The Greatest News Ever Given

The lyrics in the old Christmas carol pretty much sum up the story of Christmas: “Hark the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn king! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.’” Because that’s how it’s described in the book of Luke, chapter 2 in the Bible.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby [Bethlehem], keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Luke 2:8-14

As we celebrate Christmas, today, exchanging and opening presents, eating wonderful homemade food and watching classic Christmas movies, let’s remember what this holiday is really all about – celebrating the birthday of Jesus, the Christ.

He was, in the slang of speaker Ken Poure, “God in a bod.” He came down from Heaven, made himself lower than the angels and took on the body of a human being, was born as a baby – not into earthly wealth or power, but to a holy, yet imperfect young, virgin woman and a carpenter, to whom she was engaged, and in a stable with domesticated animals looking on, then growing into adulthood, so he could be one of us.

Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, who the prophet Isaiah proclaimed 700 years before His birth, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”

However, He was not a political messiah as many sought in that day, to lead a revolt and rescue them from the rule of the Roman Empire, but rather a spiritual, eternal messiah whose kingdom will never end. What’s more important and lasting, something political or spiritual? Obviously, spiritual.

As a human, Jesus was able to communicate with us, show us how to live and love, and share with us God’s message of salvation, which He provided. Instead of the yearly sacrifice of the unblemished lamb, whose blood merely covered over the sins of the people, the unblemished, perfect Christ provided us the once-and-for-all sacrifice, eliminating our sin and defeating the power of death – ultimate, spiritual, eternal death – for those who choose to follow Him and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. He is our bridge to God the Father, who reached down into human history to offer us a way to have a relationship with Him, that had been broken off by the sin of Adam and Eve.

So, today, this Christmas day, I encourage you to read the story of the birth of Jesus, the Christ in Luke, chapter two. Then find a Bible-believing church to attend today to seek out others who understand and have experienced the true meaning of Christmas, found in Jesus, who came to give us hope; salvation from the degradation of sin in our lives – because we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God – the opportunity to have an abundant life, not just one of empty pursuit of pleasure and acquiring things; peace in our hearts; and to be with Him for eternity. Because unlike any other spiritual leader in history Jesus is the only way to God, as he proclaimed “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

And that is the way to have a truly, Merry Christmas!

Allen D. Payton, Publisher

Here are the words to the song that memorializes the most important herald that has ever been – the announcement by the angels of the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus the Christ, the long-prophesied messiah, born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.  He was born to bridge the gap between humans and God, due to the sin in their lives, which breaks our fellowship and relationship with Him. This year, you can know the true meaning of Christmas by opening your heart to the message and reason for the season, the birth, perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Learn more by clicking here.

The word hark means listen, and a herald is an official messenger bringing news. That’s why the songwriter referred to them as herald angels, because that’s the type of angels they were, announcing the good news of Jesus’ birth. Enjoy the lyrics and song of “Hark the herald angels sing.”

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled”

Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem”

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored, Christ the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a Virgin’s womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity

Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

To hear it sung, click here.

“Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. A somber man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially. Over a hundred years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” already written by Wesley.

The annual effort benefited 125 families with 400 children this year

By Allen D. Payton

On Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, owners of Antioch’s “Disney House”, Kristen and Gary Vistalli were joined by Councilman Mike Barbanica and his wife, Kristine, to deliver some of the gifts donated during the Help for the Holidays Event co-hosted by the Antioch Police Department on Dec. 9th.

The donations were received at the Vistallis’ home, which is decorated each year with over 35,000 lights and Disney characters. Their son Tyler and daughter Amanda helped with receiving the donated items, which also included blankets, gloves, socks, hats and scarves, as well as cash and Venmo donations. Kristen refers to the annual event as the “spirit and support drive, and gift giveaway”. (See related article)

The gifts were delivered by the four Santa’s Helpers to two girls, 8-year-old Isabella and 15-year-old Veronica, at their aunt’s home where they now live because their mother recently passed away and the girls had nowhere else to go.

“They are having a rough time, and their aunt said the gifts would help,” Barbanica shared.
“We just wanted to come by and drop off these gifts to you,” he said after the gifts were placed under the family’s Christmas tree. “Hopefully this helps out for Christmas.”

“Thank you for everything,” their aunt Iris responded.

About being off school for the holiday break Isabella said, “It’s said. I like school. Because I like my friends and I like PE.”

Regarding the toy drive, Disney house owner Kristen said, “This is the fourth year we did this with the Antioch Police Department. We switched to the drive-by during COVID which has worked out. It’s grown, every year.”

“To help over 125 families with 400 children, it’s just amazing and extremely rewarding,” she added.

This is the Vistallis’ first time delivering gifts to a family, meeting and speaking with them.

“We are extremely grateful to the community for their support and making this happen,” Kristen stated.

A few police officers were expected to participate in the gift delivery, but several were involved in a stolen vehicle pursuit at the time.

