Words of the Poet for New Year's Eve

(cross stitch pattern from Scotland)

Throughout the English-speaking world, Auld Lang Syne is traditionally sung on New Years Eve (known as Hogmanay in Scotland). That tradition does not hearken back to Burns but rather only to Canadian band leader Guy Lombardo who sang at midnight January 1, 1929 in the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. Guy Lombardo's orchestra played the song every New Years Eve, in live broadcast from New York, until 1976. Since then, their recording has been played each year as part of the Times Square "ball drop."

(for a translation of Burns' Scottish words and phrases, see this link).

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?

Chorus:For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne. We'll take a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp! And surely I'll be mine! And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne. Chorus

We twa hae run about the braes and pou'd the gowans fine. We've wandered mony a weary foot, sin' auld lang syne. Chorus

We twa hae sported i' the burn, from morning sun till dine, but seas between us braid hae roared sin' auld lang syne. Chorus

And ther's a hand, my trusty friend, and gie's a hand o' thine; We'll tak' a right good willie-waught, for auld lang syne. Chorus

Seventh Day of Christmas - New Year's Eve

Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine was written by Charles Wesley specifically for use by the early Methodist Socities during the Watch Night Service on New Year's Eve.

Sat. January 1, 1785 — Whether this be the last or no, may it be the best year of my life! Sun. January 2, 1785 — A larger number of people were present this evening at the renewal of our covenant with God, than was ever seen before on the occasion.

- from John Wesley's Journal

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Come, let us use the grace divine, and all with one accord,
in a perpetual covenant join ourselves to Christ the Lord;
Give up ourselves, thru Jesus' power, His name to glorify;
and promise, in this sacred hour, for God to live and die.

The covenant we this moment make be ever kept in mind;
we will no more our God forsake, or cast these words behind.
We never will throw off the fear of God who hears our vow;
and if Thou art well pleased to hear, come down and meet us now.

Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, let all our hearts receive,
present with Thy celestial host the peaceful answer give;
to each covenant the blood apply which takes our sins away,
and register our names on high and keep us to that day!

Sixth Day of Christmas

"Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green, here we come a wandering so fair to be seen. Love and joy come to you, and to you your wassail to, and God bless you and send you a happy New Year. And God send you a happy New Year."

The traditional English drink for this season was Wassail (from the Saxon: 'Was Hael' meaning 'Be whole' or "to your health." For all the words to this song, visit this link. To learn more about Wassailing, visit this link.
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New Braunfels Christmas Lights Wassail

Ingredients:
1 gallon apple cider
2 quarts cranberry juice
1 tablespoon Aromatic Bitters
4 sticks cinnamon
1 tablespoon white all-spice
2 oranges, studded with cloves
2 cups rum (optional)

Directions:Combine the ingredients and heat gently. Serve warm.This drink also sends wonderful aromas throughout the house.

Fifth Day of Christmas

(The nave of Canterbury Cathedral - the pulpit is midway on the left)

In 1170, on the Fifth Day of Christmas, four knights from the court of King Henry II burst into Canterbury Cathedral looking for Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. Just inside the cloister door, they murdered Becket, whose defence of the rights of the church had angered his one-time friend, the king.

Within three years, Thomas was canonized, and the shrine of St. Thomas of Canterbury was set to become one of the most popular destinations for pilgrims from all over Europe.

In his play, "Murder in the Cathedral," T.S. Eliot reconstructs from historical sources the Archbiship's final sermon, preached in the cathedral on Christmas Day. It is a remarkable meditation on the meaning of Christmas, martyrdom, and the true meaning of "peace on earth."

The Fifth Day of Christmas, the anniversary of Becket's death, is an opportunity to reflect on the broader meaning of Christmas by reading the Archbishop's sermon.

(adapted from Eye Witness to History.com)

One Year Ago Today!

It was one year ago today that Pastor Charles and Belinda Alkula moved into the parsonage in McCamey, Texas: Yee-haw! Praise be to God for guiding their steps to wonderful west Texas!!!

Fourth Day of Christmas

("Rest on the Flight to Egypt"

by Federico Fiori Barocci, 1570, Vatican Museum)

Traditionaly, today is marked by remembering the children killed on the order of King Herod (Matthew 2:16-18). We offer this prayer from All Saints Episcopal Church in Brookline, Massachusetts:

In peace we pray to you, God of grace and mercy, saying, "Lord, hear your children."

