Celebrating Christmas too early

 Every year there is something a lot of people like to voice their opinion about: people starting the celebration of Christmas too early.  I am one who usually starts early. I mostly start listening to Christmas music at least in October, sometimes September. It depends on when I start buying new Christmas CDs. And I have a lot, so I need to start early. I have well over 200. 

Early November is when the decorating starts most years. And the tree is often up before Thanksgiving.

But is it shortchanging Thanksgiving to start Christmas early? I don't believe so.

My family gets together every Thanksgiving, and we observe Thanksgiving. Although sometimes the nieces and nephews.....prepare yourself for this -  put up my parents' tree. The horror! 😊

Here's a couple of points:

1) We are to be thankful every day. Not just one day in November, but 365 days a year, 366 in leap year. And...brace yourself...you can be thankful and still celebrate Christmas. Wow. That is deep. 😉

2) We should somewhat observe Christmas everyday also. Huh? No, I am serious. The greatest event in history was God coming to earth as a baby. Do you really think we have to wait til the day after Thanksgiving to observe that. Nope. Sing Joy to the world in July if you want. (By the way, that wasn't intended to be a Christmas song).

3) Someone celebrating Christmas does not affect your Thanksgiving. If it does, you need help.

4) There is a lot of sadness in  the world. I have depression and battle sadness, feelings of worthlessness, etc daily. If putting up Christmas decorations early or playing Christmas music in the middle of summer gives me joy, what right does anyone have to criticize that? 

My youngest niece, who has dealt with depression at times posted something back on October 25th that showed she was listening to Christmas music by Michael Buble. Great album, by the way....though it was kind of weird for him to record Santa Baby. (Really weird! Dumb song anyway.) There were several comments, I think all positive. One lady commented that Christmas music should be played all year round.  Caitie replied "Any time I need cheered up, that's my go-to." And why not? If Christmas music gives you joy and cheers you up, then by all means listen to it any day of the year.

Do you really want to say my niece shouldn't do something that causes her joy because you don't think anything Christmas should happen before Thanksgiving? If so, shame on you!

5) We don't know when Jesus was born. What if....gasp! - what if He was born in early November, and we are encroaching on Christmas with Thanksgiving?!

6) Christmas celebrates the birth of our Savior, something observed all over the world. We have been celebrating it since 386 when Constantine instituted the celebration, though it may have been even earlier. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln instituted the day Thanksgiving, an American holiday and observance. Jesus' birth takes precedence over that.

I did a sarcastic post on Facebook today:

Ok...you people who think starting anything Christmas in November ruins Thanksgiving.... 

Once December starts, you'd better stop this thankfulness stuff. Jesus deserves the whole month of Christmas. No November thankfulness sneaking into his birthday celebration...

I WAS kidding, as I believe we should be thankful all the time. But I was trying to make a point. 

If you want to start decorating for Christmas and/or listening to Christmas music, do it. We all need more happiness and joy in our lives, and if that makes you feel happy and gives you joy, then do it. Don't let the naysayers put a crimp in your joy and celebration.

And you naysayers...don't be stealing people's joy and happiness by telling them they shouldn't be doing anything Christmasy before Thanksgiving. To put it bluntly (and not in good English), it ain't none of your business. 

Shall I tell you naysayers this....can you handle this....I listened to Christmas music while I was working on this blog post. Now don't hyperventilate. Your Thanksgiving is safe from my early Christmas stuff. 😀

There are two songs that came to mind as I was working on this post. The first is for you Scrooges: The Day After Thanksgiving by Brandon Heath. Lyrics below.

The second song is for we who start celebrating Christmas early: I Can Still Celebrate Christmas.

Merry Christmas, and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Day After Thanksgiving by Brandon Heath. (Video at the end of the blog post).

There's still plenty of leaves

Golden on the trees

Hoodies, blue jeans and football

Bonfires and school nights

Scarecrows and hay rides

It's fall everywhere except the mall

I don't want to hear about Santa Claus coming

No silver bells or a dozen drummers drumming

I don't want to see an inflatable nothing

Till the day after Thanksgiving

(And not a day early)

Don't plug in those electric candles

Or dangle those stockings from the living room mantle

Those tangled up lights are more than I can handle

Till the day after Thanksgiving

Then, oh, let it snow

Go and tell everyone you know

That Christmas is here

Every day between now and new year

Don't deck the halls with the tinsel or the holly

You can make me grumpy, but you can't make me jolly

Elves don't even make curly-head dollies

Till the day after Thanksgiving

Then, oh, let it snow

Christmas card, everyone you know

Then pour on the cheer

Every day between now and new year

I want the cookies and the mistletoe kissing

Angel on top of a tall tree glisten

Wrap it all up in a pretty red ribbon

The day after Thanksgiving

As long as it's the day after Thanksgiving

I Can Still Celebrate Christmas by Legacy Five (Video at the end of the post)

