Let's remeber what the season is really all about, and it aint the fat guy in the funny red suit, it is about a child born to provide us a way back to God, to make available to us 'eternal life'! God Bless you all this CHRISTmas season!Political Virgin and I were most happy to meet the DC Chapter people last week.....a very Merry Christmas to one and all of you!!!! What a year it's been!
I observed the futile amazement with which every skeptic from Celsus to Wells stood around the cradle of the Christ. I wondered why this helpless Babe was thrust into the world at a time when Roman greed, Jewish hate, and Greek subtlety would combine to crush Him. And yet this most powerful, devastating combination ever known in history served only to advance the cause of the Infant who was born in a stable — the purest human being born in the filthiest place in the world.
I marvelled that this poverty-stricken and uneducated plebian, who exercised no authority, commanded no army, held no office, received no honours, wrote no books, and who died in early manhood the most contemptible of deaths, a malefactor on a cross between two criminals — I marvelled that His name is yet the most esteemed name on earth, even among the skeptics themselves.
No unbeliever could tell me why His words are as charged with power today as they were nineteen hundred years ago. Nor could scoffers explain how those pierced hands pulled human monsters with gnarled souls out of a hell of iniquity and overnight transformed them into steadfast, glorious heroes who died in torturing flames, that others might know the love and mighty power of the Christ who had given peace to their souls.
No agnostic could make clear why seemingly immortal empires pass into oblivion, while the glory and power of the murdered Galilean are gathering beauty and momentum with every attack and every age.
Nor could any scoffer explain, as Jesus Himself so daringly foretold, why by telephone, aeroplane, and radio, by rail, horse, and foot, His words are piercing the densest forest, scaling the highest mountains, crossing the deepest seas and the wildest deserts, making converts in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people on earth.
No doubter could tell me how this isolated Jew could utter words at once so simple that a child can understand them and so deep that the greatest thinkers cannot plumb their shining depths. The life, the words, the character of this strange Man are the enigma of history. Any naturalistic explanation makes Him a more puzzling paradox, a fathomless mystery.
But I learned that the paradox was made plain, and the mystery was solved, when I accepted Him simply for what He claimed to be: the son of God come from heaven, a Savior of men. And I learned to thrill at the angels’ words, ‘Behold! Unto you a savior, Christ the Lord!’. And now I have learned the great truth that, though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born, if He is not born in me, my soul is still forlorn.
~ joanie 
All our longings belong to God! ;o)
This seemed like a good place to wish all the great people I have met at FR a very blessed and happy Christmas, and the best in the year to come:)
Becky
Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas to all! Bah Humbug to the Secularistas!
Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
CHRISTMAS 2004
Well, another year has come and gone! Is it me, or is that happening way to quickly! We have had a great year this year. There is a lot to share. David went “on the road” this year. He really has been patient, and waited to be hand picked by the Sheriff to do this. We have heard this was a long process, and that most don’t make it, even after being picked. What is “on the road”? Well, David got hired with the Sheriff’s Office when there was an abundance of deputies, so they put him first in the juvenile boot camp, and then in the jail. In January he got selected to go work on patrol. After 5 months of training (which was not easy, even for someone with tons of experience) he passed. He is really loving his job, and looking at other opportunities within the department. David also completed the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School. David is eligible for promotion to Sergeant First Class (E-7) and is waiting to see what slots open up in Tallahassee. The girls are very proud of their daddy, and really look up to him. Jennie has also had her hands in a few pots this year. She has continued home schooling the girls. It has been a great experience for the whole family, and we are all enjoying it. Even the shuffling around to all their activities, and play dates. Jen’s still working with Nest Family, and doing very well with the business. It allows her to travel, and do some independent work, which she likes to do. In April, Jennie found out she had skin cancer. She did a treatment called Efudex in October for 2 weeks that helps to remove it. What was