December 2024

We closed the second of the several Ministerial Alliance December offerings with an invitation to visit and pause for contemplation before any of the number of “Christmas” Nativity sets/scenes/displays that grace homes, parks and churches in Ft. Stockton each year. Last Sunday I shared a Sojourner magazine story of a priest who on the third Sunday in Advent was confounded to find the mother and child figurines already in place in the creche set up near the altar of his church. I told the story to keep in focus the difference between contemplation and critique, the first being essential to appreciating the transition from Advent into Christmas and the second just not necessary and probably unhelpful.

Outside the First United Methodist Church stands a Christmas Nativity, reminding us of the reason for the season. Photo by Kerry Waldrip.

It has always brought excitement to my heart as the Christmas season approaches. It starts when we put up the Christmas tree and start listening to the Christmas Hymns & Carols. In my childhood days I loved to sit in the dark and just look at the beautifully decorated tree and I still like to do that. Now it gives me time to reflect about my life and how good God has been to me. We like to give or receive gifts but we are not the only ones that can give gifts. There is someone that can even give better gifts. It is the living God!, (Luke 11:13, John 3:16). God makes available many good gifts but they can’t not be purchased or bought, they are free, (Acts 8:20, Romans 5:15-21). As I read in a local newspaper where a child said in his letter to Santa, “I have only been a little good this year so I understand if I don’t get everything” we really do not deserve anything but God is so merciful and loving that he has given us wonderful gifts, (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8&9). The most important gift is a new relationship to the living resurrected Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of our sins, (Romans 3:23 & 6:23, John 1:12). This Christmas season may you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Brother J

Basketball High School Girls 1/3 Seminole - Home 1/7 Monahans - Away 1/10 Pecos - Home 1/14 Andrews - Home 1/17 Greenwood Away 1/21 Seminole - Away 1/24 Monahans - Home 1/28 Pecos - Away 1/31 Andrews - Away 2/4 Greenwood - Home Senior Night High School Boys 1/4 Presidio - Away 1/7 Open - Open 1/10 Pecos - Home 1/14 Andrews - Home 1/17 Greenwood Away 1/21 Seminole - Away 1/24 Monahans - Home 1/28 Pecos - Away 1/31 Andrews - Away 2/4 Greenwood - Home Senior Night 2/7 Seminole – Home 2/11Monahans - Away Middle School 1/9 Monahans - Home 1/13 Pecos - Away 1/16-18 Andrews Tournament - Away 1/20 Andrew - Away 1/27 Greenwood Home Powerlifting Prowlers and Panthers 1/11 Monahans 1/18 Home 1/25 Andrews 2/8 Kermit 2/15 Greenwood – Last Girl’s Qualifier 2/22 TBA – Last Boy’s Qualifier 2/28-3/1 Big Spring – Girl’s Regionals 3/7-8 Abilene Wylie – Boy’s Regionals 3/12-15 Edinburg – Girl’s State 3/20-22 Abilene – Boy’s State Swimming 1/2-4 Andrews Invitational Diving, Preliminaries, and Finals - Away 1/18 Monahans District 2-4A Championship Away 1/31-2/1 Andrews Region 4A Championship, Preliminaries and Finals - Away 2/13-14 San Antonio 4A and under State Championships – Away Golf 1/31-2/2 Monahans 2/7-8 Pecos 2/14-15 Home 2/17-18 McCamey 2/19 Seminole 2/21-22 Lubbock 2/24-25 Iraan 2/28-3/1 Andrews 3/4-5 Wink 3/7-8 Seminole 3/17-18 Alpine.

A crowd of family, friends, and supporters gathered at the Bill and Virginia Williams Special Events Center to celebrate two of Fort Stockton High School’s standout athletes, Mia Garcia and Rylan Nunez, as they officially signed their letters of intent to play collegiate sports. These accomplished seniors will take their talents to the next level, with Garcia set to play softball at Midland College and Nunez heading to Sul Ross State University to play baseball.

The Fort Stockton Panther and Prowler Basketball Teams showcased their skills on Tuesday, December 17, delivering a mix of triumphs and lessons against formidable opponents. Both programs continue to highlight their growth and resilience as the basketball season progresses.

The Fort Stockton Middle School Junior Blue Wave Swim Team kicked off their season with a strong showing at the Preseason Tri-Meet against Monahans and Pecos on Tuesday, December 17. Coach Lily Forst expressed enthusiasm about the team’s performance, noting that it set a promising tone for an exciting season ahead.

GARDENER’S MAILBAG Dear Neil, I have had this Christmas cactus for a little more than a year now. It bloomed last year and has flowers on it now.

LOOKING BACK

As 2024 draws to a close, I’m reminded of why I love public service. Public service is about people— meeting needs, easing burdens, and creating opportunities. Every service event, meeting, and decision we make is rooted in the stories and challenges of the families and communities that make up Senate District 29.