“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) These good tidings of great joy still resound today more than 20 centuries after the very first Christmas. And although this is an exceptionally long time to remember a birthday, it was also a long expected day. Matthew 1:17 records, “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.” Considering the long years anticipating Christ’s advent and God’s silence during the four hundred directly preceding the day, Christ’s question in Luke 18:8b seems appropriate, “…Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
But thanks be to God that He is faithful and that “…when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 4:4 & 5) We rejoice in the Savior, who redeemed and adopted us. He has blessed our family with growth in many ways during this year. First of all, Frederick Leo was born on December 11th! Also, Hannah began school as a kindergartener and is doing well. Kenneth advanced to the second grade and is enjoying his exploration of a widening world. Peter turned two and is doing his best to keep up with his older siblings. Last but not least, Daniel is adjusting to being the “older” brother when Kenneth & Hannah are at school.
Melinda is recovering from delivering Frederick, but she spent much of autumn helping make a quilt for my Dad’s milestone birthday. During the summer we enjoyed traveling north for a couple of weeks, visiting some of our family & friends, and attending Melinda’s high school reunion. In October Melinda & I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. I continue my employment as an intensive supervision officer with the Dept. of Juvenile Justice. Although I did interview for two management positions, I was not the candidate selected for either one. Also, I am continuing a second job co-leading Family Solutions groups from time to time.
On the church front, at about this time last year we first visited Covenant Presbyterian Church. They were without a senior pastor at that time, but we were favorably impressed nonetheless. However, we continued to visit several different churches until July. Since then we have been regularly “visiting” Covenant and trying to get to know the people there. Melinda participated in a weekly ladies bible study, Kenneth joined the Boys Brigade, Hannah joined the Pioneer Girls, and I participated in weekly officer preparation classes in order to learn more about the church & its leadership. That’s about all the highlights for now.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,
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