Christmas Carols: We Three Kings

Please see The Carols We Love: The "Story Behind the Story of Twenty-two Classic Christmas Carols, Daniel Partner, Barbour Publishing, Uhrichsville, OH, 2002.
"We Three Kings" is the most memorable work of John Henry Hopkins Jr. who was was a church man and music teacher for the most part.  He did publish a book of carols, another book of poems, and the biography of his father, a prominent Episcopalian priest.  "We Three Kings" is prominent for its message.  The story of the Three Kings is found in Matthew chapter 2.  The number of kings is not given, but they brought gold frankincense and myrrh.  There is a verse describing each of the gifts, and then a conclusionary statement: "King and God and sacrifice.  The gold represented Jesus as king, the frankincense as God (it was used in the temple) and the myrrh told of his final sacrifice.  Myrrh was used in embalming.

Book Review: Outliers: The Story of Success

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell, Back Bay Books, New York, 2008.

What things go into making someone successful?  This book offers a different take of this question.

This is a different positive thinking book than any I have found.  The bottom line of this book is that the reasons for someone to be successful can be illusive; however he did say 10,000 hours is key.  Those who have become successful have spent 10,000 hours perfecting what they do, whether it is computers, or a sport, or music, or lawyering.  It takes time for those success thoughts to rise to the top.  However it says sometimes the thing that gives us those hours can be by chance, the year we were born, the month you were born, your way of getting experience etc.  It also sounds like he takes President Obama's opinion, "You didn't build that."  So in the end, I don't know what to think of this book.  Although the story of the Beatles and Bill Gates were very interesting.  I also like the bit about the Chinese and hard work.

Christmas Booklet: The Christmas Scene, Neal A Maxwell

This booklet was published by Bookcraft in 1994.  It presents some of Neal A. Maxwell's ideas about Christmas.  The theme that resounds in the booklet, is the irony of Jesus' life.  A few gifts were brought to the Savior, but the Savior was heavenly father's gift to all of us, and the Savior gave Himself of all.  Jesus was known as a Nazarene, but was of the lineage of David.  Joseph, a just man, endured hardship with regards to the nature of Jesus' conception.  However it was an angel who assured him.  Mary knew much more than she could tell.  And why was the son of God born in an obscure stable.  Having faith in Jesus implies we accept that he has done what he said.  That Bethlehem, Gethsemane and Golgotha complete the atonement and sacrifice for us all.  Jesus as Jehovah issued the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy, yet was accused of violating the sabbath.  Jesus, the whole earth being his footstool, had not where to lay his head.  The Lord was before Abraham, but in saying so was threatened with stoning.  Jesus taught Moses, and gave the law.  He tried to remind people that Moses had written of Him.  And then the mob cried for Barabbas rather than Jesus, and asked that Jesus be crucified.  Such of life of irony.
Finally we should remember that Jesus' arm is always outstretched to us, His arms always open to receive us.

Mental Health Call Center

Me and my co-workers

Ayden Happy First Birthday

Ayden turns one this Thursday, so Charity hosted the first of three parties.  She and her folks flew back to Seattle Monday.  It was going great, until Ayden reached for the candle, and was more scared by our reaction to keep her safe than the actual candles.  She had a good cry, and eventually enjoyed her cupcake.  I don't think she burned herself.

waiting

what is that?

singing, Happy birthday Baby Ayden (her mom said sweet)

that looks pretty

Too close to the flame and scared by everyone's reaction

As I mentioned, she calmed down and enjoyed the cupcake in the end.  No lasting damage.

Christmas Day 2016

Christmas Day 2016 was a bit more mellow than most.  We waited for some of the kids and grandkids to gather, and so didn't get started with unwrapping the presents until after 7.  Just a few pictures of the gifting.  We went though one time only, and then the kids opened sibling gifts.  Caleb and Annie Skyped with us through this.  The only sad part was Grandpa Scoresby leaving shortly after.
Sheri made her traditional cinnamon rolls.  We then were to the church for sacrament meeting only.  The choir sang and I have been conducting the choir.  Also the primary sang, with Tony amongst them.  Sheri, Randi and Charity sang with the choir.  Miranda played for us while we sang "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" as a family.
From there we met at Dianna's for Christmas dinner.  Again ham and turkey, as we had done Christmas Eve.  We were all there, except Camberly Rose slept through Christmas dinner.

distributing gifts

patiently waiting

Natalia, Hayden, and Caleb and ANnie on SKype

Jeremy, Skylar, Bronnie, Asher and Hayley Dawn

Hayley and I

Asher

Ty, Natalia and Ayden

Skylar

Charity and Hayley Dawn

Trying to show off the new back pack

The Savior Understands Me

This is part of a series on Mormon Channel entitled "A Little Better."  In this series Church leaders talk about ways to be better.  In this film Elder Holland talks about having a personal relationship with the Savior.

Getting Into The Christmas Spirit - The True Meaning of Christmas

Very touching, and has to do with focus during Christmas.

The First Noel - Lexi Walker - Christmas Music Video

The First Noel with animated day dreams.

Grand Baby Christmas Eve Nativity

Getting ready

Joseph

Mary and Joseph

wiseman

donkey

Shepherd

angel

angel and shepherd

Adding our second wise man

Tony now as the camel bringing the wise men

Baby Jesus

Six grandchildren were at our home Christmas Eve, and presented the nativity for us.  Everyone had a part.  We also had Uncle Tony, and Jeremy's sister-in-law join in, so the oldest in the cast was nine, and the youngest Jesus, not yet two months.  Our Joseph is four, Mary three, Wisemen nine and two, donkey/camel nine, shepherd one, and angel almost one.  Grandpa Scoresby read the story from Matthew.  Sheri and I took pictures, and the parents helped as they could.

Luke 2:

 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Matthew 2

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet,

 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

 11 ¶And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

Sunrise Christmas Morning

Jeremy said check out the sunrise, and this is what I saw.  He was talking about a pink sunrise, but the light changes quickly.  Even so, impressive from our cul de sac.