How Can We Get LESS Christ in Christmas? Methodists: Hold My Beer!

In case you haven't seen it, a Methodist church in southern California (Rev. Karen Clark Ristine, pastor) decided they needed to make Christmas more politically relevant this year.

Every year, around this time, the Left begins to take some small interest in the Christmas story. However, they insist on recasting Mary and Joseph as "homeless", or more recently as "illegal immigrants". Balderdash! (Note: If Joe Biden is listening, you can use that in your campaign!) On Twitter, (don't get me started) one budding Scriptural scholar wannabee said that the "real villain" of this piece wasn't King Herod, but rather the greedy innkeeper, who could not find a room for a very pregnant woman.

Let's inject just the tiniest bit of logic here. (The tiniest bit being all that some on the Left are able to absorb) But if you look at the most reliable record of the time, we see this

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

Did you catch that? There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

Tax.

All.

The.

World.

Scholars are of a conflicting mind whether or not this makes Augustus the first liberal Democrat or not. But in typical bureaucratic fashion, and not willing for any income to slip through the cracks, compelled everyone in the known world to return to the city of their birth. Not "Everyone whose last name begins with 'Aleph' through 'Mem' show up on Thursday, and everyone 'Nun' through 'Tau' the week after. No. It was everybody show up, or face the displeasure of the Roman Empire.

Why else would a man take his nine month pregnant wife on a journey of 70 -90 miles, on foot and donkey, to show up at such and such a time? Even our relatively benign IRS would have issued him an extension if he asked. But, no. Rome must be obeyed.

The most direct route from Nazareth to Bethlehem was probably too rough, with roving bands of brigands, and just how fast do you think Joseph could travel, leading a donkey with his very pregnant wife on it? And you ladies can back me up on this one, but bouncing around on a donkey's back, with a baby kicking at your greatly diminished bladder, about how many times a day do you think they had to stop just for bathroom breaks? I'm thinking a week and a half minimum for the journey!

Imagine if you would, that the government decreed the census would be done differently this year. Everyone who has ever been born there, in the last hundred years, return to the city of your birth, and wait in line until the government gets around to counting you. If everyone born in New York City, or Houston, or New Orleans for the last hundred years showed up in town...how long do you think it would take until the hotels and motels were all full? Not because inn keepers are evil, but the sheer magnitude of bureaucratic incompetence and greed that ordained it would overwhelm almost any city on the planet. Then imagine them all lined up on the steps of city hall, because it was no skin off Caesar Augustus' nose how long you had to travel, or stand in line, because you were a cash cow to be milked for taxes.

Homeless? Joseph was a carpenter in Nazareth. He provided for his family. After the baby was born, some of the census crowd cleared back and the housing shortage was alleviated. Matthew 2: 9-11

"...The star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him." (emphasis mine)

How about the "illegal immigrant" moniker? Anything to that? The lefties are hanging their collective hats on this passage, in Matthew 2: 12 -14

"(The Wise men)... being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt..."

So, because Joseph traveled to Egypt, undocumented, as it were, then there must be no difference between them and undocumented illegal aliens who cross the border into the US! Nothing at all indicates that there was anything illegal in that, although I am willing to concede that any illegal alien who can produce undeniable evidence that the angel of the Lord commanded them to come here, I am perfectly willing to make the exception!

The story of the Nativity of Christ is not about Donald Trump. Or Barack Obama who maintained if not built the "cages". It's not even about the failure of the legislature to pass new legislation to try to fix the problems on the border. It's about the entrance of the Christ into the world, who would save His people from their sin. When churches lose sight of that, they do idiotic things like the one pictured above.

Merry Christmas: God Bless Us Every One!

A Walk On The Wild Side Christmas Edition

A Walk On The Wild Side Christmas Edition

A Walk On The Wild Side Christmas Edition

A PC Christmas Carol

(To the tune of "Little Drummer Boy")

Last Minute Christmas Gift Idea

We’re Going To Start Saying “Merry Christmas” Again

In a speech at Liberty University in January of this year Donald Trump said, “If I’m president you will see ‘Merry Christmas’ in department stores, believe me.”