For the Church, that people of all religious traditions put their faith into action; For those who care for children and answer God's call to protect the poor; For our nation and our leaders, that they put children first; For those who stand for children and speak out for justice, let us pray: "Lord, hear your children."

For children everywhere, especially those denied childhood; For children who labor and children who starve, children without schools or doctors or clean water, let us pray: "Lord, hear your children."

For the gift of babies; For the growth and blossoming of all children and youth; For parents and step-parents, Godparents and caregivers, teachers and mentors; For all the families who struggle to make ends meet and find good care for their children, let us pray: "Lord, hear your children."

For the children who suffer abuse and neglect; For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, let us pray: "Lord, hear your children."

For the blessings of this life, especially children and young people; For women and men alike, old and young together, let us pray: "Lord, hear your children."

For all who have died, especially those who died from poverty and causes we could have prevented, let us pray: "Lord, hear your children."

Third Day of Christmas

(From the Gospel According to John, The Book of Kells, Folio 27v)

John 1:1-14 (The Message):

1-2 The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one.

3-5 Everything was created through Him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without Him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out.

6-8 There once was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light. He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.

9-13 The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life He brings into Light. He was in the world, the world was there through Him, and yet the world didn't even notice. He came to His own people, but they didn't want Him. But whoever did want Him, who believed He was who He claimed and would do what He said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves. These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten.

14 The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.

First Sunday after Christmas in Iraan

It was a decidedly chilly start to the last Sunday in December but that didn't stop the faithful from coming to worship at the First UMC!

We began our time together as we do each month on the fourth Sunday, with a delicious breakfast potluck! What a bounty we shared today! With Ed & Wanda's biscuits/gravy and Marie Richardson's sweet pecan rolls (which Ronnie Ward finally got to sample!) on the table, it was a delicious way to bring the year to a close!

This is the last Sunday of 2010 and while we can't say what lay ahead of us in the coming year, we can be certain that our God,who has been with us this year will be with us whatever comes!

The Second Day of Christmas

"The Feast of St. Stephen"

The day celebrates the first person to give his life for the sake of Christ, St. Stephen, who was also one of the first deacons ordained to serve the poor.

This day also has the additional title of "Boxing Day" and is a holiday in the countries of the British Commonwealth. there are various explanations for this name, but they all boil down to the idea that this is a day to be generous to those who are less fortunate than yourself.

Another saint closely associated with this day is St. Wenceslas of Bohemia whose charity to the poor is remembered in John Mason Neal's wonderful carol. The day after Christmas is a particularly good day to put the "spirit of giving" into practice. Take time today to perform an act of charity. If you make end-of-year gifts to charities, write the checks today.

Remembering St. Stephen and St. Wenceslas as well as our Lord's own sacrifice, this would be a good day to consider giving of yourself. Charity can take many forms. Whatever form your giving takes, make sure to sing or whistle "Good King Wenceslas" while you do it!

(adapted from fullhomelydivinity.org)

The First Day of Christmas

(The Nativity stained glass window is at St Leonard's Church, Mundford, Norfolk, UK)

Christmas Day,
the First Day of Christmas

The Nativity Prayer of Saint Augustine

Let the just rejoice,
For their jusifier is born.
Let the sick and infirm rejoice,
For their Savior is born.
Let the captives rejoice,
For their Redeemer is born.
Let the slaves rejoice,
For their Master is born.
Let free men rejoice,
For their Liberator is born.
Let all Christians rejoice,
For Jesus Christ is born.

St. Augustine of Hippo (354 - 440 A.D.)

(The devotional entries for the Twelve Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day and continue through Epiphany, January 6th. They are offered by Pastor Charles)

Advent Devotional for Christmas Eve

("Merry Christmas" in Vietnamese)

Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968
My most memorable Christmas.

Delta Company was at hill Charlie 2 (C2) the closest outpost to the DMZ (the demilitarized zone between North and South Vietnam) that existed. There was a ceasefire in place and we had not seen any action in several days. At night, Captain Smallwood would send out at least a squad of men to establish a forward outpost in case of enemy movement. Lt. Mike and the rest of 1st squad, 4th platoon and I were sent northwest of C2 to set up a forward post. We were not very concerned about going because of the ceasefire.

