THIS AND THAT * Let’s bring tinsel back on the Christmas trees next year! * God is good. Remember, EVERYONE on that field, on TV as well as everyone watching the night when Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest, either took a knee or sent up a prayer to God.

With the plethora of television networks to choose from, there has also been a plethora (I like this word; can you tell?) of Christmas movies, some starting in early fall and I suppose there are many still available now in early January. I watched more Christmas movies this year than in other years, perhaps because of the shear number of them available. Even so, I still could count on one hand how many I watched. I just don’t enjoy watching a movie that I already know how it will end, because either the girl always gets the guy, or the other way around. Every single storyline seemed to be the same, no matter which movie I watched.

THIS AND THAT * Kirk Cameron, who is best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the ABC sitcom “Growing Pains” has a new book out, “As You Grow.” * I watched the FIFA World Cup games until my favorite player’s team lost. Until that moment I was watching almost every match, and then when Portugal lost and Ronaldo walked off the pitch, I was basically done.

Two brilliant songwriters—although they never met—together created one of the most lasting songs of Christmas. Although they lived half a world away from each other and were separated by almost a century of time, their collaboration created a timeless holiday classic for every age and every audience, and probably a favorite of many of you reading this tale. As a matter of fact, Isaac Watts and Lowell Mason probably didn’t even know they had given the world a Christmas anthem at all.

A NEW YEAR’S BLESSING May God make your year a happy one, Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain, But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes; Not by making your path easy, But by making you sturdy to travel any path; Not by taking hardships from you, But by taking fear from your heart; Not by granting you unbroken sunshine, But by keeping your face bright even in the shadows; Not by making your life always pleasant, But by showing you when people and their causes need you most, And by making you ready to be there to help. God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead..

It would be impossible for me to name my favorite Christmas Carol—they are ALL my favorite! But certain musicians can really knock it out of the park and sometimes make me hit “replay” on the CD. Put it this way — when Andrea Bocelli sings “What Child Is This,” I know it is Christmas. One of the most moving and beautiful Victorian carols, “What Child Is This,” can trace its history back farther than the days of the infamous Henry VIII. Though the song was registered to a Richard Jones in 1580, legend has it that the notorious King Henry might have written the original lyrics himself as he courted Anne Boleyn. The song’s association with King Henry was forever tied to “Greensleeves” when William Shakespeare used it in his play, “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

IT’S CHRISTMAS! A Stocking for Jesus We celebrate each Christmas Jesus Christ’s great birth. We remember the gift He is to us And that our souls have worth.

On December 24, 1865, Phillips Brooks was half a world away from home and feeling older than his thirty years. Only six years into his ministry, Brooks had been called upon in May to give the funeral message over President Abraham Lincoln.

THIS AND THAT * Even though Academy Award winner, singer, actress, songwriter and producer Irene Cara has passed away far too soon, her songs will “Live Forever.” * May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve. * Are you all watching the Christmas movies on the Great American Family Channel? * Have to laugh that actress, and I use that term VERY loosely, Alyssa Milano gave back her Tesla because of Elon Musk purchasing Twitter, and then bought a VW ev.

“The First Noel” is one of the oldest Christmas ballads still sung today. The song first appeared in print in 1833; however the song goes back at least three hundred years prior to that. The origin is also unknown as both France and England claim it as a part of their heritage. The spelling of “noel” would seem to indicate a French connection, though there seems to be quite a lot of evidence pointing to this carol migrating from Britain to France rather than the other way around. What cannot be doubted is the faith and spirit of the song’s writer; his Christian witness comes alive each time the old carol is sung!