Beech Tree News Network

Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) said, “Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, ‘It will be happier’ (https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/alfred-lord-tennyson-quotes). The year of 2020 has been different and difficult. I believe many will welcome 2021, as Tennyson said, hoping it will be happier. For my family, 2020 has been overshadowed by the pandemic and family trials with some family blessings scattered throughout.

When we convene the 2021 session on Tuesday, January 5, it will mark the 20th annual session since Kentucky voters amended the state’s 1891 constitution in 2000. Because 2021 is an odd-numbered year, we will meet for only 30 legislative days and must adjourn by March 30. Without a doubt, the budget is the most important policy document that we will pass this year. After all, one glance at someone’s checkbook will tell you more about their priorities than anything they say.

About the third week of December, there was a meme making its way around the internet that stated:

Mark 2:18-22 might seem like a strange conversation when we first read it, but as we study, we see Jesus made a profound point that the gospel He was preaching was unlike anything that had been taught on earth! His teaching didn’t fit the “mold” they were used to. It wasn’t merely a “new patch on an old garment.”  I think about the Lord’s illustration in this passage when I hear people say that in the sermon on the mount, Jesus was “fixing the Old Testament.” That’s wrong. He wasn’t patching up an old garment in that sermon! He was preaching about a new thing!

Another Christmas is upon us, and I extend my warmest wishes and a sincere hope that you and your loved ones are enjoying a holiday season in good health and full of happiness. 

This season, in particular, I can say that I look forward to just being home with my family to enjoy the holiday and spend more time with those who make life meaningful. Above all else, we should remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Lately, I’ve been listening to Christmas music. I’ve noticed that much of it is upbeat, and I find myself singing along – at least with the choruses. Because I like so many Christmas songs, I have a hard time choosing a favorite.

Thinking about favorites, I asked friends and family: “What is your favorite Christmas song?” Their responses are below.

I have never in all my sixty-five years been so grateful for a winter break from school as I have this one.  I’ve told you before that I have been my granddaughter’s teacher’s aid this fall semester.  This job  entailed setting alarms on my phone to remind her when the next virtual class was ready to start, quizzing her on the week’s language words and multiplication tables, telling her to summarize the next paragraph in the Science text, and on and on it went in an endless sea of facts and formulas until we were both fried.

When we read the book of Mark, it begins by introducing us to John the Immerser, or John the Baptist. This is the man who prepared the way for Christ (1:3; Jn. 3:28-30). Among other things, we read about John baptizing people in the wilderness and specifically baptizing folks in the Jordan river (1:4-5). This was not the only place he baptized folks (Jn. 3:23), but this is where he baptized Jesus (Mk. 1:9-10).

This week, I bring you Oh, you didn’t know: Christmas Edition.  We begin with the classic song “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”.  Only an icon with Garland in her name could’ve pulled off this Christmas song miracle.  Even before she got involved, however, the song almost never came to light at all. 

A word or two on this and that.

As we come to the Christmas season, let me be careful we do not leave Jesus in a shoe box up in the attic. A small lad was asked if he knew where Jesus lived.