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.

When it is time to open the Christmas gifts, does the room turn into a chaos of flying paper, boxes, and ribbon? Slow the process, add some laughs, and maybe keep the mess more manageable. Slower and more fun? How, you may ask, is that possible? Going around the room, have one person at a time open a gift.

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Some years ago I read a story entitled “Christmas Time on the Frontier”, which I regularly read at this time of the year. It is the story of a frontier pastor’s wife’s very special Christmas when her faith was put to the test. What follows is an edited version of her story: “I remember a day during one winter that stands out like a boulder in my life. The weather was unusually cold, our salary had not been regularly paid, and when it was it did not meet our needs. My husband was away traveling from one district to another much of the time. Our boys were well, but my little Ruth was ailing, and at best, none of us were decently clothed. I patched and repaired, with spirits sinking to the lowest ebb.

China’s Communist government hates America. That may seem overly harsh or simple – but it’s a fact. They want to be the strongest nation on earth, and they see America standing in their way. Unfortunately, we have a president in Washington who is not taking this threat seriously. If he won’t protect the American people from this very real and growing threat, then states need to step up and do what we can.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) reminds the public and commercial snow removal operators that it is illegal to place or dump excess snow on highway right-of-way, which includes driving surfaces, shoulders, and ditches.