Santa woke up very early one day more

The Christmas tree is a quintessential part of holiday decor. I remember my mom’s trees were always showpieces; our Victorian-styled house had a coinciding evergreen bejeweled in beautiful white lights and delicate ornaments that took her days to arrange just right. She then got ambitious and decided our lodge-style den needed an equally elaborate tree with bears and moose adorning every branch. One was the fun tree, the other was the fancy tree, but both were always the focal points of our home. more

Berean Baptist Church is hosting a special Christmas Eve Candlelight service on Sunday night, Dec. 24, starting at 6:30 p.m. There will be singing, scripture reading and reflection, and of course a celebration of the incarnation of Jesus Christ through candles. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, go to bbcbolivar.com or contact the church office at 417-326-7758. The church is located at 4450 South Scenic Ave. in Bolivar. more

The Tri-County Baptist Group will hold its regular Fifth Sunday Service on Sunday, Dec. 31, at Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church in Polk County. more

Psalm 32:7-8 “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” more

Bolivar Pentecostal Church of God will present their Christmas play, “Somebody Testify!” written by Gwendolyn Miller. The play will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday Dec. 17. The public is invited to join in to celebrate the JOY of Christmas! more

Bolivar First Christian Church will be hosting their annual Christmas bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 9. The bazaar is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. more

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will host a walk with Mary and Joseph and live the night our Christ was born. Enjoy a real life Bethlehem and a peaceful manger scene. Singers from the community will join each night. Hot chocolate and refreshments to be served indoors. The walk and activities will take place outside, please dress accordingly. more

As a child, I kept my hands clenched in my lap instead of raising them to answer a teacher’s question. As a teen, my hands worked as a waitress. As a college student, they turned pages of textbooks and counted money as a teller. As a mama, I patted babies and may have swatted the behinds of my disobedient children. more

Bolivar First Christian Church will be hosting their annual Christmas bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 9. The bazaar is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. more

Bolivar Pentecostal Church of God will present their Christmas play, “Somebody Testify!” written by Gwendolyn Miller. The play will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday Dec. 17. The public is invited to join in to celebrate the JOY of Christmas! more

Bolivar First Christian Church will be hosting their annual Christmas bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 9. The bazaar is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. more