HE SHALL REIGN

I absolutely had to break my silence during this week. Most of you know that I enjoy ignoring the blog during Christmas week in order to spend more time for family. I just saw this production of the Hallelujah Chorus done in a shopping mall and had to post it for you.

I am quite certain that this was not a spontaneous event. I believe it was a beautifully staged happening. The choir is incredible! Far too good for luck. It is however a very interesting production by those posing as just sitting around in a food court. I do believe that there are several that join in the singing of portions of the chorus that are not part of the choir.

What incredible glory and praise to hear in their voices! I would have joined in if I had been there ... but I probably would have had tears running down my face.

YES! ... KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS
... AND HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER and EVER and EVER!
HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH!

That day IS coming!
NikonSniper Steve

Jesus Is Still The Reason For The Season

Remember Jesus at Christmas

Santa lives at the North Pole. JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh. JESUS rides on the wind and walks on water.
Santa comes once a year. JESUS is an ever-present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies. JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes uninvited down your chimney.
JESUS stands at the door of your heart and knocks ... and will enter if you invite Him.
You have to stand in line to see Santa. JESUS is as close as a call on His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap. JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa has to ask you your name. Jesus knew you before He created the world.
Jesus knows your address, your history, and your future.
Jesus knows the number of hairs on your head.

JESUS has a heart full of love. JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says, "You better not cry".
JESUS says "Cast all your burdens and cares on me because I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys.
JESUS gives new life, mends wounded hearts, and repairs broken homes.
Jesus builds mansions.

Santa might make you chuckle but … JESUS gives you joy and strength.
Santa puts gifts under a tree … JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.
Santa was at one time known as Saint Nicholas. Jesus WAS, and IS, and IS to come.
Is there really any comparison?

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

May the Lord bless and watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas.
May He guard you with His powerful arms. May He lift your tired spirit.
May He soak you with His love and provision.
And may you return your focus to Him in all things.

God bless you all in 2011.
NikonSniper Steve

Santa Ready Housing

Wishing You Comfort And Real Joy

Christmas at Garfield -- Candlelight Crossing

Every year during the month of December, the Garfield Park Conservatory in Indianapolis is decked out in holiday decor, highlighted by displays of poinsettias; trees and plants festooned by thousands of lights; and model trains that pass through miniature towns whose structures and people look to be from another era of time.

In a way, my visit to the conservatory Friday was a trip to another time. I had not been there in the month of December since my children were still small and sang in our church's cherub choir. Back then, the cherub choir would learn a program of seasonal carols and perform a handful of shows at a few places in the community. Some venues for the shows would change from year to year, but one of the static sites was the conservatory, with the colorful poinsettias and holiday decorations serving as a beautiful backdrop.

Near the end of each December, to launch the beginning of extended hours of "Christmas at Garfield," the conservatory throws a special event, "Candlelight Crossing." In addition to providing live harp music and making snacks, cookies and beverages available to visitors, Candlelight Crossing (and the extended hours for the rest of the display's duration) enables you to see these exhibits after dark, where the light displays really stand out -- and beg for photographers to capture it in images.

This year's "Candlelight Crossing" was Friday, and I visited as an outing with members of the photo club I belong to. On this evening, even the condensation on the conservatory windows proved to be of photographic interest. The images you see here are from that trip.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Christmas at the White River Gardens Conservatory

The conservatory at White River Gardens in White River State Park in Indianapolis is decked out for the holidays. I stopped in there Thursday afternoon, and these pictures -- taken with my relatively new Canon PowerShot G12 -- are from that shoot. For anyone who might want to drop in and catch pictures particularly of the holiday lights, be advised that most of the bulb lights used for decoration flash on and off in sync to continuous seasonal music piped through speakers. Sometimes, depending on a song's rhythm, you won't see lights on a tree or wreath for a while, and you have to freeze your frame on it and hope you can snap the shutter quick enough when the lights do flash. 

  

 

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