Christmas is in the air as we approach December

 We find a passage written by King David in the 103rd chapter of Psalms. It is a great Thanksgiving/Christmas scripture that spells out what we should be most thankful for. 

Holidays are tough times for a lot of folks, So, if you are one that has trouble getting through the holiday season, read these verses from Psalms and know that they are true, and God’s love will help you cope with life’s problems.

Psalm 103:1-5 KJV

 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The holiday season gives us the opportunity to not only give our thanks for the blessings in our life, but it also prepares us to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Now as we enter into the Christmas season, seek the joy that is readily available to all of us through the love of Jesus. I grew up in the Erath County ranching country and enjoyed all of the blessings that a young Texas lad could imagine. 

During the Christmas season, our church and the small community of Alexander seemed to celebrate Christmas all of the month of December, usually starting as soon as Thanksgiving was finished. 

Decorations would go up and everyone got into the holiday mood. As a kid, I did not know that some folk had a tough time during any of the holidays because it seemed like everyone I knew looked forward to celebrating. You see, this was a time when the needs of a neighbor became the needs of a community and neighbors looked out for one another. 

All of these folk were very similar to all other southern, rural, and country people in that they viewed Christmas as a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus with one and all. In the 1940s and 1950s, money was in short supply and our decorations were mostly homemade or family heirloom pieces. That just made everyone have a greater joy and peace in the season. So, be a good neighbor this Christmas season and maybe it will spill over into the rest of the year

Christmas is in the Air

Summer has quit an’ the fall has passed by,

The Hunters moon shines no more,

The weathers unsettled as clouds fill the sky

An’ mast fills the forest floor.

The far away honk of geese movin’ out,

As northers seem to increase,

Days are gettin’ shorter, of that there’s no doubt,

An’ the wind will never cease.

That ol’ dog’s hair just gets thicker each day,

As acorns come pepperin’ down,

An’ windy days see that brown leaves don’t stay,

While the cold makes old folks frown.

We listen close for the turkey gobblers sound,

An’ the whistle of the quail,

The geese an’ the ducks will soon come around,

 An’  you hear the coyote’s wail.

Yeah, the deer look sleek in their winter hair,

An’ wild pigs are fat as can be,

The smoke house puts smells of hickory in the air,

While  we search for a bee tree.

 Often  we stop to ponder just where we should start,

An’ our mem’ries tumble out,

We want to share the love an’ joy in our heart,

After all, that’s what this season is about.

What season say you? Just the holiest of all,

Wonderful for young and old,

A time when family an’ friends come to call,

As seasons glories unfold

Folk, these are signs that Christmas is in the air,

A blessed time of the year,

To celebrate the Christ Childs birthday we will prepare,

As it came upon a midnight clear.

 ©  Ol’ Jim Cathey    

God Bless each of you and God Bless America!