We went to an abandoned Catholic Church in a village that had been destroyed in the war. Catholicism was the second largest religion in South Vietnam. We set up our position in the steeple of the church. If we saw any movement I was to radio the base camp.

We had not been there long when Private Moody whispered to Lt. Mike that he had seen movement. Lt. Mike and I looked through the starlight scope (night vision scope) and watched as three North Vietnamese soldiers, carrying their weapons, approached the church. We lost sight of them, but we knew that they were inside the church. It became deadly quiet! Then we heard singing in the sanctuary. We could not understand the Vietnamese language but knew the tune the moment they started singing "Silent Night, Holy Night."

These three NVA (North Vietnam Army) soldiers were Catholic and were celebrating the birth of the Christ child. When they were finished with their worship, we watched them walk away into the jungle. We all talked about how neat it would have been to worship together. Soon the ceasefire ended and it wasn't long until we went back into combat. I wonder to this day if those NVA soldiers were in bunkers trying to kill us, and us them, in every fire-fight after that Christmas Eve.

Glen Smart, First UMC - McCamey

Christmas Pageant 2010 -- His-story Alive!

This past Sunday, the faithful folks who met to worship at First UMC participated in a history-making event: Our first-ever "Christmas-pageant-in-a-bag" service! Costumes and highlighted scripts were found in the bags, and participants were transformed into "Mary, Joseph, wise men/women, angels, etc.!"

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Now the church's bulletin board which features past Christmas pageants includes a photo from this year's pageant. "His-story" is still being proclaimed in 2010! Thanks be to God!!!

Advent Devotional for December 23rd

Hark the Herald Angels Sing!
(The Rev. Charles Wesley, 1739)

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Shirley Smith, McCamey Convalescent Center

Advent Devotional for December 22nd

CHRISTMAS BELLS
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

(written on Christmas Day, 1864)

I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet their words repeat of peace on earch, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom, had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earch, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way, they world revolved from night to day, a voice, a chime, a chant sublime of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth, the cannon thundered from the South, and the sound the carols drowned of peace on earch, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent the hearth-stones of a continent, and made forlorn the households born of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair, I bowed my head. "There is no peace on Earth," I said; "For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead; nor doth He sleep! The Wrong shall fail; the Right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Pat & Lawrence Schneider,
First UMC - Iraan

Advent Devotional for December 21st

The First Noel (Sixteenth century, England)

The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both pause and stay
Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Cecelia Teas, McCamey Convalescent Center

Advent Devotional for December 20th

Advent Prayer to Jesus

You are our eternal salvation, the unfailing light of the world. Light everlasting, You are truly our redemption.

Grieving that the human race was perishing through the tempter's power, without leaving the heights You came to the depths in Your loving kindness.

Readily taking our humanity by Your gracious will, You saved all earthly creatures, long since lost, restoring joy to the world.

Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ, and so possess us as Your shining dwellings.

By Your first coming, make us righteous; at Your second coming, set us free.

So that, when the world is filled with light and You judge all things, we may be clad in spotless robes and follow in Your steps, O King, into the heavenly hall.

Unknown author, 10th century

Peggy Garner, First UMC - McCamey

"Advent Sunday 4" at FUMC - Iraan (part 2)

Thanks to everyone who participated in our first "Christmas pageant in-a-bag." This will be retold in the community for years and years to come!

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Praise God for "all creatures" here below... Thanks be to God for the faithful who love to serve as a witness to the Light of God!!!

"Advent Sunday 4" at FUMC - Iraan (part 1)

There was so much happening at the First UMC in Iraan this morning that it will take two entries to convey all of the action! There was lively fellowship once more as Belinda & Pastor Charles, Marie Richardson and Ronny Ward -- all brought tasty holiday morsels to sample. Deanna Jordan presented everyone with some home-made jars of various soup, bread and muffin mixes.

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Pastor Charles and Belinda were overwhelmed by the gifts from the congregation: What a blessing it is to be among such generous and loving people!

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There was a lot of energy in the sanctuary as the community gathered for worship and the first-ever "Christmas pageant in-a-bag." James Jordan lit the Advent candle for the fourth Sunday, and the service was underway. And we were very happy to see so many visitors to the church this morning!

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We were especially blessed by the presence of William G. Hartwell who graced us with his amazing accopela rendition of "Star Child!" To hear a portion of what he sang at church, "click here." (This gentleman is the distinguished associate professor emeritus of the Texas Tech School of Music, who holds the record for singing "O, Holy Night" for 23 consecutive years during the university's annual Carol of Lights Ceremony! Click here to hear him sing!)

