Happy New Year

It's hard to believe another year has come and gone already. To be perfectly honest, I am not going to miss 2007 - it was a tough year.

Between Frankie moving out, Mark having cancer surgery, and me breaking my kneecap, it was challenging - physically and emotionally. Then throw in the fact that our illustrious government has nearly destroyed our economy, and it was a pretty miserable year. But, as always, we managed to survive.

Despite our best efforts, we - like most Americans - will be starting 2008 financially worse off. Even though we don't incur debt for the holidays, we are facing hardships. The cost-of-living increases are the lowest I've seen in almost 4 years. They never approach the actual increase in the price of everything, but now the gap has widened even further.

On the plus side, it makes New Year's resolutions really easy!

• With less money for dining out, I can hone my cooking skills;
• With less money for groceries, I can start that diet I've been avoiding;
• With less money for gasoline, I can start getting more exercise;
• With less money for phones and Internet, I can get back into writing cards and letters;
• With less money for cards and stationery, I can develop my design skills.

So, you see, there's always a bright side. Sometimes you just have to look really hard to find it.

May 2008 bring you and yours health, happiness, peace, and love!







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God Bless!

Jules

Paint Your Life

I've heard of this before. Actually, I saw it on a Gilmore Girls episode, but I really didn't know it was this easy to do. You can have a painting made, from a photograph, that looks absolutely amazing. Just imagine what an incredible anniversary gift a family portrait would be for your parents or grandparents.

No longer do you have to coordinate everyone's schedule and set aside huge amounts of time for sittings. Not to mention, there's no need to settle for a run-of-the-mill setting. Simply upload your favorite photograph, choose the medium you prefer (oil, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, acrylic, pencil, or mosaic), and let the artist do the rest.

Paint Your Life is incredibly easy to navigate. No confusing menus or hard to find information. They also have very strict quality controls, and you always get to review and approve the artwork, before you make the final payment. Really a great idea.




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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Quitting Smoking

Okay, I'm really going to quit smoking in 2008. I even asked my NP (don't ask - that's a whole 'nother post) for a prescription for Chantix. Then, she explained that you have to take it for 3 months, it's $120.00 a month, and insurance doesn't cover quit-smoking meds. (Or at least, the state coverage doesn't.) They want to be sure patients are really serious about quitting, so those of us who can't afford health insurance to begin with have to pay for it ourselves.

Huh? Isn't that why Arizona is taxing cigarettes to death? Isn't it in the best interest of the state, which claims that smokers have higher than average medical claims, to do everything in their power to help residents quit and lower the overall payouts for treatment? Oh, wait! Those are mutually exclusive ideas, aren't they?

It's actually a real catch-22 for state health coverage and stop-smoking groups in Arizona. They get a large portion of their funding from the exorbitant per-pack cigarette tax - about $2.00/pack, I believe. As more people decide to quit, more and more tax money is spent on the people who actually paid the taxes. Then, as more people actually stop smoking, less and less tax money goes into the system. Already, between July and October 2007, cigarette sales, and therefore tax revenues, have dropped dramatically.

Forgive me, but who thought it was a great idea to tax smokers to pay for health programs, while exhorting these revenue-generators to quit? Once you cure the smokers, those very same health programs will be bankrupted. Just like gasoline taxes designed to pay for road construction and repairs - once the price of gasoline rises to the consumers' breaking point, they drive less, buy less fuel, and the tax revenue becomes a moot point.

Hmmmm. Perhaps it's my civic duty to continue smoking - never considered that?! Nah! Cigarette taxes were just a stupid idea to begin with.






Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Migraine

Not everything we receive over the holidays is welcome. Those few extra pounds, from all of the wonderful goodies we've eaten, manage to follow us into the New Year. The stress of trying to do it all brings on exhaustion, post-holiday illness, and, in my case, a migraine headache.

This year has been especially fun. The cold I usually catch on or about New Year's Eve decided to visit early - stay longer - and share itself with Mark. Now that it's showing signs of leaving, my holiday headache is starting to settle in. Undoubtedly, by this time tomorrow, I'll be tucked into bed in a dark room.

One of these years, I'll learn.




