United Presbyterian Home News

Sights and sounds of Christmas are everywhere this week as residents sit near the wood fireplace in the Parlor and nibble on warm drinks and sweet treats.

Residents joined in singing music of the season Monday morning with song leader Connie Bauer accompanied by Mary Atwood on the piano. It was a full house. Connie gave new meaning to The Twelve Days of Christmas as she recited a Biblical meaning to each of the 12 days. Ruth Zehr sang the first verse of Silent Night in German followed by a group rendition of the second verse in English.

Carolers from the law offices of Lloyd, McConnell, Davis and Lujan brought their families to spread Christmas cheer as they strolled through the Town Center and Health Center hallways singing Christmas carols. They numbered 20-plus strong voices bringing back the art of Christmas caroling.

Lee Buchholz and Dorothy Koehler provided beautiful music in the Health Center on Tuesday afternoon which happened to be the birthday of Lois Buchholz. Lee reports that Lois is accustomed to holiday birthday music.

Residents enjoyed the music of Ned Francis during the Christmas Dance held in the main dining room on Wednesday afternoon. Ned played a variety of holiday tunes along with a mix of favorite dance songs as residents, dressed in holiday attire, danced their way around the dance floor. Everyone enjoyed a little Christmas cheer and refreshments as they shared an afternoon of dancing and socializing. Santa?s Elf, Carol Enfield made it all happen.

Chef Cory Evans and the dining staff sponsored a cookie walk in conjunction with the Christmas dance in the Town Center. As residents came and left the dance they were able to choose from a dozen cookie varieties and fill plates to take home to their freezer for future holiday gatherings. Some residents may have nibbled on their way home.

Reverend Kitch Shatzer offers the following Christmas poem as we wish everyone a Merry Christmas:

Enough and More

The little girl writes lists and lists of Christmas morning wishes

Pretty clothes, a brand new doll and mini china dishes.

Her mother offers cautions of how much can really come

To fill the sock hung on the wall, and boxes, more than some.

Her daddy worries more and more about the world around

Is it one where enough good things will evermore be found?

Oh yes, for all, the wants and worries mount up ever higher.

A look around takes thoughts away to circumstances dire.

But that is not the way our minds and hearts should wander.

For God has offered wondrous things He wishes we would ponder.

More than enough is offered us, the things we need the most,

The news announced to all the world by heaven?s glowing host,

Of peace on earth, good will to all, the greatest gifts of all

Came unto us from Bethlehem?s stable stall.

God?s gifts to us are made with grace, but also with a call

That asks us each to do our part to pass them on to all.

Kitch Shatzer, Christmas 2016