The Night Before Christmas

Hey Friends,

This is Odie reporting in for this Christmas Eve 2022 blog post. I hope you are having a fabulous holiday! I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas! 

I am also pausing today to think and pray for many of our friends who may be having a rough Christmas! Please know that we love you and we are sending you virtual hugs!

We will be spending time today with my Mom's side of the family! I am anticipating lots of good food, fun and family time! Stay tuned to see the photo highlights in the coming days.

The Night Before Christmas

This is the day before Christmas in 2022. It is hard to believe Christmas is finally here again. We look forward to this time all year. It is honestly my favorite time of year.

The other day I was thinking of the first Christmas. The world changed when God gave the world the greatest gift of all time! That gift was His son Jesus Christ. He was born on the first Christmas Day. 

My reflection caused me to think of the first Christmas Eve. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. They were forced to take shelter in a stable. It was not a suitable environment for a baby, but it was all according to God's plan. 

I am always reminded of the outstanding character of Mary and Joseph. They were the people chosen by God to care for Jesus. They must have been extraordinary people. God knew He could trust them with His prized possession.

Mary and Joseph must have been terrified. They did not know the whole story, as you and I know it. They were faithful and followed the leading of God step by step. Mary and Joseph are excellent examples for us today.

I want to strive to live a life devoted to God. I want to follow His guidance. I pray that God finds me faithful and dependable when He needs me.

While I was pondering this topic, my brain remembered an old Christmas song. This song tells the story well of the First Christmas Eve. I decided to share it with you today. It is titled The Night Before Christmas,

The first time I heard this song was in the mid 90's. The Isaacs released it on their first Christmas project titled I Feel The Christmas Spirit. They also rereleased the song in 2000. It was on their revised Christmas Spirit project.

Take a moment to read the words and listen to this song. and reflect on The Night Before Christmas!

The Night Before Christmas

Verse 1

The night before Christmas

A couple was traveling

A baby was coming before the next day

They slept in the stable 

With animals around them

The Messiah was born

In a lowly barn in a manger of hay

Chorus

The night before Christmas 

The world had no Savior

No hope for redemption

To save them from wrong

God sent down His promise

The baby King Jesus

Salvation had come

For God gave His son

That Bethlehem morn

Verse 2

The night before Christmas

A new star was shining

Guiding three wise men from the east

In search of a king

It moved through the heavens

To the city of David

It shines today

To show us the way to Christ the King

Chorus

The night before Christmas 

The world had no Savior

No hope for redemption

To save them from wrong

God sent down His promise

The baby King Jesus

Salvation had come

For God gave His son

That Bethlehem morn

Chorus

The night before Christmas 

The world had no Savior

No hope for redemption

To save them from wrong

God sent down His promise

The baby King Jesus

Salvation had come

For God gave His son

That Bethlehem morn

Thanks for reading. May God bless you this Christmas!

Odie

The Isaacs Christmas Concert Brookville, Indiana 2022

Hey Friends,

This is Odie reporting in from Ohio. I hope the month of December is going well for you! I love all the Christmas prep and the busyness of the month. I am trying to remind myself to savor every moment. Soon this season will be a past memory.

Several weeks ago, I compared our schedule to the Isaacs' schedule. I noticed the Isaacs were in Brookville, Indiana, on December 2nd. Brookville is just a little over an hour from my house. My parents would be gone, but I was determined to find a way to the concert.

All I had to do was mention it to my Aunt Theresa, who was on board for going too. We made plans and secured our tickets. Then we were ready for a fabulous night of Christmas music with the Isaacs!

Here is the family gang that enjoyed the night together. Our cousin Caleb, Uncle Jay, Aunt Theresa and me. 

Thanks to Ben for making sure we had great seats! I am always thrilled to see Ben. He always makes me feel well loved!

It is always wonderful to see our dear friend, Mark Capps! He does a fabulous job manning the soundboard for the Isaacs. He works his magic to make them be at their best every time I hear them!

This event took place at Franklin County High School. It was hosted by the Franklin County Arts Council.

I was beyond ready to see the Isaacs live again. Click here to see my post from June 2021. This was the last time we were able to be with the Isaacs.