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God Bless!

Jules

AOL Shutting Down Netscape

Admittedly, I have never been an active Netscape user. When I started designing my website, the buzz said that pages needed to work in IE and Netscape. With very little training, I managed to get a simple site up and running on Internet Explorer. Filled with naive confidence, I turned to Netscape.

It didn't take long before I was sorry and quietly sobbing in frustration. My self-esteem, as a newborn webmaster, took a nosedive and I was certain that I would never, ever have a successful site without Netscape. It's somehow vindicating to find that I wasn't necessarily alone in choosing to not use that browser. I seriously prefer Netscape's cousin Firefox - over IE, as well. And to think, they actually charged for Netscape.






Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Moving Blankets

If you've ever moved anything larger than a toaster, you've seen or used moving blankets. I would imagine it's possible to safely move antiques, big screen TVs, or heirlooms without covering them, but why would you? There is nothing worse than arriving at a new home, only to find that one of your treasured belongings has been damaged.

So, the only question is which type of blanket is best for your situation. Typically, moving blankets, which also make great pads for larger items, come in a variety of sizes, but two basic fabric styles. The first, which is more durable and more expensive, is a strong, woven synthetic fabric. A less expensive version is made of non-woven fabric over thick cotton batting, to protect against dings and scuffs.

You don't have to be preparing for a move, however, to benefit from using these padded blankets. If, like us, you need to store furniture that just doesn't fit in your current home, moving pads are a great solution. Pulling items in and out, or rearranging storage space, can also result in scratches and dents. With the available styles and sizes at US Cargo Control, you're sure to find just what you need to protect your treasures.




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God Bless!

Jules

Anonymous Comments

I very recently published a post about highly supervised schooling for troubled teens. The reason I mention this post is because of a comment I received, very shortly, after it was published. Someone decided to - anonymously - question my parenting skills, based on information I had posted about educational options that many parents find extremely helpful in dealing with defiant, at-risk adolescents.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love to hear from anyone and everyone who reads my blog - it makes me feel that I'm not just talking to myself. And discussing topics about which I have posted is great fun. But I truly don't understand anonymous postings. If one isn't willing to stand behind their statement, why post it at all? It certainly is not the way to open a dialogue or encourage discussion.

Color me confused.






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God Bless!

Jules

Mailboxes

I've been shopping again. But it's not my fault; really! Mark and I were talking about mail delivery, back when we were young and the mailman had to get out of his truck at every house. In the neighborhood where I grew up, all of the post-WWII houses were the same exact size and shape. The only thing that made each home unique, besides the paint colors, were the mailboxes.

Back then, residential mailboxes were pretty simple: a rectangular metal box, hung by the front door, with a hinged lid and two pieces of curved metal underneath for magazines or a curved-top box, mounted on a simple wooden post, with a hinged front door and a mail-to-pick-up flag that sometimes even stayed up. Utilitarian, but not necessarily attractive. Not any more - I checked! Now, these mailboxes are amazing, artistic items, crafted with style. I've already picked a couple that I want in front of my house, once I get my house.

Although, when I was checking out commercial mailboxes - you know I can't resist any shopping page - I found some security mailboxes that really made me stop and think. With all of the identity theft these days, it might not be a bad idea to use something that's going to be really difficult to break into. Nice to know that I have lots of options.

And lots of reasons to keep shopping!




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God Bless!

Jules

Ivy Ridge Academy

No one ever said raising kids was easy. First there's the terrible-twos and then, just when you start to like them again, they become teenagers. Rebellion is a natural part of these years. But, there are different levels of acting out and some teens are determined to ignore the rules to the point where they put their futures at risk.

We are at that point with our teen; trying to determine if we need to place him in a more structured, tightly supervised school program. The Ivy Ridge Academy in New York, for example, offers such an environment. A specialty school that helps adolescents develop insight into their own behaviors, it provides a controlled environment that requires students to maintain high standards, including a strong code of conduct.

Tight supervision, a vigorous daily schedule, and firm rules help the staff address inappropriate attitudes and behaviors. The merit-based system requires that each student earn their status and privileges through personal performance, and change past negative behaviors. Adolescents begin to understand the need for rules, limits, and boundaries, and to appreciate parents and other authority figures.

