christmas (15)

Embellished By Faith, Predicated On Facts

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By Craig Andresen – Right Side Patriots on American Political Radio

xmas-faith-1.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710xThe story of the birth of Jesus, as told in two books in the Bible, is a good story full of hope, and promise. That story eventually gave rise to a major religion, Christianity, and it has been told, and retold for the past couple of thousand years.

It’s a story…but it’s a good story.

That story has Jesus being born in a manger, because there was no room at the inn, shepherds, wise men, gifts meant for a King, and so much more. Christians around the world celebrate the story of the birth of Jesus, and hold it dear. There’s nothing wrong with that.

But it is a story that relies on faith rather than on fact…and one should not try to replace the latter with the former.

Let me explain…

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By Craig Andresen – Right Side Patriots on American Political Radio

If there is such a thing as divine providence, clearly it played a most important part in the events surrounding the founding of this delaware-1.jpg?width=226nation.

For those who wish to separate Christmas from the politics of the day, I am with you but, one must realize that without connecting the two, we may well not have a nation at all.

When one thinks of Christmas, the true and first Christmas, one thinks of tiny Bethlehem. That’s where it started. Bethlehem.

So too, perhaps via divine providence, is Bethlehem a key to our nation’s birth.

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The Liberal’s Guide to Christmas

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By Craig Andresen – Right Side Patriots on American Political Radio

lgc-1.jpg?width=226It’s that time of the year when visions of sugarplums start dancing in one’s head and our thoughts turn to the festive gatherings of families and friends.

Christmas…from the reason for the season, to jolly ol’ St. Nick…from the giving of gifts, to food, fun, laughter and decorating.

Christmas is a time for celebration unless, of course…

You’re a liberal.

With that in mind, allow me to provide, not so much as a set of rules, but more as a source of information…

The Liberal’s Guide to Christmas.

Here we go…

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Jesus-Yeshua Christ and HIS BIRTH!!

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Luke 2:11-14 KJV ) “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes, Lying in a Manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly host Praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace, Good Will toward men.”!!

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Politics and Christmas Past

By Craig Andresen – The National Patriot and Right Side Patriots on americanpbn.com

chr-1.jpg?width=224It is difficult to escape the political undertow in today’s world. Politics is in play in everything we do, from our daily routines to events half way around the world. Our schools, our streets and roads…regulations imposed on everything from our businesses to the water we drink…wars, conflicts, diplomatic relations with nations both friend and foe…we can’t get up in the morning, proceed with our daily business or go to bed at night without political interference.

This time of the year, we do our best to ignore, to whatever extent possible, the world of politics in favor of time-honored traditions that revolve around Christmas or Chanukah, but we should not forget the role of politics IN Christmas…the first Christmas to be precise.

Just as the death of Jesus on the cross was politically motivated, so too was his birth.

While the scriptures reveal that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to pay their taxes, the truth goes politically deeper than that.

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4063794504?profile=original       War on Christmas by Atheists 

            photo credit - Gawker

The War on Christmas is nothing new in America the only difference are the weapons which are being used against it.  Fox News is the only news network which has spent time to focus on the growing number of incidents which deprive children of celebrating Christmas in schools and families being able to celebrate and share Nativity Scenes in many public places.  With the mounting assaults upon Christians religious freedom to publically celebrate Christmas by atheists and ACLU supporters, is the War on Christmas a losing battle?

Some detractors of the celebration of Christmas joy and the true reason for the blessed season have been working nonstop in a number of venues to insure that the message of Christ’s birth is eradicated from any public viewing in America.  Yet, there is no outrage raised when atheists and other secular seasonal efforts are given free reign like Kwanza and other manufactured holidays.

Over the past decade a myriad of lawsuits and threats of lawsuits have been filed against public schools and cities that even propose the placement of a nativity scene in view of supporters of Christmas.  Therefore it is no small wonder that younger adults born between the 1980’s and early 2000s who are part of Generation Y, are increasingly failing to embrace the religious meaning of Christmas.

