Are the stockings hung, gifts bought and wrapped, cards all written, stamped and mailed, concerts and programs attended and menus planned?

It is really a busy time with some confusion thrown in besides.

Ready or not, it is here. There are times one can feel so overwhelmed by the problems that surround us that it is hard to deal with it all. This time leading up to Christmas, when we wait and watch with anticipation for the birth of Jesus, is so very important to our lives.

We’ve heard the story before, but we need to hear it again and again: the hope, the promise of God being born into our midst. I hope that you will take time during this Christmas holiday to worship together with your family and friends.

Did you leave time to meditate on the birth of the Christ Child, the greatest gift of all? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have this holy child, knowing there would be a day when he would be sacrificed for us?

As we wait and watch and ponder the miracle of God being born into human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, let us keep our eyes open for the tiny, yet miraculous ways God continues to be born in our midst.

We need to thank our Lord for all his blessings, His love and for a fine family, a roof over our heads, that we have a good place to sleep, that there is food on our table, clothes on our backs and shoes on or feet.

We also need to thank our Lord for giving us the best gift we could ever receive.

We are reminded that Christmas can last more than one day, that the spirit and magic of the season can thrive all the time. Peace, joy, and goodwill are not seasonal; they are life-sustaining, life-enhancing, hopeful words that should be spoken, sung, and practiced all the months of the year.

As you go about these final days leading up to Christmas, may you be surprised and delighted by the ways in which Jesus – God’s love made fresh – shows up in your midst every single day. It may be in the people you meet, it may be through your words of encouragement and random acts of kindness for another.

Thank you Lord for giving us the best gift we could ever receive.

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Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements.  In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us.

Also, if you have an idea for a story that you think would be of interest to our readers, please contact me.

If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like to include, or news to share, please contact me via  e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035; or telephone, 507-256-4405.

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This week’s birthdays and anniversaries include:

• Thurday, December 24th: Christmas Eve!  Barbara Mrotz, Brooke Reese, Craig Paulsen, Anna Louise Fuerniss, Susan Oolman

• Friday, December 25th: Merry Christmas!  Mitchel Gale Evans, Krista Lee Hardyman, Tom Reitveld, Makenzie Butler

• Saturday December 26th: Nadine Strenge, Tom Hanson, Joshua Kasper, Jill Peterson Otterbein, Nicklas Hanson 

• Sunday, December 27th: Sue Bailey Billbray, Colette Hemingway Moudy, Mikkel Iverson, Jamie Hagen, Scott Christensen, Carly Titus, Stacy Osmundson Titus, Ron Peterson, Shannon Peterson Pederson, Brad Bothum

• Monday, December 28th: Hope Mikesell, Chad Toft, Tyler Titus, Charlie Marlin, Merrill Bunn, Laura & John Ortiz, Neil & Ellen Pence

• Tuesday, December 29th: Maxx Greyson Richards, Maya Grace Richards, Gary Hunnicutt, Seth David Petranek, Brent Born, Craig Haberman, Darlene Underland, Benjamin Paulson, Whitey & LaJune Hagen, Amy & Joe Louks

• Wednesday, December 30th: Anita Casterton, Matt Christensen, Ryan Schrodt, Jane Simon, Jim Dobberstein, Gladys Peterson, Mark & Gail Skroch, David & Arianna Arends, Kyile & Rachel Aase

• Thursday, December 31st:  New Years Eve!  Bailey Joy Ihrke, Bree Olivia Ihrke, Larry Paulsen, Dean Pospesel, Lynne Flor, Brent Wiersma, Brent Worrell, Isabelle Wayne, Dorothy & Adrian Kilian, Greg & Cindy Oswald, Larry & Elaine Howell

• Friday, January 1st: Happy New Year!  Ross Aronson, Jerry Seath, Larry Schwartz, Amanda Beach, Lois & Duane Aitchison 

• Saturday, January 2nd: Grace Jolie Wangen, Brian Bedney, Jay Crabtree, Mark Dobberstein, David Lageson, Brenda Wayne, Aaron Nelson, John & Lorraine Lent, Kelsey (Wayne) & Matt Duncomb  

With each passing yer, grow stronger, grow wisher and grow richer in spirit. May the year ahead be filled with new discoveries!