The New Year is here and time to make those resolutions. Some things we want to begin, some to say 'good-bye' to, and some to resume. Many people have mixed feelings about this time, and some just feel inadequate or overwhelmed. So, what do we do about this long standing tradition? It sort of reminds me of something that happened to a mouse.

The author of the Old Testament Bible book of Ecclesiastes wrote wise words for people to think about. He also wrote with a pessimistic slant.

By John T. Catrett, III Scissortail Hospice Chaplain Bristow, Oklahoma Death or Birth? By Ken Murrell Depew Church of Christ The author of the Old Testament Bible book of Ecclesiastes wrote wise words for people to think about.

Grandma lay in the hospital bed, a shadow of the vital, energetic woman she had been just a year ago. Her strong hands that were endlessly involved in her family’s life, providing, comforting, and disciplining, now lay listlessly on the bed cover, thin and fragile. Eyes that always had been sparkling with life and occasionally sparking with irritation when one of her grandchildren had been “acting the fool” now were clouded with pain and fatigue. Her famous silver cloud of hair that she always wore in a short halo around her head? Long gone in the garbage heap of life, along with her energy and zest for life.

Mike had traveled to Colorado for a family reunion. Arriving early, he decided to do some free climbing, an extreme rock climbing sport. He had no equipment, and he failed to tell anyone of his plans. Mike went off alone, thinking, “I’ll climb for a while, be done in a couple of hours, and then head off to the family reunion.” Life, however, doesn’t always go as planned.

During the holiday season, while others are celebrating family togetherness, gift giving, traditions of Christmas and holiday joy, you may be challenged with feelings of sadness, loneliness, and emptiness. This time of the year is known as the season to be jolly, but you are facing the reality that your life, as it was, has been changed forever. You might even experience envy, although innocent, as you feel that others are enjoying the season and have forgotten about your loss.

Many of us experience pain and suffering in one way or another; physical, emotional, relationally, financial. Sometimes our pain and suffering is mild, but at other times we wonder how we will ever go on. There have been times I have asked that question—maybe you have also. I have the answer if you’re asking that question . . . His name is Jesus the Christ.

Learn to laugh; a laugh is better than medicine. Learn to mind your own business; few men can handle their own well.

The young woman was sitting in the church building. They were singing familiar Christmas carols right out of the songbook. The very first song caused her to review her life and then shut down in her mind. She became numb to what was going on around her.

On Christmas Eve in 1818 a blizzard stranded the tiny village of Oberndorf nestled in the Austrian Mountains. that same day the people of St. Nickolas church found their organ broken. Priest and organist began com-posing a song that could be sung without an organ, yet beautiful enough to express their Christmas joy. All day and night they worked,and at midnight the gentle carol 'Silent Night' was born. The pure clear tones echoed through the hills, and the world has been captured by the beauty of that simple song ever since.