For far too long America has been under siege with complaints, litigation, angry protests and threats from secular liberals through the coordinated work of the scroogey American Civil Liberties Union and atheists who claimed they were just protecting the constitutional rights of non-Christians.  We are a nation which is overwhelmingly Christian.  We want to celebrate Christmas in peace without having to hide behind closed doors to do so.  We’re weary of being persecuted.

At a “Thank You” rally in West Allis, WI Tuesday night President-elect Donald Trump kept his promise to Wisconsinites to return to say “Merry Christmas”.  Behind him on stage were six beautifully decorated Christmas trees and the placard on his lectern read:  Merry Christmas USA.

During the 8-year-long presidency of The World’s Most Dangerous Community Organizer he has never uttered the word “Christmas”.

His final Christmas card reads: “Happy holidays.  As our family reflects on our many happy years spent in the White House, we are grateful for the friends we’ve made, the joy we’ve shared, and the gifts of kindness we’ve received. We wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a wonderful new year.”

On the front of the card, a photo—taken at a state dinner in March honoring Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—shows him and his family sporting formalwear and wide smiles. He is just the fourth known president to ever feature a photo of himself on the White House Christmas card since the tradition began in 1927—a testament to his arrogance and narcissism.

Naturally, the Left is apoplectic over Trump telling those attending his Thank You Tour rallies that we will start saying “Merry Christmas” again.  His words are to them like nails on a chalkboard.

One disgusting website proclaimed its disgust saying the phrase “Merry Christmas” had now been officially weaponized “into the partisan slogan of a president elected on a wave of hateful rhetoric.”

One commenter wrote, “Truly, it’s what a Middle Eastern Jew who was born in a barn because no one else would take his parents in would have wanted.  One more reason not to say it.  And Trump’s election is one more reason to doubt God’s existence.”

How utterly vile.

Today, from the doctor’s office I visited to the grocery store where I shopped to the pharmacy where I picked up my meds to the restaurant I ate at with friends I said, “Merry Christmas!”  Everyone, and I do mean everyone, wished me a Merry Christmas in return.  I hope this means the war on Christmas is over.

In his most recent rally, President-elect Trump said "Merry Christmas" 3 times. We'll be providing free therapy for anyone offended by this.

— Josh Earnst (@NotJoshEarnest) December 15, 2016

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet, and I thought I finished all my Christmas shopping yesterday, but then, I saw these and knew what I was getting Curmudgeon for Christmas!

(Ssssh! It'll be our little secret! Don't tell her!!)

Annual Staff Christmas Party at Political Clown Parade

Last Year's Party

Just a housekeeping note: The annual staff Christmas party at Political Clown Parade will be held this Friday, the 18th, between the hours of noon and five. 

Attire is formal (pants), and an RSVP would be appreciated. (Randy Squirrels Violate Panthers) Curmudgeon's attempt to cook a turkey will be open casket. Viewing begins at one. Mickey D is close enough for those of us with weak stomachs. 

The "Big C" is offering her traditional Christmas bonus, which with 50 cents, is rumored to get you a cup of coffee! Grunt and I will be there around ten to finish off the decorations. That's right, I said "finish off". 

The jolly bearded man will appear around 4:30 with a sack full of wonderful things. If I can only get the sack to my car before Curmudgeon sees it this year, I'll be a happy man! For those of you unable to attend, send presents. 

