"Everybody has troubles, but not everybody has Jesus, Jesus makes the difference!" ~ copied

 

Happy eve of Christmas Eve, on this December 23, 2025. I bid each and everyone a most wonderful time of reflection on Jesus the Savior along with enjoying time with family and friends. Those boys in the photo are our boys. They decided to enact the wise men as depicted in Matthew's Gospel. Or, they may have been encouraged to do it, but, they came up with stuff they located in the house. On the left is our eldest Chris who turned 60 this past October. In the middle is our baby, Rodney, and he will be 55 this next February. The middle son is our Jimmy who is now 57. I know they don't like the photo as much as I do, but, I put it up in keeping with the theme of Christmastime memories. They all have grandchildren now and we've been blessed over the years to spend many special days of gathering on Christmas Day. Everyone has their own homegrown traditions. One of ours is the fact that we grill steaks on Christmas Day here at the ole blogger ranch. We've been doing steaks since the boys were in their early teens. Yesterday I ventured out to bring home our meat for this year's gathering. "Mr. President, I think I discovered why some people are struggling with affordability. Let me break it down very simply: G-R-O-C-E-R-I-E-S!" Here's the Artificial Intelligence explanation of why beef is so high, "Beef is expensive due to a severe U.S. cattle herd contraction (smallest in decades) caused by past droughts and high feed/input costs, leading to lower supply, while strong demand and factors like tariffs (especially on Brazilian beef) and labor issues keep prices high. Rebuilding the herd takes years, creating a prolonged supply squeeze, which, combined with inflation, makes beef cost more for consumers." I haven't, in my lifetime, seen numbers on steaks like it is this year, however, we are blessed to be able to purchase them, but, at the same time, I can, as an American exercise my freedom to complain about a $300 payment at the grocery check out. I didn't check the nationality of the cattle that produced the meat I purchased, but, as my grandfather might say, "They really like those steaks, don't they?" We will not have our entire entourage at this years gathering, but, we are supposed to have a total of around 20. I know. That's a good number but it is not close to the 30 and over we've grown to over the years. As we continue the journey this shrinking will likely also continue, but, at the same time, God has been good to us. He has. He really has. I hope you are able to count your blessings wherever you happen to be today. Sitting here in front of the ole blogger ranch computer, with Lil Miss Biscuit laying in my lap, well, I was able to climb the stairs holding a cup of strong Community Coffee in one hand and Biscuit on the leash in the other. That's not easy for 79 plus, but, I pause to thank God that was able to get up here and I came close but didn't spill a drop on the way up. See what I mean? It may seem small, like the next heartbeat or the next breath, but, I think we all can find something to be thankful for. Amen? Amen!

Truth in reporting required me to furnish the photo of  Lil Miss Biscuit laying on my lap. I'm not saying that's the most comfortable or efficient way for me to click and clack on the keyboard, but, it has become a daily time for us, and she seems to enjoy it. She does. She really does. I put up something from the Bible every day to some family groups on Messenger. I used a couple of verses from this passage today. Here is the extended contextual reporting of the truth from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 8-14, "In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." (from the Legacy Standard Bible) Shepherds. Really? Dr. Edersheim's view is these particular shepherds were likely the ones who stood watch over the flock that produced the lambs grown and nourished to become sacrificed at The Temple. These shepherds were chosen by God to see The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Now that's something to reflect on as we enjoy this season. It is. It really is. My advice? Reflect on it throughout your celebrations. It will be time well spent. May God add His blessings. Amen.