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4063793596?profile=originalHoney Boo Boo’s charity provides gifts and toys for needy area families -

photo credit - Jason Winslow Splash News

Honey Boo Boo is an eight-year-old beauty queen that has captured the heart and soul of reality TV watchers all across the nation.  Of course for the most devout fans they fully understand the meaning of being “redneckognized!”  Everything about Honey Boo Boo, showcases that dynamic pint-sized personality which assures she is the true queen of “Toddlers and Tiaras.”

There is more to the star’s TV fame  on “Here Comes Honey Boo” for Alana Thompson , Honey Boo Boo, real name.  Underneath all of the makeup, glitter and spurts of child-like behavior is a giving heart.  It is that giving heart that neighbors of her and her family in their Georgia neighborhood appreciate.

The Thompson family always seem to find ways to showcase their hallmark  sensitive and compassionate side, which at Christmas is demonstrated through Honey Boo Boo’s family’s designated giving to the group Wilco Luvs Kids, reported the Daily Mail. 

Honey Boo Boo Gifts - Photo Credit - Reality TV Bliss

Honey Boo Boo Gifts – Photo Credit – Reality TV Bliss

According to the Daily Mail, their charity benefits many needy families during the Christmas holidays. The family is now celebrating its fourth year of  charitable giving.  Mama June who leads the holiday effort  spearheaded the raising of  over $15,000 for needy families by launching a Christmas toy drive.

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Jesus Christ is The Reason for the Season!

Jesus Christ is The Reason for the Season!

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18) Now the Birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.


19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall Save His people from their sins.

22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24) Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name JESUS.

I) NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2) Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.

3) When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4) And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5) And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6) And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7) Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8) And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9) When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

II) And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Holy Bible — King James Version
Matthew 1:18-25 and 2:1-11 KJV 1611AV )

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Love Always, YSIC \o/

Kristi Ann

http://kristiann1.com

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Scrooge Was A Liberal

Ann Coulter

It’s the Christmas season, so godless liberals are citing the Bible to demand the redistribution of income by government force. Didn’t Jesus say, “Blessed are the Health and Human Services bureaucrats, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”?

Liberals are always indignantly accusing conservatives of claiming God is on our side. What we actually say is: We’re on God’s side, particularly when liberals are demanding God’s banishment from the public schools, abortion on demand, and taxpayer money being spent on Jesus submerged in a jar of urine and pictures of the Virgin Mary covered with pornographic photos.

But for liberals like Al Franken, it’s beyond dispute that Jesus would support extending federal unemployment insurance.

This has absolutely nothing to do with the Bible, but it does nicely illustrate Shakespeare’s point that the “devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”

What the Bible says about giving to the poor is: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians (9:7)

Being forced to pay taxes under penalty of prison is not voluntary and rarely done cheerfully. Nor do our taxes go to “the poor.” They mostly go to government employees who make more money than you do.

The reason liberals love the government redistributing money is that it allows them to skip the part of charity that involves peeling the starfish off their wallets and forking over their own money. This, as we know from study after study, they cannot bear to do. (Unless they are guaranteed press conferences where they can brag about their generosity.)

Syracuse University professor Arthur Brooks’ study of charitable giving in America found that conservatives give 30 percent more to charity than liberals do, despite the fact that liberals have higher incomes than conservatives.

In his book “Who Really Cares?” Brooks compared the charitable donations of religious conservatives, secular liberals, secular conservatives and “religious” liberals.

His surprising conclusion was … Al Franken gave the most of all!

Ha ha! Just kidding. Religious conservatives, the largest group at about 20 percent of the population, gave the most to charity — $2,367 per year, compared with $1,347 for the country at large.

Even when it comes to purely secular charities, religious conservatives give more than other Americans, which is surprising because liberals specialize in “charities” that give them a direct benefit, such as the ballet or their children’s elite private schools.

Indeed, religious people, Brooks says, “are more charitable in every measurable nonreligious way.”