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

The Twelve Gifts of Obama

(to the tune of ""The Twelve Gifts of Christmas"")

On the first day of Christmas Obama gave to me: 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the second day of Christmas Obama gave to me: two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the third day of Christmas Obama gave to me three taps on my phone, two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the fourth day of Christmas Obama gave to me: Four IRS audits, three phone taps, two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the fifth day of Christmas Obama gave to me: Five cancelled plans of insurance, Four IRS audits, three phone taps, two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the sixth day of Christmas Obama gave to me: Six Constitutional crises, Five cancelled plans of insurance, Four IRS audits, three phone taps, two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the seventh day of Christmas Obama gave to me: Seven biased judges, Six Constitutional crises, Five cancelled plans of insurance, Four IRS audits, three phone taps, two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the eighth day of Christmas Obama gave to me: Eight pious lectures, Seven biased judges, Six Constitutional crises, Five cancelled plans of insurance, Four IRS audits, three phone taps, two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the ninth day of Christmas Obama gave to me: Nine Gitmo prisoners, Eight pious lectures, Seven biased judges, Six Constitutional crises, Five cancelled plans of insurance, Four IRS audits, three phone taps, two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the tenth day of Christmas Obama gave to me: Ten Executive Orders, Nine Gitmo prisoners, Eight pious lectures, Seven biased judges, Six Constitutional crises, Five cancelled plans of insurance, Four IRS audits, three phone taps, two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the eleventh day of Christmas Obama gave to me: Eleven Czars a' czaring, Ten Executive Orders, Nine Gitmo prisoners, Eight pious lectures, Seven biased judges, Six Constitutional crises, Five cancelled plans of insurance, Four IRS audits, three phone taps, two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

On the twelfth day of Christmas Obama gave to me: Twelve lame excuses, Eleven Czars a' czaring, Ten Executive Orders, Nine Gitmo prisoners, Eight pious lectures, Seven biased judges, Six Constitutional crises, Five cancelled plans of insurance, Four IRS audits, three phone taps, two part-time jobs and 18 Trillion dollars in debt.

Merry Christmas, everyone! And just remember: with the NSA, he sees you when you're sleeping.  He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good. So be good, or else!

Something Beautiful

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Happiness Is A Warm Puppy

Using The Smoke Detector As A Oven Timer

I kid.

Everyone knows that Christmas is a time to bake up some tasty goodies for friends, neighbors and family and defy our diets.

Every year I bake up a boatload of my world-famous banana nut bread.  My job restricts monetary gifts to $10 per person.  Nowadays ten bucks won’t get you much.  So, I give my direct reports a loaf of my bread.

It’s made with lots of love and it’s mighty yummy.

I purchase the Christmas baking tins that come with lids and festoon them with mini bows and a Wilton® icing decoration.  Sometimes, I’ll use mini Christmas tree ornaments or mini Christmas cookie cutters.  I also include a red plastic knife in case the recipient wants to dig in right away.

Here’s the recipe:

2 cups of all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

2 tsps baking soda

1 cup butter

2 cups of white sugar

4 large bananas

4 eggs, beaten

2 cups of chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350°.  Lightly spray three 8 X 3 ¾ inch loaf pans.  Mix the flour, salt and baking soda.  Nuke the butter in the microwave.  Add the butter and sugar in with the other ingredients.  Stir in the bananas, eggs and walnuts until well blended.  I use a potato masher to blend the ingredients.  Divide the batter between the three pans and bake for 60 to 70 minutes in a preheated oven.  The loaves are done when a knife inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

If you have trouble finding the loaf pans with the lids I’ve described you can cover the bread with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in.

These puppies are moist, moist, moist and the ton of bananas makes them super d-duper delicious.  They’re so good they’ll make ya wanna slap your momma.

Christmas Is The Keeping-Place For Memories

Cockpit photo:  Courtesy American Airlines

I have been a supporter of the Gary Sinise Foundation for years and my blog has proudly carried a link in the sidebar for readers to explore this most admirable charity.

I was unaware, until yesterday, of Mr. Sinise’s (Lt. Dan from the 1994 film Forrest Gump) involvement in the Snowball Express.

I received a phone call around 12:45 PM on Thursday from management that a group of children would be taking off from my airport to join 1800 other children and the spouses of fallen military for the eighth annual Snowball Express in Dallas.

Sponsored by American Airlines, the charter flight is an all-expense-paid vacation which will last four days with the mission of bringing hope and new happy memories to the children of military heroes who have died while on active duty since September 11, 2001.

