T'was the Day After Christmas

While we were celebrating yesterday there were 190,000 of our fellow Americans who weren't home with their families. Some have missed more than one Christmas at home over the past 5 years and their sacrifice should not go unnoticed.

Their mission is a personification of the teaching of Jesus who said, "greater love has no man than this, that he would give his life for a friend."

To all of our military personnel who have given so unselfishly to insure that our freedom remains intact, Merry Christmas! May God reward your efforts by placing a hedge of protection around you. May your mission to provide security and democracy for the Iraqi people be successful, and may you return back home to be reunited with your families and loved ones.

Thank you for your sacrifice. You will not be forgotten!

Merry Christmas to All

Your idea of Christmas is probably a combination of mangers and Santa Clauses. Somehow they have melded seamlessly in our culture. It is not unusual to walk into a home and find a creche and a tree, gingerbread men and wise men, shepherds and elves. Few seem to mind that together these images make no sense, but we mix them nonetheless.

As parents, raising children is a challenge. But children are amazingly resilient. They can process Santa Clauses and mangers with little or no effort. But sometimes the message behind the images gets lost in the vehicles used to communicate the message.

Children need to understand the real story of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus). It is a wonderful story that will warm the heart. They also need to understand the Incarnation that will not only warm the heart, but actually change it.

I hope you will take the time this Christmas season to appreciate the wonder of what we are celebrating. Enjoy all the bells and whistles, but go beyond the trimmings and celebrate the mystery and wonder that is awaiting rediscovery.

The True Meaning of Christmas

Thanksgiving is behind us. Well not really. We should always be in an attitude of giving thanks. After all, we certainly are blessed beyond measure. And now the Christmas frenzy begins.

There are homes to decorate, cards to send, food to prepare, trees to trim and gifts to buy. It's all part of this exciting time of the year. And here is something you can pretty much count on. One of the networks will undoubtedly show the Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

In what is commonly a secular arena, the true meaning of Christmas will be broadcast prominently. It wouldn't be Christmas without it. In the middle of all of your preparations you may be tempted to be a bit Grinchy. But pause for a moment and watch this clip and it will put it all in perspective.

Here's wishing you all a Merry, Merry Christmas.