I am wishing for a clear night so we can see the beautiful star that no one today has seen. The clouds keep moving in and out and the sun comes and goes, but hope it is clear. We have had some rain and cold temperatures and even some snow flurries and sleet in some areas, but not on the ground. The weather people think we might have a white Christmas. That would be nice, but also dangerous for those who are traveling, so be careful and stay safe.

Those who are sick or shut-in and in need of prayers for whatever the need: William Barber, David and Joyce Barnes, G.Y. Bennett, Connie Bonner, Barbara Brown, Dorothy Brown, Amy Carroll, Betty Carroll, Dorothy Carroll, Joann Carroll, Kathleen Carroll, Spencer Clark, Fada Clay, Billy Cothran, Marian Dryden, Rusty Dupont, Larry Evans, Polly Edwards, Helen Hardin, Myrtle Harvey, Kay Henley, Melody Hensley, Christy Hinson, Beverly Holloway, Mickey James, Monette King, Linda Mercer, Wendy McKnight, Gage Peters, Rita Stutts Norris, Lisa Rawdon, Mona Runions, Tommy Shaw, Nell Skelton, Janie Spears, Freddie Sublett, Jim and Jan Walker, Jim Webb, Annette Williams, Doug Williams, and Margie Willis. Still praying for those who have the virus in the area and hope it is soon a thing of the past.

Happy birthday to Melissa Grinder December 26, Scotty Brewer December 27, Shelia Troutman, Presley Ann Clayton, Kathy Deline, and Carol Bates December 28, Scarlett McDonald Brewer December 29, Tori Howell, Janice Johnston, Nicholas and Nathaniel Reeves December 30, and Leon Hunter, Jake and Josh White, December 31. Wishing for these many more happy days to celebrate life and hope they have a great birthday.

We express sympathy to the families of Dale Baker Ferguson, Elmer “Fudd” Junior Talley, Paula Faye Miller, Grace Carolyn King Haskins, Bobby Mack Dunn, and Alvitea Evelyn Sunder. Prayers for these families and any other families who have lost loved ones.

By the time this week is over the children will have tired of most of the things they receive for Christmas and back to their idea of what it should be like and what they should have gotten. Children today, and I guess we were the same, don’t appreciate what they get or have. We need to teach them that having possessions is not as important as having people around them who love and care for them. Some day they will realize this and I hope it is not too late for them to enjoy those who love them.

May this week bring you peace and happiness and your family be well and able to join you to enjoy the season we are now in. We place too much emphasis on things that are not really important in life and not enough on what really should matter to us. Those of us who have lost mothers and fathers really know the meaning of family and the fact that it is never the same after these two people are gone from our life.

Prayers for you and your family. May you enjoy family during this time and know the meaning of family love and comfort and keep in mind those who are confined and cannot be with family. This is really a hard thing to endure.

Merry Christmas to one and all during this time. And all year, may peace and love endure and our nation return to loving God.