The Snowball Express gives these children the opportunity to bond with another child who has lost a parent.  It also tries to help those that are left behind by uplifting and honoring their fallen heroes.

Most of the children wore red t-shirts that bore the words “My dad was a hero”.  The mothers wore similar shirts that read, “My husband was a hero.”

Local members of the Patriot Guard stood at the back of the checkpoint to greet the families and personally escort them to the gate which was specially decorated for Christmas.  Aboard the plane, these very special families were treated to refreshments and entertainment.  The send-off included a water cannon salute.

The group formed up outside the checkpoint and had their pictures taken with Santa Claus who was wearing the trademark leather vest of the Patriot Guards festooned with all manner of patches that are commonly seen on these vests.

I met with “Rick” who is a member of the Patriot Guard.  He spoke with such reverence about the Guard’s participation in the Snowball Express.  They stood at attention until the families cleared the checkpoint.  They gave the kids handfuls of candy and little wrapped surprises.

The good thing about the Snowball Express is that it is not a one-time event.  These families, once registered, can participate year after year.  As one mother said, so many people throughout the year will express their compassion for what these families go through.  They say they understand what they are going through but they really don’t.

She said everyone who takes part in the Snowball Express faces the same challenges and hardships.  “It’s the only place on earth where talk of our loved ones and their final resting place involves pride, tears and hysterical laughter all at once. A place where there are no fifth wheels, but only belonging and understanding. A place to remember our heroes and the families they left behind. Nothing can compare to what is being given to us this weekend. I love my Snowball Family!”

This mother gave off the greatest glow of happiness, and for me, Christmas has taken on even greater meaning this year. 

May God bless these wonderful families.

And The World’s Smallest Violin Began To Play

In recent days, blogger friends Diogenes and Stogie wondered why I hadn’t posted anything since the Monday before Thanksgiving.

That post was time-stamped 9:29 AM.  It was filled with positive thoughts and notions of Thanksgiving and well wishes for my readers.  It was published one hour before my scheduled appointment with my lung specialist.  One hour.

Little did I know that I was about to be brought to my knees.

The Wednesday before, I underwent heart catheterization and reported that the doctor who performed the procedure said he saw no blockages in my heart.  He even gave me a couple of copies of the angiography images.

When my lung specialist entered the room and sat down, I asked him where I stood in terms of my health.  He looked uncomfortably at me and told me that I have diastolic heart failure, something they used to refer to as diabetic “stone” heart.  He explained that diabetes damages the heart to the extent that someone with diabetes is two to six times more likely to have a heart attack at an earlier age than other people.

He went on to explain that the right side of my heart, the atrium, remains rigid after pumping out the blood to the body rather than relaxing.  He prescribed Carvedilol® to be taken twice daily.

 

Carvedilol® is used to treat heart failure and patients whose hearts cannot pump blood well as a result of a heart attack. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing the heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.  He prescribed this medication to improve my chances of survival.

Now I know why the doctor who performed the catheterization gave me copies of the images he did.  They were cherry-picked so I wouldn’t worry before I had a chance to talk with my lung specialist and cardiologist.  I examined them more closely and found that there were actually at least 49 frames.  He gave me frames 32, 34, 44 and 49.

Feeling sorry for oneself is the greatest of all acids to the human soul.  Normally, I don’t succumb to self-pity.  Normally.

I have always known, as a diabetic, that one of the many complications associated with diabetes is heart attack or stroke.  I’ve always known that, but chose not to contemplate it.  I’ve always managed my diabetes well. 

I don’t recall which product is being advertised in the TV commercial, but in it is a woman who is opening her mail.  She opens an envelope and takes out a piece of paper upon which is written, “Your heart attack arrives in two days.”

By electing not to contemplate the risk of heart attack or stroke, this commercial now took on a life of its own in my mind.  It did a number on me and the world’s smallest violin began playing.