If you have a teen whose behavior is putting their future at risk, Ivy Ridge Academy may be just what you both need.




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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Hilton Fortune Pledged to Charity

I really hate that I love this story; it shows my pettier side. But you have to admit that it's laughable that the only thing that makes this little girl famous has been summarily taken away from her by grandpa.

Face it, if she were a poor little nobody without a famous name and huge bank account, would we have ever heard anything about her? Would she have done reality TV and filled the headlines with her escapades? Of course, not. She'd be sitting in jail, doing serious time for repeatedly breaking the law.

I'm with Barron - his children's children are an embarrassment to his family.






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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Nutritional Supplements

Now that we've gotten through the holidays and all of the yummy things that taste great, but aren't too healthy or good for you, I've been thinking a lot about diet and nutrition. Not really one for vitamins, especially if I have to take them more than once a day, it's time for me to find nutritional supplements that work for my lifestyle. Since I really don't know much about these things, I've been researching like crazy.

At my age, I really like the idea of a supplement that will help my hair, skin, and nails. Just slathering on moisturizer isn't enough anymore. Not to mention, it would be really nice to get in the habit of taking a B-Complex for stress, with vitamin C for my aging immune system. Who knows? I might just get healthy in the New Year!




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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Think Green!

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging residents to make 'green' resolutions for the New Year and is posting green tips every week on their website. Although aimed at citizens of the Sunshine State, these great ideas will work no matter where you live.

• Change your incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent ones to save energy;
• Eliminate paper waste by recycling to save trees and water;
• Use your computer's sleep mode, instead of the screen saver to cut energy use by 60 to 70 percent;
• Purchase reusable shopping bags to keep plastic and paper bags out of landfills;
• Use 'green' cleaners to keep dangerous chemicals out your home and your local water supply.

These are only a few ideas that can have an amazing impact on the environment. Check out Green Tips or look for great ideas, sponsored by your state.






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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Internet Dating

With all of the websites out there where you can meet singles, how do you know which one is right for you? I can't even imagine trying to sort them all out. Not to mention, there have been statements from one site about another site refusing to help people who don't meet a specific criteria.

Now, there's a site, 5 Star Dating, that takes the guesswork out of picking an online dating or matchmaking service. They research all of these dating sites and provide information about the available options. Why hunt all over the Internet for a Christian dating site that understands who you are and what you want, when you can read about all of the most reliable sites in one place?

One of the sections that I really like is the Dating Digest, filled with helpful tips, first-date advice, and interesting articles all about dating. If you're new in town or just aren't meeting the right people, why not give 5 Star Dating a look?




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at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Protection for Retiree Benefits

Finally, some good news for Medicare-eligible retirees. In 2000, the US Court of Appeals ruled that employers had to provide the same benefits to older retirees that they provided to younger retirees, or spend the same amount to cover both groups. Prior to that ruling, employers coordinated benefits with Medicare or provided bridge-coverage until retirees were eligible for Medicare.

Rather a foolish decision, if you ask me. In response, unions and employers - rightly - pointed out that this was a cost-prohibitive change, putting retirees at risk for losing health benefits. The EEOC took up the cause and, luckily, corrected the situation. As of today, sanity has been restored.






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at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Pre-owned and Estate Jewelry

I have always been extremely picky about jewelry. So many modern designs just don't work for me. But I always seem to find something wonderful through estate jewelry sales. The lovely old pieces just have so much character and they were created to become heirlooms.

Of course, then there are those great sites that offer classic, used rolex watches or help people who need or want to sell diamond jewelry. It's just amazing what designer pieces are available at truly terrific prices.

I've even started a post-Christmas fund, toward a couple of really beautiful pieces that I found online.







Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

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at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Real Estate

If one of your goals for the new year is buying or selling a home - something I would love to be doing - you need an agent that knows your area and market. There are a lot of real estate companies out there. How do you know you're getting good service and a decent price? You research.

