Early Texas Christmas
The Cathey family has had a blessed 2023, and here are some of the highlights.
Now some of this will be classed as braggin,’ but it is also praisin’ the Lord.
Jimmy and Carol are busy and manage to get things done, now that the kids are grown and doing their thing. Sara Cathey after finishing her degree at Texas A&M received her Masters Degree at North Carolina and took a job at Duke University working as a Health Education Specialist. Jared Cathey after finishing his degree at Texas A&M, received his Masters Degree at Florida, and was also accepted as a doctoral student where he is studying how to locate and explore new galaxies working with the James Webb telescope.
Rachel and Drew celebrated their first anniversary as an old married couple and work in the Dallas area. And then, Brad and Frances find time to make all of us welcome and stay busy with their seasonal decorations.
Easton Walker made us proud by becoming the ninth Aggie in the Jim and Stella Cathey family as he got his Aggie ring, and received his Bachelors Degree , at Texas A&M. Weston and Taylor are quietly involved in their work, while Whitney and Jeff are immersed in the construction of their new home on the Walker Ranch, and enjoy visits by Ariel, Isis, and Jeremy.
Patrick, with his new job and Sarah with her job promotion try to keep up with Tyler, who is an amazing percussionist in his school band, and Camryn with her artistic abilities in developing intricate dragon designs and hand puppets.
Stella, with her amazing abilities, sees to it that we are well taken care of and still has time for her prayer lists and her ”sending love.”
We have “pulled our horns” in a bit and have only attended Gatherings in Salado and in Waxahachie, which are both great venues. I count myself blessed as I am writing this in the deer pasture on opening week-end and I am immersed in God’s creation that is so amazing. Beauty abounds throughout, giving inspiration to write.
We are anticipating Thanksgiving and Christmas and some great family time. Don’t forget to keep Christ in Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Stella and I have a blessed life and we pray that each of you find yourself blessed and ready for a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
Good health to each of you and remember to thank the Lord for every one of your days. Also, pray that we will find good strong leadership in America as 2024 is an election year. The survival of our country depends upon it. Also, remember our veterans who sacrificed so much to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy. God bless each of you, and God bless the United States of America!
Early Texas Christmas
T’was a cold crispy night on that Texas Christmas Day,
So very very long ago,
Where Royalty rode in a land far far away,
Following a star all aglow,
Yet the natives of this Texas land were not aware,
That a savior had been born,
To forgive their sin and save their souls out there,
In this land of hide and horn.
And tho it would be years before salvation came,
To this land so grand an’ free,
And spread its blessin’s like kindling in a flame,
From treeless plain to shining sea.
But come, it surely would through God’s own Grace,
As conquering nations came,
To convert the pagans in a religious race,
Sweeping like a prairie fire flame.
As Missions filled the land, Priests did what they knew best
From here to there upon this earth,
Gathering and healing souls from east to west
Teaching each one of Jesus birth.
To learn that a babe in a stable was born.
To a virgin quiet and pure,
Unknowing of the crown to be worn,
Our souls to save for sure.
To learn that He walked on earth as a man,
Teaching love along the way,
Then to die a cruel death, so hard to understand,
But in the grave He would not stay.
For in three days He arose, our salvation to assure,
He did this to forgive our sin,
And ask us to believe that He will make our hearts pure,
Knowing that He will come again!
To take us with Him to live an eternal life,
Far away from life’s travails,
He meets our every need and keeps us safe from strife.
As he guides us on our trails.
And thus, the early Texas natives learned of love,
Taught by those from far away,
How Jesus lived as man on earth sent by God above.
On that long ago Christmas Day!
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
God Bless each of you and God Bless America!
From Ol’ Jim Cathey and his young bride Stella!