I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Please take the time to come together as family, friends, and loved ones to enjoy this most amazing season. Please find the good in everything and everyone. Check all political conversations at the door until after the New Year. Make sure you give the cook or cooks a great big hug and thank you. Last but not least, if you don’t have something nice to say, keep it to yourself. This applies whether you’re sitting at the family table, are on social media, or your lips are moving in general.
If there are family members, friends, or neighbors that choose to be alone for whatever reason, make sure that holiday spirit in the form of that special plate of leftovers with double dessert find their way. This is much needed for some in our world of today.
Please take the time to share that special Christmas spirit. Whether it be the gift of time, or through prayer. This can be with someone near or a person halfway around the world.
Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
These words announcing the arrival of baby Jesus define the Miracle of Christmas. This begins the greatest father-son story ever written. From Immanuel’s humble birth and resting peacefully in a manger to his final hours of suffering and crucifixion, it is truly a story about God’s love. Through this infinite love of man, God and Jesus provide that shining star of guidance and then forgiveness, through acceptance.
As we celebrate Christmas as Christians, we must share this love with our fellow man no matter of their beliefs, road traveled, or path chosen.
Within the blueprint provided, it is clearly up to us to provide unconditional love and respect. There has never been a time in the chronological history labeled AD that this has been more important. There are forces at work that only want to create hatred.
With those thoughts in mind, if you are not a Christian, I ask you to please never be offended by the words “Merry Christmas.” It is my religion’s way to seasonally greet one another in an attempt to spread joy and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is not predicated on the other’s religious beliefs or ever intended to be anything but positive.
If anyone from any other religion greeted me with a message of religious celebration in the name of good, I would never find offense. If I did not understand the message, I would probably just nod my head and smile.
This, as always, is my last column for the year. Next week Editor Steph will have page 2 as we celebrate local organizations that do so much with our annual charity pages.
A reminder in the pages ahead to check out all the names of the amazing boys and girls that entered our Blaise Alexander Christmas Fun Coloring Contest. And oh yes, the winners are in there, congrats to all!
In closing I have a Grinchmas picture I would like to share with you. I was recently asked how my sister, Jodi, and, Mom Elaine, were doing. They live near each other outside of Dallas, Texas. They’re both doing just fine.
Jodi and her husband, Joe, have three children. Myia and Mikey have left the nest leaving only Carmella still at home with them. My mom lives close enough she gets to see them every day.
Jodi recently dressed as the Grinch without telling a soul to greet her employees as she made her Christmas rounds. I was told they still don’t know who was under the green suit.
Merry Christmas to Joe, Jodi and their beautiful family. Merry Christmas to my mom; I love you all. And a happy birthday to my niece Myia who just celebrated her Christmas Eve birthday.
Well I got to run I think I hear Santa Up on the Roof.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
God Bless America.
