...a word from Kathy

D istractions abound.  I have no time to write this blog.  I have no time to focus on the bigger picture. Christmas is just days away and I have so much to do, more money to spend, more groceries to buy, more food to cook, more packages to wrap, more highways to travel, more...more...more.  But wait, what happened to "oh, holy night" and "silent night" and "away in a manger"?  The beloved songs speak of quiet and peace and of worship.  I'm getting ready to sing those songs but those songs don't speak of how I'm living my life right now.  Yes, it's Christmas-days-extraordinaire count down.   The irony of all this 'doing' is that we're counting down to a very quiet, private moment that God Himself chose to come into this physical world and find me and you.  He came just to meet us.  He completely went out of His way to come and find us.  He took a trip just to live in our world with us.  And here I sit, Miss Hustle-Bustle. I...

W e hear over and over, "Make your Christmas list!  When my kids were little they each had a  Christmas list.  Actually, by the time Christmas Day arrived their lists had changed many, many times.  It was hard to keep up!  My natural tendency is to go against a Christmas list - not in a Scrooge sort of way but in a surprise sort of way.  If I just give gifts from a list the surprise of Christmas morning is really not possible.  And I like to give surprise gifts that are right on the mark!  It's the unexpected gifts I give and receive that I love the most. The story of Christmas is much the same.  Jesus was expected in one way and came to earth in another.  It was an unexpected arrival, an unexpected gift, in an unexpected way of delivery.  I suppose a christmas list back in the days before Jesus' arrival were something like this: A strong, powerful King A commander who will defeat the enemies surrounding our country A ru...

T he foretelling of Christmas has officially begun.  If you have doubt look at some headlines from around the world. Signs Christmas is coming    Glasgow, Scotland News,   Evening Times 1. The Coca-Cola advert comes on TV: It was a Coke ad which first put Santa in a red and white outfit. 2. Coffee shops start using Christmas cups: We wonder where they keep them the rest of the year? 3. You can't find a birthday card anywhere: Tough for December babies. 4. Workers spend less time working and more time on online gift sites: Watch out, the boss is behind you! 5. Christmas songs are everywhere! 6. Brussel sprouts appear in the shops: Try them shredded and stir-fried with chilli and garlic - delicious! 7. Eating chocolate for breakfast becomes normal: As any good doctor will tell you, calories don't count at Christmas. 8. Schmaltzy TV ads fill every break: I wasn't crying, I had something in my eye. 9. Adults turn into big kids at the first sight of sno...

Please visit the Hayes/Elliff Christmas blogsite:  adventagain.blogspot.com A s we roll into this Christmas season, I've been pondering.....If I had not been born in the USA would I know the name Jesus?  Would I believe in this God-Man?  If I had been born in Vietnam or Russia or China would I have learned the story of Christmas?  Or would I still be waiting to hear some Good News? I recently heard a story of young woman who was studying at an American university and Christmas was about to be celebrated.  She had only heard of God since arriving in America three years ago and was interested but still seeking.  As she visited with her American friend one day they begin to discuss spiritual matters.  And after a matter of minutes, this young foreign student became intrigued about a book her friend was discussing.  As she took out her notepaper to write down the book title she hesitated....her writing looked like this......Je She stopped wri...