A while back I dug out my old shoeboxes overflowing with photos and wayward negatives, and I turned up a good percentage of my family's Christmas card photos since the kids were small. Just look at how they've grown! (And forgive the hasty, dust-flecked scans.)


Every year we've tried to do something a little bit different from the year before. Don't let the kids' smiles fool you into thinking they love having their photos taken. Threats and bribes have often been necessary to get just one shot that makes me happy, but it's always been worth the struggle just to capture these two faces. And am I blinded by love, or is it truly obvious what a good big brother Tyler has always been and what a secure little sister Maggie continues to be?

At some point we decided that it was time to get the whole family in on the Christmas card photo action. I'm getting pretty good at setting up the shot with the help of a tripod, then hitting the timer and running to get into place at the last second. That little show is usually the cause of everyone's smiles. Now I get to wrestle everyone into cooperating with my vision AND get an aerobic workout at the same time!

Here's our latest creation, accomplished in record time and only 9 tries:

These three people are my world, and I vow to force them to squish together and pretend they're happy to have their photos taken until I breathe my last breath ... or until they successfully hide my camera ... or I lose the ability to run back and forth between the camera and the group.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS!

Suddenly, God's angel stood among them

and God's glory blazed around them.

They were terrified.

The angel said,

"Don't be afraid.

I'm here to announce a great and joyful event

that is meant for everybody, worldwide:

A Savior has just been born in David's town,

a Savior who is Messiah and Master.

This is what you're to look for:

a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

Luke 2:9-12 MESSAGE

Did you hear the news? Angels appeared to shepherds while they were out tending to their flock -- they said that the Savior has been born and the shepherds need to tell everyone all about it! These three shepherds did their best to follow those orders during yesterday morning's church Christmas program ...



... but along the way they had to contend with some shaggy, smelly sheep. You may know that sheep are not the most cooperative of creatures, but did you know that some of them are really great at singing and dancing?


These sheep also happen to be very expressive -- just look at their reactions to the angels suddenly appearing to bring them good news:

A couple of their shepherds just sort of rolled with the flow and let the sheep behave in any manner they liked. The third shepherd, on the other hand, had his hands full trying to direct them and keep them in line.

But they are sheep, after all, and sheep tend to lose focus.

And find ways to entertain themselves.

And then suddenly notice what everyone else is doing and hurry to rejoin the group.

SOME sheep just don't even want to BE sheep. They want to be butterflies, free to fly.

But finally, success, and just in time for the big closing number.

Yep, we're talking shaggy, smelly, silly, stinkin' cute sheep!

Happy Birthday to the Good Shepherd!

I am Your servant,

but I have wandered away like a lost sheep.

Please come after me,

because I have not forgotten Your teachings.

Psalm 119:176 CEV

Henry and Karyn invited me out to their ranch for a family photo session with their brood.

The family is rapidly multiplying these days, but it all started with Henry and Karyn and their three girls.

By all indications, Allie, Averi and Andrew are just as crazy about Henry and Karyn as their girls have always been, and weekends at the ranch are a highlight of their lives.

These three are also crazy about one another!

Andrew is being taught how to love by Tara and Trey ...

... Averi and Allie can't help but learn the ways of love from Jeff and Loren ...

... and even Karley's furry baby has a special place in this close-knit family.


It's not hard to pinpoint the source of the mutual affection flowing freely here:

I think these folks have been doing something right, don't you?

Thanks for braving the post-snow chilly breeze with me, gang. It could have been another 20 degrees colder for our shoot and you still would have warmed my heart!

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father,

this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth.

I ask Him to strengthen you by His Spirit --

not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength --

that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in.

And I ask Him that with both feet planted firmly on love,

you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love.

Reach out and experience the breadth!

Test its length!

Plumb the depths!

Rise to the heights!

Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19 MESSAGE

Speaking of Prince Charming (see my previous post), here are a few of his senior portraits!


John is one of those guys who is just as relaxed in a suit ...

... as he is in his track gear.

He's a man of deep thoughts ...

... and playful moods.

He can be still and calm ...

... or throw those long arms and legs through the air with ease.

And he can give you a GQ gaze one minute ...

... and a goofball grin the next.

John, I hope you'll pursue your dual dreams of a stage career AND nursing. The world needs your gifts at both ends of the spectrum and all points in between! (Want a look at 5-year-old John? Look HERE.)

Just think -- you don't need a thing, you've got it all!

All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly

for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale.

And not only that, but God Himself is right alongside

to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus.

God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure,

shares with us the life of His Son and our Master Jesus.

He will never give up on you.

Never forget that.

1 Corinthians 1:7-9 MESSAGE

Angleton High School choir members stepped back into time this past weekend and took two audiences along with them. Their second annual Madrigal Dinner was a hit! As you can see, they're a shy bunch who avoided the spotlight:

Each cast member used the pre-show time slightly differently:

After the choir director made one last pass through the hall, the doors opened and guests were seated at the banquet tables.

The herald called our attention to the stage...

... where the King and Queen stood ready to greet us warmly.

Immediately the Jester leapt into action ...

... and called for the boar's head!

Prompt and courteous servants sang to us while delivering wassail and steaming plates of food to each guest.

All sorts of exuberant entertainment filled the room while we ate:

Lovely singers!

Friendly conversationalists!

And, of course, "jokes."

But mercifully, the Town Crier interrupted the Jester's comedy routine to announce that is was time to begin the play.

Cast members waited for their cue to enter.

"RapunzelRapunzel" had all of the familiar elements:

The Father who made a deal with a Witch...

The delivery of a beloved baby girl, taken all too soon from her duped father...

Shocking surprises and sleight of hand, requiring the audience to shield their eyes...

The sweet young Rapunzel with looooooooong golden hair, who is forced by the witch into a tower...

And the Handsome Prince! With sound effects!

Will Rapunzel have to stay alone in the tower forever? No!

(sigh) Isn't he dreamy?

But wait! What is this? (gasp) The Witch does not seem happy for some reason! Oh my! Why does she have those huge scissors? What good can possibly come of this?!

Poor, poor Rapunzel.

Boo! Hisssss! (Actually, isn't she the most adorable witch you've ever seen?)

Will Rapunzel ever see her Prince again? Will she be able to salvage that hideous hairdo? I won't ruin the ending for you, but I will tell you that the choir performed several beautiful carols at the end of the show that told the Christmas story very effectively. Their backup angels behind the curtain added a nice touch!

This production helped me get into the spirit of the season, and there was ample evidence of hard work all around -- students, teachers and parents alike. Thanks for sharing your gifts with us, musical people, and thanks for pointing us to the One whose birth your feast celebrated!

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung

It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter

When half spent was the night

Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind

With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind

To show God’s love aright, she bore to men a Savior

When half spent was the night

The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright

How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night

To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found Him

As angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air

Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere

True Man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us

And lightens every load

O Savior, Child of Mary, who felt our human woe

O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know

Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of Heaven

And to the endless day!

15th century carol