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Sharing the message of Christmas in this creative way was such fun! Everyone really "hit their marks!"

Devotional for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Three Stages of Christmas

Stage 1: Christmas as a child:

My brother, sister and I always looked forward to having Santa Claus come and see us on Christmas Eve. The gifts from Santa were always great, and they were the gifts that I had hoped for. As I grew older, the gifts meant more to me because I now realized that those gifts were a product of hard word. My family did not have a lot of money but my dad worked hard to see that we had a great Christmas. The real gift was the pride that my mom and dad had of seeing their children happy.

Stage 2: Christmas as a parent:

When my wife and I became parents we wanted our children to have memorable Christmas mornings. We would work hard Christmas Eve night to make sure every gift was in its place. We had fun preparing the gifts and we were excited about the thought of watching our children's expressions the next morning. I am so glad that we had four children! I get four times the joy! As I had learned from my parents, the real meaning of Christmas is giving. Our children had given us the greatest gift: Joy!

Stage 3: Christmas as a grandparent:

We have yet to experience this stage. It will come very soon and we will get the opportunity to make someone happy. Maybe our grandchildren will understand the real meaning of Christmas. The joy of giving!

Donny Wiley, First UMC - McCamey

Advent Devotional for December 18th

(Star of Bethlehem quilt, circa 1870)

On a dark, clear night
Under one bright star
A child to us was born.
No one could know what lay ahead
The ecstasy, the sorrow.

On a dark, clear night
Under one bright star
A child began to give HIs life for ours.
In the still and calm we were saved
As the chosen babe arrived.

On a dark, clear night
Under one bright star
Stranger came together.
In whispered faith they proclaimed
The word of God fulfilled.

On a dark, clear night
Under one bright star
The world received a savior.
His name remains among us still
As we sing His praise on this dark, clear night.

Leigh Ayn Scallorn (daughter of Bob & Gwen Scallorn of Iraan), a former member of the FUMC - Iraan as well as being a Facebook friend of the FUMC - Iraan.

Advent Devotional for December 17th

(Silent Night Chapel - Oberndorf, Austria)

Silent Night (by the Rev. Joseph Mohr)

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Cleatus Brooks, McCamey Convalescent Center

Advent Devotional for December 16th

This little babe so few days old,
Is come to rifle Satan's fold;
All hell doth at His presence quake,
Though He Himself for cold do shake;
For in this weak unarmèd wise
The gates of hell He will surprise.

With tears He fights and wins the field,
His naked breast stands for a shield,
His battering shot are babish cries,
His arrows, looks of weeping eyes,
His martial ensigns, cold and need,
And feeble flesh His warrior's steed.

His camp is pitchèd in a stall,
His bulwark but a broken wall,
The crib His trench, hay-stalks His stakes,
Of shepherds He His muster makes;
And thus, as sure His foe to wound,
The angels' trumps alarum sound.

My soul, with Christ join thou in fight;
Stick to the tents that He hath pight;
Within His crib is surest ward,
This little babe will be thy guard;
If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy,
Then flit not from this heavenly boy.

-from the poem, "New Heaven, New War," by the Rev. Robert Southwell, (1561-1595)

Rev. Robert Hunter, III - Forest Hill, Maryland
(Rev. Hunter is a friend of Pastor Charles from their time at Wesley Theological Seminary)

Advent Devotional for December 15th

The Christmas Dog

"A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 (Contemporary English Version)

I am not a pet person. My husband grew up in the country and always had pets, but not in the house.

When our sons requested a dog for Christmas, we both agreed that our current living situation was not conducive to owning a dog. We told our sons not to expect a dog for Christmas. A pet was not on our list of Christmas presents.

Our family returned home Christmas Eve to find a dog on our doorstep. Nobody claimed the black and white Boston Terrier. It appeared God had heard the hearts of our sons and sent them a Christmas dog. Rascal was named, fed and loved. She changed our family. This friendly dog rode with my mother to the post office, escaped the back yard to follow the children to school and guarded our home. Rascal remained our adored pet for many years. A pet changes things.

The Christ Child changes things. Jesus is still in the life-changing business. Welcome Him.

Eternal Father, keep our hearts open to your blessings in this holiday season. Amen.

