Saturday, and it's not off to a bad start! Last night mirrored the exact opposite of Thursday night. The phone did not ring one time. Wonderful!

I am sometimes in awe of the celebration of Christmas, especially where it concerns the different religious groups. Tomorrow will be the second Sunday in a row that I have participated in Christmas festivities at the two local Catholic Churches. After that it will be time to hang up the old Santa suit. I actually will give the suit back to Mark. He has a series of pre-Christmas parties and activities to attend as the jolly lil' fatman. The last appearance Mark will make is midnight mass Christmas Eve. He will slip in the sanctuary just at the conclusion of communion, walk to the front and partake of the holy meal, kneel in prayer before exchanging Christmas blessings with the Padre, and then slowly retreat to the outdoors before beginning his night's rounds. Even Santa is subject to our King's majesty.

Growing up in the Churches of Christ I was always appalled at the effort put into "not" celebrating Christmas. No special activities, no special scheduling. The leadership put so much effort into "not" that it "did" indeed make the exact opposite statement. I have always heard the argument that the date is not actually Christ's birth date. I don't think the preciseness is the important issue here. While GOD is all powerful, it wouldn't be possible for Christ to come into this world and walk as a mortal man without birth. Without a birth, his death and resurrection would not be possible. I will celebrate his coming.

Merry Christmas to all. Be the real deal!

Oh FATHER, we are vain, we are childish, we are blind. We need YOU. Thank YOU for the birth, death, and resurrection. Thank YOU for the hope and the promise we have in JESUS. Forgive us, heal us, keep us.