Friday, December 24, 2010

Season of Sorrow, Season of Joy

Christmas is here. For many, it's a very joyous time of year. And it should be. For "true" Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the saviour of the world. We give presents (both at Christmas and on birthdays) because wise men from the East came and gave presents to the baby Jesus.

But for others, this time of year is depressing and anything but joyous. And I feel for these people. I don't actually know anyone who feels this way (as far as I know, anyway), but there is a reason why more suicides occur during this time of year. If I could, I would convince these people that things are never as hopeless as they may seem or as they think they are. Suicide is NEVER the answer and is, quite frankly, the ultimate expression of selfishness and cowardice. That may sound harsh, and I certainly don't mean to be, but it is also the truth.

But that is not the reason behind my title. No, the "season of sorrow" I refer to is the passing of a truly great man this past week - Pastor Wendell Eugene Smith. He was my youth pastor back when I was in high school; he was a friend of the family; he was a great influence on me personally as well as literally hundreds (if not thousands) of people. I will miss him.

But while we are sorrowful at his passing, we celebrate his life and his dedication to all and find solace and joy in the fact that through Jesus Christ he is rejoicing in the presence of God and no longer suffering from the ailments that we deal with here on Earth. We will see him again and what a joyous day that will be indeed.

Remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season: Merry Christmas to one and all. And to quote 'Tiny Tim' (from Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"), God bless us, everyone.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

It's December

I was going to post for Pearl Harbor Day, but I didn't (obviously). Seems that work has kept me scrambling this past week. Which I suppose is good. At least kind of. I know that there are a lot of people who have been laid-off and are still looking for work, so I am thankful to have a job (no, really - I am) and I do enjoy it (for the most part) and (most) of the people I work with. But honestly, I wish I were self-sufficient (money-wise) enough to not NEED one. Especially after a week like this.

Ah, well. Perhaps someday. But not today.

Anyways, it's December, which means that Christmas is just around the corner. (Woohoo!) I enjoy this time of year - the crisp, cold air - snow - hot chocolate and warm cookies (yum) - family gatherings - Christmas music.... I love Christmas music - it's my single, largest, genre of CDs I own (37 CDs and growing - I don't add to it every year, but I do still add to it). Probably my favorite group is Mannheim Steamroller - I could listen to all 5 Christmas CDs over and over and over again. But being somewhat of a "traditionalist", I don't start playing Christmas music until 'after' Thanksgiving. My family does, though, and so I feel obligated to "complain" (jokingly, of course) when they do - because Christmas season does not officially begin until AFTER Macy's Thanksgiving-day Parade is over. But then, once Christmas season IS here, I "complain" to friends and family if they are listening to anything other than Christmas music from Thanksgiving until after the 25th.

'Cuz that's just not right. ;-)