The holiday season is always so busy with activities that it’s hard to fit them all in. But we have to try.
It may be a long time until next Christmas, but you don’t want to miss out on all the fun things the present brings. Look at your newspapers and church bulletins, as well as activities at schools in the area. Nothing is more delightful than the innocence and honesty of our young people and their abilities and talents. They are truly amazing.
Of course, Santa will also be making his yearly appearances in many of our local towns too with promise and good wishes for kids and adults alike.
There will never be another 2011 Christmas.
The first holiday concert at the NRHEG School, which featured the kindergarten through second-grade students, was priceless. They'll never be that age again. It was amazing to see the intelligence and talent displayed.
On December 2 and 3, the New Life Christian Church in Albert Lea will hold their 18th annual drive-through live nativity.
Trinity Lutheran in New Richland invites you to a Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 3 from 11 to 1 p.m.
The "home team" of the area who have crafts, gifts, books and things kicked off their show at the Geneva Community Building on November 18-19. It was fun. There will be more when they and others put on a craft and bazaar at the Community Building in Ellendale as part of Ellendale’s Christmas in the Country on December 4.
For 24 years, the Christmas city with a small-town atmosphere has been inviting you to come and see their fair city and all the things it provides on a daily and holiday basis. Pictures with Santa and kids bingo will take place at the new Vibrant Life Assembly of God church gymnasium (Youth Refuge Building). There will also be soups and bars at St. Aidens Catholic Church, a Christmas Cantata on December 4 at the Clarks Grove Baptist Church at 2, and the United Methodist Church in Ellendale at 7. There will also be an opportunity to ride in nostalgia in a horse-drawn wagon. Also say, "Thank you" to our local merchants, who will have specials and treats. Think what it would be like if they weren't there when you needed them.
Remember, December 4. Help others and yourself by buying local and American Merchandise.
Look around you. You are sure to spot some holiday foods to enjoy, either as meals or as baked goods. Lefse, cookies, lutefisk. Get out in the surrounding community. It puts one in a holiday spirit that is heartwarming and neighborly. Sharing your holiday masterpieces or goodies is a good trick.
Time. I know it is hard sometimes to take in all these things that are being offered, but think about the long winter ahead and enjoy the busyness. Earl Nightingale once said, "Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use." Time wasted is existence. Time used is life.
Also , don't forget about the fast-approaching activities for fighting cancer! The Wild Game Feed is December 3. The 27th Annual Geneva Cancer Auction begins in January.
People are generous about sharing their lights and songs at Christmas. Enjoy them. Really enjoy them. Say thank you. Light up the darkness; it reduces the chance of depression. Whoever has a heart full of love always has something to give.
Send Christmas cards. Write a letter to a child or grandchild describing all the things you most love and enjoy about this person. Present it as a holiday or birthday gift. Surprise some people you haven't seen or heard from for a while. Pictures shared in greeting cards are always good. Dig deep in your address book. Let yourself go all out to enjoy the holidays. Go visit, especially the elderly who are not able to get out often. It is the best gift you can give. Those who live alone or in special homes never seem to get enough company and news.
It all boils down to people enjoying people, communicating and, if you can't squeeze everything in, write letters after the holidays to keep in touch with family, friends and neighbors. I have friends who send Valentine letters instead. Christmas was never meant to be limited to a single day.
Need cozy time? Dig out the old home movies or even new ones. Sometimes we record, or take pictures, of all these events and then don't take the time to enjoy them. Looking back at picture albums and beautiful scrapbooks are good pastimes.
Marvel how everyone changes through the years or even cry a tear or two thinking of someone who isn't there in person. Putting your pictures into albums or scrapbooks gives you satisfaction of completing a big chore, and allows you the time to reflect on events that have taken place in your life. Things only go around once. Enjoy!
Go all out. Christmas isn't just gifts that are merchandise. Christmas is all the celebrations and laughter and joy and moments of reverence as we thank God for the birth of the Christ child and share our religion. I doubt we'll find a segregation in Heaven. God has told us he has many mansions. It must be so.
Throw away petty differences and radiate the love that has been given us. Feel fresh and new!
Celebrate Christmas! Enjoy the events, the people and time well spent. Then, anticipate a coming new year, plan to make it better than the last. Count your blessings; see what God has done.
— — —
Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that they like to read about the local happenings and family events such as family and school reunions, birthday and anniversary celebrations, 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, so we can then pass along the news to you. If you have news to share, please contact me.
Also, if our NRHEG Star Eagle readers would like to share birthdays and anniversaries of your family and friends, or you know of some that should be deleted, or names have changed, 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.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, December 1st: Ethan Elliot Marzoff, Kyle Anthony Neidermeier, Jim Cornelius, Brian Waage, Laurie Ellis, Teri Horan Finke, Barbara Wangsness.
• Friday, December 2nd: Maryalice Hanson, Leah Wayne, Allura Danon Johnson, Paige Sorenson, Lyle Paulson, Jean Richards Worrell, Helen Sawyer, Heidi Wangsness, Heather Peterson, Dale Schewe.
• Saturday, December 3rd: Eric Degan, Ethan Fletcher Cornelius, Brian Van Ravenhorst.
• Sunday, December 4th: Sue Mattson, Sandy Larson Russo, Sue Brown Asplund, Shawn Vangen Steffen, Jeff Kasper, Skylar Larson, Holly Pichner, Max Jensen, Casey & Jon Homuth.
• Monday, December 5th: Bodie Laxon Newgard, his second; Phyllis Hanson, Rick Aaseth, Rosalyn Johnson, Kathy Lee, Christian Conroy, Shannon Jensen, Kelsey Loverink, Ron Farner, Larry & Mary Richards.
• Tuesday, December 6th: Sharon Johnson, Rodger Hill, Katie Marlin, Tony Jackovitch, John Lerum, John Kaplan, Sue Klemmensen, Chris & Marie Wallace, Emily & Jeffrey O'Brien, their first.
• Wednesday, December 7th: Katie Olson, Tracy Holland, Sam Peterson, Angela Hensrud, Wanda Schwartz, Helen Schmidt, Kara & Eric Grant, Ron & Theresa Langlie, Dawn & Eric Degan.
May you find joy and pleasure all around you on your special day.
