Stories from Friday, December 24, 2021

SIKESTON — The offices of the Standard Democrat will be closed Friday and no weekend paper will be published Saturday/Sunday, Dec. 25/26 in observance of the Christmas holiday. The office will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27. The staff and families of the Standard Democrat wish you a safe and happy Christmas...

I just want to call and express my sincere condolences to all of our neighboring communities, but especially would like to say I am so pleased and honored that the state of Kentucky has a true statesman as their governor rather than a politician. Thank you.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David): to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child...

This Christmas Eve spend a moment and read Matthew account. Make sure to read slowly and notice Jesus was born pure (free from sin) of man (fully man). He was was God in the flesh (Immanuel), and came to free us from our sins. Make sure you have accepted his free gift of eternal life. ...