24, 2013
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From Ralph Noble: "And while our elected leaders like to brag about how much they’ve cut spending, they wash their hands of its real-life consequences. Per capita state spending on education, for example, has fallen by 21 percent since 2008, according to Carolyn Bourdeaux of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, yet when local school districts complain that it has become financially impossible to pay their teachers and keep their doors open for a full school year, the governor and state legislative leaders refuse any responsibility."
[The article from the AJC about "Schoolkids: 'Will work for food' signs?" seems to be no longer available]
Raymond Atkins
We just took a week's worth of food to a family whose Food stamp assistance was cut by 25%. These are real people, and they have nothing to eat.
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E.B. White comments on Christmas... 1949
Jennifer Kellogg
We were there for the Brannon and Sheila angels, except I thought Brannon was Lillian until we ran into Lillian on our way to the car. Always wonderful to see the Shaws but we missed seeing you!
Ruth Baird Shaw
Gil and Janice drove by and saw you all in the nativity scene.
Terrell Shaw
The service included communion and ended with the passing of light from the Christ candle of the Advent Wreath to each person while we sang Silent Night.
Barbara Jean Smith
Merry Christmas!
Susan Cherones
Christmas Blessings!
Nena Dake Merry Christmas!
Marsha Yancey Atkins
Merry Christmas!
Ruth Pinson
Merry Christmas!!!
Betty Smith Franklin
Love this...have great family stories of it.
Elizabeth McGinnis Johnson
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Laurie Craw
See y'all sometime before Brannon leaves for her next adventure.
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