Brooks found that conservatives donate more in time, services and even blood than other Americans, noting that if liberals and moderates gave as much blood as conservatives do, the blood supply would increase by about 45 percent.

They ought to set up blood banks at tea parties.

On average, a person who attends religious services and does not believe in the redistribution of income will give away 100 times more — and 50 times more to secular charities — than a person who does not attend religious services and strongly believes in the redistribution of income.

Secular liberals, the second largest group coming in at 10 percent of the population, were the whitest and richest of the four groups. (Some of you may also know them as “insufferable blowhards.”) These “bleeding-heart tightwads,” as New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof calls them, were the second stingiest, just behind secular conservatives, who are mostly young, poor, cranky white guys.

Despite their wealth and advantages, secular liberals give to charity at a rate of 9 percent less than all Americans and 19 percent less than religious conservatives. They were also “significantly less likely than the population average to return excess change mistakenly given to them by a cashier.” (Count Nancy Pelosi’s change carefully!)

Secular liberals are, however, 90 percent more likely to give sanctimonious Senate speeches demanding the forced redistribution of income. (That’s up 7 percent from last year!)

We’ll review specific liberals next week.

Needless to say, “religious liberals” made up the smallest group at just 6.4 percent of the population (for more on this, see my book, “Godless”).

Interestingly, religious liberals were also “most confused” of all the groups. Composed mostly of blacks and Unitarians, religious liberals made nearly as many charitable donations as religious conservatives, but presumably, the Unitarians brought down their numbers, making them second in charitable giving.

Brooks wrote that he was shocked by his conclusions because he believed liberals “genuinely cared more about others than conservatives did” — probably because liberals are always telling us that.

So he re-ran the numbers and gathered more data, but it kept coming out the same. “In the end,” he says, “I had no option but to change my views.”

Every other study on the subject has produced similar results. Indeed, a Google study of philanthropy found an even greater disparity, with conservatives giving 50 percent more than liberals. The Google study showed that liberals gave more to secular causes overall, but conservatives still gave more as a percentage of their incomes.

The Catalogue for Philanthropy analyzed a decade of state and federal tax returns and found that the red states were far more generous than the blue states, with the highest percentage of tightwads living in the liberal Northeast.

In his book “Intellectuals,” Paul Johnson quotes Pablo Picasso scoffing at the idea that he would give to the needy. “I’m afraid you’ve got it wrong,” Picasso explains, “we are socialists. We don’t pretend to be Christians.”

Merry Christmas to all, skinflint liberals and generous Christians alike!

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A CHRISTmas Message

As Tuesday approaches I want to wish everyone a blessed CHRISTmas.  As you experience Christmas this year consider the importance of this holiday.  For example, there are over 2 billion people worldwide who not only celebrate Christmas as a holiday but also how the birth of a child permanently changed the world. 


Children are precious.  Keep in your prayers those 20 children who died in Connecticut along with their families.  But life also is about balance.  Therefore balance your prayers to include the 53 million babies and children that are not here today since Roe v Wade in 1973 (out of sight does not mean out of mind). 


For 2 billion Christians, they strive to live out the message of Christmas not just for one day or one month, but as a way of life 12 months a year.  Among those principals include compassion, love, humility, and forgiveness.  From a balanced perspective I say how can that many people be wrong?

 

Finally, please pray for leaders (Herod? & Caesar?) who have the task of preventing a national catastrophe in the years ahead from their decisions today.  And don’t spend more than you can pay back over the Christmas holiday despite the temptation to follow the example of others as making it seem ok.  And remember those who cannot afford gifts and sometimes even food, not just over this holiday, but all year long.

God bless each and every one as you experience the wonder of Christmas.  Richard

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Merry Christmas! The Constitution Still Stands

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Have you seen the panic? There have been a lot of erroneous stories of late that exaggerate, not the danger that an over-sized government and its manic bureaucratic wing present to us, but the actual situation we are in as Americans at this very moment. No need to panic! Merry Christmas, we are still a free people. 