Now let the music and singing begin! I hope you enjoy the concert in pictures. I wish you could have seen and heard what I did that night. Amazing, incredible, unbelievable and magnificent are just some adjectives that describe the talent of the Isaacs!

The current lineup of the Isaacs. Left to right, Levi Bowman, Greg Ritchie, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Lily Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary, Ben Isaacs and Josh Swift.

The night mainly consisted of Christmas songs. They did add in a few of their regular songs. Get Onboard was one of the songs. It is always a crowd favorite! That is the song they were playing in the picture below.

Evya and Gatlyn Yeary were on hand to help with a few songs. They did a great job!

Aunt Lily did a few Hebrew songs. I always love hearing her sing in Hebrew.

Aunt Lily asked Josh Swift and Greg Ritchie if they could play in Hebrew. They both pulled out the Jewish caps (yarmulke). It helped them play those songs just right.😂

Gatlyn brought out his ukulele to play and sing. He did a fantastic job on He's Got The Whole World! Gatlyn turned 7 on the 8th of this month. I can not believe how fast  Sonya's kids are growing up! I just looked back, and here is the first time we met Gatlyn at a month old in 2016.

I am on cloud 9 whenever I hear the Isaacs live. Their recordings are awesome, and I listen to them regularly. The experience of hearing them live in concert is phenomenal! This concert was exceptional because it was only the Isaacs performing! Plus, the Christmas music takes it up to another level!

A sweet little boy came and talked to me during the concert's intermission. He is a fellow listener to Pod'N Me. He wanted a picture with me,  the Souper Fan.

My Aunt Theresa was in shock. She took the picture above from her viewpoint. She could not believe somebody recognized me and asked for a picture of me at an Isaacs concert.

I was thrilled to see my beautiful cousin, Jakobi Bowman!

The newest member of the Isaacs is Greg Ritchie on drums and percussion! I was very excited to see him again! Greg is special to us! He has played on all of our studio projects.

This is my Aunt Theresa with Becky and Sonya.

I love Sonya and Becky so much! It was great to visit with them for a little while!

My Aunt Lily and I were matching. She is a wonderful woman with an amazing story. I am proud to be her niece!

It is always good to catch up with my cousin Caleb!

The final picture for the night is one of me with my dear family, The Isaacs! I love every one of you so much! Thanks for an amazing night of music, singing and fun! I am already trying to determine the next time our paths can cross.

That wraps up this Isaacs concert review. Thanks to Uncle Jay and Aunt Theresa for the ride! I am glad we were able to enjoy this event together!

Odie

Weekend Dispatch 12/5/22

 Hey Friends,

This is Odie checking in with you. I have another weekend dispatch for today. The first weekend of December is now in the history books. I had a great few days. Today I will give you the highlights of the weekend for now. Some of the full details will be in future posts.

First, I found some pictures from church on Tuesday and Thursday that I have not posted yet.

Tuesday night Bro. Andrew Blevins had several of our young people testify. I am proud of them.

It was terrific to have Bro. Dallas and Sis. Luvenia Lakes in service with us at Dryden Road!

Bro. Phillip Hoskins preached outstanding! God used him to encourage me!

My selfie buddy.

This is two of the sweetest ladies at our church, Sis. Stephanie and Sis. Beaulah. I am blessed to have them as my cousins and friends.

Thursday was sis. Dorothy Hasty's birthday. Several of her family came to church to be with her for her special day!

Selfie number 2 for the week with Kiran.

I went to Indiana on Friday night with my Uncle Jay and Aunt Theresa. We went to see the Isaacs do a fabulous Christmas concert.

Saturday night was the church Christmas dinner and play. Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Sunday was reserved for church two times. Both services were fantastic.

We did find time to visit Alcapulco for lunch.

I love Tim, Sis. Stephanie and Bro. Rick Stancell! They are always willing to give me a ride to church. I appreciate their help and friendship!

Bro. Jon Anderson from Bond, Kentucky, delivered a great message to us from God. It was a fabulous way to cap off the weekend.

Thanks for stopping by to visit with me again. I promise you will get to hear from my Dad again very soon.

Odie