I didn't realize that there were so many specialists in the industry. From buyer representatives to luxury home specialists to residential marketing masters, the services you need are available. I really enjoy reading up on the available options, because the market is changing constantly. Right now there are a lot of defaults and financing isn't as easy to find.

One day we are going to be buying our own place and I don't want to end up paying too much or getting less than we need.





Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

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at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Finance Genius

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. But it can also be emotionally and financially stressful. It's easy to try to be all things to all people and end up with bills in the new year that weigh heavily. That's why we budget with a vengeance as the holidays approach, so that we don't have to incur debt to have the Christmas we want.

Finance Genius has all of the help that you need to take control of your finances, so that you can make next year a lot less stressful. From a home owner insurance quote that will reduce monthly payments to budgeting solutions, it's all here. By reducing the day-to-day expenses, it's easier to save money for everyday needs and special occasions.

If you have financial questions or needs, visit the site where You don?t have to be a Genius to manage your finances like one!




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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

NORAD Tracks Santa

Ever since I was small, there were tracking reports on Santa's progress. We used to listen intensely to the radio, just waiting to hear when Santa made it to our state, then our county. Mom would rush us off to bed with admonishments that Santa wouldn't come if we were awake.

Now, tracking Santa has gone high tech. NORAD has a website where you and your little ones can actually watch Santa get closer to your house. If that's not enough, Google Earth has added a Santa Tracker that you can download to see Santa and his reindeer in 3D, and more of his stops around the world.

Bring the excitement of Christmas Eve right into your own home. Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!






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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Pet Friendly Hotels

Hotels are offering more and more amenities these days, but it can be difficult to find pet friendly hotels at a reasonable rate. I was pleased, since we have 'Paka' to consider when we travel, to find a site that helps. The search function is very simple to use and offers a number of options in any city.

We've been planning a weekend in Prescott for a while now, but couldn't leave our 'baby' alone that long. Now, for the same price we would have paid anyway, we can take him with us. With his carrier and bowls in tow, we can tour the area and enjoy ourselves, without worrying. You can't put a price on that.




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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Arlington at Christmas

This is beautiful.



Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell...





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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Cherished Number Plates

If you're not familiar with Cherished Number Plates, perhaps you know them better as personalized registration plates. What I found fascinating is that the letters and numbers on a UK plate have very specific meanings, so choosing a vanity plate, as we call it in the US, is a bit trickier. One must be careful not to misrepresent any information about the vehicle.

Northumbria Numbers has an easy-to-use search function that helps you search for the plate number that you simply must have. The site also explains the legalities and cost of transferring these special plates. I had a great time looking for a combination that would work for JMAe (JMark Afghans, etc.) and was amazed by the things that one needs to know, in order to design a Cherished Number Plate.




Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

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at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Web Hosting

It's easy to find a template and throw a website on the Internet. What isn't easy is finding a reliable hosting service. Believe me, I have looked at a number of options and, between the costs and the limitations, some services are a bit scary.

But there are easy ways to find what you need. For example, http://www.webhostingchoice.com offers an advertisement-free way to look for a host that offers all of the options you need, while eliminating all of the hosts that don't fit your requirements. This searchable directory allows you to enter the amount that you want to pay each month, any set-up costs you're willing to incur, and how much bandwidth and storage space you need.

If you don't know how much storage or bandwidth is right for you, don't worry. There is a Learning Center, filled with information to help out.





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at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Pets for Christmas

At this time of year, puppies and kittens are popular gifts. That means that puppy and kitten mills have been stepping up breeding programs to stock pet stores. A recent Humane Society investigation found that even upscale pet stores, like California?s Pets of Bel Air boutique, get their animals from puppy mills.

I am asking, begging actually, that if you have decided to buy your child or grandchild a pet for Christmas - don't go to the pet store, unless you know exactly where they get their puppies and kittens. In fact, with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, why not hold off until after the first of the year? Without holiday plants and ornaments, your home will be safer; without people rushing in and out, your home will be calmer.

If you're certain that you're able to devote plenty of time and attention to a new member in your family, here are some simple ideas.

Check your local paper - there are people, breeding animals responsibly, who would love to help you share your life and love with a warm, fuzzy friend. Try Pet Net USA or Pet Net Canada to find an individual with puppies or kittens.

