Merry Christmas!

Merry, merry Christmas to everybody! It's been hard for me to remember this year that Christmas is actually about Jesus' birth, with all the C-mas music and cookie baking and present shopping and looking forward to seeing family. I mean, all that's great, but it's not the real reason for the season! And, in the words of my friend Casey, "Jesus is the Christ in CHRIST-mas!"

"I can tell you what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. Lights, please? 'And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were sore afraid. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will to men." That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." (that's a mixture of my NIV version Bible and what Linus said in 'A Charlie Brown Christmas.')

Again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!