Holiday message

Holiday Message “Have we forgotten the reason for the season?”

I hate to get political. But sometimes I have too. Like a lot of people these days, I’m kind of mad at Washington. As I get older I begin to realize more and more that Christmas and the holiday season is more for the kids than anything else. Most of the grownups are more concerned with keeping an eye on the checkbook and also keeping the kids happy. Let me take a few minutes and remind you of that cold evening that one night on the 24th of December, when King Herrod issued a decree that all the people in His kingdom should make their way to Bethlehem. To take part in the Census and also have a tax levied upon them. He also had heard rumors of a child that was rumored to be the coming king of the Jews. I guess old king Herrod was afraid that He would slide down a few points in the popularity polls. If there was that kind of thing in those days. So He also ordered the three wise men as kind of a search party so He could locate and kill the future king of the Jews. But the Lord God knew that this would happen so He sent a squad of Heavenly Angels to look over Mary and Joseph as they made their way to Bethlehem. When they arrived the town was crowded. It looked like a big convention. All the rooms that could be hired for lodging had already been rented out. They tried to get one but all the inns were full. But I’m thinking that the innkeeper’s wife said “If you don’t find a place for that poor pregnant lady and her husband you’re going to be sleeping by yourself.

So thinking quickly the innkeeper opened the door and said okay you can sleep in the stable. That’s all I have left. I used to have two cows but one died and now I only have one stall left open so you can use that. Mary and Joseph were grateful for any kind of warm space they could find. When they entered the barn the animals looked up and noticed them. Because they noticed that Mary was with child they moved over to give the family more room. We all know how the heavenly host made it known to the rest of the world. They also asked the shepherds watching the flocks in the fields to go to Bethlehem and kind of keep a protective eye on the blessed family. We all

know the rest of the story. But in these modern times I think that we all forget know and then. We all are more concerned with sales and big stores, and the big stores are more concerned with what they call Black Friday. Where most big stores and corporations make half their profits for the whole year. That’s what keeps their record books in the black and out of the red for the rest of the year. It helps big business keep their bookkeeping straight. But did you also know that the idea of Santa clause was thought up as a marketing tool? Not only is it a story for kids but also to help them push their sale items. To give the kids a way to bug their parents for the new toys and things that come out. There is also a line in one of the Christmas carols that says peace on earth and goodwill towards men. But how can there be such a thing. Even on this side of the world when Jesus was born, even near that stable in Bethlehem. There was also military fighting going on. You also have people that try to supply holiday food to feed our troops and that kind of thing, but it’s still kind of ironic to pray over your thanksgiving meal and then go out on guard patrol and blow away an enemy combatant. Peace on earth goodwill towards men in this day and time and in that kind of situation. Isn’t that kind of an oxymoron? If you know what I mean. You also have people in congress and the leaders of our government on both sides of the aisle as they say. Both Democrats and Republicans, and other parties arguing and disagreeing as to how the country should be run. I wish they could just stop all this and take a deep breath and remember the saying “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few”. I think some of our politicians these days need to have an operation to remove their craniums from their rectums. Understand? They are also having trouble trying to decide how to keep Medicare and Medicaid going. For people like myself they need to figure out a way to increase payment for people who provide the care that we get to make things easier for both the client and the caregiver. You also see ads on TV that say if you give 20 bucks we will send you this nice blanket as a thank you gift to remind you of the gifts you gave at Christmas and throughout the year. Excuse me for putting it like this but I think most people would say to hell with the blanket I’d rather have my family member back with all of their body parts. Because the more the war goes on the more disabled people we create. The more medical staff is needed to help those coming home from the war those who lost and arm or leg or half their body in the process. I hate to get on my soapbox and spout of like this but sometimes you just

have to realize what shape the rest of society and the world are in. As a way of ending this on a positive thought. I’d like to tell you of the last peaceful Christmas I can remember that I spent with my folks in my old neighborhood. It was in the early 80’s and it just so happened that particular year that it was snowing in Jacksonville.

Not actually snowing buckets but by the time it actually hit the ground it would melt.

Up in the atmosphere though we were having snow flurries. It was actually so cold that they closed the Matthews Bridge due to ice. My father had to stay at work till things thawed out. They showed kids on the news using cardboard boxes to slide down the bridge and went sledding in Florida. It was so cold that night that since it was just my Mom that night at the house and my Dad couldn’t get home because of the bridge. Mom and I decided to sleep in front of the fireplace in our den and keep warm. Even the Pastor at our church at that time came by in that lousy weather and knocked on our door. Just to give us communion and best wishes for the holidays. So whether you celebrate Hanukah or quanza or baloo day, or whatever your faith happens to be. Please let me take this opportunity to wish you happy holidays and warm and best wishes of the season. Let’s not forget the Christ child that was born thousands of years ago. Peace and joy for the holidays and best wishes to all who

read this message. Best wishes to al Pastor Top!