Holidays Mean Family

Christmas Dinner 2004


Around our house the holidays are all about family, friends, and spending time with one another. This year was no different. On Christmas Day we hosted over 22 (I think) people for a day of wild present opening, conversing, laughing, video games, musical performances, scooter racing, feasting, wrestling, and collective worship to the God who makes it all possible. The following pictures are but a sample of some of the scenes over the last several weeks.


I guess it all started with our pre-Chrismas visit from Grandpa Richard and Grandma Phyllis from Las Vegas. Arik and Julia love all their grandparents, but it's particularly exciting when we see Grandpa R and Grandma P since it only happens a few times a year.



Grandpa Richard (Mark's Dad)



Grandma Phyllis and Juju



Grandma P and Grandma B with Mom and Juju



Best Buds - Grandpa and Arik


Next was Christmas Eve at Mark's Sister Kathy, Brother in law Mark and Nephew Jerry's house. Jerry's at UCLA now and the kids love when they get to see him. The shots below explain why...


Kathy - the one standing - with Arik and Juju wrestling Jerry to the ground


It's a two front assault on Jerry. Arik coming in for the kill


This year both Arik and Juju were privileged to perform in the Church Christmas Pageant. Juju performed with a small ensemble before an audience of several hundred. Arik, in front of the same crowd, gave a solo performance. Both performed admirably.


Juju giving a command performance



Little Angels



Arik, to his adoring audience



And commanding attention


Finally, Christmas Day arrived. Loved ones began arriving early Christmas morning with the festivities lasting late into the night. It was a truly wonderful day with thankful hearts all around. This is the third year in a row that we've played host to such a large group (over 20). We hope to be able to carry on this tradition for many years to come.


Opening presents with Aunt Nancy



Arik showing a deft touch



Arik's finished creation: a lego starwars speeder



Arik's Snowspeeder - built in less than an hour with help from Cousin Daniel



Dish up everyone - the feast begins



Three Babes, Dorothy, Nancy, and Juju


Whoa, this post is beginning to get a little long. So I'll continue it tomorrow with another installment.

His Light Still Shines

From our hearts to yours, we wish you all a blessed and very Merry Christmas.

Love,

The Schneiders

There is a reason why history turns on Christ

As William E. Channing put it...

The sages and heroes of history are receding from us, and history contracts the record of their deeds in a narrower and narrower page. But time has no power over the name and deeds and words of Jesus Christ.

It's true. There is no name under heaven which has come anywhere close to having the impact that Jesus' name has. Fables don't have that kind of power; only truth does.

This last week leading up to Christmas I have posted just a few of the more popular Old Testament prophecies that predicted events that would surround Christ's birth. Actually, the OT contains nearly 300 prophecies concerning Christ's first coming, from Genesis (written between 1200 and 2000 years before Christ) all the way down to Malachi. The French mathematician, George Heron, calculated the odds of one man fulfilling even 40 of these prophecies to be 1 in 10 to the power of 157 (that's a one with 157 zeroes behind it). Christ fulfilled them all. And I have not even hinted at the prophecies foretelling his death and resurrection (wait until this Easter). Taken together, the odds of one man fulfilling them by chance or even by human design are staggering beyond comprehension.

Combine this with the timeless and growing influence of Christ's message, the fact that his closest disciples, having been being burned, speared, sawed in two, stoned, and crucified, stayed true to their convictions that Jesus was God to their last dying breadths; this and the fact that the gospel demonstrates no less power to redeem broken lives today than it did 2000 years ago, and you begin to understand why Jesus, more than any other name, stirs up so much emotion. Fables don't have that kind of power, only truth does.

When Peter and some of the other Apostles, who had been preaching Christ in the Temple, were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, there was a great outcry among some of the leaders who wanted to put the the Apostles to death. But Gamaliel, called the "light of Israel" for his wisdom and piety cautioned them saying...

you men of Israel, be careful about what you do to these men. Because a while ago Theudas appeared boasting that he was somebody important. He was joined by a group of men, about four hundred. He was slain and all that followed him were dispersed and came to nought. After this man, Judas of Galilee arose, in the days of the taxing, and attracted many people to him. He also perished. And all those who followed him were dispersed. And now I tell you, refrain from these men and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this activity is of men, it will come to nothing. But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest as a result you are found to be fighting against God! Acts 5:34-39.