I began paying attention to my shortness of breath, the little pains in my chest, the achy neck and the occasional dizzy spells that lasted scant seconds and began to imagine the worst.  I was becoming a mess.

And then it happened.

This past Saturday, God said, “Look at you.  What are you doing?”

And then this happened.  I was advised that a group of young children with their parents and chaperones would be entering my checkpoint as guests of the Make A Wish Foundation to take a “flight” on Delta Airlines to the North Pole.  Upon their return they would be greeted by Santa Claus at the Delta gate.

Donning the Santa hats that Delta had purchased, we began to screen these remarkable children and the parents who live with the knowledge that their little angels have little time left on this earth.

Their faces were brimming with laughter and anticipation of meeting Santa.

Several flight attendants were dressed as Santa’s elves and one was even dressed as Mrs. Claus.  

I met with the pilot of the “North Pole” flight.  Each child was issued a boarding pass that showed the destination NORTH POLE.  He even had a manifest showing each child’s name.

The “flight” would never really take off, but would have the plane simply taxi down the runway and back again giving the ground crew a chance to change into elf costumes and the gate attendants enough time to decorate the gate to look like the North Pole when the children deplaned.

The airline gave each child a super-cool backpack, blue for the boys and pink for the girls, which looked like a Delta airplane.  The backpack was stuffed to the gills with all sorts of goodies.  They even decorated the wheelchairs with jingle bells and decals and bows and ribbons.

When the festivities were over, all the kids were smiling more broadly than before and the faces of their parents seemed happier.

I have shared this wonderful story with you for two reasons.  There are wonderful people out there who care deeply for others.  The other reason involves a certain someone who was feeling sorry for herself.

It took this stark reminder to move me away from the self-pity that engulfed me.

I cannot admit to you that I do not fear my diagnosis, but I can say that God The Father set me straight that night.

I witnessed courage in the faces of the parents—a courage I cannot fathom—and a courage that no one should be forced to find in their lives.

I saw innocence in the faces of the children who are facing their own mortality.  It was a testament to life and living and all that is good if we just seek it out.

That is why I hadn’t posted anything in a while.  I hope my readers understand my momentary reflection of life.

A Child Again At Christmastime

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” ― Norman Vincent Peale

There are but 36 days until Christmas, the one day of the year that serves to remind us that we’re for something else besides ourselves.

Back in September, one of the gals at work who had transferred here from another state was abstractly talking about learning more about the city.  I suggested she visit the Southern Living Christmas Show.

Her eyes brightened with excitement.  She asked if I were joking.  I assured her I was not.  Right then and there we made plans to go to the show.

The Southern Living Christmas Show is one of the most popular holiday shows in the nation and signals the start of the Christmas season.  It runs for 10 days and thousands and thousands of people visit it.

There are over 500 merchants from all over the country who exhibit everything related to this most glorious holiday.

As you enter the show, you pass through Olde Town.  Exhibitors have decorated trees, doors and fireplace mantels in some of the most elegant and visually stunning ways.  Then you pass through Christmas Village.  This area is filled with over 50 shops brimming with Christmas ornaments, garland, night lights, gifts, home décor, wreaths, and centerpieces for your holiday table.  You name it, it’s there.

My first stop was The Christmas Mouse. They have stores located in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. There, I found a beautiful iridescent white snowflake lighted tree topper, two packages of gold glitter and white snowflake ornaments, an Advent calendar filled with milk chocolates (I buy one of these each year to carry on the tradition set by my mom and dad when I was a child) and a beautiful Christmas night light with a little teddy bear and presents underneath it. It measures 7”H by 5”W. The little star on top even twinkles.  I adore it.

My next stop was at A Touch of Country Magic.  These nice folks are located in Cleveland, GA.  I bought one bag each of mulberry, cinnamon orange, apple splendor, Christmas tree scent and holiday punch potpourri.  My bonus gift was a 24-inch cinnamon broom to hang by the fireplace.

