25 Ways We're Different this Christmas

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[Salvation]

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1. Last Christmas we were thinking about all the things we didn’t have; this Christmas we are thinking about all the things we do have.

2. Last Christmas we were placing wreaths on the doors of our homes; this Christmas we are placing wreaths on the graves of our heroes.

3. Last Christmas we were letting our sons play with toy guns; this Christmas we are teaching them that guns are not toys.

4. Last Christmas we were counting our money; this Christmas we are counting our blessings.

5. Last Christmas we were lighting candles to decorate; this Christmas we are lighting candles to commemorate.

6. Last Christmas we paid lip service to the real meaning of the holidays; this Christmas we are paying homage to it.

7. Last Christmas we were digging deep into our bank accounts to find money to fly home for the holidays; this Christmas we are digging deep into our souls to find the courage to do so.

8. Last Christmas we were trying not to let annoying relatives get the best of us; this Christmas we are trying to give the best of ourselves to them.

9. Last Christmas we thought it was enough to celebrate the holidays; this Christmas we know we must also find ways to consecrate them.

10. Last Christmas we thought a man who could rush down a football field was a hero; this Christmas we know a man who rushes into a burning building is the real one.

11. Last Christmas we were thinking about the madness of the holidays; this Christmas we are thinking about the meaning of them.

12. Last Christmas we were getting on one another’s nerves; this Christmas we are getting on our knees.

13. Last Christmas we were giving thanks for gifts from stores; this Christmas we are giving thanks for gifts from God.

14. Last Christmas we were wondering how to give our children all the things that money can buy; this Christmas we are wondering how to give them all the things money can’t (peace, security).

15. Last Christmas we were thinking about all the pressure we were under at the office; this Christmas we are thinking about all the people who no longer have an office to go to.

16. Last Christmas we were singing carols; this Christmas we are singing anthems.

17. Last Christmas we were thinking how good it would feel to be affluent; this Christmas we are thinking how good it feels to be alive.

18. Last Christmas we thought angels were in heaven; this Christmas we know they are right here on earth.

19. Last Christmas we were contemplating all the changes we wanted to make in the new year; this Christmas we are contemplating all the changes we will have to make in this new reality.

20. Last Christmas we believed in the power of the pocketbook; this Christmas we believe in the power of prayer.

21. Last Christmas we were sharing—spreading—listening to gossip; this Christmas we are sharing—spreading—listening to the Gospel.

22. Last Christmas we were complaining about how much of our earnings went to taxes; this Christmas we comprehend that freedom isn’t free.

23. Last Christmas we valued things that were costly; this Christmas we value things that are holy.

24. Last Christmas the people we idolized wore sports uniforms; this Christmas the people we idolize wear police, firefighter and military uniforms.

25. Last Christmas peace on earth was something we prayed for on Sunday morning; now it’s something we pray for every day.

[Salvation]

Taking stock at Christmas time.

In what ways are we different this Christmas than you were a year ago?

[Salvation]

[allmost]

Good ? there...

[mplsconservative]

My dear father passed away last Friday a little over two months after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. His funeral was this past Monday.

This Christmas is certainly very different from any I have ever known. I’m trying to keep it together for my mom, my brother, my husband and our son. Today was three days, it seems. I prepped Christmas dinner, we did all of our gift shopping in two hours and wrapped thirteen presents in an hour. Tomorrow we’ll make a 4 hour trek to mom’s house through a predicted 6” of new snow.

We are in uncharted territory here, but through God’s grace we will persevere and Christmas will not be forgotten.

God bless all of my fellow FReepers. Hold your loved ones close and give them an extra hug.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.

[The Comedian]

We had less ammo and more patience last Christmas.

And we were one year farther from victory last Christmas.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Salvation]

**I have ever known. I’m trying to keep it together for my mom, my brother, my husband and our son. Today was three days, it seems. I prepped Christmas dinner, we did all of our gift shopping in two hours and wrapped thirteen presents in an hour. **

Dealing with grief is so difficult, especially during the Christmas holiday.

Your mom might be interested in the Beginning Experience minisitry linked on my homepage for those who have lost a loved one.

[Salvation]

Beginning Experience -- a weekend retreat in your area to work through grief and reach the healing that is possible for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one

[Alex Murphy]

Taking stock at Christmas time. In what ways are we different this Christmas than you were a year ago?

Well, there have been far more anti-Protestant threads this year than last.

[mplsconservative]

Thank you for the link. My mother is home-bound so that complicates matters further. She is also refusing to have a bereavement counselor visit the house. It has only been a week so hopefully she’ll change her mind and accept some help.

[Salvation]

And do you think there have also been many more anti-Catholic threads this year?

If not more anti-Catholic threads — more virulent anti-Catholic threads???

[TASMANIANRED]

Prayers for you and your family.

I lost both my parents and a sister during the holidays , but several years apart.

Makes everything seem unreal and forever after Christmas will be different.

One day every tear will be wiped away.

[TASMANIANRED]

Snarky for the sake of snarky.

I’ll put you in my prayers.