Good Morning to all, and a very Merry Christmas!
All day yesterday, Friday 23rd, I felt very uncomfortable. For years now I have thought that it was everyone's imagination that Christmas was being down sized, look in the stores, but for the first time I see what everyone is talking about. No Christmas signs in the windows, just Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings. I am not offended about those greetings, or that we want to include others, but where has Christmas gone? Have we allowed the retailers and "the world view" to completely take over, bigger presents and now include all faiths for bigger bucks. I remember hearing something about 80% of us being "Christians", where are we, In church, lets ask our pastors about that one.
Christmas has never been my favorite Holiday, for me it is Thanksgiving, family, friends & food! For me Christmas has been a sore subject for me, never enough time or money to give or do what the "world" tells you to do. Don't get me wrong, I love to give, but the pressure used to make me just miserable and sometimes even now can make me a little down. My only joy on Christmas Day is to see my children and grandchildren open the gifts. The one thing I don't like and I think most people, don't like is the disappointed looks you might get when you have given all you can.
As Christians if we are going to celebrate the Birth of Christ, why then the rest of the year do we make believe he never existed or at least act that way. For that matter on New Years eve why do we go out and get drunk and party all night long, just one week after we have celebrated His birth? How soon we forget!
I have missed a lot of church recently, not because of any negative things, I really love where I go to church. My real problem is my own laziness, but I never miss a message. Pastor Ron posts them right after the service, which is great because I get to download them to my IPAQ not IPOD, I can do a lot more, and listen to them while I am on the road everyday, sometimes 2 and 3 time during the week. Recently 1 John comes to mind and love. He made his point, and since his premise is biblical it is really one of the things this season is all about. His Love for US, Our Love for Him and equally important is Our Love for Each other. I am not on of those Love, love love people, but Pastor Ron' study sure make me take a hard look at myself and some change is in order.
Well I for one am not going to continue grumbling about Christmas and pray that anyone who reads this blog, will understand, in my heart Jesus dwells and I do not need a holiday to know that, but should show it each and every moment. That the Greatest gift of all, any time of the year -- day or night is the gift of Jesus Christ who died on the cross a Calvary. That concentrating on His Love for us and showing that love to others, is really what the season is all about.
A Merry Christmas to My Family!
-- Anthony & Doris, my parents;
-- Joe, Barb, Mary & my little brother Ed, my brothers & Sisters;
-- Karen, my Wife;
-- Christina, Mindy, Toni Marie, Jennifer, Raina & Tiffany, my daughters and Adam my Son.
-- As well as Shane, AJ, Alexia, Leo, Angelo & Nicole, my grandchildren
Well this is my first post on my BLOG and maybe my last, but at least I have it a try.
All day yesterday, Friday 23rd, I felt very uncomfortable. For years now I have thought that it was everyone's imagination that Christmas was being down sized, look in the stores, but for the first time I see what everyone is talking about. No Christmas signs in the windows, just Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings. I am not offended about those greetings, or that we want to include others, but where has Christmas gone? Have we allowed the retailers and "the world view" to completely take over, bigger presents and now include all faiths for bigger bucks. I remember hearing something about 80% of us being "Christians", where are we, In church, lets ask our pastors about that one.
Christmas has never been my favorite Holiday, for me it is Thanksgiving, family, friends & food! For me Christmas has been a sore subject for me, never enough time or money to give or do what the "world" tells you to do. Don't get me wrong, I love to give, but the pressure used to make me just miserable and sometimes even now can make me a little down. My only joy on Christmas Day is to see my children and grandchildren open the gifts. The one thing I don't like and I think most people, don't like is the disappointed looks you might get when you have given all you can.
As Christians if we are going to celebrate the Birth of Christ, why then the rest of the year do we make believe he never existed or at least act that way. For that matter on New Years eve why do we go out and get drunk and party all night long, just one week after we have celebrated His birth? How soon we forget!
I have missed a lot of church recently, not because of any negative things, I really love where I go to church. My real problem is my own laziness, but I never miss a message. Pastor Ron posts them right after the service, which is great because I get to download them to my IPAQ not IPOD, I can do a lot more, and listen to them while I am on the road everyday, sometimes 2 and 3 time during the week. Recently 1 John comes to mind and love. He made his point, and since his premise is biblical it is really one of the things this season is all about. His Love for US, Our Love for Him and equally important is Our Love for Each other. I am not on of those Love, love love people, but Pastor Ron' study sure make me take a hard look at myself and some change is in order.
Well I for one am not going to continue grumbling about Christmas and pray that anyone who reads this blog, will understand, in my heart Jesus dwells and I do not need a holiday to know that, but should show it each and every moment. That the Greatest gift of all, any time of the year -- day or night is the gift of Jesus Christ who died on the cross a Calvary. That concentrating on His Love for us and showing that love to others, is really what the season is all about.
A Merry Christmas to My Family!
-- Anthony & Doris, my parents;
-- Joe, Barb, Mary & my little brother Ed, my brothers & Sisters;
-- Karen, my Wife;
-- Christina, Mindy, Toni Marie, Jennifer, Raina & Tiffany, my daughters and Adam my Son.
-- As well as Shane, AJ, Alexia, Leo, Angelo & Nicole, my grandchildren
Well this is my first post on my BLOG and maybe my last, but at least I have it a try.
