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Christmas traditions focus on several different aspects of family and spiritual life. While many stories are shared around Christmastime, perhaps none bears more significance than the origin of the Christmas celebration. Sharing the Christmas story is an integral part of holiday gatherings, reminding families that faith is foremost during this festive time of year.

The Conception of Jesus

Mary was a woman living in the Galilee area of Nazareth. She was engaged to a Jewish carpenter named Joseph. An angel visited the Virgin Mary and told her that she would conceive a child, a son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. When the son was born, she would name him Jesus. Mary questioned the angel, who reassured her that anything was possible by God and that Jesus would be God’s own son.

Sondra Fowler recently gave a $2,000 gift to the Northeast Texas Community College Foundation. She presented the check to Dr. Jonathan McCullough, NTCC Vice President for Advancement.

Because Fowler is a retired employee of ConocoPhillips, she qualifies for a matching gift program that is offered by the corporation. The gift will be matched with an additional $2,000, bringing her total scholarship contribution to $4,000. The donation will provide scholarships for the Alfred and Ethel Fowler Morris County Scholarship fund.

During their last meeting of 2016, the Daingerfield City Council approved two amendments to an existing ordinance.

In the two amendments brought forth by Daingerfield Police Chief Tracey Climer, the Council approved measures that would give the police department more “teeth,” so to speak, when dealing with animal control issues.

The first, Section 2.317, defines acts that are considered “cruel” when any person intentional or knowingly partakes in the activity. These include: torture; failure to provide food, water, shelter, and care; abandonment; or to transport or confine in a cruel manner. This amendment to the current ordinance also deems unlawful the following: causing an animal or fowl to fight another; using a live animal as a lure in dog race training or on a racetrack; tipping or tripping a cow or horse; and seriously overworking an animal.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Titus, Camp, and Morris Counties would like to welcome their newest Advocates, Sabin Warrick and Lori Luttrell being sworn in by Honorable Virginia Schnarr.

CASA of Titus, Camp, and Morris Counties endeavors to provide a trained volunteer advocate in all abuse/neglect foster care cases assigned by the courts. CASA volunteers are screened and highly trained then appointed by judges to represent and advocate for a child’s best interest in the child protection system. Then CASA volunteers are each assigned to help one child or set of siblings at a time, so they can focus on giving that child or sibling group the individualized advocacy and attention they need.

According to CASA officials, CASA volunteers save tax payers’ money and children’s futures by helping children find safe, permanent homes as soon as possible.

 With the Christmas holidays approaching, Texas State Parks are helping friends and families get into the spirit by offering gift items and hosting holiday events statewide.

With 72 events scheduled at 47 state parks in the weeks ahead, there are plenty of options for holiday fun, including: candlelit tours, night walks with Santa Claus, taffy pulls, Christmas light displays and a traditional Mexican American Las Posadas celebration, just to name a few.

Two local women were recently sentenced in the Fifth Judicial District Court in November. Randal Lee was the Criminal District Attorney, and the Honorable Bill Miller was presiding judge.

Bonnie Sue Momijan, of Hughes Springs, had her community service extended for two years, to include a sixty day county jail sanction, for the charge of endangering a child. Momijan also had a community supervision sentence revoked on a charge of theft by check.

Rebecca Anne Hatfield, of Omaha, was sentenced to five years deferred adjudication on forgery charges. Hatfield will be required to pay a $2,000 fine, along with $550 in restitution and $823 in court costs.

Christmas is known as the season for giving, but that does not have to mean just giving gifts to family and friends. There are many ways to share the joy of giving with those around you, many of which won’t break the bank.

*Make your own Christmas cards: All this would cost is a package of paper and some creativity. Families could gather together and make cards for those they love, or even for nursing home residents, which relates directly with this next idea,

*Visit nursing homes or hospitals, passing out homemade Christmas cards and singing Christmas carols. (Make sure to call ahead to get approval from staff.)

Daingerfield Elementary Schools recently competed in the District 14-AAA UIL Meet, held at Daingerfield- Lone Star ISD.

South Elementary had several individuals who placed in the meets, as well as multiple teams which placed. Students for West and South elementary Schools combine to form Daingerfield Elementary UIL team. The District Coordinator for Daingerfield is Beth Terry. Below are the South Elementary student winners.

Jessalyn Biles placed third individually in fourth grade Art Smart, while the team of Biles, Jordan Tigert, and Brayden Williams placed third overall. For fifth grade, Luis Ballesteros placed second overall, and joined Jaylyn Gilstrap and Kevin Carmona on the second place team. Librarian Kelly Pollan coaches those students.

Trimming the Christmas tree is as essential for the holidays as mistletoe and Rudolph. Although chaos may abound when the whole family is involved in the festivities, tree trimming parties can offer tinsel-covered memories to last a lifetime.

If you are looking for some ways to get your family involved in the tree-trimming fun, here are some ideas.

*Pick a tree: Of course, there can be no tree-trimming without a tree to trim. If your family prefers a live tree, make it a family outing. Find a location that sells live trees and let everyone have a say in which to bring home. If you are more of an artificial tree lover, let the kids help. Most detachable limbs are color coded, and even younger kids can help sort the limbs by color. Older kids can help attach them, and everyone can help fluff and make it beautiful.

Brody Freeman, of Hughes Springs, sits with Santa at Hughes Springs annual “Breakfast with Santa” event, held at First Baptist Church on Dec. 10.