MESSAGE FROM THE HEAVENS

On Dec. 24, 1968, Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders became the first humans to leave orbit and see the earth as a whole planet. They launched on Dec. 21 and traveled three days before circling the moon 10 times. NASA coordinated a live broadcast from the shuttle on Christmas Eve, and the men were instructed: “Say something appropriate.”

What would their message be? Millions would be listening, from many faith backgrounds, so saying something appropriate was challenging. The astronauts asked friends and media professionals for guidance, but no one knew what to say. Finally, someone offered the solution: why not read from the Book of Genesis? This was a good choice since Jews, Muslims and Christians all consider the Book of Genesis to be holy.

So the broadcast began with the crew showing the first images of earth from space. Then Anders revealed that the crew had a special message for all the people of the planet.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” They read the first 10 verses of Genesis and closed with the words, “Good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you — all of you on the good earth.” Half a billion people tuned in, the largest TV audience ever at that time.

Even before recorded history, men and women have listened for a voice from the heavens. They cry out to hear some word, some evidence that God exists and that God cares. Even the most cynical or skeptical, when the moment of crisis comes, find themselves crying out “Help!” to the sky, in spite of their belief that no one is listening.

A favorite scripture during the Christmas season comes from the prophet Isaiah: “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence!”

(Isaiah 64:1-2)

Isaiah envisioned a wrathful, fear-inspiring God to shake the earth, but instead a little child was born in a quiet stable. Except among a few shepherds, angels and wise men, there was little fanfare. Jesus indeed would shake the earth, but through a message of good news to the poor, by welcoming the outcast and finally by dying on a cross. He was rarely considered appropriate.

Even so, the gospel writer John (in 1:1) states that he was God’s word from the heavens: “In the beginning was the Word of God, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus was God’s word spoken barely above a whisper, but one that still echoes across generations and millennia.

This holiday season, as we strain to hear a heavenly voice, or perhaps just a kind word from one another, may all of us on the good earth be blessed.

Guitars for super stars

Members of La Rondalla , a Big Thought after school program, show off new guitars, donated to the free music school by the Texas Music Project. The donation, valued at $15,000, included 15 guitars, amps, stands and cases.

CLASSES/TUTORING/ LESSONS

MATH Shouldn’t Get In The Way Of Anyone’s Dreams. I Tutor Algebra To Calculus. Test Anxiety & ADHD Are My Specialties. Jonathan. 626-643-6700 holisiticmathtutoring.com

PIANO LESSONS All ages & levels. Over 20 years experience. Oak Cliff area. Call Tim at 214-989-7093

Employment

AVIATION GRADS Work with JetBlue, Boeing, Delta and Others. Start Here With Hands On Training For FAA Certification. Financial Aid If Qualified. Aviation Institute Of Maintenance. 866-453-6204

SEEKING OFFICE MANAGER for Lakewood Residential Real Estate Co. Peachtree/Quickbooks Knowledge, People Skills

Preferred. Flexable 15-20 hrs wk. Depending on Experience Salary $15-$18 hr. w/ 90 day probation. Email resume: hegwoodjamie@gmail.com

Services For You

CARGO BICYCLES Custom Built, Hand Crafted. For You/ Business In Oak Cliff. 214-205-4205. oakcliffcargobicycles.com

DISH TV Starting at $19.99/month (for 12 months) Save! Regular Price $34.99. Ask About Free Same Day Installation. Call Now. 877-477-9659

Small things happen here

Neighborhood residents Ryan and Stephanie Behring made an “s,” “m” and “a” for their Halloween costume as tourists, inspired by the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau’s “BIG” campaign. They used the prop to highlight one of their favorite small businesses, Oak Cliff Mexican Food To Go at 1015 Vermont. Pictured are owner Lupe Hernandez and his son, Peter. The restaurant has been in their family for 50 years.

Services For You

GLORIA’S FLOWERS The Finest Flowers for Any Occasion 214-339-9273 gloriasflowersdallas.com 3101 Davis St.

Legal

A FREE CONSULTATION Wills/Probate/Guardianships. MaryGlennAttorney.com 214-802-6768

Professional Services

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SMART DOG DALLAS Daycare, Boarding, Training, Chauffeur. 214-884-7529

In-Home Professional Care Customized to maintain your pet’s routine In-Home Pet Visits & Daily Walks “Best of Dallas” D Magazine Serving the Dallas area since 1994 Bonded & Insured www.societypetsitter.com 214-821-3900

BUY/SELL/TRADE

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SHARE FRONT ROW

Texas Rangers, Stars & Mavs seats. Tickets are available in sets of 10 games (sets of 2 or 4 tickets per game available). Participants randomly draw numbers prior to season to determine a draft order fair to everyone. Call 214-560-4212 or rwamre@advocatemag.com LocalWorks.advocatemag.com

AC & HEAT

Exterior Cleaning

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FENCING & DECKS

#1 COWBOY FENCE & IRON CO. Est. ‘91. 214-692-1991 www.cowboyfenceandiron.com

Family Owned & Operated

Serving the Dallas area for over 30 years

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Garage Services

UNITED GARAGE DOORS AND GATES

Res/Com. Locally Owned.214-826-8096

GLASS, WINDOWS & DOORS

EAST DALLAS WINDOW CLEANING Power Wash. Free Est. Dependable. Derek. 214-360-0120

