Many years in the past, I would write the family Christmas letter on January 6th, the Christmas of the Gentiles - the festival that commemorates the appearance of the Christ child as the promised Savior to the Gentiles and to all the world. A few days before Christmas, I spent some time with family and friends in Nebraska. While there, Trina, my seven year old granddaughter wanted to make a gift for her parents. Since she is reading now and loves to tell stories, she wanted to write "A Merry Christmas Story." She dictated each word for me to print. As I patiently listened to each word, I became a bit weary and felt challenged to listen to the rest of the story. "Grandma, we can't forget about the kings," I heard her say. And so she continued, "It was a star that led three kings from a faraway country to come to Bethlehem too."

As she finished telling the Merry Christmas story, my thoughts wandered to that faraway land where that lighted star led the wisemen to Bethlehem. It must have been spectacular, as historians of that day wrote about a radiant and different star in the heavens. My granddaughter made it very clear to me to never forget those three kings from afar and the Merry Christmas Story. The lighted star that appears often throughout the year on my little home on the prairie will shine even brighter as I am reminded often that wise men still seek Him. The year 1997 is another chapter in our lives, filled with many memories. May we live throughout 1998 in the warmth and afterglow of the 1997 Christmas season. May the Spirit of Christmas be with us all year and those stars and gifts of grace, hope, joy, love, kindness, gratitude, and peace shine in our hearts.

Warm Thoughts: Looking back, may we be filled with gratitude. Looking forward, may we be filled with hope. Looking upward, may we be aware of strength. Looking inward, may we find peace. Author unknown. A thankful heart will make your year happy and joyful all year long. Have a bright new year led by His light!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner

Published in the Marion Record, January 8th, 1998.

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Till next time,

Trina