Seldom Can An Undersized,

SELDOM CAN AN UNDERSIZED, undermanned squad defeat the nation’s No. 1 college basketball team. But in 1999, the Xavier University Musketeers upset the Cincinnati Bearcats to set off a huge celebration.

Xavier hosted the game as the visitors struck quickly for a 5–0 lead. Then senior forward Darnell Williams keyed a 19–8 run for the Musketeers with a dunk, a three-pointer, and five free throws.

Relying on zone defense, foul shots, and daring tosses, Xavier kept the Bearcats off balance. With 13 seconds remaining and the game tied 62–62, Xavier’s Lloyd Price stole the ball. Price called a time-out, and Kevin Frey hit a driving bank shot on the inbounds play. Four seconds later, Frey nailed two foul shots, upping the lead to 66–62.

Kenyon Martin scored inside for Cincinnati, but Price was fouled and went to the line with 3.3 seconds left. Although he missed both attempts, Alvin Brown slapped the rebound back to Price, who threw the ball toward the basket at the buzzer. Hundreds of Musketeers fans swarmed the court, rubbing blue body paint onto the players to celebrate the 66–64 victory.

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POINT Winning always brings celebration. Upsetting a No. 1-ranked crosstown rival moved the rejoicing to all-out jubilation. The cheering, singing, and shouting, combined with signs and body paint, turned the scene into a Musketeer-blue festival.

The Christmas holidays are a time of celebration too. Mary rejoiced when she knew she would give birth to God’s Son. And we follow her example by singing, playing instruments, and praising God for his amazing gift of Jesus. We decorate, buy gifts, bake goodies, and listen to carols on the radio and in the shopping mall to get in the Christmas spirit.

But many who celebrate the season don’t understand the reason. God wants us to rejoice, but he also wants us to tell others why.

GOAL! Do you know a person or a family who doesn’t know the true meaning of Christmas? Perhaps they’ve moved from another country or follow a different religion. Share the truth of Jesus’ birth with them. Ask God to help you.