Renee Hawkley In Joy!

"O Little Town of Bethlehem"  has been my favorite Christmas carol for as long as I can remember. I figured out why as the unfortunate events of 2020 spilled out bucket by bucket from January through December. It's because  "O Little Town of Bethlehem" focuses, not on the magnificence, the joy and grandeur associated with the entry of Jesus Christ, but on the stillness required by Each and Every One-of-us-at-a-time who chooses to kneel in reverence at His cradle, His cross and His empty tomb to receive His "unspeakable gift." 2 Cor. 9:15 "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 wond’ring love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth, And praises...

 " Christmas 2020"  by Renee Hawkley Even the grinchiest Grinch  Wouldn’t ask for a Christmas pandemic. Yet, here we are, amidst billions  Forging our way through 2020, Each traveler owning a unique story  Of trudging toward an unknown finish line,  Or of dropping out along the way. For me, 2020 is the first Christmas Ever when  “Busy” hasn’t occupied front stage with Family events, parties, church dinners,  Travel, school performances, choir rehearsals,  Baking, shopping, and On and On, Not in that particular order. It’s all so Very strange and Worth a ponder. I never tried a 1,000-piece puzzle before. I actually read a book  Cover to cover in December. Well, That’s never happened before! Unless you count Luke, chapter 2. Seven local grandchildren  Came on Friday in batches of three and then four To decorate my tree as usual. I told them it was the best event of 2020 And hugged each one of them tight!...

Hi Helen,  Thank you for sharing your "word of the year" ritual. This "small and simple thing" requires zero attention to resolutions, plans, deadlines, manuals, schedules or endless "To Do" lists. My word for 2021 was easy to choose.  It's "Peace." As this word "plays out" in my thoughts, words and deeds, it's certain to bless me and others, too!   Renee

 I wanted God. To repair the world. And He sent one carpenter.

Americans still have freedom of speech. I trust the Supreme Court to determine whether our country will stand for the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and our national motto, "In God we trust". . . or face annihilation like self-destructive civilizations of the past that somehow, someway lost their integrity of purpose and existence. PS. I don't mean the Supreme Court in Washington, DC.

He shows America how one imperfect citizen can, with tireless boldness, effort, heart, love of God and country, change the direction of a run-a-way world.