JOE AND ESTELLE RANGEN!

Rehearsals are heard in homes, schools, and churches...spiced cider scents the air, before crackling fireplaces, we snuggle and are warmed despite a windy chill! Christmas is designed to capture all the scents, sights, sounds, and sentiments of this glorious holiday.

The reason for the season can be so powerful that it's hard to express the "story" we'd like to share with family and guests. We give our greetings and offer just the right words to bring "Christmas Cheer" to the hearts of our loved ones and friends! We have joyously worked to prepare our homes and special goodies to offer treats on this special occasion in this special year of 2000!

We try to imagine what a wondrous sight...the glorious beauty of Jesus who not only was born, but he gave his life for all! What a risen and gloriously ascended Savior!

Each of our loved ones loved Jesus and he lovingly took them home to himself! Our son Paul will celebrate his first Christmas in heaven as will two of Estelle's sisters (Myrtle and Bernice).

Bernice's hubby Russ Schaefer went home to glory one year and 5 days ahead of her.

We think of Job 38:7: "The morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy"! Since the Lord said these words from the whirlwind concerning his creation, we wonder what kind of celebration he has in store for those of his family who have reached home because of his gift of salvation!

We purposely turn on the Christmas Tree lights to cheer ourselves as well as those who might come through our door! We use our best dishes at each meal! We try to think of ones who might be lonely and need cheer, so we share our bakings! Meager perhaps, but homemade and fresh.

We often think that the best Christmas gift of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another!

Our thoughts go back to the years of 1929 to 1932, when our land (especially in the Dakotas) was plagued by the devastating drought that brought on the Great Depression. With much of the country out of work...no rain, no crops, animals on the Farm quit giving milk and many died for lack of food. Christmas celebrations were lean, not even the cold orange was available so [Papa] could tuck one in by our neck to wake us up Christmas morning, which had been our gift years previous!

Nevertheless, our church grew stronger...we could sing, we could recite our learned Bible verses or recitations, take part in the Christmas plays which dramatised the message of Jesus born in the manger, besides the donkey travels with Joseph and Mary...how could a young child forget?

We think now how hard-dedicated workers in the Sunday School had worked to "get the message across". One such dedicated worker was Papa Stadem!

Helen Keller wrote: "The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart." A Christian is one who makes it easier for other people to believe in God! Charles Dickens said, "It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas." Keeping Christmas is good, but sharing it with others is even better.

May this season of blessings touch your life and warm your heart and home!--Joe and Estelle