Dreaming of Christmas
He’s still working on me
When my friend Diana Roberts was placed in charge of decorations for our neighborhood’s Christmas party, I had no doubt the event would be a beautiful success. I know Diana. I know her creativity, her ability to put her plans into action, and her attention to details I would have overlooked.
For weeks, she shopped, gathered supplies she had at home, and planned where every strand of lights would begin and end. She had boxes and bins filled with – well, ask her because only she knew. I didn’t know how she would pull it together, but it was her vision and I trusted her to carry it out.
The result exceeded my expectations, and while she already has plans for the next two years, I still don’t know this year’s Christmas menu.
As I reflected on the party the following morning, echoes of a song I used play for my children floated into the present and swirled around and mixed in with my daily
prayers. If you know it, sing along!
“He’s still working on me, to make me what I ought to be. It took him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be, He’s still workin’ on me.
“There really ought to be a sign upon my heart, don’t judge him yet, there’s an unfinished part. But I’ll be perfect just according to His plan, fashioned by the Master’s loving hands.”
As I take an honest look at my life, I see the bins of pieces and parts that haven’t yet come together. I see the picture of who I want to be, yet realize the reality of who I am. However, I also see the Master’s hand.
I know Him. I know His creativity, His ability to put His plans into action, and His attention to details I often overlook. And I trust Him to complete the work He’s begun in me.
Ronny Michel can be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.
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Keep Christ in Christmas poster winners announced The Knights of Columbus Ascension of Our Lord Council 9623 recently announced the winners of the Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Competition. These winners will now compete at the Diocesan Level. Pictured top row, left to
are
Davis, Grand Knight Mike Abbate, bottom row, Vivienne Tamplain and Kyndalyn Hill.
RONNY MICHEL HEARTS IN TOUCH
right,
Kamryn
SPECIAL TO L’OBSERVATEUR LAPLACE — Second graders at St. Joan of Arc Catholic School have been busy wrapping up their second quarter of learning, studying about the Advent Season, and dreaming about Christmas! They were recently asked to write a brief letter to Santa, and we hope their responses put a smile on your face. LIAM WILLIAMS: Dear Santa, can you bring me a new iPad for Christ-mas please pretty please and an iPhone and a big, big stuffed bear? Merry Christmas. AUSTYN STERLING: Dear Santa, I would like a Squishmallow because I want to cuddle a marshmallow. I would really like soft, comfy pajamas and fuzzy slippers. I would like an elf trap because I want a pet elf. Have a holly jolly Christmas. JACE MONICA: Dear Santa, I want for my family to be happy and for a go kart and a chain. JULIA CREPPEL: Dear Santa, what do you do in the summer? I’ve been a very good girl. RAYMOND TEMPLET: Dear Santa, I want an iPhone. I want a dirt bike, and a Nerf gun too. REMY AUTIN: Dear Santa, I want an iPhone 14 for Christmas. Can you give me one? I want it so bad. I’ve been good. CHARLIE STEIN: Dear Santa, how many elves do you have? I want a doodling robot. LILY LOHFINK: Dear Santa, I want a new notebook. I want a new necklace and new slime. BERKLEY ANGOTTI: Dear Santa, can you tell me if my elves Cocoa and Marshmallow are boys or girls? Is Rudolph good? Can you get me an iPhone 14? I want it so bad. KLAIRE CLEMENT: Dear Santa, how’s Rudolph? I want a puppy and a ferret. Can I please have it? Please. PIPER TERRIO: Dear Santa, I want a dog. I want some slime and for my family to be happy. AVEN ABBATE: Dear Santa, where are my elves, Santa? Happy Christmas. Could you bring my elves please? I’ll be good. I want my dad to come home from working three hours away, and I want a cat. BRANDON SANCHEZ: Dear Santa, I want a UTV dirt bike and an ATV.