Terry Odle: “My Saline County land I sold November 30 by Unreserved Online Auction had 15 different bidders living in 10 different counties from four different states.”.

KING JESUS. In the history of the kings who ruled God's covenant people, King Ahaz vies for being one of the most wicked. Rather than worship God, he started worshiping the Canaanite "god" Moloch and even monstrously sacrificed his own son in fire as part of that worship (2 Kings 16:3). Instead of trusting God to protect his kingdom from the Syrians and the northern tribes, he emptied the gold and silver of the Temple treasury to hire pagan Assyrians to help. There's more to the historical events, but how does this apply to Christmas? Ahaz and Judah feared greatly so God sent Isaiah to warn Ahaz to not fear but rather to trust God to protect them and even told Ahaz to ask for any miracle so he would know God meant what He said. However, Ahaz rebelled, saying, "I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!" (Isa. 7:12). Ahaz had already decided to hire the Assyrians to defend his kingdom. Isaiah then told Ahaz, "Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isa. 7:13-14). Shortly after this, the northern kingdom of Israel was annihilated in 722 BC and the southern kingdom of Judah was destroyed in 586 BC. All the kings were gone. The problem is that God had promised David, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16). How can this happen if the kings are all gone? Nothing is too hard for God and so about 600 years into the future, He would do the impossible by causing a virgin to give birth to King Jesus! The question for us is this: Are we "pagan Ahaz" defiantly trusting our own wisdom in times of trials? Or are we true followers sitting at the feet of King Jesus trusting the God of the impossible as we sing, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King."

When an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds preceding the birth of Jesus, little did anyone know the full impact of this event. The angel both comforted the shepherds and assured them that what was happening was going to be amazing. We read in Luke 2:10, “But the angel of the Lord said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’”

Students and staff in each district are utilizing the “Test to Stay” option. This allows individuals of a close contact the opportunity to remain in school.

Larry and Susan Cadoret were in Stockton from Tuesday, December 7th through Friday, December 10th visiting his mother, Betty Cadoret, and helping her celebrate her birthday. While in town, they also spent time with Lana Rothe and Elizabeth. Everyone had a wonderful time together.

The Week 2 drawing winners of the Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce Business Drawings are as follows: (Adult Winners) • Megan Kennedy won a goodie bag from the Stockton Public Library. • Ruth Ann Bigge won appliquéd tea towels from Stitch and Chatter, Thomas Yakish won a Webster’s Supermarket $25.00 gift certificate from Farmers National Bank.

Condolences to the LeaAnn Marsh family on the passing of her son, Matt Marsh, on December 3. I spent most of Wednesday and Thursday with my sister, Norma Sharp of rural Riley, helping with Christmas decorating inside and out.

Mark your calendars and please join Solutions North Bank for its Holiday Open Houses at their bank locations! The Holiday Open Houses will be held on the following dates: December 14th at WaKeeney; December 15th at Hill City and Bogue; December 17th at Norton; December 20th at Lenora; and December 21st at Stockton. Here is wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season from Solutions North Bank!

The family of Maryann Nelson requests you join them in helping her celebrate her 80th birthday. Cards may be sent to 1441 Thorne St., Syracuse, NE 68446 by December 16th, 2021. A Come-and-Go Reception will also be held at the Knights of Columbus in Plainville, Kan. on Saturday, December 18th, from 3-5 p.m. Let’s help her celebrate 80 years!

The Stockton Kindergarten through fifth-grade Christmas music program will be held in the Stockton High School Gym on Thursday, December 16th at 7:00 p.m. Come enjoy the music!.