Ben Cagle with Ilah
Katelyn Holloway
Luke Sutherland
Taylor Cogdell
I was listening to the late Ben Haden’s radio sermon on Sunday, “Christmas is for Children.” It’s one of Ben’s best; they are all excellent. The sermon brought to my mind some small ones of 2022; some new friends and the pictures speak for themselves. I will borrow Ben’s sermon title for this article.
At the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 203 Christmas Party, my camera caught this picture of Ben Cagle explaining Christmas to 4-year-old Ilah. Her sweet face captures the awe of the holiday. She’s the great-granddaughter of Susan Price whose late husband was a Vietnam vet.
Then there’s Katelyn Holloway, great-granddaughter of my friend the late Ken Holloway. Ken was so much looking forward to Christmas with the toddler. This one-year-old entertained us during Ken’s recent visitation at the Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Logan Sutherland lived next door to us for several years and we watched him grow up with his dog. Logan married a beautiful young lady Erica and now he’s a dad and proud father of Luke. A bout of flu at the Sutherland house didn’t destroy their “Spirit of Christmas.”
Mallory Ledford was a youngster when someone brought me her recording and she rose to be a great Southern Gospel singer. Mallory found her life companion and married Jesse Cogdell. The couple now has a beautiful baby boy. Taylor changed the way the Cogdells experience Christmas.
As Ben Haden explained in his message; ‘’Christmas is for Children, the Children of God.” These beautiful children are our future and will grow up fast. I’m so glad I’ve been able to experience a little happiness with these four families.
Earl Freudenberg