Like Ronald Reagan I am an optimist. I believe in Americans, and I believe that there will always be a free people in this country. Those people comprise the thread by which our Constitution now hangs. It is a strong thread, and though it seems tenuous at times, our Constitution gleams with a bright spark of Divine inspiration. Our founding documents, being inspired by the Mind of God, are more clever than the enemies of the republic. Despite the pounding and shredding of many of the basic tenets of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, they continue to protect us. We still own our most basic possessions; our lives, our property, our voices, our choices, and the overriding right to defend them all. 

The signers of the Declaration of Independence all pledged their lives to the cause of liberty. When they signed the Declaration they may have thought they were signing their death warrants. They pledged their blood, and likely expected to shed it. But not one of those men lost their lives as a direct result of battle with the British. Some were captured and tortured for their roles as signatories to the Declaration of Independence. Nine of them lost sons to the Revolutionary War. Some had their homes and treasures ransacked. But they were not outright murdered by their adversaries. Their honor has only been magnified through time. And their treasures, if lost, were replaced with that sufficient for their needs. We too are protected as the the necessity for a Revolution of the 21st Century grows ever greater.

Some 20,000 Americans gave their lives to fight the British tyranny. Those lives sacrificed literally changed the world forever. I do not minimize the threats from despots and tyrants who now threaten our country from abroad, and from Communists and Progressives within our own social institutions and government, but we will not give up our freedom. It is impossible to quench the flame of human liberty once it is lit. We will battle with our might to defend it, but it will never be snuffed out.

As Christmas Day nears, I ponder my faith in God, and in His holy Son, Jesus Christ. My heart brims with gratitude to God that He gave me the privilege of being born an American. I am also thankful, though sometimes burdened, by the responsibility He gave me to fight to keep this country free and prosperous. As Christ freed His people from the chains of death and damnation, so too will He give us the strength to defy the chains of slavery to Big Government, and evil ideologies who hate us, and covet, and want to destroy, the blessings we enjoy as Americans. Living in Western Colorado, near the Colorado river, nestled between the mountain's majesty and the splendor of the high desert, I know that this is God's country. I also know that America is God's nation.

Let us reflect upon these things. The moments of panic steal our personal peace, but they also damage our credibility. As the Star of Bethlehem was a guiding light to the wise men who sought the Son of God, so let us be a ray of hope and optimism to those who are looking for a happier future in America. Hope burns bright, man will not easily become enslaved. We are still free to worship. We are still free to love our neighbors. Merry Christmas, we are still a free people.   

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Merry Christmas From The Baker Family

Tonight will be Christmas eve and it seems to me that the country is a little sadder, a little more reflective, a lot more realistic, and a little less hedonistic this year.  I know that this sounds like a weird opening for a Christmas message, but I think this is a healthy thing.  I think many of us are longing for a simpler, more honest time in America. 

I really miss Christmas and long for the feeling of Christmas I had as a child.  For so long we have made Christmas so glitzy and vulgar that we have missed the real joy of this season.  It is sad, but it's a part of the identity loss we are suffering as a people.  Maybe this year, this adversity we are going through, is not all bad.  And while I sympathize with families out of work at this time of year, perhaps this is giving us pause to reflect on all we've had, all we've lost, and all we have stopped being.

4063263283?profile=originalChristmas during my childhood is one of my sweetest memories.  Sure, we had the tree and the presents, and the trappings of Christmas.  But what I remember is not the presents or the trees, but the hot chocolate made with real cocoa.  I remember the Christmas cookies made with all the love of Christmas past.  I remember practicing for the Christmas pageant that the church children put on every Christmas eve.  I remember going to the small little house of my grandparents on Christmas day with all of my aunts and uncles and all of their kids.  I remember the snowball fights, warming by the old stove, and the giggling conversations of children amerced in the innocence of yesteryear.  The Christmas meal wasn't about just eating, it was about family, tradition, and remembering. 