The lights are unplugged

The candles snuffed out

The tree's lying out in the street

The mistletoe's gone

But the memories live on

Like the rush of tiny little feet

The hustle and bustle

The long checkout lines

Won't be seen til Christmas next year

But the man who understands

The real reason we celebrate

He can have 12 months full of cheer

I can still celebrate Christmas

For the light of the world is the light of my life

I can still celebrate Christmas

It's much more to me than lights on a tree

It's the gift that gives life to me

So turn on the lights

Put a wreath on your door

Show the world that you can sing too

Try Joy to the World in June or July

Ask a friend to sing along too

Ring the bells loud

Stand up and be proud

Tell the world the truth that you know

That the tiny little boy

Brought happiness and joy

More than gifts tied with ribbons and bows

I can still celebrate Christmas

For the light of the world is the light of my life

I can still celebrate Christmas

It's much more to me than lights on a tree

It's the gift that gives life to me

My freezers are full

    

I made beef vegetable soup earlier this week, and made a lot so I could freeze some. I ended up with 6 quarts I froze. I went to put it away, and found there wasn't room for all of it. 

   I have two freezers. There is one that is part of my refrigerator, and I have a small freezer that sits on the floor and has 3 shelves. There was not enough room between the two freezers for 6 quarts of soup.

  So, I went through, rearranged both, and threw out some things that were old. Such as a container of beef vegetable soup from last October. 

  Tonight I made taco casserole, and decided I needed to freeze what was left over. I managed to fit it in the two freezers, but it was a tight fit.

 The thought hit me how awesome it is that my freezers are so full I have a hard time fitting food into them.

  All over the world, there are people who would be happy to have that problem. All over the world - even here in the USA, there are people hungry. Many don't even have a freezer, or a house to keep a freezer in. They hang out in soup kitchens, depending on the charity of churches and other organizations to feed the hunger in their stomach.

 When one has depression as bad as I do, it is difficult to see positives and good in life. And that will get worse in the coming months. Seasonal affective depression (SAD) IS a thing. 

 Tomorrow is November 1, the month we set aside for Thanksgiving. My cousin Rhonda shared something I had posted today, a meme I will post below. Another cousin commented "poor Thanksgiving". I commented sarcastically that we should be thankful every day, not just in November.

 And that is true. The majority of us have so much to be thankful for, even on the darkest of days. There is always something to be thankful for. 

 Corrie ten Boom writes of her sister always encouraging her to be thankful for everything, even going so far as to thank God for the fleas in their barracks at Ravensbruck concentration camp. Corrie could not understand why they should thank God for the horrible fleas. But she followed her sister’s lead and the Bible’s instruction to thank God in all things.

Not long after, they realized the guards never came into their barracks anymore. So, the women were never assaulted, and they were free to have Bible studies where many of the women came to know Christ. It was only later that they found out why the guards left them alone: the fleas.

  That is extreme, but it is a reminder that there is always something to be thankful for. Ever day. But as we flip the calendar to November, it is a great time to look at our lives, at what we have.

 In closing, I want to mention Noah Galloway. I read and reviewed his book a few years back. And wow. While in the military, he was hurt badly in an IED explosion in the Middle East. He lost most of his left leg and his left arm below the elbow. He was bitter. He was angry, and turned to alcohol and went way off the rails. One morning he was looking at himself in the mirror, and had the thought that he should focus on what he had left instead of what he had lost. He started working out, training, and became the first double amputee to appear on the cover of Men's Health.

 If a guy like that can be thankful for what he had left, and not focus on what he lost...can't we? The chances of a double amputee reading this post is very slim, so no matter what is wrong in our lives, there is something left to be thankful for. 

An extra day

  

Do you ever wish there were more hours in your day? More days in your week - well, maybe in your weekend?

  I need to be honest and admit I don't have a whole lot going on. I work four ten-hour days, and don't have a lot of responsibilities outside of work other than housework. I do find myself wishing time would slow down and the days didn't go by so fast...especially days off. Seriously.

 If you had some extra hours, what would you do with them? What about 24 hours, as in a whole extra day?

  Good news, people: since this is leap year, you get that. A whole extra day. Thanks to this every four years having an extra day in it, we all get an extra day in this new year approaching like a freight train. (It does seem time goes faster the older we get.)

Speaking of which.....do you know how long this leap year thing has been going on? Since 46 B.C. And the credit goes to good old Julius Caesar. I wonder of my good friend Shirley Dye was around to help with that decision? 😀 Many years later in the late1500's, it was changed to only years divisible by 400. (I was being silly before. It makes much more sense that Shirley Dye was around for that decision).😎

 Ever wonder what people do for birthdays that are born on February 29? By the way, they are called a leapling or leaper. Most of them observe their birthdays on February 28, and some on March 1.

