hg- neat story.

hg, it is a great story. Especially since Jesus' greatest preachment was that we should help others.

hg, don't keep it to yourself. Lighten up.

Hey Gazettefan, I sense a tone of sarcasm in your comment and perhaps I am wrong but it makes me wonder, can you not accept the fact that there is still some good out in the world today and perhaps this person just did this out of kindness and love for the meaning of the manger? Obviously it was not you. I can tell by your negativity that you are not one who holds the true meaning of Christmas in your heart. So with this I guess I am done answering your comments and I shall keep the thought to myself that someone somewhere is kind beyond the normal and may God bless their life with happiness many times multiplied for their one act of love to the manger scene. Peace be yours Gazettefan, I hope you have a positive Christmas

I wonder if among their other fine qualities they have a sense of humor.

No gazettefan nothing was missing. Believe it or not it was an honest person doing a good deed for Christmas and I for one find a lot of joy in the thought of that. It takes a very special person to do something like that and they should be honored not questioned about their honesty.

hg, was anything missing?

amen....Merry Christmas

I know there is at least one person in Janesville who has the Christmas Spirit. The story goes like this. A couple weeks ago I got ahold of some old wood and decided to make a manger scene to place out in front of the house with Joeseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus inside of it. I told my wife that it sure would be nice to have an animal or two to place in with them to make the scene more "manger like". The scene was set up in the flower garden in front of the house and all was good.
A couple days later I came home from work and noticed sitting beside my back porch was a box that the label showed a picture of a Christmas Donkey. I went inside and asked my wife where she found the donkey and she replied, "What donkey?" I went outside to bring it in but found that the box was empty. My wife said she did not know anything about it. I wondered where the donkey was so I went out and walked around to the front of the house. There it was. Sitting in the manger as if it belonged there. We first thought our nieghbor brought it over and placed it there but after talking to him we found that he did not do it. Still we do not know who gave the donkey to complete our manger scene but to who ever it was, We pray that you will recieve many blessings for your kindness and we Thank you very much. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Counting our blessings is always good for the soul. Thanks for writing such a reflective blog.

PT- Thanks for sharing your story. I also just recently found my way back to the Lord. Now every time I feel down or blue, I think to myself no matter how bad it is for me I will never endure the pain Christ endured for me. Now every Christmas is a Merry Christmas.

Becky, I think the service starts at 9am???

This "might" help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OEx...

We only find Christmas when we remember that the first Christmas Gift was a child...God's Son. And although we tend to clutter Christmas up with many other things,we find ourselves when we love and care for those we love(even if we don't ever see them)more than for ourselves. God's blessing and Merry Christmas to all!!!

Thanks for sharing your trouble in "finding Christmas". Somehow with others in the same place I don't feel so....alone!

Bassman, I started telling EVERYONE Merry Christmas this morning, thanks for the reminder.

AMom - never pass a kettle without putting something in and thanking the ringer!

frogger - Thanks for sharing the love!

Old Timer - I'll wear a name tag - say hello!

and PT - Thank you so much for sharing such a personal story - and thank God you are here! Merry Christmas!

Becky, I will be there, our GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER is being Baptized

Excuse My "Fat Fingers"
Should say 1991..
Merry Christmas!!

Thanks Orange..
A lot of things changed since that day in 1999..
I am a Blessed man..

Pastor Tom..
OverComers In Christ Ministries..

Merry Christmas PT, and welcomeback to the world.

After many years of drug and alcohol abuse and trying for about 4 years to turn my life around, On Christmas day 1991, I found myself alone, standing on a milk crate in my garage with a rope around my neck, morally, financially and emotionally bankrupt. I had a can of Miller lite in one hand and a small New Testament Bible that I had picked up somewhere that I had been reading for about 2 weeks in the other. I was totally alone in the world, (So I felt). As I reflected my life over the last several years I could see no reason to continue. During that last couple weeks of reading that New Testament many things had spoke volumes to me about my life. I did know that God was out there somewhere, but couldn’t find within myself any valid reason he would care about someone who had traveled the road I chose and lived the life I had. As I recall this time in my life it’s seems rather silly now, but in my mind I came to the realization that it was Jesus Birthday. I remember tearfully saying that I didn’t mind being alone on Christmas and not getting a single present, but this was his birthday and I didn’t have a single thing to give him, ...All I had left was my life... (Which I was about to throw away anyway)... I told him that he could have me, as worthless and of no value as I was. I did remember reading something which has since become my life verse. Mat. 11: 28 “Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”.....
This is when I Found Christmas for the very 1st time.... Merry Christmas, And God Bless..

I am having a hard time too. gifts are bought but not wrapped yet. Usually wrapped way before it is time. Haven't written a listof things I need for food. Just seems it isn't quite time yet or something. I think it is the lack of snow. We got what and 1-2 " and it wil surely be gone tomorrow with a high of 45. It is sorta warm today too.
I did call my fav Sat am team today to wish all a Merry Christmas and it still seems like it isn't NEXT Sat. So weird.

I have seen more goodness and generosity in people this year than ever! I have watched people give from their hearts to make sure that others have a nice Christmas and heard some amazing stories. The Salvation Army has done some pretty incredible things this year. I challenge everyone, don't pass a bucket without dropping in something; a dime, a dollar, five dollars.....it will be used wisely and generously right here in our own community. Giving puts me in the Christmas Spirit.

Becky, to be honest...this year started out too manic for me to be able to enjoy my favorite holiday that is "Christmas".

Just yesterday afternoon I was able to get away by myself and get into the spirit of what it all is really about.

It's amazing how that just by finally taking some much needed "me time" can not only help how you feel, but it radiates to everyone else as well.

I finally had a stranger share a heartfelt story with me yesterday, and as we parted tell me Merry Christmas.

I realized that person was the first person to say Merry Christmas to me. Maybe that's why I've been in a funk:0