4063263354?profile=originalI can still see my long lost uncle from New York sitting there at the table with his brothers and sisters and watching the bond being reformed ... becoming family all over again.  I remember the story telling and the good natured ribbing.  I remember the presentation of the turkey and the home made noodles (weird Christmas tradition at the Baker's Christmas table) which I loved. 

4063263310?profile=originalI can recall so vividly the color of the sky as evening set in on Christmas day.  That was a time when all the world was right.  By this time in the evening, all the kids were wet, cold and tired and ready for more hot chocolate and freshly baked homemade pie.  And following the pie came games.  The kids would be at the table in the basement playing board games and the adults would play cards at the huge dining room table, which would comfortably seat about 12 to 14 people.   Grandma and Grandpa had eight children and a large table was a necessity. 

 

4063263323?profile=originalI remember the drive home to our little town of Rochelle in northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border.  There was one street over which the trees made a tunnel in the summer, but in the winter, on those Christmas night rides home, I remember the way the moon silhouetted those leafless trees.  I remember the blue and purple tint to the moonlight that colored the snow and made everything look cold, but somehow peaceful. 

4063263294?profile=originalBut I also remember what we celebrated.  I know that Christmas is not the real time of the birth of the Messiah, but then we didn't know that … we just knew that this was a special event.  From my earliest remembrance we knew the story of the shepherds watching their flocks by night.  We knew about Mary, the young mother tenderly caring for her child lying in swaddling clothes in a cold dark manger.  We knew of the star of Bethlehem and the wise men.   We knew of the glory of the angels filling the sky as even the heavens could not contain the power and the joyous rapture of this event. 

Luke 2: 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9: And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12: And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

4063263373?profile=originalPeace on earth good will toward men.  And yet there is no peace on earth.  This Christmas we have members of our armed forces braving the elements and facing Islamo extremism around the world; our politicians have betrayed us again and again in Washington D.C., and state capitals around the country.  Our financial crisis threatens to destroy our economy and millions of our country men are jobless and scared.  Justice evades our courts and arrogance rules in the White House. 

But even in this midst of this turbulence and betrayal, we can look forward to a time when all of this will be replaced with a prophesied righteous government which will be established forever.  And fortunately, we have the surety, the down payment of the promise posited with us at this Christmas season.  Let me share with you the prophecy of that time of righteous government, which came as the spirit moved the prophet Isaiah, 700 hundred years before the birth of the Messiah.

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

9:7: Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

4063263344?profile=originalThere will come a time when all that we see: the violence, the corruption, and the brutality of humankind come to an end and there will come to this earth that which the very earth itself has cried out for ... peace.  The peace of Christmas; the peace that was wrought when the King of kings chose to make himself the peace offering for all of us. 

It is indeed astounding to think that the Creator of all things would humble Himself to the birth of a peasant that we might be made kings and priests; And from that rude, cold and dark manger the world would find life, and light, and finally the peace that passes all understanding and brings joyous hope to an otherwise sad and broken humanity.  How great is our salvation? How great is our God? How sure is the hope of those whose God is the Lord?

4063263454?profile=originalThis Christmas season, Katie and I wish for you memories of the innocence of Christmas past, the  joy of the shepherds as they gathered at the manger celebrating the fulfillment of all their hopes and dreams throughout the generations of Israel and in your heart, we wish for you, peace ... the peace that comes from knowing that our Messiah is no longer a helpless babe in a manger but the Lion of Judah and our loving redeemer that came to this earth for all, but more importantly He came for you.  Had there been no one else on this planet but you ... he still would have come, for you.

That, dear friends, is the message and meaning and the Peace of Christmas and it is that, we wish for you all. 

 

Jake & Katie Baker

 


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Beckah was silent as they pulled away from the family's Christmas party. She had smiled and joked with family and friends, but her friend Linda, being the observant and wise sage she was, called Beckah aside and asked her why she wasn't eating. Beckah, responding like a brave soldier, said she was just a little under the weather. She knew that if she said anything that all, the frustration, fear, anger, and panic might came rolling out in one great weeping gush of tears, rage, sobbing, and convulsing panic.

