Merry Christmas from M&N

Growing up, each Christmas Eve we would gather around Dad and listen as he read Christmas stories to us. Some of the perennial favorites were How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Night Before Christmas (complete with ad libs; "away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up,") and The 12 Days of Christmas as told by Kermit the Frog, though I think in later years I was the only one who enjoyed that one. I believe Dad's favorite was The Littlest Angel, which is one I intend to pass on to my children.

Every year's reading ended with "The Christmas Story" as found in the second chapter of Luke. This year, as we spend more time with our own families during the holidays, it has been brought home to me how comfortable those days were. As each of you celebrate your own Christmas Eve, my one wish is that you know how grateful Neesha, The Boy and I are for you and how much we love you.

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all ^athe world should be ^btaxed. (And this ^ataxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called ^aBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his ^aespoused wife, being great with child

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her ^afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the ^binn.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the ^aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you ^agood tidings of great ^bjoy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is ^aborn this day in the city of David a ^bSaviour, which is Christ the ^cLord. And this shall be a ^asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ^aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth ^bpeace, good will toward men."

mw