Two old-timers met for their usual morning coffee. One said, "I got a dog for my wife this weekend."
"Good trade," his friend responded.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
I AM THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
I am the Christmas spirit.
I enter the home of poverty, causing pale-faced children to open their eyes wide in pleased wonder.
I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.
I cause the AGED to renew their youth and to laugh in the glad old ways.
I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.
I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind them hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.
I cause the prodigal to to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way, and send to anxious love some little token that released glad tears - tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.
I enter prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been, and pointing forward to good days yet to come.
I come softly into the still, white home of pain; and lips that are to weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquently gratitude.
In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.
I am the Christmas spirit.
I enter the home of poverty, causing pale-faced children to open their eyes wide in pleased wonder.
I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.
I cause the AGED to renew their youth and to laugh in the glad old ways.
I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.
I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind them hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.
I cause the prodigal to to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way, and send to anxious love some little token that released glad tears - tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.
I enter prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been, and pointing forward to good days yet to come.
I come softly into the still, white home of pain; and lips that are to weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquently gratitude.
In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.
I am the Christmas spirit.
Monday, December 19, 2011
CHRISTMAS
The Christmas season is a special time of year. Only the most cynical scrooge thinks otherwise.
But, what makes it so special? After all, it is the most stressful of holidays, and according to the experts, the most stressful time of the year. And yet, we find ourselves smiling more often, enjoying the lights, singing along with the holiday music, and even getting a lift from jostling with busy shoppers in crowded stores and malls.
Perhaps it's because Christmas is the one time of year when we forget our differences and concentrate on our sameness. We give gifts... which means we have to consider the needs of someone else.. to become more like that person.
We enjoy children.. which means we let the beautiful child in each of us come to the surface and act out a heritage common to all adults.
We celebrate something and someone greater than ourselves.. which means we acknowledge the weakness we share with every other human being.
We hang bright lights and open our doors to friends and neighbors.. which means we forget whatever petty disputes may have divided us during the year.
In other words, for one glorious season of the year we reject the things that separate us one from another, and rejoice in the things that bring us together.
Our likenesses bring joy. Our imagined differences bring distress. No wonder we consider this a special time of year.
A happy child once asked, "Why can't Christmas come every day?" Men of good will might ask the same question. There is no reason why the warmth and good feelings of Christmas have to disappear as fast as a drumstick on a child's plate. Ben Franklin observed, "A good conscience is a continual Christmas." If we in American can develop the skill to make Tommy's iPad and Suzy's Wi console last for years, can't we develop a spiritual force that will keep the spirit of Christmas alive for 264 more days?
But, what makes it so special? After all, it is the most stressful of holidays, and according to the experts, the most stressful time of the year. And yet, we find ourselves smiling more often, enjoying the lights, singing along with the holiday music, and even getting a lift from jostling with busy shoppers in crowded stores and malls.
Perhaps it's because Christmas is the one time of year when we forget our differences and concentrate on our sameness. We give gifts... which means we have to consider the needs of someone else.. to become more like that person.
We enjoy children.. which means we let the beautiful child in each of us come to the surface and act out a heritage common to all adults.
We celebrate something and someone greater than ourselves.. which means we acknowledge the weakness we share with every other human being.
We hang bright lights and open our doors to friends and neighbors.. which means we forget whatever petty disputes may have divided us during the year.
In other words, for one glorious season of the year we reject the things that separate us one from another, and rejoice in the things that bring us together.
Our likenesses bring joy. Our imagined differences bring distress. No wonder we consider this a special time of year.
A happy child once asked, "Why can't Christmas come every day?" Men of good will might ask the same question. There is no reason why the warmth and good feelings of Christmas have to disappear as fast as a drumstick on a child's plate. Ben Franklin observed, "A good conscience is a continual Christmas." If we in American can develop the skill to make Tommy's iPad and Suzy's Wi console last for years, can't we develop a spiritual force that will keep the spirit of Christmas alive for 264 more days?
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