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Holiday Decorating

Home Inspection

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We raise our kids here, too! TACLB29169E

CABINETRY & FURNITURE

JD’S TREE SERVICE Mantels, Headboards, Kitchen Islands, Dining tables. Made from Local Trees. www.jdtreeservice.com 214-946-7138

Cleaning Services

AFFORDABLE, PROFESSIONAL CLEANING

A Clean You Can Trust

Staff trained by Nationally Certified Cleaning Tech. Chemical-free, Green, or Traditional Cleaning. WindsorMaidServices.com 214-381-MAID (6243)

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ALL EPOXY COATINGS, CONCRETE

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Landscape Designs Call 214-916-8368

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CONCRETE REPAIRS/REPOURS

Demo existing. Stamping and Staining

Driveways/Patio/Walkways

Pattern/Color available Free Estimates 972-672-5359 (32 yrs.)

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Electrical Services

ANNA’S ELECTRIC Your Oak Cliff Electrician Since 1978. tecl25513. 214-943-4890

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TH ELECTRIC Reasonable Rates. Licensed & Insured. Ted. E257 214-808-3658

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EST. 1991 #1

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214.692.1991

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Tip:

Handyman Services

A R&G HANDYMAN Electrical, Plumbing, Painting, Fencing, Roofing, Light Hauling. Ron or Gary 214-861-7569, 469-878-8044

BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730

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Prepare Pipes for Winter

Wrapping exposed pipes in foam rubber sleeves can help prevent freezing and bursting of pipes. LocalWorks.advocatemag.com

House Painting

MANNY’S HOME PAINTING & REMODEL Int./Ext. Sheetrock. Manny 214-334-2160

RAMON’S INT/EXT PAINT Sheetrock, Repairs. 214-679-4513

KITCHEN/BATH/ TILE/GROUT

BLAKE CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS LLC

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TK REMODELING 972-533-2872

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FLOORING & CARPETING

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Willeford

Handyman Services

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HOMETOWN HANDYMAN All phases of construction. No job too small 214-327-4606

HONEST, SKILLED SERVICE With a Smile. General Repairs/ Maintenance. 214-215-2582

Your Home Repair Specialists

Drywall Doors

Senior Safety

Carpentry

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• Tubs, Tiles or Sinks

• Cultured Marble

• Kitchen Countertops

214-631-8719

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES A BETTER TREE MAN Trims, Removals, Insd. 12 Yrs Exp. Roberts Tree Service. 214-808-8925

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LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

HOLMAN IRRIGATION

Sprinkler & Valve Repair/ Rebuild Older Systems. Lic. #1742. 214-398-8061

LSI LAWN SPRINKLERS “Making Water Work”

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YOUR TREES could look like a WORK OF ART, I Guarantee It.

DECEMBER SPECIAL

$200 OFF 4 man crew/4 hours

ust Trees

Call Mark Wittlich 214-332-3444

JD’s Tree Service

RESPONSIBLE TREE CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Locally harvested wood!

Remodeling

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FENN CONSTRUCTION Full Service Contractor. www.dallastileman.com Back Splash Specials! 214-343-4645

O’BRIEN GROUP INC. Remodeling Dallas For Over 17 Years www.ObrienGroupInc.com 214-341-1448

RENOVATE DALLAS renovatedallas.com 214-403-7247

ROOFING & GUTTERS

BERT ROOFING INC.

Firewood/Cooking Wood Full service trimming & planting of native trees. 214.946.7138

Moving

AM MOVING COMPANY Specialty Moving & Delivery.469-278-2304 ammovingcompany.com

Pest Control

A BETTER EARTH PEST CONTROL

Keeping the environment, kids, pets in mind. Organic products avail. 972-564-2495

MCDANIEL PEST CONTROL

Prices Start at $85 + Tax For General Treatment.

Average Home-Interior/Exterior & Attached Garage. Quotes For Other Services.

214-328-2847. Lakewood Resident

Plumbing

AC PLUMBING Repairs, Fixtures, Senior Discounts. Gary Campbell. 214-321-5943

ANDREWS PLUMBING • 214-354-8521

# M37740 Insured. Any plumbing issues. plumberiffic69@gmail.com

Sewers • Drains • Bonded 24 Hours/7 Days

*Joe Faz 214-794-7566 - Se Habla Español*

ARRIAGA PLUMBING: General Plumbing

Since the 80’s. Insured. Lic# M- 20754 214-321-0589, 214-738-7116, CC’s accepted.

M&S PLUMBING Quality Work & Prompt Service. Jerry. 214-235-2172. lic.#M-11523

NTX PLUMBING SPEC. LLLP 214-226-0913

Lic. M-40581 Res/Com. Repairs & Leak Location

214-328-7371

MetroFlowPlumbing.com

Lic.# M16620

Family owned and operated for over 40 years • Residential/Commercial • Over 30,000 roofs completed • Seven NTRCA “Golden Hammer” Awards • Free Estimates www.bertroofing.com