I also visited with Santa Claus.  The Shriners are always there for the rug rats to have their pictures taken with the Jolly Old Elf.  It was delightful to watch young and old alike having a conversation about what they’d like him to bring them this year.

Having made our way through Liberty Hall we entered Independence Hall.  This is where all the goodies are.  As I approached the Salem Baking Company I decided to buy a Moravian Star to adorn my front porch.  It is a geometric wonder with 24 points.  Traditionally, it is to be hung on the first Sunday of Advent.  I’ve always wanted one.  This year I was determined to purchase it.

The Moravians settled in North Carolina in 1766 and brought with them their centuries-old recipe for cookies.

The cookies…oh my, the cookies.  I bought the cinnamon and brown sugar, chocolate enrobed peppermint, spiced apple cider, key lime, pumpkin spice, Meyer lemon and classic sugar cookies.

I decided to go to the check-in and deposit my purchases to be held there until I was ready to leave the show.  You can’t really shop if your hands are full, right?

We browsed the exhibits of stained glass panels, metal sculptures, collegiate items, jewelry, toys, books, DVDs, scarves and home décor.  All along the way, there were vendors selling food items.

I stopped by Emily G’s.  These folks call Dunwoody, GA home.  I bought three jars of roasted red pepper jam (this is wonderful dolloped on top of a schmear of cream cheese on a gourmet cracker) and a jar of strawberry chipotle.

Further down another aisle was the Brazos Legends Salsa Company.  Hailing from the College Station area of Texas, their booth was replete with nachos for sampling their selection of salsas.  Next to ice cream, chips and salsa is one of my favorite comfort foods.  I ended up with a jar of Rawhide Burning, Jalapeno Pepper Sauce, Chipotle Pepper Sauce and Cilantro Sauce de Julia.  Mmmm good!

Next to Brazos was a booth inhabited by an elderly woman seated in a rocking chair knitting a scarf.  She was selling Amish apple butter and pumpkin butter.  She was selling two sizes—large 32 oz. and small 16 oz. jars.  I bought one each of the large size.  This will be yummy on warm toast in the morning.

A little further down was Mama Lee’s Gourmet Hot Chocolate.  These nice people traveled from Farmington, TN to participate in the Christmas show.  With the weather turning colder a comfy cup of hot chocolate always hits the spot.  Their hot chocolate is rich.  They carry eight delectable flavors.  To help you decide, they have set up some Bunn® Thermofresh Coffee Servers with three of their most popular flavors:  Double Dutch, Raspberry Cream and White Chocolate.  They serve samples in teeny, tiny little cups.  The stuff is piping hot.  This hot chocolate is so good it’ll make ya wanna slap your mama.  Yeap, I walked away with one each of the flavors listed above.  

On Christmas Eve Santa is going to get a cup of White Chocolate and a plate full of Moravian sugar cookies. There will be carrots for his reindeer too.  He knows I like him best.

It was time to grab a bite to eat.  We settled on some killer hot dogs.  Hebrew National hot dogs served with all the fixin’s.  We bought a Susan G. Komen pink mug filled with our favorite soft drink and went to the picnic area to indulge in our culinary delights.

With our bellies full, I stopped once again at the check-in, gave the attendant my loot and off we went to Freedom Hall.  This is where the more luxurious items are for sale.  There were boots, women’s apparel, garden statuary, art galleries and things of that ilk.

I almost bought a flagpole with a solar beacon and flying eagle ornament.  I paused just long enough to come to my senses.  All I saw was dollar signs.  I’d already spent a boatload of dineros and still hadn’t finished shopping.  So I took their business card and promised to check back with them after Christmas.

My friend took an interest in the pet items at another booth.  She has a dachshund named Bo.  She saw a harness she liked and bought it.  Not far away was another booth with pet goodies.  I decided I would purchase a Christmas collar for my furkid, Sophie, and I also bought a teeny, tiny Santa hat to go with it.  I thought if I force her to wear the hat she should have some homemade doggie treats.  I walked away with cheese wafers and peanut butter “cookies”.  Maybe she won’t stay too mad at me.

