Colglazier Corner: 2012 Christmas Letter

The Colglazier Times

2012 Christmas Edition

We hope this letter finds you well and that you have had a good year. 2012 has been another good year for us. We took a couple of fun family trips to Washington, DC and to the beach. In Washington, DC, we went to the Newseum, the Senate, and C-SPAN. We camped at the beach going to the North Carolina Aquarium, Oak Island Lighthouse via ferry, Fort Fisher, and of course the beach. All the kids once again participated on the summer swim team. The three oldest competed in robotics with the highlight being part of the winning alliance at a tournament in South Carolina.

Miriam will be 12 next month. She continues to enjoy dance and has recently gone en pointe in her ballet class. Miriam started braces this year. She continues to enjoy cooking and reading. Miriam swam very well this year frequently anchoring her relays to wins.

Bethany will soon be 15. She joined Venturing this year and has enjoyed going on their monthly outings. She is the crew Secretary and is getting ready to go to Philmont next year. Bethany got her braces off this year.

Carl celebrated his 16^th birthday this year on Thanksgiving. He won First Prize in the high school division of this year’s C-SPAN StudentCam competition, was interviewed live on C-SPAN, and had an award ceremony with the Cary mayor and the C-SPAN bus. Carl attended the National Scout Jamboree Shakedown to help get the Summit ready for next year.

Christian recently turned 18. He became an Eagle Scout this year after completing his project of building a hand rail at our swim club. Christian continues to make brickfilms having one shown at BrickFlix where he was also on stage for a Q&A. He has one entered in a Tongal contest in which he is guaranteed to do quite well, and gets a steady income from his YouTube partnership. Christian has also joined Venturing.

Leslie-Jean continues to home school all four kids and holds a committee position at the home school cooperative all the kids attend and enjoy. Dan continues to work for IBM and helps with math at home. Leslie-Jean and Dan celebrated their 20^th anniversary at Carolina Beach State Park with dinner in Wilmington. Dan completed a lot of Boy Scout training this year earning his Wood Badge beads and completing BSA Lifeguard and Powder Horn.

How did Christian earn the rank of Eagle Scout this year? He did so by fulfilling all the requirements. How do we know that Jesus is the Messiah? One reason is because He fulfilled all the Messianic prophecies. This Christmas season, let us look at a couple about His birth. The Messiah was prophesized to be born in Bethlehem according to Micah 5:2. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Matthew 2:1 tells us that Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea…”

The Messiah was also prophesized to be born of a virgin according to Isaiah 7:14. “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.” Matthew 1:18 tells us that He was indeed born of a virgin. “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” Jesus went on to fulfill all the Messianic prophecies. Most importantly Jesus also took our sins upon Him, died for them upon the cross, and conquered death by rising again three days later. Through this, Jesus offers the free gift of eternal life with Him in heaven for those who accept it. Let us celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus and the beginning of the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies. Merry Christmas and may 2013 be a blessed year for you.