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CHRISTmas is alive in Calhoun County.
The Christmas carol, “I Heard the Bells on
Christmas Day,” contains these lines near the beginning:
“‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said,
‘For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men’.”
Last week in Calhoun, examples of love and caring
that can warm the heart when you know about them were visible.
Saturday, Nov. 28, the decorating of windows
started in the county seat of Grantsville. Business owners were in
friendly competition for the awards or “just because we want to do it.”
Business neighbors were helping their less creative neighbors, young
people were working with adults, laughing and joking, and having a pizza
picnic at their parking place. Skateboards were visible, but their
owners were courteous, newcomers were working beside longtime crafters,
and history enthusiasts were rounding up artifacts of Christmases past.
The three flags were dedicated at the town triangle
by armed services’ veterans. When a comment was made about the cold
weather, one of the veterans said, “We will do anything possible to have
another red, white and blue flying in our land.”
The flag poles were constructed by Calvin Nicholas,
with materials donated by Creston Oil Corp., and flags were donated by
Anne Barth, Paul Mollohan, and Grantsville town council. Christmas
street lights were displayed for the first time. This took months of
planning and compromise between two groups. The project was supported by
donations of businesses and individuals.
On Friday, Christmas caroling took place just about
dusk and that was followed by a parade, which was organized by the Lions
Club. Children’s groups made up most of the parade participants.
Spectators strolled the streets, visited businesses, and warmed up with
hot drinks and sweets that were furnished as a Christmas treat.
Sunday afternoon was a time of dedication and
fellowship as the choirs from two local churches gathered for practice
of a Christmas Cantata to be presented on Dec. 21.
Yes, Calhoun County was a friendly cooperative
town. The same carol mentioned at the beginning ends with the following
verse:
“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep,
the wrong shall fail, the right prevail
with peace on earth, good will to men’.”
Let this peace begin with each of us and continue
through the New Year. We hope your Christmas plans are blessed with
peacemaking opportunities.
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77 DAYS
OF PRAYER FOR OUR NEW
PRESIDENT
Day Thirty-Four; December 8, 2008.
43 days left until inauguration day.
For God’s choice to be discerned in the selection
of Secretary of Agriculture, that our nation’s farms and food supply may
be well cared for.
Our barns will be filled with every kind of
provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in
our fields. --Psalm 144:13.
Awesome God, all things are Yours, and Your mercy
and goodness characterize the works of Your hands. With You, Lord, there
is no lack. There is plenty, and there is full provision.
Knowing this, Heavenly Father, we now ask You to
bring into position Your chosen person for the Secretary of Agriculture.
Our nation is a bountiful one; we need the best management of our farms
and food supply. Give President-Elect Barack Obama insight as he chooses
the one to serve in this vital position. We thank You, O’ God, for You
care about every government official and desire what’s best for our
nation. We give You glory for that, and praise You as we pray in the
name of Christ, amen.
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