Columns & Opinions

Iguess it’s my occupation, but I’ve been thinking a lot about the holidays. There is both joy and pain in the upcoming season. Thanksgiving no doubt is relevant to our spiritual lives (1st Thessalonians 5:18) and Christmas is the obvious (Isaiah 6:9). The pain for us is family. Who can travel, who can’t, who wants to and who doesn’t blah, blah, blah. I’m sure you feel the pain. Sometimes at church we sing, What Child Is This. The song uses the old King James language in verse 2, “Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding?” I chuckle as I sing that verse, I guess it’s the little boy in me. I also thought, little Kenny Ansell needs to grow up. I heard a story about two little kids who were both given parts in a Christmas play. One little boy was a sheep, and one little girl was to play Mary. The little boy went up to the little girl and said, “I’m a sheep. It’s hard to be a sheep.” The little girl said, “It’s hard being a virgin too.”

Here’s a yarn that comes from my Dad. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has used it before I did.

• Burn ban still off— Recently we lifted the burn ban in Milam County and therefore outdoor burning is currently permitted. However, remember it is still dangerous and before burning contact your local police and let them know the time and location of the burn, so our fine volunteer firemen don’t make an unnecessary call.