Now that Christmas is over, and the New Year is just around the corner, we have two choices – we can either go back to normal, or forward to a new norm.  I’m all for the new norm, but what’s that to be?  Well, we have two choices – we can either chart our own path, or we can choose to give up the reins, to God!  Let’s make the right choice this year.  Happy New Year!

It’s Christmas, ready or not.  I went to church this evening, and when we all lit our little candle and began singing Silent Night, I began to cry softly.  I miss my wife.  And yet, I still rejoice that Christ was born all those years ago, and in a stable no less…  It’s hard to imagine, but I do believe – I believe with all my heart.  I’m gonna go to bed now, and when I rise in the morning, I’m gonna be merry – it’s Christmas!!!  May the spirit of Christmas be in you.  God Bless You!

So it’s Christmas Eve… what does that mean?  It means real hope!  It means something better is to come.  It’s like getting a free pass to paradise.  It’s like when the orchestra is warming up – it’s like being in the batter’s box – it’s like a groom standing at the front of the church awaiting his bride…  It means that soon, tomorrow, we may celebrate what’s new and the hope that the newness will never never wear off.  And it won’t – not for those who believe!!!

Then there’s ole St. Nick or Santa Claus!  That’s make believe, for fun!  And it is fun – perhaps it’s the only way some of us know how to express the love and hope felt.  Or is it… is there a better way?  Absolutely!  Worship the newborn King, Christ, the Son of God, the Prince of Peace!  But how do we worship?  How do we make it an extra special moment of worship?  i believe we just do it the best way we know how – the spirit takes over kind-of in an un-natural way, or an inhuman manner.  And it feels so good!!!

So celebrate the best way you know how on this Christmas Eve when the night becomes silent - the Holy Spirit, who lives in those who believe, will take it from there!!! 

But what if your grief is too tough for you to really worship or celebrate?  Good question, huh?  What I do is give myself permission to simply put my grief on hold for a couple of days – then I just pick up where I left off, just better equiped!

Oh, and… Merry Christmas!  Love, Hatch

I was in the car earlier and noticed there are several houses for sale – many ‘by owner’ – guess it’s hard times, huh?  But it got me to thinking… we move from house to house several times while on earth, always trying to make a home for ourselves, but once we get to the other side, we’ve got this mansion not built with hands, and it’s a custom home built just for us!  From there, we never move again – we just rejoice that we’re finally home – home sweet home!!!

Go Tell it on The Mountain!!!  Can you even begin to imagine what it must have been like for a handful of people when they realized that Jesus Christ, the Mesiah, was born?  I just can’t imagine how they must’ve felt.  Don’t you know they wanted to be the first to tell this incredibly good news?  Today we are called, as Christians, to go and tell others of this good news, and yet… sometimes, it’s hard to feel so motivated, because most of the people with whom we come in contact have already heard this news.  They’re like… ‘yeah, yeah, I know… I’ve heard – so what’s new’?  But we’re to do it anyway.  So how do we get back the motivation?  There’s a good Bible verse for that, Psalms 51:12, which reads ‘RESTORE IN ME THE JOY OF THY SALVATION’!!! 

Jesus Christ was born of woman into this human world existence.  He was killed, but came back to life.  Today, and always – forevermore, He lives – seated at the right hand of God – together, they are God, The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit living in your heart if you will simply invite Him in…  PLEASE – I’m begging you!!!  If you’ve not accepted Christ as your personal savior, do it today!  Your fight for life will be enriched, and your spirit will live forever and ever in paradise long after your imperfect body dies.

Today, I buried my favorite aunt.  I always told her she was my favorite aunt - she’s the only aunt I ever had!  But it was true – she was my favorite aunt!  That’s why it really saddened me when she died last Wednesday night, the night before Thanksgiving.  Today, I was a pallbearer – quite the honor.  My uncle, my only uncle, died earlier this year.  They’re together again, for eternity, in paradise.  That’s a pretty picture, huh!  I don’t really have anything profound to say right now – I just wanted to tell you that my aunt – my favorite aunt – died, and I’m sad…  But everything’s going to be okay…