So, now that you have an extra day allotted to you in 2024, what are you going to do with it?

  I asked myself that question a couple of leap years ago....I think 8 years ago. I didn't do it on February 29 - you don't have to take it as your extra day, any day will work. I reserved a night's stay at the Dutch Host Inn in Sugarcreek, Ohio, the Amish part of Ohio. I am around an hour from there. This inn has package deals during the slower times of the year, and February happens to be a slower time. (Because what sane person wants to go anywhere in the winter unless it is to a warmer climate?!)

 The package prices vary on the part of the week you go. Weekends are more. And they knock off a bit for one person. So for somewhere between $90 +, you get the night's stay at a nice inn, your choice of three different restaurants for supper and breakfast, and several other free things such as bread, candles, cheese, bologna, serving spoons, BBQ sauce, and more. Usually around 20 or so businesses participate. You are given an envelope of coupons and a map, and go all over Holmes County, Ohio getting free stuff. When I was a security guard at the hospital, the other guards called it my Amish scavenger hunt. It is fun.
Oh. I just looked at the current packages. Prices have gone up a bit since I have gone. Yikes. Definitely cheaper to spend my extra day off at my bachelor pad. Unless I take the nephews out to eat. 😀

Of course, these days I prefer to stay home and enjoy the solitude. I will probably use my extra day to read, though my perfect day is spending time with my family.

But seriously: This new year does have a whole extra day. What are you going to do with it? A lot of people have tons more responsibilities than single old avoiding people me...but at least attempt to do something special that day. Get a babysitter and do something special. If you are female, get a babysitter for your kids AND husband, and get some "you" time. If you are a married guy, tell the little wife you are going hunting or whatever married guys do if they can escape for a few hours. 😎 

Seize that extra day and do something special with it. 

I for one do plan on asking for an extra day off at some point. I have a 9 day vacation starting Saturday, but that doesn't count.

Blue Christmas

  

A few years ago, I saw a church sign advertising a Blue Christmas service. I was curious, and looked it up:

"Blue Christmas Service is a Western Christian tradition that happens on or around the longest night of the year, usually December 21 the Winter Solstice. It is about comforting fellow Christians who are grieving and struggling to find joy and hope during the season."

  I love Christmas, but have been struggling this year to get in the mood. I was late listening to Christmas music - and I usually start in late September or early October. I didn't feel like decorating, and wasn't going to....but that didn't set well with my nieces. The youngest and oldest with her baby (my great niece!) came over last week and put my tree and other decorations up while I babysat. That kind of kick-started me, so I have decorated more and have gotten into the mood more. And finally did my Christmas shopping.

 My depression has been really bad, and seasonal depression seems to be jumping on also. I work Christmas day. Again. The Buzard family Christmas is going to be crammed into a few hours Christmas Eve between Sunday dinner and the Christmas Candlelight service. I am still not extremely in the mood.

 But I have my whole family. And I am thankful for that. So I really don't have it that bad. There will be a lot of people facing Christmas for the first time this year without a loved one. And others still grieving from other years.

  I have a friend at work - she actually works in my doctor's office, which is in the hospital. She is a great person, and one of my favorite people at the hospital. Five years ago, her husband passed away suddenly. She isn't one of those people who remarried before the grass grew over the burial plot. She is still sad a lot of days. I give her a hug once in a while when I know she is having a bad day with it. She told me recently that it is really hard on the yearly occasions. Holidays, his birthday, their anniversary. Thankfully she has two little great grandkids that help, but she and many others struggle with grief at this time of year, missing someone who will not be at the family gatherings. There will be no gift under the tree to or from them.

 I stopped at the local grocery store after work last night, and asked the lady ringing me up "Are you ready for Christmas?" She made a face, and said "well, I haven't really celebrated the last few years since my dad passed away around Christmas." I made some sympathetic comments, and then told her about these Blue Christmas services some churches have. She seemed interested and said she might check it out.

  As so many of us celebrate, make merry, and get into the season, it doesn't really occur to a lot of us that not everyone feels merry this time of year. Many are sad and grieving because of losses of loved ones this year, or other years. There is no time limit on grief. Some people seem to move on more easily, and others never seem to. And there is nothing wrong with that.

 These last few years have been tough on a lot of people. Covid has affected so many so differently. My entire family has had it twice. I had it bad enough the first time that I was admitted to the hospital I work at for 5 days, but no one else in the family had it very bad other than me the fist time. But others lost family members to it. And many of them are still grieving over their loss.

