Ever go Christmas caroling--on a BUS? I remember bundling up, climbing aboard a church bus and trailing around the town--stopping at homes, gathering on front porches, singing our hearts out to happy listeners, climbing back on the bus and back to church for our well-deserved earthly reward--FOOD, of course! Whew! Long sentence--and lots of fun memories!

Then there was the morning I had my own personal, special delivery SOLO carol - placed in my heart by the Holy Spirit, who knew I really needed a song! It wasn't a Christmas carol you?ll find in your hymn book...but turn back a few pages to "The Name of Jesus." THAT's the song the Holy Spirit placed deep within my heart that morning...and THAT's what Christmas is all about!

You see, the trimmings and gifts, the shopping and food, the candles and trees, are just symbols--Christmas is celebrating the story of Jesus...when the angel told a lowly maiden, "...thou shalt...bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." It's that Name we call upon in times of trouble; it's that Name we bless in times of thanksgiving; it's that Name that brings us love, joy, peace--and salvation.

Amidst the songs of the carolers on your porch and at your mall, let another song sing in your soul, ring in your rafters and hum in your heart--it rings TRUE--the powerful, lovely, wonderful, life-giving, all-powerful . . .

"Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"
But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.
And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:28-30

In the sixth month of her cousin Elizabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel, the angel of God comes to Mary.
Like the shepherds who hear of Jesus birth, she is frightened.
No doubt.
Just think about it. Here is a teen age girl like any teen age girl going about her business. She was not a school girl, but would have been helping out with the household chores. Perhaps she was sweeping or doing laundry for her mother.
Maybe she was alone so the angel could talk with her privately. Perhaps on her way home from some errand, alone in her thoughts when the angel appears to her.
How would he appear? As an angel in glowing tunic, or like they did with Abraham and Sarah, as ordinary travelers?
However he appeared, what he said clearly frightened Mary. He says, "Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you."
So you are a young girl going about your business and . . .

Was there water on Mars, and why is it so important to know?

The first of these questions can be answered with an almost certain "Yes". There is a lot of evidence which points to the conclusion that Mars used to have large amounts of water flowing about on its surface - as was reported at a recent Lunar and Planetary Science Conference where some 1,200 scientists gathered to compare notes.

The general picture is one of a planet once encircled by briny, acidic lakes and rivers.

Some general evidence includes layering of sediments, and what appear to be dried up river and stream beds, but these could have been formed by other forces.

Steven Squyres, lead scientist for the two Mars rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) spoke about what looked like the effect of water-flow at Meridiani Planum, and Gusev crater. He described the discovery of haematite (meaning red), a mineral usually found in the presence of water. Haematite forms as mineral-rich water flows through layers of loose sediments. The same mineral concretions have been found in the arid Navajo sandstone formations of Utah, where very briny . . .

I'm a romanticist at heart and learned this one, as you did, years ago...a traditional bride's outfit includes "something old, something new, something borrowed and something _______--BLUE!" You remember it too! Good--for we're about to replay that old rhyme of "good fortune" for the Bride of Christ and the coming new year!

You see, we've already got the "Old" and the "New" - God's Word of truth, inspiration, comfort and direction - for our year's journey. Claim God's promises--they are never OLD-fashioned; they are NEW each day-and each year!

And the "borrowed"? No way can we borrow the burdens from tomorrow and load them onto our shoulders today.....now we may each need to borrow a friend's shoulder to cry on--and that's OK--but let's "take our burdens to the Lord and leave them there!"--past, present AND future!

And the "blue"? It may be as light blue as a cloudless sky--it may be as dark blue as a stormy heart. See life through heaven's eyes, not your own--and your year will be a BRIGHT blue--as bright as the promises of God! And oh yes...another idea....when you're blue this year, surf on over to the BLUE ROOM at Peggie's Place and I dare you to stay blue very long! Blue's not your hue when you're here, for where the Lord is, there is "fullness of joy"--and He is here!

Bride of Christ, you've got God's . . .