Here we are again, smack-dab in the middle of the holiday season ... and isn't it so joyful! .. mall mayhem .. sneaker slugfests .. road rage .. advertising overload .. personal debt skyrocketing .. increased personal & family stress & anxiety .. having to spend time with people you don't particularly care for .. Isn't it all so joyous?! .. and think of this .. a classic example that pretty much sizes it all up is "Black Friday." .. We, especially Christians, know what the color black stands for .. darkness, sin .. the opposite of light ...... well? ... Of course the real tragedy is that the true meaning has all but vanished from our society. .. In fact. it has evolved to the point that the Cross has become offensive to many & the mere mention of Jesus Christ is now all but against the law in the public square. .. The sad truth is that the atheists & satanists have gotten their way. ..  Hence, 'post-Christian' America is now upon us. .. Every time we enter this season, I promise myself that I am not going to get negative & try to just focus on the positive & true meaning of what it's all about. .. But then, here I go again railing against all the incredible nonsense that has replaced the true meaning. .. I mean everything we see is totally out of sync with the real truth! ... And we wonder why so many people get depressed this time of year? .. SO .... Now because of all this, let me stop for a moment & share this poem I received from a close friend. .. It is a pretty good summation of just what is taking place. .. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did ...... "Twas two months before Christmas - when all through the land Not a Christian was praying - not taking a stand Why the PC police - had taken away The reason for Christmas - no one could say   "The children were told - by the school not to sing About shepherds and wise men - and angels and things It might hurt people's feelings - the teachers would say December 25th - is just a holiday   "Yet the shoppers were ready - with cash, checks and credit Pushing folks down to the floor - just to get it CDs from Madonna - an x-box, an i-pod Something was changing - something quite odd   "Retailers promoted - Ramadan and Kwanzaa In hopes to sell books - by Franken and Fonda As Targets were hanging - their trees upside down At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found   "At K-mart and Staples - and Penney's and Sears You won't here the word Christmas - it won't touch your ears Inclusive, sensitive - di-ver-si-ty Are words that were used - to intimidate me   "Now Daschle, now Darden - now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen On Boxer, on Rather - on Kerry, on Clinton At the top of the Senate - there rose a clatter To eliminate Jesus - in all public matter   "And we spoke not a word - as they took away our faith Forbidden to speak - of salvation and grace The true gift of Christmas - was exchanged and discarded The reason for the season - stopped before it started   "So we celebrate 'winter break' - under your 'dream tree' Sipping our Starbucks - listen to me Choose your words carefully - choose what you say Shout Merry Christmas - not happy holiday!" Possibly a bit political, I would say, but hey ... many of the words in the poem ring truthful .... OK, enough. .. I need to keep this one short because it is the last few days before .. and we are all so busy 'getting it all done' ... Let me just say this ... I wish each of you a truly joyful & happy time as you celebrate the birth of the One who came & freed us from the bondage of sin ... Jesus Christ. .. I pray that as each of you & your families join together, you will experience only happiness & unity .. a time of refreshing & renewal. ... We know this ..  that we will soon return to the reality of the days we are living in soon enough! ...... Many blessings to you all ........ Until next time, Red