News

poll! Courtesy photo The North Pole in Fort StocktonThe Stockton.

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

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.

Editor’s note: It is important to note that an arrest should not be considered evidence of guilt, all defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The following list is provided by the Pecos County Sheriff’s Department.

Offender: JEREMY ROSAS ORTIZ Offense: RESIST ARREST SEARCH OR TRANSPORT Offense date: 09/22/2022 Arresting agency: ft. Stockton police department County cause no.: Cr-25233 Sentencing date: 11/25/2024 Sentencing: DEFENDANT PLED GUILTYTIME SERVED THREE HUNDRED SIXTY (360) DAYS in the county jail; $0.00 general fine; $0.00 mandatory fines; $0.00 restitution; $0.00 court costs; $0.00 reimbursement fees.

Sul Ross State University is celebrating the success of its Lobos LEAD program, which launched in Fall 2023. Data shows that SRSU retained freshmen participating in the LEAD program from 2023 to 2024 at a rate 23.5 percent higher than their peers.

The late afternoon shadows were lengthening across the valley floor as two heavily loaded supply wagons, an army ambulance, a passenger coach carrying seven civilians, followed by a mounted guard consisting of one sergeant and two enlisted men, made their way down the rocky hillside into the safety of Fort Lancaster.

It has been 24 years since the last day Texas highways saw no traffic fatalities, and state officials are renewing their call for safer driving habits. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) are joining forces to combat a grim, ongoing reality: for nearly a quarter-century—every single day—at least one life has been lost on Texas roadways.