Thinking of Veterans Day 9,000 miles from home

While I’m out of the country and getting ready for the All-Asian Creation Conference in Malaysia next week, I am thinking of a very special day back in the United States: Veterans Day. We have many military veterans on our AiG staff, but this time I want to acknowledge two of them who are long-time volunteers of AiG and who served in World War II: Art Hunsicker and Dick Sauer.

Art served in the European theater of the war, and actually fought in the famous Battle of the Bulge during the very cold winter of 1944 and 1945 in the forests of Belgium. Art is now 90, and has been an AiG volunteer for about 14 years. Dick Sauer has been a volunteer for 16 years, and he served in the Pacific theater of World War II. Sadly, his brother died in the North African campaign of WWII.

By the way, Dick’s wife Marlene is the longest-serving volunteer at the AiG ministry, and we acknowledged that effort yesterday during our staff chapel as we also celebrated her eightieth birthday. She started volunteering here during year one (1994). I recorded a video greetings for Marlene before I flew away.

Here is a photo of Marlene with some of the flowers given to her yesterday.

Thank you Marlene! And a thank you to Dick and Art for your service to America!

Bethlehem Village and Dazzling Christmas Light Display—Coming to the Creation Museum

Below is the press release we have just sent out nationwide about the Creation Museum’s annual Christmas program—it will be more spectacular than ever:

Now going into its fourth Christmas season, the Creation Museum is preparing once again for its popular annual free holiday celebration “Christmas Town,” which includes a live nativity, dramatic presentations, a re-creation of first-century Bethlehem and a breathtaking “Garden of Lights” (featuring more than 60,000 Christmas lights). Gaining in popularity throughout the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, last year’s event saw crowds of 22,000 over eight days, up from 17,000 in 2009. Most of the events are free.

Some attendees ask what the Creation Museum has to do with Christmas, but those who have visited  realize that the museum – while presenting scientific exhibits regarding the Bible’s Book of Genesis – culminates with Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

“The entire account from creation through Christ’s  life and death on the Cross must be told to share the true history – His Story – of God’s plan of salvation,” said museum and Answers in Genesis president and founder Ken Ham. “This is what the museum is all about – we are not just a museum about creation, but we want to help people understand the real truth of the nativity and be challenged with the need of Christ as Savior. That’s the best Christmas gift anyone can receive, and it’s the main reason we hold Christmas Town, our gift to the community.”

As part of that challenge, the quality dramatic presentations go beyond just a re-enactment of the nativity to include other characters from that time and how they responded to the news that theCreator Himself became human and entered the world as an infant. These include:

• The story of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and the joy she felt when she was told she would bear a child of promise;
• The temple guard, Hyam, whose life was transformed from shame to hope with his search for the “child born King of the Jews”; and
• The Magi, wise men who will share how and why they followed the star.

The replica Bethlehem village will include a first-century marketplace, making it easier to gather last-minute Christmas gifts and souvenirs, from oil lamps and pottery to handmade scarves, hats, toys, and baskets. Nearby, “Noah’s Café” will serve holiday-themed beverages and snacks.

In addition to the spectacular light display, dramas, and village, the museum’s acclaimed planetarium will present a special ticketed program, “The Christmas Star,” about the mysterious star in the east that heralded the birth of Jesus and guided the wise men to Him.

“Christmas Town” is open 6-8 p.m. ET, Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 26, 27, 30 and 31, and all outdoor events (except for the camel rides) are free and open to the public. More information about these special Christmas events, plus details on purchasing tickets for the planetarium and the Creation Museum, can be found at www.creationmuseum.org or by calling (888) 582-4253. Also, admission to the museum’s exhibits will be only $5 after 5pm on Christmas Town nights; the last museum entry will be at 8pm.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken