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I always get bothered around this time of the year for many reasons. Mostly it has to do with the fact that Christmas has truly become a cultural holiday.
Sure, we constantly have the screamers on TV and others that talk about the true meaning of Christmas, issues of religious freedom, or lack thereof, i. e., St. Paul, MN who had the Happy Easter sign removed from City Hall. Get it: Saint Paul. Well, I guess I will scream a little too.
It has reached the point that we are encouraged to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas; we can't have nativity scenes and Christmas Trees in public places without causing controversy.
Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating The Prince of Peace and Good Will Toward Men. Even if it has turned into a cultural holiday(which it shouldn't be), let us call it what it is: Christmas. I mean gee whiz , it is a holiday just like Hanukkah or Ramadan.
Let's stop being so PC(Politically Correct) and afraid we are going to offend someone's religion or sensibilities. We all need to grow up.
Then there is the buying of presents that gets under my skin. For most Americans, we are out buying, or trying to buy for those who don't need anything.
A good buddy of mine told me this story recently. His Mom and sister decided the family should stop giving gifts to each other and take the money that would be spent on family gifts and give it to a charity; the charity would be selected by the person who ordinarily would get the gift. All is well and suddenly the Mother decided that she was giving everyone a gift; she just couldn't let the tradition of family gift giving go and start a better one.
I also love this story. A couple was looking in the window at Macy's and suddenly one of them spies a little manger scene in the corner of the window and says, "Well, look at that, even the Church is trying to horn in on this Christmas business." What?
So, there you have it. I feel a little better having vented a little. However, I think an even bigger issue for me has to do with the fact, that again, on this Christmas, we are at war. Relatively speaking, it has affected few people. Most Americans are untouched and think Iraq what.
I want us all to stop and be touched, concerned, even pained that on this cultural holiday representing PEACE, we have America's young men and women on foreign soil. It really is hard to think about peace, and unfortunately even the birth of the Prince of Peace in such times. God bless our soldiers and God bless us. KT
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The Soldier's Christmas Poem
'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would plan,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
Santa don't cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my corps.
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this Guardian of Honor, so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure.
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.
© Corporal James M. Schmidt, December 1991
This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan. The following is his request:
PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.
Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.
In addition, let us all remember to keep those serving our country in our daily prayers.
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