Though Gene Beckstein will spend his Christmas in the hospital, it doesn't mean he's not a part of the Christmas Day tradition of feeding hungry mouths.

The Good News at Noon founder, "Mr. B," had gastrointestinal blockage, and doctors decided to move him to an operating table the week before Thanksgiving. After trips between New Horizons North nursing home for rehabilitation and Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Beckstein is back in the hospital.

"He's doing pretty well now," Good News at Noon Director Ed Grant said Wednesday after he visited the hospital. "Doctors are projecting he's going to be able to go home in three weeks after more hospital stay and rehab. He's in good spirits though."

Nurses are helping him stand and walk as he moves into the rehabilitation phase.

"His mind is sharp as a tack, and he enjoys people coming and talking to him," he said. "He's thanking everybody who's been praying for him, and he's interested in what's going on at the ministry."

In fact, Beckstein gave Grant advice Wednesday on what to do for today's Christmas tradition.

"He's full of questions. We're delighted with his degree of involvement," Grant said. "It's really good news, no pun intended."

Beckstein's recovery has been a "roller coaster" of sorts as he moved between the hospital and nursing home during the past few weeks.

"He had a blockage in his intestines the first time, and they put dye in to find it and do surgery, and that was successful," Grant said. "Then the dye solidified and created another blockage, and they had to address that."

After a few days at New Horizons North, Beckstein had a low glucose level and irregular heart rate stemming from an infection. He went back to the hospital last week and is now he taking antibiotics.

"Now he's trying to build his strength up," Grant said. "He's had a good bout of it."

Since then, Beckstein has been eager to hear about Good News at Noon's Christmas plans, which are to hold a birthday party for Jesus. Held at the regular Saturday noon lunchtime, Good News officials will say a devotional and feature birthday cake, balloons and decorations.

Beckstein and Grant are also looking forward to Gov.-elect Nathan Deal's "With a Servant's Heart — A Day of Service," an inaugural event slated for Jan. 8. Good News at Noon is one of 20 organizations around the state that is part of the volunteer effort.

"We have about 40-60 volunteers already," Grant said. "It'll be a day of stocking and rotating our food pantry."

Deal regularly volunteered with Good News every other Friday with his Gainesville First Baptist Church group, Grant said. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle may also make plans to stop by Good News on Jan. 8 for the day of service.

"I just talked to the governor's office about the plans this morning," Grant said Wednesday. "It's quite an honor to be one of the 20."