 There is something we all need to remember at this time of year. The celebrating, gift giving, decking the halls - that is all well and good, as long as you keep Christ in your Christmas. But, to use a much overused phrase - remember the Reason for the Season. All of these people grieving and sad....they are part of the reason Jesus came. He came for us. God sent His only Son to this earth as an innocent baby that would grow up and die for the sins of the world. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."(ESV)

 That is Christmas. Not the lights, parties, gift exchanges. It is about the Savior who can save, heal, comfort. One doesn't need all the celebrating to observe Christmas. We can all kneel at the manger, worship the Savior, and seek his comfort and help.

 There was sadness and grief the first Christmas. When the wise men came seeking Jesus all those years ago, King Herod had all the babies in the area of Bethlehem killed.

 So let's be considerate of those grieving during the holidays. Do something nice for them. They may not feel like attending a Christmas party or service, but a small gift, supper dropped off, a gift card, etc. might help them a little.

Chatting with "Sally"

 

I have met a lot of interesting people working at the hospital for the last 10 years. I was security, ER greeter, then for the last seven years I have been working at the information desk in the main lobby.

These COVID years have been rough with a lot of rude and mean people taking their unhappiness about the rules and restrictions out on whoever is at the front desk. The biggie right now is the age limit. You must be at least 12 years old to visit patients, with the exception of maternity. And man, have I taken many a verbal beating over that.

However, there are a lot of nice people who come through the main lobby.

And "Sally" is a recent one. That isn't her name, but is the name the transport van gave me when they came to pick her up. That didn't make it easy to track her down.😊

It turns out she decided to be seen in the the ER after she had been done with an appointment, and was not ready to leave. Sally is an African American lady in her 60's who is in a motorized wheelchair (She looks older than her 63 years, but I wouldn't tell her that). I assume the wheelchair is mostly because she has two prosthetic feet. Though she can walk some on them. She demonstrated for me and others. I chatted with her for a few, then went back to my desk.

She came out to the lobby later to wait for her ride, and parked by my desk. And we chatted on between people coming and leaving. I found her to be an interesting lady. Three time cancer survivor. Double foot amputee. Three heart attacks. And she gives God the credit for making it through it all. She has an amazing outlook in life.

She fostered 30-some kids in her lifetime.

Both of her parents died in her arms.

She told me about her family, and I talked about mine. I showed her pictures of Addie, my 11 month old niece.

We talked about food and recipes. I swear any conversation I am in goes around to food at some point.

And we talked about life. Trials and hard times.

We talked about Noah Galloway, a military guy who lost part of an arm and leg in an IED explosion, who turned to alcohol and self pity. Then one day as he looked at himself in the mirror, he had the thought that he should be thankful for what he had left, instead of being bitter about what he lost. He started training for marathons and other activities, and became the first double amputee to appear on the cover of Men's Health.

We talked about Joni Eareckson Tada and Nick Vujicic. She, paralyzed from the neck down since 1976. He, born with no arms or legs. Both of them used by God. And how all of us can accomplish things no matter our condition or lot in life.

I left for the day before her ride came.

With my jacket on and backpack slung over my shoulder, I stopped by her wheelchair. "Well, Miss 'Sally', it has been nice chatting with you. I hope your ride comes soon, but have Ashley in the ER call again if not."

She held her arms out, and said " I enjoyed talking to you also. Give me a hug!"

I leaned down and gave her a hug, and she said "You give good hugs!"

I wished her a good night, and headed for home, my day and life all the better for meeting that very nice and sweet lady.

She will definitely be one of those good people that will stick in my mind.

How political can and should Christians be?

I have sat on this post for a few months after typing it up. Today, a woman I like and admire a lot, and look up to, said something that really, really disappointed me. She said on social media "about time for a mean tweet!" I still have confidence in her, and I will never, ever be the mature Christian that she is......but why are so many Christians from the most conservative churches like mine, defending and missing something that is condemned by the Jesus we follow and serve? 

Sure, Jesus didn't specifically name out mean tweets, because Twitter was not around then......but there is plenty in what He DID say that any Christian worth their salt should know that a mean tweet would not be missed or defended by Him. So why do so many Christians defend mean tweets and miss them. By their guy of course. Obama did a lot of mean tweets, but I am sure they don't miss his. :)

The answer is simple: Christians have become too political. We would never admit it or think it, but politics is more important than loving people, spreading the Gospel.....more important than the Gospel. I have said it before, but it almost seems too many Christians toss the Bible aside when it comes to politics, other than to pull out Bible verses they can use against people.

So, onto my blog post:

A note to begin:

  I will say to begin that I am far from being perfect. There is term I have not heard for a while that was popular years ago: it referred to people getting into Heaven by the skin of their teeth. That will be me. I am not and never will be a Paul, Peter, Abraham, Noah. Were I in the Bible, I would be one of those insignificant people not even named, but just referred to as someone's servant, or by my livelihood. I am just as guilty of the next person about not having the right attitudes when it comes to politics, but am trying to do better.

How political can and should Christians be?

This needs to be said. I feel very strongly about that. Am I the right person to say it? Most likely not. But if I don't, will anyone?

