Dave and Jan always enjoy the Christmas season because of its spiritual significance.  What a stroke of genius on God’s part that, though much of the world does not recognize the reality about His unique Son Jesus, whose birth is celebrated at Christmas (though no one knows exactly when He was born), much of the world joins in on the celebration of Christmas in one way or another.  A big part of many celebrations, of course, involves the giving of gifts and, with grandchildren living in the Balsley home in Brea since last March, gifts were definitely a part of the celebration!  Erin, Stephen and Meagan’s daughter, received a new dog to walk from her parents – with technical assistance from Stephen.

For Ryan, it was a remote controlled race car from his parents.

And a race car in a tube which Jan selected for Ryan.

And Jan’s selection for Erin was a shopping cart full of “groceries.”

Another part of many Christmas celebrations is the tasty Christmas dinner!

But the most important part of any Christmas celebration involves some serious reflection on the “reason for the season” – the birth of God’s incomparable Son, Jesus – come ultimately to “seek and to save that which was lost.”  In recognition of the birth of Jesus, Green Hills Baptist Church presented its 34th annual “Living Nativity” – viewed this year by somewhere in the neighborhood of five thousand people.

How thankful we are that God the Father sent His unique Son to provide salvation for all who will trust in Him as their Savior, Christ the Lord!