MERRY CHRISTMAS

"Pop" (center) reads the account of Jesus Christ's birth to Cameron (L) and Caitlyn (R)

A Message follows this important passage

from the Gospel of LUKE 2:1-20. (KJV)

"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 Cyenius 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, (because he was of the house and lineage of David.)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepards abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And sudenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go enven unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

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Dear Friends,

In this joyous time of the year, please do not forget the reason we celebrate Christmas -- the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As I watch my young daughters play, I see the excitment in their eyes of the beauty of lights, holly, and sweet smells of this holiday season.

It is a reminder to me of all that is precious. From our family to yours, have yourself a very Merry Christmas.

Randy

The Place To Be.

Legendary WRAL News Anchor Charlie Gaddy, Weatherman Bob DeBardelaben with Randy at the WRAL Reunion Reception.

(West Raleigh, NC) -- They were my childhood heroes. Frankly, they are legends of a by-gone era of broadcasting. They are the Action News 5 Team -- Charlie Gaddy, Bob Debardelaben, Bobbie Battista, and Tom Suiter.

For one final time together -- they did what I could have only created in dreams years after three of them retired -- come together again to anchor WRAL News. The appropriately titled "WRAL Reunion Newscast" opened with clips from Action News 5's past glory -- then transitioned to the sleek new graphics and music of the present.

With North Carolina's version of Walter Cronkite alongside former CNN founding anchor Bobbie Battista for the first time in 25 years, Action News 5's first male-female anchor team were together again.

Age has been kind to all three former anchors. Battista actually looks better today than she did when she left for CNN in 1981. 75-year-old Gaddy has barely aged a bit. He looks more like 60 -- then again -- he looked all of 59 when he retired in 1994. Venerable weatherman Bob DeBardelaben still has his signature calming voice. Though a little rusty with new equipment such as WRAL Weatherscope and the various other weather maps, Bob was nonetheless as professional today as he was when he retired in June 1989.

Perhaps the most touching moment of the evening came when Tom Suiter joined all three former colleagues on the Anchor desk he has called home since Rich Brenner departed for Chicago in 1981. Being the geniune person that he is, Suiter celebrated the talents that each anchor brought to the program -- saying at one point "I want to cry."

It was obvious this was the Action News 5 Team. This was special for Suiter. It was a joy for Battista, Gaddy, and Debardelaben.

And for at least one more night ... WRAL was absolutely THE Place To Be!

(editor's note: this is the first in a series of posts forthcoming in the next few days regarding WRAL's 50th anniversary.)

ACTION NEWS 5 ... IS BACK.

(West Raleigh, NC) -- The Action News 5 Team is coming together again. Well ... sort of. Legendary Anchors Charlie Gaddy, Bobbie Battista, Bob DeBardelaben, and Tom Suiter will anchor WRAL's 6 o'clock News on Friday, November 17, 2006.

The only one missing from the party: former sports anchor Rich Brenner. He left WRAL in 1982 for a disastorous turn in Chicago. Later, Brenner would go head-to-head with WRAL when he returned to the Triangle via WTVD-11 Eyewitness News.

That obviously didn't sit well with WRAL honchos. They usually don't forgive that sort of thing. Just ask Donna Gregory.

Then again, Brenner's successor, Tom Suiter, has more than eclipsed the exposure Brenner had. Of course, Suiter attributes a lot of what he learned in the business to Rich Brenner.

For the record, Brenner has carved a nice niche of his own at WGHP in High Point for the last 19 years. That's where he landed after his unceremoneous departure from WTVD.

This is going to be really, really, really fun. And ... fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com will be at WRAL for the big event! Hope we can bring you some great photos.

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

SHE'S HERE!

(West Raleigh, NC) -- Look Familiar? No, you're not seeing double. That's Catherine Grace Gupton with proud Daddy Randy.

The little bundle of joy was born at 5:03pm, Sunday, November 5, 2006. She weighed in at 6 pounds 11 ounces. That's the smallest little Gupton yet! At 20 1/2" long, with jet black hair, Catherine and family are excited to be headed back to Wake Forest later today.

More pictures will be forthcoming.

PACKED & LOADED.

(Wake Forest) -- The suitcase is packed & loaded. The hospital is simply hours away. After a week of "Overtime" we're ready to do it again. This will be the third child we have had to induce.

Everyone is ready and waiting. Tomorrow, November 5, 2006 a new Gupton will enter the world. The girls are playing at the house. My mom and sister are spending the night to keep them while we head off to REX early Sunday morning.

Does Catherine Grace have red hair? Does she have Hannah's legs? My feet? All the questions will be answered in less than 24 hours.

As always, you can catch the "COUNTDOWN with Randy Gupton" on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=randygupton2

More as it becomes available...

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

THE WAIT IS ON.

It's Overtime.

In Basketball, it's when you've gone past regulation and are entering what you hope to be the decisive final period.

The difference in this game: the baby's got the ball. Hannah was due on Sunday. Here we are late Monday night -- and no baby.

But ... there is still news to report. Contractions have started. Though irregular, they are more frequent in nature -- and more painful.

If we don't have a baby by Friday, we'll have the option of inducing labor. We're probably going to shoot for Saturday night into Sunday morning. Still, we have yet to decide.

In the meantime, we'll keep you abreast of the very latest.

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com

COUNTDOWN

Randy holds his second born, Cameron, September 8, 2004.

It could be anytime now. October 29th is our target date for the latest addition to the Gupton household to arrive. That puts us 18 days out. But ... you never know. Tonight could be the night. Tomorrow could be the day. Then again ... we may be late.

In any event, I'm as excited as a young child on Christmas morning.

Hannah attendend a Baby Shower held by the Ladies' Auxilary at church last night. We got a lot of items that were needed. We can always use more, however! :)

Keep checking back for more updates. In the meantime, you can get the video narrative of "Countdown with Randy Gupton" by visting the sister site for the blog -- You Tube. The latest update on Catherine's birth is available by clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s-Wu6ul5MY

Until Next Time, Enjoy Life, People.

Randy Gupton, fivesecondstoair.blogspot.com