This is not a Trump post, though in part it will be, because Trump is a symptom of a bigger problem. And it was finally brought about after months of frustration about a post shared and liked by even people in my own church, and unchallenged by anyone else...including the preachers on my friends list:

“True Christians will vote for Donald Trump”, followed by lengthier comments. This should have bothered even the most devout Trump supporter who professes to follow Jesus Christ. You are either a Christian or not. There are not any “not true” Christians. You are either a true Christian, or you are not a Christian. I cannot find anything in the Bible to infer there are Christians who are not "true" Christians.

So by this statement, are these people and the ones agreeing, saying that you are not a Christian if you do not vote for Trump....or any candidate?

  Do Christians even in my own ultra conservative church believe that one's Christianity and salvation hinges on your vote for Trump....or any candidate? They may not say that, but their silence and “likes” and supporting comments say that loudly. And many other Christians did so, not just in my church. It is their posting and support of it that bothers me the most.

That and what I have especially seen in the last six years or so, has caused me to question some things:
What I believe

What my church believes

If Christianity is truly better than other religions. (Oh, I know Jesus is the only way, but politics raises the question if Christianity is actually better...and yes, I believe in my heart that it is better)

And on my worst days: if I really want to be a Christian, and if God even exists. (toss in severe depression, anxiety, and other issues....not just political stuff)

And other questions:
How political can and should Christians be:

And be like Jesus

Not hinder their witness and the cause of Christ and the church

And be salt and light

And be peacemakers

Live by and obey what the Bible and Jesus teach?

Love our neighbor as ourselves?

I am a conservative. Always have been, always will be.

I was raised in the church, attended a Christian school K-12, and 4 years of Bible College.

I listen primarily to Christian music and read primarily Christianity books.

Yet I have never felt I truly belonged in the church. Partly because of struggles and something I deal with that those raised in the church are afraid to admit or talk about. (Ironically, some of the same people defending a man's serial adultery and saying "don't judge!" are quite vocal against my struggle and show judgment and no love there)

But never have I felt that way more than the last 6 years. To be a Christian and conservative and not vote for or support Donald Trump.....it is not easy. The very same people who should understand support you for not going against your conscience......did the opposite. It is not easy trying to do what you believe is right while Christians in your own church are trying to guilt and manipulate you into doing what you believe is wrong. (And yes, for me to have voted for Trump would have been wrong and going against my conscience would have been wrong. But they did not care. The very Christians so obsessed with doing things the Bible does not spell out, fail miserably at doing what the Bible DOES spell out:

Loving people, being peacemakers, etc.

I am not going to share everything, but a few things:

In the last 6 years or so:

Even though I stated I felt as a Christian I should not vote for Trump, and was voting 3rd party: Christians said my vote was for Hillary if I voted third party. That if I did not support Trump, I was for Hillary. (I view those as outright lies, and kind of wish I had called those people out for lying)
I and others have been told not to judge Trump, while his supporters judge everyone who has a D by their name, or who have an R and do not support Trump

I and others have been labeled a Pharisee for taking issue with things in Trump, speaking up, and not voting for him because of certain things....while his supporters do the same with the other candidates.

We were told “Why not pray for him instead of criticizing him?, while they criticize away if they don't like the politician

We are told no matter how bad we think he is, God put him in there......but not hearing that about Biden.

A friend of mine said Christian Trump supporters don't care how they make you feel, as long as they defend him and shut you up....and sadly, that seems to be true for way too many people.

There are people in my church who have messaged me that they agree, but are afraid to speak up around others in my church and school. Really? Oh, I believe them....but what a sad statement....and I doubt the average Trump supporter would care.

I attend a very, very conservative church. The same people who are so worried about certain outward things that are not spelled out in black and white, go against what is spelled out in black and white....they have tried manipulating and intimidation to try to get other Christians to vote like they want them to. A person may not believe in watching movies and TV, but takes no thought or care in how they treat people and react to them if it involves politics or their candidate. (Guess true Christians can do anything non Biblical if it is for the cause of their politician.)

Politics, party, our rights...they take precedence over everything else. It is more important to spread our political opinions and win people to a politician, than it is to spread the Gospel and win people to Jesus.

Jesus was not political. He was all about loving people and all about His earthly ministry.

I am not saying Christians should not be political at all, nor vote....but shouldn't we be more like Jesus and avoid being very political? Shouldn't we be concerned about how we are acting when it comes to politics? Shouldn't we be different from the world even in how we act and react about politics? Shouldn't Christians be BETTTER than non Christians when it comes to politics? Jesus avoided politic. He was too busy loving people and doing good.

Things have changed.......

Things have changed since Biden took office. It is now OK to judge away and criticize. I believe he is a horrible president, but have been shocked at what so many Christians say about him and how easily they make fun of him, call him a pedophile, etc.