Margaret Holmes, Facebook friend of the First UMC - Iraan

Advent Devotional for December 14th

O Little Town of Bethlehem

(By the Rev. Phillips Brooks, Philadelphia, PA)

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

_________

For Christ is born of Mary

And gathered all above

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together

Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King

And Peace to men on earth

_________

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may his His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

_________

O holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us, we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born to us today

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell

O come to us, abide with us

Our Lord Emmanuel

Mary "Frankie" Adams,

McCamey Convalescent Center

Advent Devotional for December 13th

(Madonna of the Magnificat by Sandro Botticelli, Italy, 1481)

The Magnificat


My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His Name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm,
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for He has remembered His promise of mercy,
the promise He made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.



Lee & Dottie Mann, First UMC - Iraan

Sunday in Iraan

During our fellowship time this morning, Burton Lanehart brought a new United Methodist Church cross he had made to show to everyone. He has a real gift for woodworking, and we are blessed that he is willing to share it with us. Fellowship time is really a treat: How nice it is to want to be together like this! Burton and Jo continued the act of sharing by serving as the Advent wreath lighters.

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Next week, our worship service will feature a "Christmas pageant in-a-bag." Come and share the journey to Bethlehem with this unique and creative telling of the Christmas story!

Advent Devotional for the Third Sunday of Advent

"Happy the people, who know You Lord, who walk in the radiance of Your love."

- Psalm 89:15

I have noticed throughout my life people who have gotten further and further away from the meaning of Christmas. They get so caught up in all the shopping and gift wrapping and materialism that they lose sight of what Christmas is all about.

Jesus was given to us on Christmas Day. This is the only gift that we should be worried about. I think that if people would just slow down, take a look at the true meaning of Christmas, and focus on that they will be happier.

I used to be caught up in all the shopping and gift wrapping. I would get lost in all of the busyness. I wasn't very happy when Christmas rolled around each year. I began to dread it. Now I take a simpler approach to Christmas. I focus on the true meaning. I focus on the ultimate gift that God has given to us in our Savior, Jesus Christ. This is the true meaning of Christmas to me that I hope to instill in my son's heart.

Jennifer Aguilar, First UMC - McCamey

Advent Devotional for December 11th

(Icon of Zechariah, Kizhi Monastery, Russia).

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” - Luke 1:68-79 (NKJV)

I am a blessed man. I am one of seven boys in our family, and five of my brothers have passed on with an average age of 56 1/2. I am 74 and do fairly well with the help of a lot of doctors and medications. I feel I am a very fortunate person that God has blessed. Alice and I have been married over 55 years and have a good family. We are blessed many times over.

Roy Kephart, First UMC - McCamey

Advent Devotional for December 10th

"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs...." - Psalm 100:1-2

Today, December 10th, is my "little" brother's birthday. Even though he is grown with a family of his own, Derrell will always be my "little" brother. Growing up, the five of us, me, Donna, Debbie, Derrell and Judy were fortunate to be raised in a loving home filled with music. Early in our lives, we could be found singing together as our granny played the piano and our daddy played the guitar. They played age-old favorite hymns and country western tunes for us to sing.

All our lived, we enjoyed singing for church, community groups, school functions and civic organizations. During the Christmas season, one of our favorite songs to sing was an Eddy Arnold tune, "C is for the Christ Child." Even as adults we continue to sing this song around Christmas time.

The song goes like this: "When I was but a youngster, Christmas meant one thing. That I'd be getting lots of toys that day. But I learned a whole lot different when mommy sat me down and taught me to spell Christmas this way: C is for the Christ child born upon this day. H is for the herald angels in the night. R means our Redeemer. I is for Israel and S is for the star that shone so bright. T is for Three Wise Men, they who traveled far. M is for the Manger where He lay. A's for All He stands for. S means shepherds who came and that's why there's a Christmas Day."

Christmas is a great deal about tradition. For me, remembering special holidays and special occasions revolve around music. The traditional Christmas carols and melodies make the season come to life and fills my heart with song.

Bobbie Lester, First UMC - McCamey

San Angelo District Christmas Open House

Rev. Larry Altman (along with Gini Christian and Amy Moore) hosted the district open house this afternoon in San Angelo. Pastor Charles & Belinda joined others from around the district in sharing some holiday cheer (and some of the best praline/pecan goodies anywhere!).