MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE RANCH
Merry Christmas from the Ranch.
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And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth John 1:14
L to R: Rachel and Seth Sperling, Molly, Hunter and Jacob Fisher, Julia, Kiersten, Diego, Robin, Larry, Danny, Smokey, Grizz and Caleb Reinhold.
HUNTER IS HOME FOR CHISTMAS
Yes... we have company for Christmas. Hunter brought his parents to South Dakota and we are so glad.
CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS OVERWHELM THE WINTER BLUES
Yes it is still cold in the "North Country"... Yes the toll has been taken and the tally will show of some of the damages following two brutal weeks of weather.... but hey, the sun is shining and Christmas is upon us.
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Thought I would share some fun memories. My Dad played for the Rapid City Cobblers. Yes under the coaching of Coach Cobb. He played varsity as a freshman from a country school and had a promising future... but the war effort took its toll up high school kids as well. Since Dad's brothers were all called or occupied, Dad was unable to graduate since he was needed at the ranch. He never complained that he had to go home.. nor was able to continue his football dreams. He only talked of the good times... "That was just my dad". I enjoy this pic... I know some of you old timers in the Rapid City area will recognize some of the names of the players. Let the memories be a blessing.
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And let the blessings of the Christmas Season overwhelm the winter blues.
"AND THERE WAS NO ROOM IN THE INN"
"And there was no room in the inn..."
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No one really knows what the stable really was like where Jesus was born. It really does not matter. But we do know that the Baby after He was born was laid in a manger...
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The barn on the Lonetree Ranch is nearly a century old. Many a family member at Christmas time have had to stretch their imagination very little to ponder that first Christmas.
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This morning's sunrise drew me outside to take this pic. I really think that many people could use the reminder of a manger in a stable to bring Christmas into perspective.
KITCHEN IS A BUSY PLACE
The kitchen is a pretty busy place tonight as well as the shop and the back room and ... well you get the picture. All sorts of activity going on as the final preparation takes place for the Reinhold's Christmas Eve celebration. The overflow and what some may even call clutter pleases me as husband and dad. This is our dining room table. Homemade bread with our lutefisk and all other sort of good food. I love the fact that the bread Robin baked is near her open Bible. However, I am not surprised to see this setting. God's Word is a daily part of her agenda.
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Thank you Robin, Rachel, Danny, Caleb, Julia and Kiersten for making this a fine evening... And thank you Jesus... You have blessed us so much.
And yes... Molly and Jacob... you have a special place in our hearts as well.... and Little Emanuel... Spending Christmas in Heaven. "God with Us".
MERRY CHRISTMAS... IN ANY LANGUAGE
What a blessed time of the year.
"Merry Christmas"
But this may have been the way some of our ancestors may have said the greeting...
God Yul
frohe Weihnachten
Nollaig Shona
Glædelig jul!
veselé Vánoce
GRATEFUL TO GRANDPA
It is with a sense of gratefulness and blessing to display this Bible at RBR during the Birthday in the Barn Celebration...
On the front cover is written in cursive: W.C.Bangert. He is my grandfather. The date is 1919. What is even more heartwarming is that Walter (W.C) married Nora "Onney" Hughes of County Mayo, Ireland in New York City on December 24, 1918, A Christian Heritage and a biblical presence for a century. This Bible has some of the family history in it as well.
The night that they were married found Walter leaving the marriage ceremony to go back to his ship as he was in the US Navy and WWI was still in progress. Nora went back to work for the wealthy homeowners for whom she employed. Their honeymoon probably did not take place until this Dakota farm boy brought his new bride to Bon Homme County , South Dakota. She never went back to Ireland.
Scripture was not written to only be displayed on special occasion. But rather Scripture is the Word of God that should alive in our hearts. I am so grateful that Grandpa and Grandma Bangert lived out their love for the Lord. It was an example to my Mother and and also to me. This photo in the glow of the lamp and candlelight brings to mind the Bible verse..."Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path...
Thank You Grandpa Bangert...
Your Grandson,
Larry
