By Paula Mitchell
Christmas is…
Feeling like a child again when one wishes for snow. Lots of work and lots of lists. Making one huge mess in the kitchen when baking cookies. Unpacking memories along with the ornaments. The delight of finding the perfect present. The warm feeling of seeing an old friend’s name on a Christmas card. Still getting excited about presents under the tree. Eating an appalling amount of chocolate. Taking in a Christmas program. Listening to Christmas music. Always managing to lose both the scissors and the tape under the gift paper when wrapping presents. Enjoying the Christmas lights. Every time a hand reaches out to help another. Every time someone puts anger aside and strives for understanding. Every time people forget their differences and realize their love for each other. Feeling a major sense of accomplishment when the Christmas tree stays in its stand. Talking every year about putting outside lights out, but never doing it. Drinking hot chocolate and enjoying the decorated Christmas tree.
As Christmas ushers in the New Year, a resolution to endeavor to keep is to be kind. Show kindness every single day in 2026. Just one act of kindness is all it takes to make one’s own little world a better place…that would be Christmas all year long!
To all my friends and readers everywhere, “I am wishing for a blessed Christmas season, with joy, peace and contentment. May each of you find the real joy that Jesus gives, blessing you with His abundant blessings.”
Life’s little instructions include the following:
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Hold the door open for the person behind one.
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Smile to all one meets.
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Send a get well card to someone who is ill.
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Take time to visit someone in the nursing home.
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Return the shopping cart.
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Send Christmas cards to the home bound persons.
Weather has been quite the topic of conversation, lately. It’s a good thing people can’t control the weather! Temperatures were planning to dip to single digits. Monday morning temperatures were 2 degrees, calling for a two-hour delay in the school system. Students have been having delays and closures quite frequently due to the weather. This winter, so far, has been hard on man and beasts. The Earth’s winter solstice will be arriving on the 21st. Since it’s the darkest period, dazzling lights lift people’s spirits. Everyone who installs holiday lights gives a friendly gift to passersby and motorists. All trimmers deserve thanks for helping to nurture the magic of this enchanted season.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Nothing says holidays like a cheese log.” — Ellen Degeneres
“When I no longer thrill to the first snow of the season, I’ll know I’m growing old.” — Lady Bird Johnson.
“I love snow for the same reason I love Christmas. It brings people together while time stands still.” — Rachel Cohn
“For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others service will come first.” — Queen Elizabeth II
“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” — Edna Ferber
There is something to be said when sitting by the fireplace to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
The annual St. John Lutheran Christmas play which was held Saturday evening had a commanding audience. The bell choir, which consisted of the youngsters, performed three Christmas songs. “A Cricket County City Christmas” was then ushered in as the third, in the series, comical Christmas play. The audience was offered a glimpse of what the true meaning of Christmas really is. The finality of the program was the nativity scene which opened up to a stable with Mary and Joseph who were flanked by angels, baby Jesus, wise men, and shepherds. The carol “Joy to the World” warmed each heart as it was sung at the closure of the evening. The words of good tidings and great joy, if taken to heart, would allow the world to become a different place.
Good news, this holiday season, is to report that Eldon Puffenbarger is now at home.
Justin, April, Colby and Chloe Simmons, along with Sharon Crider, stayed the weekend at Virginia Beach, Virginia. While there they took in the Christmas lights on the boardwalk, enjoyed walking on the beach, eating at Captain George’s and shopping.
This week’s clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•The largest floating Christmas tree in the world, standing at 278 feet, is in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
•“White Christmas” is the best-selling Christmas song of all time.
•The oldest fruitcake was 114 years old and has been passed down from generation to generation.
•In 1610, tinsel was invented in Germany.
•Santa is called Kanakaloka in Hawaii.
Concerns are for Mike Adams, Charles Anderson, Alfred Armstrong, Joan Ashley, Roger Ashley, Dave Basagic, Allen Beachler, Bobby Bodkin, “Bo” Boggs, Larry Byers, Doreen Calhoun, Joyce Calhoun, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, Kim Davis, Tommy Davis, Phil Downs, Steve Durham, Jennifer Errett, Isaac Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillispie, Nan Goland, Nancy Gonshor, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, the family of Ella Hayes, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, Chuck and Tracy Hiett, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Karen Holsten, Julia Homan, Charlie Marie Hoover, Keith Hoover, Debbie Horst, Bob and Cynthia Hurry, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Linda Jones, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, Ruth Kile, the Tom Kline family, Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Donna Mallow, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marsh, Anna Mauzy, Ed May, Dave McConnell, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Carroll and Dottie Mitchell, Dennis and Jamie Mitchell, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, Sherri Moyers, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Dominique Nelson, Dwight Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryle Paine, Terri Parker, Andy Pond, Wayne Price, Janice Propst, Alda Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Tom Rader, Willard Rader, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Vesta Ruckman, Bernie Sasscer, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Tonya Simon, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Bruce Smith, Ed and Carolyn Smith, Natalie Stephenson, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Junior Waggy, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Patty Willis and Ann and Ed Wimer.
