There’s a Nativity scene on the table, five trains in the house, stockings are hung, and lights gleam from the tree, bathing ornaments of various themes in light. It’s Christmas Day, as I set by the tree, it’s a peaceful Christmas morning.  The Message of Christmas, that is the birth of The Savior, has endured everything from the dark ages to two world wars. Regardless of circumstance, opinion, or threat, Hope overcame fear, it’s no stranger to it.  The story of Christmas didn’t start in a manger, it goes back so much farther. Before God made the worlds, He knew if man chose to sin, what He would have to…

Christmas Eve was always the traditional opening of gifts in our family. There was also always a lot of prep work involved. Cakes and pies were being baked. Casseroles were assembled, turkeys were roasting, and potatoes peeled and boiled. We were getting ready for Christmas, some years more successfully arrived. “Are you ready for Christmas?”, has replaced how are you doing as a standard greeting for the season. People say it for different reasons. Some because it’s an easy opening, others because they’re not ready either, and it makes them feel better to know they’re not the only ones. Others ask though, so they can share their relief of being…