CHRISTMAS FOR NON CHRISTIANS???

The majority of people are Christian and celebrate Christmas in one form or another. But what about the non-Christians? It goes without saying that they do not celebrate Christmas.

So what is their impression of all the hala baloo accompanying this holiday. Do they think us all fanatics and greedy? Do they think of us in terms of materialism or in terms of dedication to a belief? Do they tire of the way life now has become obsessed with 12/25? Do they tire of hearing Christmas carols when they enter the grocery store to purchase a loaf of bread? Do they tire of all the gleaming decorations in the stores and on the streets?

It would be interesting to ask a non Christian about this. I am sure we Christians must amuse them to some extent......making such a fuss about one holiday. I am sure that many may think us hyprocrites.........pushing a spirit of love and giving for the month of December and then acting like heathens the rest of the year.

Do we demostrate the true meaning of Christmas to them. Actually I doubt it....we get so busy and so wrapped up on the tangible side of the holiday that we often cloud the intangible side of it.....the love and true spirit of peace on earth, good will toward men. I am sure the Christian shopping and driving lets their frustrations out in forms of pushing and shoving, of road rage, of impatience, etc.

Maybe it is time to reevaluate the real meaning of this blessed holiday and let our hearts and actions speak louder than our words and actions. Let us become a witness to the non-Christians that Christmas is much more than gifts, decorations, parties, etc. Let us demonstrate the real meaning of Christmas, not just in December, but all year long. What a wonderful place this old world would be for Christians and non Christians alike if we just had the strength of will power to do so.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: What famous Christmas “character” was created in 1939, in Chicago, for the Montgomery Ward department stores for a Christmas promotion? Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

TODAY'S TRIVIA: In A Charlie Brown Christmas, how many cents does Lucy charge for her psychiatric services?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month."-- Harlan Miller

FINALLY

Well, I finally got a chance to write on here. Gee, my last entry was about time and time sure got the best of me these past 2 weeks.

I have put my tree up, sent out the cards, finished shopping, wrapped all the presents, and managed to end up in the hospital for 3 days. But I am back on track.

At my age, anything of importance evicts childhood memories. Some memories sweet and some that should never have been created. When I think of Christmas, a couple of good memories always spring to mind. I always spent my Christmas holiday with my aunt and cousins. Even though I was 5 years older that my oldest cousin, I was always given the same as the others.
I remember Christmas mornings of anticipation and laughter and joy........only to have been experienced at my aunt's.

I do remember one Christmas when we lived on the farm near Letchworth State Park when the weather didn't allow me to get to Buffalo to spend the day with my aunt and cousins. My grandmother and I hiked up the hill to chop down a Chistmas tree. We dragged it back to the house and propped it up in the woodshed so it could thaw out before we started to decorate it.

The tree began to spread its limbs as if to caress the warmth. As the branches began to unfold and lay in proper order, the tree began to reveal and evict its inhabitants: a hugh family of field mice who had hidden deep within the branches for warmth and protection from the bitter weather!! Needless to say, that tree made it into the yard in record time and we never did end up with a tree that year.

Now my memories revert to memories of the years with my own children and then my grandchildren. In the peaceful shelter of being much older, I can now just sit back and relax in just enjoying th.e holiday without all the stress and endless hours of preparation. There are not a lot of perks in getting older, but this may one of them.....just enjoying the holiday as it was met to be enjoyed....with love and peace and tranquility.

ANSWER TO LAST TRIVIA QUESTION: Whose slogan from 1950-1953 was "More Bounce to the Ounce"? Pepsi
TODAY'S TRIVIA QUESTION: What famous Christmas “character” was created in 1939, in Chicago, for the Montgomery Ward department stores for a Christmas promotion?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Snowmen fall from Heaven unassembled.