RFD
By Bonnie K. Taylor General Manager The True Citizen

Can you believe Christmas is next Tuesday? Where has the year gone?

I have not put up a Christmas tree as of yet. I purchased a phylodendrom at Kathleen's in Sardis. It is a beautiful mature luscious green plant that would probably make a good Christmas tree if you live in the tropics.

I am thinking it could probably be a good Christmas tree for me with creative lightweight ornaments.

This is our busy time of the year at The True Citizen ... thank goodness! It leaves little time for home decorating if you do all of the other stuff ... eat, sleep, work, shop and socialize.

If my count is correct, I have four more days to get the Christmas tree up.

In the old days, the Christmas tree was decorated on Christmas Eve, wasn't it? I think it's time to honor that old tradition. Decorating for Christmas is being done too early ... some even before Thanksgiving.

Laying aside all jokes, Christmas is the birthday of our Lord and Saviour. We celebrate it by the giving and receiving of gifts. He gave us the greatest gift - eternal life.

Christmas is a joyful time of the year for most, but several of our beloved Burke citizens will be celebrating their Christmas without loved ones.

Four who come to mind are the four who were killed in an accident on U.S. Highway 25 last week ... Julius Thomas and his father, Julius Thomas Sr. and mother, Carrie Mae Habersham and Fred Petrea.

I did not know the Thomas family, but my granddaughter attended school with the younger Julius.

I knew Mr. Petrea's daughter, Mindy, and a son, Fred. I had them both in my Vacation Bible School class last summer.

To their families, and all of the other families marking their first Christmas without loved ones, my heart goes out to you.

The following is the real Christmas story. Take time to share it with your family and loved ones this Christmas and reflect on the real meaning of the holy day.

Luke 2: 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Merry Christmas to all of my readers!