She and her husband Jack had both been out of work for four months. The money was gone, the electric bill due, and the car payment was behind. They had sold everything they could, hocked jewelry, and dropped every unnecessary services they could. Jack had worked every odd job he can find, but it wasn't enough. It barely kept food on the table. By this time next month, the house would be in foreclosure, and in three months they would be out on the street. They had no family to move in with, no prospects, no jobs on the horizon, and the economy was still looking very grim. Meanwhile, government was still spending on everything but the economy. It was hopeless absolutely hopeless.

Finally home, Beckah just wanted to collapse. She went to her room drew a warm bath, sunk down in the tub, and cried. For the first time in years Beckah found herself praying ... really praying; the kind of praying she did when she first became a Christian. And while no jobs magically appeared on the horizon, after a good cry and a lot of prayer, there was a tiny speck of peace just knowing that she could still talk to God.

Ho, Ho, Ho! Tis the season to be hustled falalalalalalalala. Normally, this is the time of the year when everybody is standing around with their hands outstretched, from the department stores to the charities. Everybody is reminding you of all you deserve, all you should be thankful for, and "give."

Well, they are half right, that is, if your electricity isn't in danger of being turned off, your house payment has been made, and you have a job to go to every morning. If this is the current situation in which you find yourself, then you are indeed blessed because presently there are about 30 million of our fellow Americans who don't have anywhere to go when they wake up in the morning.

No! I am not going to hustle you for even one dime. I am not going to tell you to give to me, or this worthy charity, or that worthy charity. There are some great charities out there, but you should decide where your money goes. As for me ... I'm going to do something different this year. I'm going directly to the source of the need and cutting out the middle man.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to give to the Salvation Army and Wounded Warriors, but this year I am going to do something different. According to the National Retail Federation Americans spent $504 billion in 2009 during the Christmas holidays. Chances are that number will be about the same this year.

So this year I'm not going to go to Macy's, or Dillard's, or Radio Shack, or Penny's, or Sears, or any of the other stores for my Christmas shopping. This year I am going to wrap presents and give them to my family and friends. And inside those presents will be the story of a family that we helped in their name. The present might read like this:

Bob and Cathy, instead of a bottle of wine this year, please accept our gift of a Christmas meal for a mom and her three kids whose husband is serving in Afghanistan. She is "living" on about $18,000 per year. My gift to you is a gift to them. Knowing you as I do, I know you will be thrilled with this present.

To Family: As you open this present, I wanted you to know that Katie and I talked about it and decided this year that we were going to do things a little different. We knew some friends that were unemployed. They had no money, no hope, and nowhere to turn.

Because of their dire circumstances, this year we've decided to spend our entire Christmas budget on two families. So, let me tell you what our family got you for Christmas. We got you payments for family one. There was a shiny new house payment for Jack. And for Beckah, we lavished her with two car payments, and for the kids we got the very latest in utility payments so they could watch their television, and a full blown Christmas dinner. And here's the best part ... no assembly required.

And for our kids, we got Don and Cindy caught up on their house payment, paid the cell phone bill, in case an employer called someone could answer, and as a stocking stuffer we made them a wonderful Christmas dinner. Hope that all of this fits under the tree. I'll tell you, Katie and I have gotten pretty good at shopping because every one of these presents fits perfectly. There was not one exchange of any gift we got this year. They were all just the right size.

Now that's Christmas. Can you imagine if everyone, all three hundred plus million of us, would just take 25% of our Christmas spending and help an unemployed family what that would mean to them and to the economy? It would mean a $125 billion stimulus to the economy without spending one cent of tax money.

And churches, you can help too. With all the special offerings taken this time of year, and all the extra money you bring in, why not adopt a few families this year? You can't help everybody, so why not really help a few. But be careful, pick out only families that are worthy of such a blessing. Make sure the parents are good role models for their kids, that they are just down with the economy, and not "professionally" unemployed.

