SEVERAL CITY AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES helped clear the area of trees, as well as digging out the concrete slab and foundation footings that went 4-ft. deep, left from the former location of the medical clinic.

“THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS,” appropriately named for the ladies of Sigma Phi ESA, floated down Main Street in the Olde Tyme Christmas Parade..

God takes the impossible and makes it possible. That was the message this week as our congregation, led by Pastor Brian, continued to examine the impacts of Christmas on our lives as Christians. So often we weigh things out in our minds on whether something is possible or not, and then act accordingly. But God does not act as humans do.

THE WHY OF CHRISTMAS. Since the beginning of time every birth has been greatly anticipated. It was an unknown process for Adam and Eve the first time around, but they no doubt anticipated their son's birth. Despite all the joys and challenges involved, the whole process is a season of great joy. It was no different for Joseph and Mary. That first Christmas was even more anticipated due to the supernatural conception and the promise of their son fulfilling the prophecy of being the eternal King to sit on David's throne. The fulfillment of God's promise to Mary obviously took place in Bethlehem, but when did the story of "Christmas"—both its promise and its fulfillment —really begin? The promise of Christmas actually began in the beginning. And it ultimately started with a big lie when Satan told Eve, "You will not surely die" (Gen. 3:4). That big lie led to a big fall when Eve, being completely deceived, ate the forbidden fruit and gave it to her husband who defiantly ate it (1 Timothy 2:14 clearly says "Adam was not deceived"). Adam's one sin carried an infinite price tag for it made every descendent a sinner under God's eternal judgment. So the story of Christmas began with a big lie that led to a big fall which then led to a big curse. All humanity was now cursed (that's a big deal) with further curses /judgments on both women and men. But God also cursed the Serpent/ Satan saying, "You are cursed" (Gen. 3:14). These curses then led to all-out war. Only God could take care of man's sin problem so He announced war against Satan, saying. "I will put hostility...between your seed and her Seed" (Gen. 3:15). So the big lie led to a big fall that led to a big curse which led to a big war and that led to a big promise because the Promised Seed would one day crush Satan's head (Gen. 3:15). Jesus truly was born to defeat Satan and thus was born to die. And that's the "why" of Bethlehem...and Christmas!

This has not been an exceptionally good week. I think it is just as humans we can’t let people go. We are “not done with them” so to speak. I made a trip to Abilene early Thursday morning for the memorial service of a beloved 99-year-old relative, Wanita Cartner. Wanita would have been 100 on Kansas Day January 29 and lived her entire life in Dickinson County.

The bell was rung by Kirby Mullen to begin worship at Cedar Christian Church on Sunday, December 5. Peggy Mullen picked the following hymns for our worship service: “Tell Me The Old, Old Story,” “At The Cross,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” and “Work, For The Night Is Coming.” Kirby and Darel Boston led prayers and the following are on the prayer list: Warren Matney, Larry Lala family, Kirby Mullen, Gib Sears, Nadine Iseli, Terry Haug, Rhonda Gibson, Lowell Lydic, Linda Melton and Willardene Purdum. Steven Melton collected the offering. Kirby and Steven served Communion. Caden Enfield, Darel’s great-grandson, played several Christmas carols for the special. Ethan Enfield, Darel’s great-grandson, read scripture with Darel. The scripture for this week was the 13th Chapter of Acts. The sermon was on the early growth of the church and the mission to spread the word about Jesus. The parting of John to have two missions going in two directions. The travels of Barnabas and Paul, along the Mediterranean coast, were discussed.

THE BALDERSTON FAMILY met at the Hawk House for a Thanksgiving morning reunion. In attendance were Becky Balderston and Roger Young, Deb and JD Niermeier, Bill, Kathy, Nicole and Allison Balderston, Andrea, Andy, Austen, Adeline and Amelia Niermeier and Joan Balderston. The dogs—Wanda, Von, Blue, Indy, Sage and Buddy were also present.

J-Mart in Stockton invites you all to their Christmas Open House on Friday, December 17th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Just a reminder that the Stockton Food Pantry is open next Thursday, December 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Remember that the Food Pantry is now at its new location at 602 Main Street in the building behind the Main Street Christian Church Parsonage.

The Week 1 drawing winners of the Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce Business Drawings are as follows: (Adult Winners) • Jaxon Dunlap won a bag of goodies from the Stockton Public Library. • Gail Hill won a $25.00 Webster’s Supermarket gift certificate from the Farmers National Bank.