Gamaliel knew that fables don't have lasting power, only truth does. And his words were heeded that day. In time, however, most of the Apostles were eventually put to death, but not their message. For as Gamaliel likely suspected, the message was not from men, but from God.

One Apostle who survived until exile on the Island of Patmos was John, one of Jesus' closest disciples. The opening words to his epistle are a fitting witness to this present Christmas season and all it means. For...

That which was from the beginning which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life (Christ) - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we tell you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:1-4

It is my prayer that all who read this will feel Christ's love and experience the timeless joy that only He can give.

Out of Egypt He would come

   

Old Testament Prophecy

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my Son. Hosea 11:1


New Testament Fulfillment

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, 'Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy him'. When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 'Out of Egypt I called my Son'. Matthew 2:13-15

Seed of Abraham

Old Testament Prophecy

And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice. Genesis 22:18


New Testament Fulfillment

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, 'And to your seeds,' as referring to many, but rather to one, 'And to your seed,' that is, Christ. Galations 3:16

Messiah's birth to be followed by the slaughter of innocents

Old Testament Prophecy

Thus says the Lord: 'A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentations and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more. Jeremiah 31:15


New Testament Fulfillment

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, 'A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they were no more. Matthew 2:16-18

Messiah to be heir to the throne of David

Old Testament Prophecy

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:7


New Testament Fulfillment

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the thone of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1:32, 33

The Messiah to be born of a virgin

Old Testament Prophecy

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (God with us). Isaiah 7:14


New Testament Fulfillment in Christ

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin bethrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.... Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus (savior, deliverer) Luke 1:26, 27, 30, 31

The Promised Messiah To Be Born in Bethlehem

Old Testament Prophecy

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will rule over Israel, whose origins are from ancient times. Micah 5:2


New Testament Fulfillment in Christ

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship. Matthew 2:1,2

It's That Time of Year

Arik and Juju posing for Christmas pictures at the Park.



Christmas is quickly approaching - no reminder needed. Though we always tell ourselves after the New Year's is come and gone that "next year we'll do it different, slow it down, plan ahead" -- so far it hasn't worked out that way. Once again we seem busier than ever.




Celebrating Saint Nick's birthday.


As is become our tradition, we'll play host again this Christmas Day to a large (~25 people) gathering of family and friends. Yes it's a lot of work. But when the day arrives all that is forgotten and we revel in the warmth of that special time that comes but once a year.



Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

Chopan in the Making

Or maybe Oscar Peterson? Only time will tell. But Arik showed his stuff once more during a bravura performance at his second Christmas piano recital held at the Yorba Linda Public Library. Along with some twenty other prodigies, Arik performed for an enthusiastic crowd of parents, grandparents and friends.


Last Minute Review.




Arik was seventh in line for the performance. His three selections were: Silent Night, Away In A Manger, and I Saw Three Ships.


The Performance Begins.




Showing no hesitation, Arik summarily dispatched all three selections to the applause and appreciation of his listeners.

Rapt Audience.




There was also a sing along...



Arik said he's already picked his selection for next year's peformance: the theme from Star Wars. Hmmm. We'll see about that. In the meantime, practice, practice, practice makes perfect.

David Beltramo Medals in the Western Regional Cross Country Championship

Mount San Antonia College in Walnut, California played host today to the Western Regional Cross Country Championships. Here, the very best high school runners from across the western U.S. competed in various classes to bring home medals and, for some, to advance to the Nationals in San Diego.

Our Nephew, David Beltramo from Portland (on Cathy's side of the family), proved once again his star talent by placing 5th among a field that appeared to number over sixty.

Here's how the race played out on Mt. Sac's up and down course. (To see larger version of these photos simply click on them, which will take to Flikr.com, and from there you can select any size you wish).


The Field Prepares.





Pensive Moments. David is in the center with dark blue jersey and black shorts.





Ready, Set, Go! David's the tall one in the center - head under the American flag.





In fourth place about a fifth of the way into the race





Beginning of the climb.





Downhill into the flats.





Fighting Fatigue.





In the Stadium - last lap.





Across the Finish Line. In a burst of energy, David over took the man in the white jersey less than 10 yards from the finish line to secure 5th.






Medal Honors.





A Stand of Winners. The top ten all took medals.





"David Beltramo, Portland Oregon...and I'd like to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for President of the United States...." just kidding ;-)





Coach, and the A Team from Portland.





Proud Uncle Mark and David.