I will be clear on this: I believe the Democratic Party is evil. They push the murder of babies, the sexualizing and exploitation of kids, and other evil things. (Hmm, then why did Trump support them so long? Had to say it!) I believe any politician is evil who supports and pushes for the cruel murder of babies in the womb.

But does that mean they are the exception to what the Bible says about how we are to treat others?

I firmly believe Nancy Pelosi is evil to the core, and is the worst politician our country has ever had. I saw a lot of  Christians laughing about the attack on  her husband a while back...but is that right to do? Would they have laughed if it had been on a Trump, or a person important to them?

Is there really a separate set of guidelines in the Bible for how we act towards people with a D by their name, and towards Donald Trump? (Even Republicans who do not support Trump are fair game, so I did not ask about a separate set of guidelines and rules for Democrats and Republicans). 

Oh, in case you don't know the answer: There is NOT a separate set of rules and guidelines.

I am guilty. Believe it or not, I said much more about and was much harder on Obama than Trump. I heavily criticized both men and Biden, but how much was right and wrong? ( I know what Trump supporters would say regarding him..... :) )

Here is the thing: Christians are not called to be political. We are not called to vote. We are not called to change people's opinions on candidates. 

We are called to be kind, to love, to have the fruits of the spirit, to win people to Jesus......and so much more that being very political hinders or makes impossible.

When we get to Heaven, Jesus is not going to reward us for how many people we won to our politics or politicians. What will matter is how many we won to Him.

Damage from being political

Picture this: 

“Mary” freely accuses Joe Biden of being a pedophile, and mocks him all the time on and off of social media. Makes fun of Mr. Pelosi being attacked.

“Martha” is her neighbor and follows her on Facebook. Martha is a Democrat and voted for and supports Biden. What are the chances of Mary getting Martha to go to church or win her to Jesus? You know the answer. Zilch.

There is a preacher who did a post on Facebook comparing Donald Trump to Sampson, and was using it to try to get Christians who were against Trump to vote for him. He further stated that a third party vote is a wasted vote. Several of my Facebook friends shared it, and one was even so kind to tag me. I was disgusted. Here was a minister of the Gospel trying to get Christians to vote how they felt they should not. A year or two later, my church got him for revival services. I kept seeing that post, and determined I was not going to sit under his preaching. And did not. He has been there at least another time, and I have no intentions of ever listening to him. Maybe that is wrong, but not as wrong as him using his position to do what he did.

I have been hurt, deeply hurt in these last 6 years by pro-Trump Christians. Sure, had I been silent, it may have been different....but part of me questions if they can be vocal, why can't I? - but if I, a guy raise in the church, and attended Christian school, Bible college - have been damaged by politicial Christians and it has caused me to question so much.......then what affect does it have on those who are not Christians, and have not been raised in the church?

It is easy to say a Christian is doing damage to Christianity, the Church, and the cause of Jesus if they have differing political views than you do....and if they criticize your guy.

  But the truth of the matter is, no matter your political views, you and I are doing severe damage by being very political. Whether you support or don't support Trump, whether you do or don't support Biden, whether you are conservative, liberal, libertarian, Republican, Democrat, third party, or no party.....our loud political views and attacks on politicians – and yes, over the top support in some cases - is doing so much more damage than good.

“True Christians” realize how close we are getting to the end. Instead of screaming how great or bad a politician is, and instead of using social media to spread their politics, they should be screaming that God loves everyone – even Biden and Pelosi – that Christianity is the best and only option. That Jesus is the answer, not politicians or politics.

There was a  wonderful lady I had the pleasure of being friends with on Facebook, and was blessed to eat and visit at her place once. She died from cancer last year. Avis was not political, ever...with the exception of once. A certain former president said something so arrogant that pretty much made him equal to Jesus, that she called him out. But other than that, she was all about spreading hope, encouragement, and love. She used her life on – and off – of social media for good.

And there are others. Not everyone is politically outspoken on and off of social media.

I do believe in voting for politicians who above all are against killing babies in the womb and want to stop that horrible atrocity. That is my main thing when it comes to voting, though there are others. I believe one should vote for who they feel God wants them to. I am not saying that is not important.

But Christians have made it too important. They view politics and politicians as the answer, when they are not.

I believe part of the problem is we have become obsessed with our rights and freedoms to the point that they and party have eclipsed God, dying to ourselves, and so much else that should be our primary focus.

Not that rights and freedoms don't matter. But it seems it has caused so many of us to lose our way. The devil can use anything to sidetrack Christians and cause them to fall away from what they should be. It isn't always the big things the Bible warns against like adultery and stealing. I believe politics has become one of Satan's best and most useful and powerful tools to divide Christians and the church, and to take attention from what truly matters.

