The Inter-Mountain photos by Shannon Bennett Campbell The wise men that knew of the birth believed in Christ as God’s gift to the world.

Those who surrounded the child were common people.

Jesus, in the manger scene, was to grow to be Savior of the world.

Area residents know they will have plenty on their plates as calendar pages are turned to December.  

The “Beverly Old-Fashioned Christmas” today is on-the-heels of Elkins’ big Christmas Parade held last evening, and there are so many activities to enjoy.  

Annually, a great lunch is served today at the Beverly Presbyterian Church and the fee involved entitles one to choices of soups, sandwiches, salads and desserts — all homemade and all delicious. If one keeps tabs on the “Inter-Mountain’s” Datebook column, several Craft Fairs will be upcoming, and who would want to miss the fabulous evening musical performance of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir planned for WNPB-TV on Tuesday, Dec. 12? 

Both children and adults enjoy all the excitement, color and sounds of the season, but there is a different feeling in the air this year with overseas turmoil. It is certainly an appropriate time to remind readers of why we have Christmas at all.

Since the first Nativity, when three wise men did not need technology — nor a modern vehicle — to locate the Christ child in Bethlehem, the miracle of His angelic birth has held our world together and generally fostered an attitude of love and good-will toward others ever since.

Amid mounds of homemade candies, cakes and pies common to this month, I think this is a time where our religious claims to Christmas need to take the lead, and the lessons taught and learned during the season could benefit us by focusing on the Creche where Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the world to share His gift of love with all people.

This newspaper dedicates an entire two-thirds of-a-page to list churches that will be teaching about the true meaning of Christmas, and understanding this point of view could only make the Season more memorable and certainly more authentic.

We need to observe in our area the many locations where the Creche displays can be found. In a variety of shapes and sizes, these are holy Christmas Nativities to discover. How many can we find during this holiday season? What kind of feelings and thoughts come to mind when we see a display like this in a business or under the night-time stars?

Is it understood that this was to be God’s gift to the world for the sharing of love and peace? It would do well for us to continue to learn more and more about what God had in mind by commissioning the baby Jesus to take-on an ambassador’s role.

We could all slow down a bit this Christmas and, amid all the activities, ask ourselves whether there is a Creche in our lives.  Is it part of our heartfelt holiday or not? 

We all hope during this season to spread the love and joy so needed by many in this world. And, we know that peace and kindness is the greatest gift we can get and give away. For when we share the love of Christ, only good can come of it.

And do remember, the most important Creche to find is the one we have chosen to place in our hearts. May its comfort and joy be with you and yours throughout this holy season and beyond.