RETURN IT!

Americans will spend much time and energy after Christmas to "return it". They will receive something that will not work, or something that is the wrong size, or simply something that they don't want.

So return it or exchange it for something totally different! This behavior is so accepted that  gifts are given  with the receipt, so that they can be easily returned. This is expected, and no one is insulted. Americans say, "Isn't it great that we can take things back that we do no like?"
About one in every five people expects to return a gift after the holidays, according to a poll taken by Consumer Reports.

Get to Know Two members of our Family!

Christmas is the time to reflect on the incarnation of Christ, a celebration! 
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
                                                                              John 1:14

It is also a time that our family comes together for that celebration. This year will be a special year, because our daughter and son--in-law will most likely be in Thailand for the next 3 years.

We want to share their story with you.
What are Trey and Kiki doing in Thailand?
Trey will be taking over as the Team Leader at the Bangna church plant. Trey will also be working with a young Thai pastor named Pat doing general pastoral ministry (visitation, prayer, and life on life discipleship of Thai believers) as well as university and mercy ministry in the Bangna area.
Kiki will be focused on equipping Thai believers in the ministry of counseling. Her hope is to partner with a few of the Thai believers who are already involved in counseling ministry to give them resources to be more effective and to be able to train others.  She also hopes to use her training to reach out to and care for other missionaries in the area, especially those who have marriage and family counseling needs. 
 

A True Story

The Story of Silent Night

Father Joseph Mohr sat at the old organ. His fingers stretched over the keys, forming the notes of a chord. He took a deep breath and pressed down. Nothing. He lifted his fingers and tried again. Silence echoed through the church.

Father Joseph shook his head. It was no use. The pipes were rusted, the bellows mildewed. The organ had been wheezing and growing quieter for months, and Father Joseph had been hoping it would hold together until the organ builder arrived to repair it in the spring. But now, on December 23, 1818, the organ had finally given out. St. Nicholas Church would have no music for Christmas.

©2006 Publications International, Ltd

    

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Father Joseph took a walk up a mountain path. He looked out over the Austrian Alps. Stars shone above in the still and silent night.
Silent night? Father Joseph stopped. Of course! "Silent Night!" He had written a poem a few years before, when he had first become a priest, and he had given it that very title. "Silent Night."
Father Joseph scrambled down the mountain. Suddenly he knew how to bring music to the church.
The next morning, Father Joseph set out on another walk. This time he carried his poem. He was going to see his friend Franz Gruber, the organist for St. Nicholas, who lived in the next village.
It was Christmas Eve, and that night Father Joseph and Franz Gruber stood at the front of the church. Father Joseph was holding his guitar. The people had never heard a guitar played in church before.

Father Joseph and Franz Gruber began to sing. Their two voices rang out, joined by the church choir on the chorus. Together they sang the words of Father Joseph’s poem and the melody of Franz Gruber's music.
When the last notes faded into the night, the congregation remained still for a moment, then began to clap their hands. Applause filled the church. The villagers of Oberndorf loved the song!

Today, people all over the world sing this simple song that was first played in a mountain church in Austria on Christmas Eve nearly 200 years ago.

"Silent Night" Lyrics
1. 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.
2. Silent night, Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing Hallelujah,
Christ the Saviour is born,
Christ the Saviour is born.
3. 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.

AAAH..... Idioms!

Idioms 1

1. Q: Jack has egg ______ because he couldn't remember how to spell "Batman"!

on his teeth
on his face
on his shirt
on his fingers

2. Q: As the maestro lifted his baton the theater was so still you could hear _____.

his heartbeat
a pin drop
bird wings
the drum beating

3. Q: I don't agree with you, but your idea certainly gives me food _____.

for fun
for consider
for thought
for thinking

4. Q: I think I understand the nuts and _____ of the operation.

screws
hammer
nails
bolts

5. Q: I'm afraid hip hop isn't my cup of _____.

tea
java
coffee
wine

6. Q: Just a moment... I've got the answer on the ____ of my tongue.

top
tap
tip
back

7. Q: Look, I will pay you back. Would you please call the ____?!

hunters off
tigers off
dogs off
apes off

8. Q: Ever since he married Jane, he's had a new ____ on life.

rent
lease
title
loan

9. Q: Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I guess I really put my _____ in my mouth.

foot
hand
elbow
knee

10. Q: I'll be back in the twinkling of ____.

an eye
a lighting bolt
a smile
a laugh

Take your shoes off and walk in the sand down the narrow road!

One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:
one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him
he looked back, at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:
"My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

"Enter God's kingdom through the narrow gate. The gate is large and the road is wide that leads to death and hell. Many people go that way.  But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to life. Only a few people find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Christmas Vocabulary

Frosty The Snowman's baby picture!

Match these words with their meanings:

1. advent wreath        a.  metallic foil strip decoration  

2. angel                     b.  Christmas Star flower

3. creche                   c.  one candle is lit each Sunday before Christmas

4. mistletoe                d. a salutation of good health

5. poinsettia               e. decoration for the top of the  tree

6. Saint Nicholas        f. a kind bishop who brought presents to children

7. tinsel                     g. a manger scene

8. wassail                   h. a sprig of evergreen plant