supposed to be 5 weeks of healing only took about 3 weeks. It looked and felt horrible, but is completely healed now. During that process, the doctor stated he wants her to continue the treatment next year, and do it on other areas. Hayley is becoming such a wonderful young lady. She has been participating in a program called Girls in Action. In March they did a fundraiser that consisted of a 17-mile bike course. Too much of our amazement, Hayley completed the whole course! For a while, Hayley had expressed interest in being baptized. After a lot of prayer, and having some conversations with the children’s director and pastor, we all agreed she was ready to be baptized. She was baptized in April. She also got to go to camp for her first time this June. It was a sleep over camp, and she loved it! It was an all girls’ camp, with great activities. She immediately asked if she could go back again! She loved it! She has such a heart for Christ, and ministry. She is doing so well in her schoolwork, piano, and loves being with her friends. We are praying for her to have that one, special “best friend”. Amanda is quite the gymnast. She is a lot like David. Afraid of nothing! She is a little ahead of the game (academically), and very competitive. There is a good chance that she may be on a team next year for gymnastics. We are giving this much prayer. Amanda’s celiac is under control, and has been for almost 2 years. We have accidents occasionally, but since being on a gluten free diet, she has grown wonderfully. We have not had any incidence of asthma, and she is just all around a healthy girl. It’s amazing to see her handle it. She knows what is and isn’t gluten free. We buy her gluten free cookies (even Oreo type cookies) pasta, etc. She is, by no means, missing out! The doctors are pleased with her results. She is enjoying doing kindergarten work this year. She didn’t escape injury this year (she is notorious for a yearly accident!). This year she burned her fingers by touching the stove. We are wondering what will come next. We are now investing in the Aflac accident policy! Our family also purchased a home this year. It was truly a gift from the Lord. It is just the right size, neighborhood, and style. We took some time to do some changes, and I am sure will do more in the future. It is a closed, private street. The girls ride their bikes; there are racquetball courts, common area, and a pond with ducks across the street. The girls are most happy with the back yard, and the pool. Now that it’s the holidays, our neighbors put up lights galore and at night it’s beautiful. The active hurricane season spared our home, and most of Tallahassee. For Thanksgiving, we had the treat of having David’s parents come all the way from California. Jen’s parents also came over for Thanksgiving, and it was a great time of thanks. We enjoyed some of the sights of Tallahassee like the Capitol, and the Battle of Natural Bridge. Of course, the girls just wanted ice cream with Grandpa! Everyone enjoyed seeing them. We haven’t gotten to visit with them in 3 years. David’s Dad went on a ride-a-long (a day on patrol) with David on the day before Thanksgiving. The following week, David’s Mom, much to our surprise, asked to go on a ride-a-long too. You’ll have to ask them about it sometime. Have a great holiday season!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.
![[Christmas Church]](http://www.sacredcowburgers.com/freep/merry_christmas.jpg)
| And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. |
| — Luke 2:7 - 2:11 |
Warmest wishes from our home to yours this Christmas holiday.
Best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year, too.
Be safe and be well.
Editorial printed in the New York Sun in 1897.
We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
Dear Editor---
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O'Hanlon
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Merry Christmas and God Bless Everyone
Merry Christmas to our Heroes
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=TF14364067
[warning - incoming SARCASM]
why do you RIGHT WING RELIGIOUS WHACKOS keep FORCING JESUS DOWN MY THROAT on this PRIVATELY OWNED WEBSITE that I freely choose to lurk on from DU? WHY?!?! and why do you people VOTE? it's not like the people whose "rights" I care about bother to! and then I'm too busy voting FOR them to take part in the vigil for all those trees you kill for your INTOLERANT holiday of giving and love! now look what you've done - you've gone and ruined my winterval with your MORAL VALUES. I hope you're happy, because I never am!
/sarcasm
HAHAHAHAHA - hey Ithaca, MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope the homeless people rise up and kill you after you step over them with your $7 lattes this CHRISTMAS season. and if you don't like it, build a bridge and get over it. (or if that sounds like too much work, hire a conservative to build it for you)