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Merry Navidad

Tonight we celebrated Christmas Eve on the border. Just a block away from the church, the lights of the U.S./Mexican border glared into the starry darkness. The ancient story was told in Spanish and English. The pageant had all the components --angels, shepherds, wisemen, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. No doll was in this production. A baby boy with a cute faux-hawk and proper swaddling sat placidly on Mary's lap while angels sang and shepherds visited. The wisemen came later with their gifts -- each held his gift aloft for us to see. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.The myrrh slipped to the floor, but no damage was done. The angels remained angelic throughout, their tinsel halos stayed in place. Everyone joined together at the end to sing Feliz Navidad. It was a great way to celebrate the holy night.

A Christmas pageant like so many others, but with its own unique flavor that added to the meaning of the night. Hearing the Scripture in both languages, the familiar verses sparkled with clarity and a joy about Emmanuel--God With Us that outshone the harsh lights lining the darkness that short distance away and all the Christmas lights decorating nearby yards. It's the news that overshadows all the bad stuff that's out there. God is with us. Come, O Come Emmanuel. Merry Christmas & Feliz Navidad!

Gloria a Dios en el cielo más alto y paz en la tierra para aquellos en quienes Dios se complace
Lucas 2:14

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