Visit the breeder. Are the animals allowed to roam their home, or are they crammed into cages? Is the home/cattery clean? Are the 'babies' clean and healthy-looking? Observe the parent animals. Do they seem happy and well-adjusted or skittish and easily frightened, even unfriendly? Are they caring for the young animals or has the breeder separated the generations?

We all want to stop puppy and kitten mills. More than that, consider that animal shelters become filled with unwanted animals, shortly after the holidays. Impulse pet purchases, made with the glow of the holiday spirit, become real responsibilities after the tree comes down.

Dogs and cats live 10 years or more. They need food, exercise, health care, and lots of loving attention - for all of their lives. Please be sure that you, and your children, are willing to provide a lifetime of care, before you bring home that fuzzy friend.






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Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Christy Sports

This time of year, with the weather reports coming in every day, updating the snow fall at the resorts, it's hard not to think about skiing. While I've never actually owned a pair, I have heard amazing things about Rossignol skis. There are so many styles and options, I'm glad I found Christy Sports. They not only have terrific prices, they have tons of information.

Find all of the equipment you need, from race/carving skis to all mountain, telemark, and nordic skis, boots, and bindings. I really liked the detail I found for each product, so that I can choose the right Rossignol gear. It's easy to find just what you need, no matter whether you're an experienced skier or a novice, like me.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

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at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Cat Safety at Christmas

I've been searching the WWW for pet safety tips, since we're going through the leave-the-tree-alone phase with Paka. He's developed an unhealthy fondness for the metallic garland, which is bad for him and bad for the decorations. It has to be something about the smell, because otherwise he wouldn't even know it's there.

This article from Cat World has lots of great information. It recommends spraying bitter apple on lights to keep your cat from chewing on the electrical cords. Terrific idea - except the only time I tried bitter apple as a deterrent, my (other) cat reacted by tearing apart everything I sprayed it on. So, I'm still not convinced that that's the solution.

Any ideas would be welcomed!






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Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Mattress

Mark has been complaining about our mattress for a while now. It's a pillow-top, so it feels bumpy to him. I don't really notice it, but I don't have the level of pain that he experiences. Even the new mattress cover doesn't help. So, I'm looking for something better.

I didn't realize how many different mattress options existed. Especially, memory foam mattresses. Between in-home trials, free shipping, and 10-20 year warranties, you almost can't go wrong.






Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

AMS Fulfillment

Not all businesses can afford to pay for the warehouse and shipping services that they may need. My business is currently small enough that it's not a problem. But for companies that sell a large number of items, or a number of large items, paying for warehouse space can get very expensive and staffing costs can be prohibitive.

Luckily, there are companies like AMS Fulfillment. Storing inventory properly, processing orders quickly, and shipping accurately and on time is a critical function of any product-based business. Advantage Media Services understands that criticality. They also believe their success depends upon their execution and that, when their customers thrive, so does AMS.

If your company needs pick and pack services, you'll appreciate the detail that AMS Fulfillment provides. There are 2 quality control steps, to ensure that no matter how many products you warehouse and ship, no matter how many product combinations can be sold, each order is accurate. The combination of software and trained staff make for amazing efficiency.

One difficult function for many organizations is inventory management. How do you know if you have too many of one item or not enough of another? What happens if your system accepts an order for a product that isn't actually in stock? The nature of my business, creating items as they are ordered, means I don't have inventory issues. For those who do, AMS Fulfillment has the experience and currently controls tens of thousands of SKUs for dozens of clients through their OnGuard? Inventory Protection system.

I particularly like the flexibility that AMS Fulfillment offers. All first-time clients answer a series of questions that enable custom tailoring of services and resources. This is not a cookie-cutter approach; this is individualized service for individual business needs. Grow your business with the help of experts.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

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at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Merry Christmas!

It's easy to get caught up in the rush and commercialization of the season. What doesn't seem to be easy is remembering the true purpose behind the Christmas season. Santa Claus, in all his personifications, came about much later than Jesus Christ, and for an entirely different purpose. Let us not confuse the two men.

Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Bring the Christ back into Christmas!