Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/619254
DECEMBER 23-29, 2015 UCW 17 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Christian Albums • WCLN 107.3 Christian Listening Network • Visit us online at www.christian107.com 1 JEREMY CAMP Same Power 2 JORDAN FELIZ The River 3 BIG DADDY WEAVE My Story 4 TOBYMAC Feel It 5 CASTING CROWNS Just Be Held 6 LAUREN DAIGLE First 7 STARS GO DIM You Are Loved 8 MATTHEW WEST Grace Wins 9 SIDEWALK PROPHETS Prodigal 10 CHRIS TOMLIN At The Cross (Love Ran Red) Fayetteville's CONCERT CONNECTION HILLTOP HOUSE 1240 Fort Bragg Rd. • 484-6699 www.hilltophousenc.com Thursday Live Music HUSKE HARDWARE HOUSE 405 Hay Street • 437-9905 www.huskehardware.com Dec. 25 Tommy King Dec. 26 Tommy King Jan. 1 Tommy King Jan. 2 Tommy King KICK BACK JACKS 5081 Morganton Rd. • 223-7676 Friday Live Music THE CROWN COMPLEX 1960 Coliseum Dr. • (910) 438-4100 www.crowncomplexnc.com Jan. 15 Keyshia Cole and Bruce Bruce Jan. 21 Peter Cetera Feb. 3 Lil' Wayne Feb. 20 Jason Aldean ROCK SHOP 128 S. King St. • (910) 321-ROCK www.therockshoplive.com/ Dec. 31 Society Lust of Propaganda Jan. 1 Forever Chained Jan. 2 Motor Junkie I love Christmas. For my family and I, it marks the time that God — the creator of the universe — began a new journey of love on this earth. We recall the events as told in the Bible — how the angels sang, how a young mother gave birth to a child miraculously conceived and how everything lined up with prophecies made and shared for hundreds of years. Yet most of the events were still so counter-cultural that people almost missed it. I hope that's enough to make up for this next statement: I don't really care for the Christmas season. Not anymore. What was once a time of peaceful family gatherings and singing carols and extending good will to others has become tense and rushed, filled with obligatory events, cheesy movies and television and spending well beyond one's means. Retailers figure out a way start the money grab a little earlier each year, so that now we barely even notice Thanksgiving. For some, that holiday has simply become the final springboard into a season of sales, reckless spending and seasonal obligations. Plenty of people probably share my opinion, but did little to avert it again this year. And now, as the week of Christmas reaches its conclusion, you and I may both have collapsed in a heap somewhere. So what can we do next year to make the Christmas season something we love very first Christmas? • Make memories. Invite a good friend, maybe several to lunch or out for coffee or tea. Spending time with friends – a special one-time gathering will give you both time to slow down, bask in the season, and enjoy the beauty of the gift of friends. Avoid letting it become a just another tradition, and it will never be an overwhelming burden. •Instead of buying gifts, make them. Whether it's a card or something more extravagant, a handcrafted item from a friend or family member outweighs even the most perfectly-themed desk set that no one ever asked for. Trust me on this. • Attend a community or social event outside your usual circle. For may of us, the obligation of attending certain events surpasses the joy of the event itself, making it more a burden than anything else. Grab a friend, your spouse or one of the kids and head somewhere you've never been before. These are just a few things you can do to put the beauty and excitement of the Christmas season back in your world. I really hope that you beat me to the punch and have had a joyous celebration this year. And if you didn't, I hope you'll think about this simple list, and add all you wish in the coming year. Until then, let me wish you and your family a very happy new year! If you want a changed perspective on life, our radio station can offer music that will brighten each and every day of the year. Simply the Season by DAN DEBRULER What used to be a peaceful time of year is now rushed and filled with stress. DAN DEBRULER WCLN Station Manager, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.6200