You can still drive by and see the decorated Disney House in all it’s lighted glory this week at 3732 Colonial Court in Antioch. 

Jesus’ Birth Foretold

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

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 bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

From the Bible in the Book of Luke, Chapter 1, verses 26-38 NASB; and Chapter 2, verses 1-14, NIV.

Had to meet one of three criteria for multiple stolen vehicle cases

By Allen D. Payton

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, the Antioch Police Department offered, “Congratulations to Sergeant Green, Officer Marques, Officer Tanguma, and Officer Chandler for receiving the CHP 10851 award. The CHP developed the 10851 Awards Program to recognize the efforts made by CHP and allied law enforcement personnel who have met specified criteria toward the reduction of stolen vehicle crimes by making significant contributions to the recovery of stolen vehicles and the arrest of suspected car thieves.”

“We are proud of our officers who received this special recognition,” the department added.

Acting Chief Joe Vigil presented the awards.

According to AAA which participates with the CHP in granting the awards, the 10851 award gets its name from the California Vehicle Code section that prohibits vehicle theft. To qualify for the award, an officer must meet any of the following criteria within a one-year period:

• Make six separate “rolling stolen” (suspect occupied) in-custody arrests
• Recover 12 stolen vehicles, at least three of which are suspect occupied
• Develop information which results in identification of a theft ring, the arrests of at least two suspects and recovery of at least 10 vehicles.

The 10851 award consists of a pin which has been approved for law enforcement officials to wear on their uniforms. An officer or sergeant may be recognized up to 25 times, at which point they receive a gold lifetime achievement pin.

Contributes $365,000 to fund 540,000 meals

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

In the Bay Area, 1 in 4 residents will struggle with food insecurity this year. To help manage the expected increase in food insecurity during the holidays, Kaiser Permanente is making multiple investments in the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano by providing funds for 540,000 meals. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, Kaiser Permanente presented a $365,000 check at the Concord food bank site.

“To our partners at Kaiser Permanente, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this generous donation,” said Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano VP of Finance Brian Morrow. “With this money, we will be able to provide 540,000 meals to our neighbors in need. We thank you so much. Happy holidays!”

Every month, local residents visit the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano for supplemental food. The food bank anticipates that the demand for food assistance will increase by about 20 percent during the holiday season.

A grant of $270,000 from Kaiser Permanente supports healthy food distributions, and an additional $95,000 grant from a Kaiser Permanente fund at the East Bay Community Foundation supports outreach to ensure that community members will have access to CalFresh (California’s food stamp program) and Medi-Cal. The food bank recently kicked off its 3 Million Meals Campaign.

Last Tuesday, community volunteers sorted and packaged produce at the food bank for upcoming food distributions. According to the CA Association of Food Banks, California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, about 8.8 million people are food insecure. Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain access to enough food to lead a healthy, active life. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano provides more than 3.4 million meals each month.

“We believe that our health is our wealth,” said Kaiser Permanente Contra Costa County and Tri-Valley Service Area Community Health Manager Leslie Brown. “In order for you to be able to take care of your physical health, you need nutritious meals. It’s so important for people to have access to healthy food so they can take care of their physical health.”

By Lt. Rick Martin, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

On Friday, December 22, 2023, at approximately 11:30 p.m. Antioch Police Officers responded to the intersection of W. 6th Street and G Street on a report of a traffic collision with injuries. Officers arrived and located two vehicles involved. One of the vehicles involved had two juvenile males inside (12 and 13 years old, both from Antioch). Both juveniles were transported by AMR ambulance to local hospitals. Both succumbed to their injuries and were later pronounced deceased.

The other driver involved fled on foot leaving the vehicle behind.

We are withholding the names of the decedents until proper family notifications have been made. It appears speed and reckless driving were factors in this incident. (See video of accident scene posted on X by Henry K. Lee of KTVU)

UPDATE: Asked who was driving the victim’s car, Sgt. Rob Green responded, “We are still working on that. The vehicle does not have current registration, but we are working with video.”

No further information will be provided at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call Lieutenant Rick Martin at (925) 779-6972 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Learn more about Kwanzaa, the annual, seven-day African American and pan-African celebration of family, community, history, heritage and culture which begins on December 26, here.

By Lt. Rick Martin, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

On Friday, December 22, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m. Antioch Police Dispatch began receiving calls of a shooting in the 800 block of Sunset Drive. Antioch Police officers arrived and located a 26-year-old male from Oakland suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers and paramedics arrived on the scene and immediately began rendering first aid. A short time later, paramedics pronounced the male deceased.

Patrol officers located a 57-year-old male suspect from Antioch nearby and detained him without incident. Antioch Police Detectives are on the scene and have taken over this active investigation. We are withholding the name of the decedent until proper family notification has been made. This appears to be an isolated incident. No further information will be provided at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Gragg at (925) 779-6889 or the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441.