Come on businesses ... you can help. How about you tradesmen? This Christmas why not give the gift of a patched roof, or fixed plumbing, or a replaced window for a worthy family in your area?

And you department stores ... how about a free appliance for a needy family? And car dealers ... we haven't forgotten about you! Do you know what the gift of a good running car would mean for a young family struggling to get to the new job they finally found after 18-24 months of endless job interviews? It would mean the world to them.

Listen, you don't have to do the job alone. There are 340 million of us out here. This won't solve all of our problems. Long term we need to fix the economy with a constitutional budget, free enterprise, and honest dollars, but in the meanwhile, this will help.

It will help the people you share with; it will help the economy; it will help ease the family's burden; and, more than anything, it will help you. Those of us who still have somewhere to go when we wake up in the morning, it will help us remember how blessed we really are. It will help us remember who we are as a people. It will help us remember what America and Americans are really all about.

My countrymen, my friends, my fellow patriots, you are needed now more than ever to help us pull this country together. I know it is Christmas and nobody wants Mr. Scrooge lurking about casting humbug over their holiday cheer. However, I believe that we are under attack in so many ways that there is little hope of coming through this situation whole.

George Soros and his fellow traitors, both in and out of government, are attacking our monetary system and have involved the Chinese in their seditious plot. The dollar collapse may be inescapable. The dark heart of militant Islam has set its sights on America. The world is spinning madly out of control and there is little we can do about it. The system is about to reset. When it does, one of two systems will arise from the ashes of that ruin. It will either be the cold, hard, New World Order of an international oligarchy of thugs and tyrants, or ...

You and I will have laid the ground for rebuilding the American community again on those first principles, which include all of us caring and sharing with the rest of our family, friends and neighbors; not as a commune, but as individuals who care about each other and giving others a helping hand. This is not about government programs, this is about human kindness.

This year I hope you will consider the gift of Americans helping Americans. Nobody needs to know the family's name you help. For that matter, nobody even needs to know what you did unless you want to tell them. But by your kindness you may be the only lifeline to the desperate household of a neighbor or family member in our scared nation, and the only lifeline back to the America we once knew. We don't need government to take care of us. All we need is We ... us to take care of the U.S.

Remember ... there was no welfare office when Mary and Joseph showed up in Bethlehem. She did not seek free medical care from the government. Nor did she kill her baby because it was inconvenient. She brought into a world, darkened with sin and sadness, the light of all mankind.

This was prophesied 700 years before the birth of the Messiah back in the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7: Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

And Luke says in his classic Christmas description in Luke 2:

1.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4. 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:)
5. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered.
7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

This may not be, and, in fact, probably is not, the time of the real birth of the Savior, but this is when we celebrate His birth as a nation, so let's make the best of it. Let us truly celebrate Christmas with those around us this year with the gift of blessing others at Christmas. Really, how much stuff do you need? It's just stuff. Will it be remembered in July? Probably not. But if you make a car payment, or pay a utility bill for a struggling family, do you think that will be remembered in July? I would venture to say, that gift will be remembered twenty years from now and will be listed forever in eternity.

Let this be the year when we all say, "Bah humbug!" to advertisers, bankers, and the typical Christmas hustlers and give the gift that will be remembered in eternity, the gift of kindness ... perhaps the gift of economic survival for a military family, unemployed family, relative or friend in your life.

And while you're out running around and you stop to grab a bite to eat, look around for one of our brothers or sisters in arms, and quietly buy their meal. You don't have to tell them or say a word, just pay quietly and I guarantee you will feel more Christmas in that moment than in ten hours of shopping.

Finally, this year give yourself the greatest gift of all. Gather your family together round a crackling fire, bring out the hot chocolate sing a few Christmas songs, and as a family on your knees thank God that you are together, safe, warm, blessed beyond anything most of the world could ever comprehend. Build memories, faith and love amongst yourselves. None of us knows how many more of these Christmas' we will have.

So ... what will it be this year ... the usual Christmas Hustle or ...

The Greatest Christmas Ever?

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