Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
What is Christmas?
It means many things to different people, some of which are familiar: Christmas programs, popcorn balls, pulled taffy, mulled cider, Christmas cards, gift giving, trees decorated with ornaments, tinsel, recitations, homes decorated with lights, cheery smiles, Santa Claus, jingle bells, visions of sugar plums, belsnickling, stockings hung by the fireplace, angels, Christmas carols, big red bows, wreath hanging, the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus, shopping, packages, gift wrappings, looking at decorated homes, homemade treats, gingerbread cookies, fruit cakes, yuletide finery, eggnog, cheese balls, peanut brittle, poinsettias, red berries, stars, ornaments, family gatherings, planning festive meals, fudge, mixed nuts, Christmas concerts and choir singing, shepherds, wise men, sheep, nativity scenes, snowman, candy cane, candles, hot chocolate, elves, gingerbread houses, snow angels, and Christmas Eve candlelight services.
These time-honored traditions are passed from one generation to the next, strengthening one’s families and enriching one’s life. These cherished memories, hopeful anticipation, and love for one another — this is what the Christmas spirit is all about.
The good news of Christmas is that even when the world or a person’s circumstances change — the message of Christmas is timeless. This is the time that hearts fill with gladness as people everywhere come together to share the joy of the season. That spirit of love encourages a person to put a little of oneself into every aspect of the holidays. Because Christmas is about the birth of God’s Son — Jesus. It is about how He came to give us love, hope and joy. That message doesn’t change from year to year.
Of the more than 800 languages spoken in Papua New Guinea, which was where the writer was born and where she spent her childhood, “Silent Night” is being shared with the readers in the language of Graged.
“Bo manim, Bo gun mok
Pain tamol bo didoz,
Ge Josef Maria demazaz
Al gamun, al Jesus, O gadon,
Did mazozlon yen, did mazozlon yen.”
The writer wishes all of her readers “A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
Life’s little instructions include the following:
- Attend a candlelight service.
- Wish each other a “Merry Christmas.”
- Let someone go ahead of a person in the shopping lane.
- Smile…a lot!
- Compliment three persons each day.
Sunday morning worship services were cancelled in most neighborhoods, due to the sleet and snow. The thought was that it is better to be “safe than sorry.” Temperatures remained rather cold, with promises of the upcoming week becoming warmer.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“Never let success get to your head and never failure get to your heart.” — Venus Williams
“When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels.” — Unknown
“I always wanted to be someone better the next day than I was the day before.” — Sidney Poitier
“If you want to be great, greater than life itself, learn to give. Love has nothing to do with what you expect to get, only with what you expect to give — everything. The importance of giving and blessing others cannot be overstated because there is always joy in giving. Learn to make someone happy through acts of giving.” — Katharine Hepburn
Sitting by the fireplace is where one can hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
St. John Lutheran Church’s Saturday evening Christmas program was well attended to hear the Christmas message. The youngsters did two Christmas carols with the bells. The Cricket County “Forgive and Forget” program was, as usual, quite hilarious, but the Christmas message shown through.
Anyone wishing to be included in the Parade of Lights contest in the Sugar Grove area, needs to have their lights on from the Dec. 21 to 29 so the judges have time to motor around to make their selections.
Bob and Judy Grimm had an early Ohio Christmas with children, Chris Grimm and P.J. Grimm, and their respective families.
The full Cold Moon is the last one of 2024. It certainly has put on a dazzling show for the skywatchers.
Monday evening’s Christmas program at Brandywine Elementary School was enjoyed by many parents and grandparents.
Christmas clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- Only 1 percent of the Chinese population celebrates Christmas, even though the majority of the Christmas decorations sold around the world are made there.
- Australians celebrate Christmas at the beach with a family BBQ or “Barbie.”
- In Japan, Christmas is considered the “Feast of Love.”
- Ukraine celebrates The Legend of the Christmas Spider.
- On Dec. 22, the Spanish are never far from the TV or radio as this marks the Christmas lottery being drawn
Concerns are for the following: Bob Adamson, Dyer Anderson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, “Bo” Boggs, Marie Cole, Stanley Dahmer, Benny Evick, Isaac Eye, Linda Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillespie, Lola Graham, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Marvin Hartman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Donald Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, George Hevener, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Tim L. Hoover, Debbie and Enos Horst, Jessica Janney, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, O’Dell Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Roger and Skip Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, John Morford, Bill Mullenax, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Angie Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Terri Parker, Diana Pennybaker, Andy Pond, Janice Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, Marilyn Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Tom Rader, Brandon Reel, Jason Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Dennis Riggleman, Donna Ruddle, Jenny Ruddle, Mary Sawyers, Brittany Shriver, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, Estelle Wagner, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Ann and Ed Wimer and individuals and families who continue to be affected and displaced by the natural disasters.
