• The Wise Men were truly wise men. Unlike most men, they stopped to ask for directions.
• Question: Why was Jesus born in a stable? Answer: Mary and Joseph were enrolled in an HMO.
• A first-grade class presented a Nativity play shortly before Christmas.  When Joseph came to the inn and asked if there was room at the inn, the little boy playing the innkeeper replied, “You’re lucky.  We just had a cancellation.”
• A woman went to the Post Office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards.   “What denomination?” asked the clerk.  “Oh heavens! Have we come to this?” said the woman. “Well give me 50 Catholic and 50 Baptist ones.”
• In 1690, a teenage boy complained to his father that he found most church hymns boring and tedious.  The father replied, “If you think you can write better hymns, why don’t you try?”  Issac Watts then composed “Joy to the World.”

Marlene and I celebrate 42 years of marriage this month and 42 years of good humor.  She took me in sickness and in health, in good jokes and in bad jokes.  Even though we’ve experienced loss, there is still joy in our hearts because of the angel’s announcement.  “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.”  Luke 2:10   And that joy is a Savior, Christ the Lord.

• How joyful I am to have a Savior in my life.
• How joyful I am to have a godly wife who has loved me for 42 years
• How joyful I am to have four humorous kids, one is in heaven, and now four humorous Grandchildren.
• How joyful I am to experience the love of God’s people at this Christmas time.

Have a Joyful and Merry Christmas,
Pastor Jim