Imagine if all the social media posts and fervor of the last 6 years – and more – about politics had been put towards things of God and the church? What a difference could have been made.

I have gotten a lot of crap over the last six years or so because I did not vote for the man so many others did, and that I have dared criticize him. I have found myself wondering how Christians can be so pro-Trump, and defend or ignore everything he does, such as gun control and vulgarity. I will never understand that. But the bigger picture and issue has been the focus of this blog post: how Christians can basically set aside what the Bible says about how we are to act, and then say things and treat people in ways that are damaging to the cause of Christ.

Our political posts on social media are never going to change anyone's minds. But they may change how they view God, Christianity, and the church. We will never win anyone to God with a religion of politics, but with one of love. And love is missing in our political posts. 

I don't know where the line is. We should not be silent about concerns, but wherever the line is, many of us are so far over it we can't even see it. And sadly, people don't consider it, nor care what their political posts might do.

And there are Christians who are never political on social media, as I previously mentioned. I believe they are closer to being what God wants than we who are political. People don't need to hear our political opinions and bashing or defending politicians. They need to hear about Jesus, and that they are loved. No matter who they do or not vote for.

I don't want a political Christianity. I don't need a political Christianity. Nor does the world.

And lastly, I truly am bothered and concerned. I think being on the opposite side of so many Christians, and getting what I got so much of opened my eyes. I hope this post isn't offensive, and does what I intended it to do: make people think, and maybe wake some others up.

What the World Needs to Hear by the Booth Brothers.
(Video at end of lyrics)

There's a teenage mother who's left all alone

Waiting for someone already long gone

There's a lonely old man whose children don't care

And a black sheep that's knocking, but nobody's there.

What the world needs to hear is John 3:16

That God loves them just as they are

His grace is sufficient to bring them to Him

Wherever they've been, no matter how far

There's hope for the lost and the helpless

Faith will replace every fear

The Gospel of Calvary

That's what the world needs to hear

To the sinner who thinks he's too bad to save

To the dad who just put his young son in the grave

To the man with the bottle who can't let it go

To the wife of a soldier who will never come home

What the world needs to hear is John 3:16

That God loves them just as they are

His grace is sufficient to bring them to Him

Wherever they've been, no matter how far

There's hope for the lost and the helpless

Faith will replace every fear

The Gospel of Calvary

That's what the world needs to hear

Salvation's story of Christ

Is the solution for all

Whoever you are

He'll hear you when you call

There's hope for the lost and the helpless

Faith will replace every fear

The Gospel of Calvary

That's what the world needs to hear

A Christmas to remember

   Christmas 2021, my 53rd Christmas. No, I am not 53......my first Christmas I was 7 months old. I obviously don't remember that Christmas so long ago, but there are some that stick out to me.

Christmas 1981

  Christmas 1981, the most memorable Christmas of my 52 years. In January of that year, our house had burnt to the ground leaving us with only the clothes we were wearing on our backs, 2 cars, and anything we had in the barn and garage. We lived with my paternal grandmother from January 21 of that year til August, when we finally had enough to start out again, something my parents never thought they would have to do a second time.

  That Christmas of 81 was our first Christmas in our new home. My parents always gave my sisters and I a nice Christmas, and spent far more on us than they should have. But that Christmas, it seemed they went all out. Ever since January, we had been given tons of clothing and toys, most of it used. But now we had a ton of brand new gifts in our new home. I think that was the year we all got new bicycles. I can't remember anything else we got, but that Christmas stands out among the many I have celebrated so far.

Christmas 1995

  Christmas 1995. Confession: One of my deepest longings was to be a dad, and it is one of my greatest regrets I was never able to have kid so of my own. However, one of the greatest joys of my life is being an uncle to 6 of the greatest kids I know. They will never know how much I love them, and how much better my life has been because they are in it, and are such a big part of my life. 

  When my sister Vicki announced she was pregnant in 1995, I was over the moon excited about becoming an uncle. I had always wanted a brother, and never got one, so now I set my hopes on having a nephew. I even announced if it was a girl, I was not going to have anything to do with her. Stephanie Marie Giles, now Sanders as of June of this year, was born October 25, 1995.....and everything I said about not wanting a niece went out the window. That Christmas was more special than previous ones because we had a new little baby in the family, and I went all out buying gifts for this adorable little person who had grabbed my heart from day 1. Two more girls followed, and I finally got my nephews after my other sister got married, but by that time I loved all of them equally.

  This may be a morbid thought, but for the last several Christmases, I have looked around and had the thought that this might be the last Christmas all of us are there. That day will come at some point. No one lives forever. Every year, there are families who have a loved one with them for the last Christmas. Sometimes they know it is happening if the person is gravely ill, but most of the time we have no idea someone we love will not be here for the next Christmas.