Then I happened upon an exhibitor from Yardley, PA.  Dakota Prairie Designs was featuring their “lifetime” candles.  They come with a lifetime fiberglass wick.  I fell in love with the red and purple berry candle in the 10” X 12” three-wick style.  I purchased the stand to go with it and a bottle of clear, unscented paraffin oil.  The “candle” is filled with purple and red berries, orange slices and pine cones. 

Over on another shelf I found a waiter wine caddy.  I loved how whimsical it was.  These two items will adorn my kitchen after Christmas.

The last time I visited the Christmas show, about five years ago, my friend D. Morgan was not there.  Her gallery was there.  She just wasn’t.  When I saw her yesterday, she looked just as lovely as I remembered. 

Doris’ work is easy to recognize because it is peaceful.  She intertwines inspirational text with images and does some of the most beautiful matting and framing you’ve ever seen.  Her prints are all over my house.

The first print I ever purchased featured this text:  "When I get to heaven, and I'm all settled there, may I dine with Mr. Disney…and dance with Fred Astaire!"

The second print I got is entitled Dear Santa.  It depicts a snow-covered field with a farmhouse and fence and a little church in the background.  The night sky has a full moon hanging in it and the image of Santa’s sleigh and reindeer are seen against its shape.  On the print are these words:  "Dear Santa...Are you still the same dear man I knew so long ago? Does Mrs. Claus still mend your suit and pack your bag to go? I knew the bells on reindeer hoof and felt the snow crunch on my roof. I ran to peek in at the tree (that breathless little child was me.) How marvelously jolly round, you stilled my heart without a sound. How quiet you were beside the tree, you drank the cocoa there from me. Now with values rearranged, please don't tell me you have changed. Does Mrs. Claus still mend your suit and pack your bag to go? Are you still the same dear man I knew so long ago?"

Hanging in my bedroom all year ‘round is my favorite.  It’s called Christmas Past with the accompanying sentiment:  "Long ago and far away the memories were cast. Today our hearts are full...Love remembers Christmas Past."  Father Christmas is standing in a snow-covered forest with a polar bear that is donning a collar adorned with bells, there's also a white wolf, a deer in the background and the dove of peace fluttering its wings above.  The original artwork was created in 1993.

It was wonderful to see Doris again.  I hugged her hard and wished her a wonderful holiday season and scurried off to my last stop.

The North Carolina wineries have a bar you can sidle up to and sample their fare.  I let my friend go to town sampling.  I already knew what I wanted—Christmas at Biltmore® White Wine.  This is a semi-sweet white wine with the infused flavors of apricot, spice and citrus. 

I dropped back by the check-in, grabbed my bounty and headed for the exits.  The valet brought my car around.  I loaded all my goodies into the trunk and headed home.

When I got home, I took everything out of the bags and decided I was proud of what I had purchased.  For a while, the visit had replaced my angst over what is to happen on Wednesday and then I remembered Doris’ artwork:  "When I get to heaven, and I'm all settled there, may I dine with Mr. Disney…and dance with Fred Astaire!"

Do They Still Make Wooden Christmas Trees?

As a child, one of the fondest memories I have was joining Mom and Dad in the annual adventure of picking out the family Christmas tree.  It involved going to several tree lots to find “the perfect” tree.

Dad would wade into the “forest” and pick out one that had that “just right” shape.  He’d call Mom and me over to inspect the tree he’d chosen.  Mom would circle the tree to make sure there weren’t any bad spots.  Then I would give it a thumbs up.

I remember the advent of the artificial tree.  Sometime around 1965 the aluminum tree debuted in America.  If you bought one of those babies you had to have a color wheel to shine on it.  It was like a disc that was divided into four colors that turned so that each color would alternately illuminate the shiny limbs of the tree.   Mom and Dad decided to buy one.  I never liked it and was very vocal about it.  I think we put the hideous thing up twice before I convinced them that a real tree was so much better.  I missed the trip to the tree lot; the excitement of hunting for and finding the right tree, strapping it to the roof of the car and decorating it when we got it home.  There’s something about the scent of a real tree at Christmastime.

