Once again the Holiday season is here. It is that time of year that we all celebrate by going shopping. According to the commercials on TV this is how the “Season” must be celebrated since they started reminding us the day after Halloween. It wasn’t always called the Holiday season and it used to be celebrated very differently. Christians used to call it “Christmas” and celebrated the birth of Christ by going to church. Jewish people called it “Hanukah” and went to synagogue to celebrate the re-dedication, and atheists called it “a great excuse to drink in superfluous amounts” and went to parties. In the old days Christian people would great each other with an enthusiastic “Merry Christmas”. Jewish people would offer an equally enthusiastic “Happy Hanukah”, and atheists would be greeted with an urgent “Hey watch out for that wall”. Today we greet each other with a standard “season’s greetings” or “happy holidays” to be “politically correct”. Oddly enough the gifts I remember the most have very little monetary value; in fact my fondest memories of Christmas are the hugs, kisses, and smiles of my extended family at my grandmother’s house enjoying her delicious cooking.
Merriam Webster defines a gift as “Something voluntarily transferred from one person to another without compensation”. So technically, I guess hugs and kisses, spending time with others and smiling are in fact gifts. Maybe shopping isn’t really what Christmas is about after all. May you and your family find your Christmas spirit and share it with all those around you. Local residents Dick and Shirley Dearing recently returned from a trip to Israel with their church Ginghamsburg UMC. Shirley reported that it was wonderful to travel where Jesus lived and taught. Their tour guide offered many insights to them about the current local cultural background as well as experiencing the scriptures coming alive while visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and the rock that was pulled away from Jesus’ tomb.
Another highlight of their trip was actually walking on the stone street where Jesus carried his cross to Golgotha and receiving communion at the site of the garden tomb.
On Wednesday, December 12th at 7:00 p.m. the Gordon United Methodist Church will be presenting “WGOD’s Radio Christmas Show”, an original Christmas play that transforms their sanctuary into a “live” radio program. The cast of about 40 (ages 3 through 70ish), stars Travis Tegtmeyer as the star radio personality and offers a variety of musical, comedic and dramatic acts, including the Kid’s Club children from the Wednesday night group, “The Link”. The program is open to the public and is free of charge. Come enjoy a fun evening in Gordon and get into the Christmas spirit! Gordon Church is located at 311 East Street, Gordon. Contact Pastor John Gilmore, 937-884-5129, if you have any questions.
Santa was escorted into town this past Saturday by the combined Arcanum High School and Junior High Bands playing Jingle Bells. The High School Concert Band and Jazz Band will perform their holiday program on Sunday, December 16 at 2:30 p.m. in the Arcanum School Cafetorium. The Junior High and High School Choir will be performing a concert of Christmas music on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Cafetorium.
Word has been received from Texas that AHS Class of 72 graduate David Beatty passed away from a heart attack while recuperating from a car accident in late November. David and his family used to live on West South Street; he leaves behind his mother Stella, 2 children, 2 sisters (Gina and Tina) and 4 brothers (Danny, Drew, Bruce and Bill). A celebration of life is to be held in Texas next week. Dave was a “dedicated Parrot Head” and the life of the party all throughout his life. If you knew Dave and would like to view his obituary here is a link to the funeral home that is in charge of the arrangements: http://mulkeymasonlewisville.com.
Vickie Rhodehamel is a volunteer citizen columnist, who serves Daily Advocate readers weekly with her Arcanum community column. She can be reached by calling 937-692-6188, by e-mail at krhodehamel@woh.rr.com. Viewpoints expressed in these opinion pieces are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.