December 21, 2007

•  Hello, and Merry Christmas to everyone. I was searching the web for a nice Nativity picture to put on my blog when I came across this web site for the Sand Nativity of Jesolo. This is a place in Italy that has different artists come in every year to sculpt images of the Nativity story in a huge sand pit as a fundraiser for different charities around Italy. It's pretty awesome. They sculpt a new Nativity scene each year. There are no photos there yet of this year's scenes, but scenes from the past are pretty cool.

  

  Here is a scene from 2002 of a pregnant Mary and Joseph approaching the city of Bethlehem on their journey to the census. I just love how the artists have the windows lit up.

  

  Here is the one that attracted me to the site to begin with. This is from 2003. Look at the detail!

  

  And here's another of the shepherd's in awe at the news of Jesus' birth. I just love how all their jaws are dropped. There's also light eminating from their campfire.

  There are many more images from the past several years on display at Jesolo Tourism site.

  I hope that while we are engulfed in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, with the shopping and the parties and the church and school activities, that you'll take time to reflect upon the REAL reason for the season: that God came to earth as man that He to take on our transgressions. Without Jesus Christ, there is no reconciliation with the Father God. I hope more than anything else this Christmas that you will know the peace and love that comes with having Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

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  Now for a funny story: I got to speak with my daughter Shannon last night. Our gifts to them arrived via FedEx yesterday. She and her husband just moved into a new house, so they don't have their Christmas tree up yet and she's been putting presents in the office. So far, my nearly 3-year-old granddaughter has been pretty good about not messing with the gifts. Shannon said shortly after she put our gifts in with the others, Leighann came into the living room wearing this cute new outfit (Disney Princess pajamas) modeling them for everyone (she loves to do fashion shows of her new clothes). Shannon, who has a terrible time about keeping out of presents until Christmas day herself, was at first giddy that she could see what we sent her without getting into trouble for opening our presents early. Shannon went into the office to find that her daughter hadn't opened any of the presents except the ones that had just arrived and then ONLY the ones that were intended for her. HOW DID SHE KNOW??? Shannon and I are both puzzled.

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  Have a very merry Christmas
  and a happy New Year!

  • 7:30 am
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