Thanks to A Charlie Brown Christmas, sales of the aluminum tree declined.  In the Peanuts special, Charlie Brown and his pal Linus head to a lot to buy a tree for the school play.  They are overwhelmed by all the aluminum trees.  Charlie Brown spots a tiny, pitiful Christmas tree and Linus asks, “Do they still make wooden Christmas trees?”  A Charlie Brown Christmas pointed to an over-commercialization of Christmas.

Lately, I haven’t seen as many trees going down the highway headed to someone’s home.  Is this a sign that the artificial tree has replaced the real thing in our homes?

I am happy to report that the answer is a resounding no.  According to the National Christmas Tree Association, poll results from 2011 show that consumers in the U.S. purchased just under 31 million farm-grown Christmas trees and 9.5 million new plastic, artificial trees. Real trees outsell artificial trees by a greater than 3 to 1 margin.

There are some beautiful artificial trees available.  The good ones are pricey.  I realize that they don’t dry out, they don’t drop needles that wind up becoming embedded in the carpet and aren’t messy when you take them down.

Call me old-fashioned, but it’s hard to beat bundling up in your winter coat, popping in a Bing Crosby CD and hitting the road in search of the Yuletide spirit and memory-making that can be found in the perfect 8-foot Fraser fir.  It far surpasses plunking down $100 or more for the perfect limited-warranty, made in China, pre-lit polyvinylchloride Christmas tree.

Where Is He That Is Born The King Of The Jews?

Every year at this time there seems to be an augmented attack on those who welcome Christmas into their lives.

Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the “Little House” book series which chronicled a lost era of American history, said of Christmas, “Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.”

The Magi, three wisemen who followed a star to Bethlehem to worship the infant Jesus asked, “Where is He that is born the King of the Jews?”

Herod, the ruler of Judea, had been named King of the Jews by the Roman government.  Herod became outraged at the Magi’s question.  The birth of the Christchild threatened his position. Herod cunningly asked them to tell him when they had found The Child so he might also worship Him.  The Magi were warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod because of the treachery in Herod’s heart. 

Having been ignored by The Magi, Herod ordered his Roman soldiers to kill every single male child under two in his kingdom.  This atrocious act of genocide, the Massacre of the Innocents, was meant to rid the world of the Baby Jesus.

The birth of Christ is an incredible event we celebrate each year.  For centuries mankind has kept an appointment with Christmas.

Recently the King Herods, the Grinches and the Scrooges have tried to marginalize Christianity and the birth of Christ through the provocation of religious America.  The progressive secularists have adopted three strategies:  (1) create a niche for secular humanism among the unchurched; (2) mimic various aspects of evangelicalism (even as they target this movement as their main antagonist) and (3) flood the media with minority victimization and identity politics.  It’s not just the ACLU anymore; it’s also The Freedom From Religion Foundation, American Atheists, et.al.

We must not throw away our beloved traditions.  We must celebrate Christmas and freethinkers must learn to survive in a religious society.

Christmas signals to the world that God gave mankind His most glorious gift and 32 years after His birth Jesus was sacrificed upon a cross and resurrected so that we might have everlasting life.

The war on Christmas rages on, but I love a quotation that has been attributed to former President Ronald Reagan:  “Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees; tinsel and reindeers, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a teacher would answer if a student asked why it was called Christmas.” 

I believe Dickens had it right in A Christmas Carol.  After being visited by the specters of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future, Ebenezer Scrooge learned about the blessings of Christmas and said, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

Where is He that is born the King of the Jews?  He is in my heart every day in every way.  With the rise of atheist groups in America, I can only hope that Scrooge’s Christmas specters visit these misguided men and women, and that they too, will unharden their hearts and join in the joy of this most holy celebration.

May we always be free to keep our appointment with Christmas.