It has been awhile since I posted. The political season got the best of me and burnt me out. Luckily, the holidays were hot on its heals and have picked up my spirit. We had a wonderful Christmas here in Denver as a family. I am glad I have my brother's family in town as well to enjoy the holidays with. The spirit of love, friends, family and Christ was alive and well this year and I am a better person because of it. I was reminded again how the meaning of life really lies in those precious things.

I am not sure what everyone did for their memorial day. Hopefully, every had their flag up and took a moment to remember those great men and women who have died for this country. I encourage you all to take a moment and listen to a few Dennis Prager shows. He broadcasts on memorial to honor these great people. Take a few moments to honor them and hear their names, and listen to their stories as family members call into to honor their fallen in all our wars. I have marked two of the links below as shows I think everyone should listen too.

Memorial Day

We Need to Remember *must listen

They Died So That We Could Live Free *must listen

I was listening to talk radio this morning and the host was talking about how people are starting to say "Happy Holidays" now instead of "Merry Christmas." He was talking about why people take offense to people saying "Merry Christmas." One of his guests made an interesting point. His girlfriend who is Jewish does not like it when people tell her Merry Christmas. The odd part is she is not a practicing Jew and is marring a Christian. That raised the point of how people define their religious beliefs in really one of two ways. 1) They actually practice their religion and show people what they are by what they practice or 2) They show people what they are by declaring what they are not. In this case they define they are Jewish or atheist by telling people they are not Christian so don't say Merry Christmas to me.

The people in the first category on average are not as likely to be bothered by someone saying "Merry Christmas" to them. I think this is pretty accurate. I am Christian but I do not take offense if someone was to say "Happy Hanukkah" to me, or if you are atheist and say "Happy Holidays". In fact I would probably say it back because I do hope they have a happy Hanukkah or holidays. I do not feel any need to make sure they know they should not have said that to me, nor do I feel them saying this is in anyway them trying to push their religion on me. 

With that said

Merry Christmas everyone!

Hopefully this is a sign that our society has realized it has started to go to fair to appease the minority. No offense is meant when you are wished a Merry Christmas. If you don't believe in Christ that is fine but don't stop the rest of in the U.S. from expressing our belief because you take offense to it, because no offense is intended. As a Christian it is my right to the expression of faith also. I lived in Japan for a number of years and enjoyed their holidays a lot even though most of them centered around Buddhism. I still greatly enjoyed the holidays because it was their expression of faith, social unity and a time to show brotherly kindness also. I even participated in some of the parades. Acceptance of other religious holidays does not mean the condemning of your own believes. It only means that while you don't believe the same thing you do recognize it offers good things to society. Since we live in a country where the vast majority of us are Christian we celebrate Christmas. When I lived in Japan the vast majority were Buddhist so Christmas was not really celebrated. That did not stop me from celebrating it or some of my Japanese friends from celebrating it with me, nor did it make me want to protest to the government that since I did not believe they should not be allowed to use religious references as part of the holiday.

Well, I just got back from a long holiday trip for Christmas. My family and I spent two weeks on the road (luckily I have two little girls that are great travelers). My family all got together at grandma's house and although it was loud and at times frustrating, it was also a lot of fun. Makes you remember how great and important family is in life.

It is really amazing how nice people become during the Christmas season (at least most people become very nice). What a great time of the year when it is normal, if not even expected, of people to make treats for your friends and neighbors and take them to their house. If it was any other time of the year we would all probably just keep given friendly waves and polite conversation.  

This Christmas as I sat with my family and enjoyed the peace and love of friends and family I thought often of those paying a dear price so that I could have this time with my family. I came across this poem from a solider that summed up nicely the respect and appreciation I have for those men and women paying such a dear price for our right to worship as we wish and be free.

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=4111&search=christmas