  That has happened this year. Covid has taken some people I know, and their families are going to have a giant hole in their Christmas celebrations this year. Christmas for so many is all about family and revolves around Christmas, so Christmas will never be the same again for so many. Loss is felt especially during holidays. That person you loved so much isn't there to buy gifts for anymore, nor will there be gifts from them to you under the tree.

  We should make every Christmas a Christmas to remember. It doesn't have to be all about the amount of gifts. I love giving. Every year, my mom talks about how we need to cut back and scolds us for spending so much on her and Dad, but I love buying for my family. I don't have a wife and kids to buy for, but I do have my parents, siblings, their husbands, and nieces and nephews to buy for. I had the thought that I wouldn't want to cut way back, and then lose one of them after the Christmas I cut back on buying. Yeah, another morbid thought.

  Gifts are great. I love to give and receive too....might as well be honest.......but I do enjoy watching family open what I got them. Our family is big into gag gifts, or white elephant gifts as some call  them. I may have started it. Ok, I did start it....and I usually buy the most and get the most. And this year, I got a couple of great ones. :) They are fun, and are usually something really cheap picked up at a used store or after holiday clearance. There are some that make a yearly appearance, as they get re-gifted. It has become a fun part of our family Christmas. We have had a lot of laughs when gag gifts are opened. We take turns opening gifts, so everyone gets to see what everyone got.

   Christmas is a time when families should come together and put aside differences, and just love each other and spend time enjoying each other and having fun.

A boy named Alex

 I read something last week that made me feel sad. In one of the many book groups I am in on Facebook, a lady was looking for book ideas for a young man she knows that he might enjoy and that would cheer him up. He came out as gay to his conservative.....and I assume Christian family on Thanksgiving Day. They kicked him out of the house and family, and told him they never want to see him again. He does have his own apartment, but now he has no family for Christmas because his family couldn't love him enough to love him for being something they don't agree with and they believe is wrong.

  Side note:  I don't care how you feel about anything gay, if a family.....if a Christian....cannot love someone who is gay and treat them like they are still part of the family, if Christians cannot love gay people and treat them as anyone else, then that Christianity is not at all like Jesus. Should the kid have come out? Should he have done it at a holiday? To the latter, their reactions would have been the same no matter when. I can say personally it is no fun to bottle it up inside and keep it secret that you are attracted to the same sex...so whether or not a person is going to "live the gay lifestyle", or just admit they are attracted to the same sex, I can totally understand it and can totally relate.

  But come on......that poor kid is going to have a horrible Christmas. The very people who should love him unconditionally, failed at that. No matter their feelings on him being gay, or how he will live, they should love him and welcome him in their homes and lives as they always did.

  That is a drastic example, but people so easily hold onto things and let it divide each other. It shouldn't be exclusive to Christmas, but what better time to love each other, forgive, drop grudges, and do all you can to make Christmas special, and make it one to remember?

 Me? I will do my part and not speak out about Trump at family gatherings, since I am the only one who despises him and his presidency. :)

  But seriously, Christmas is such a special time of year. Yes, it is too commercialized, and we can get lost in all the hustle and bustle of the holiday. We stress about making sure we buy the right things, that we don't miss anyone, that we buy for everyone who buys for us. Maybe we do need to simplify things and just relax and enjoy family. We need too focus more on the reason for the holiday.

  I'll be bluntly honest, as I tend to do a lot. Maybe too much. Christmas can be tough at times for me. I have no one special of my own, I have no kids...and so much about Christmas is about romance and family. Merry Christmas, Darling indeed. Though I do like that song. :) It can get lonely. I have spent a lot of days off staying home, reading, having Christmas music playing wall to wall, watching Christmas movies. I have found myself wishing more than once that there was someone here to watch those Christmas movies with, to eat supper with...but it is just me. (Then at other times I am glad I can avoid peopling. Work does really get to me).

  Our Christmas this year is going to be a little different. We have always all gone to my parents for Christmas day for gifts, games, eating, and a lot of fun. This year, we have to do the gift opening Christmas Eve, and most of the family will be back Christmas Day for games and eating. A lot of eating, a lot of snacking: my mom's Christmas cookies, her fudge, her Chex mix..... And I plan to beat everyone in every game we play. I can dream....

  It will be one of the best days of my year. The people I love most in the world, games, gifts, and a lot of fun and laughter. We do laugh a lot. Mostly because of my jokes. (Kidding, they all just groan). No matter what we do or where we are, we have a lot of fun together and get along great, thank God.

  So this Christmas, love your family while you still have them. Hold them close, forgive and let go what you need to let go. Make it a special Christmas to remember, so that when you do have a Christmas with an empty spot, you can look back fondly and know that your last Christmas with that person was a special one to remember, and one with no regrets.

  And at some point in your holiday celebrations, pray for a young man named Alex whose family won't be there for him this Christmas, and won't welcome him into their Christmas celebration.