Twas the night before Christmas... Oh that's already been used! Darn!
How about...... In a galaxy a long time ago.... No that's out there too!
Regardless of not being able to come up with a cool and witty opening line, I would like to take a few moments and wish all the visitors here a very Merry Christmas. It is a neat time of the year when people give a little more freely and feel better. It is a time of the year when some people need to be lifted, and others are there to do the lifting. Help is only a phone call away. Time is a little slower and the normal frenetic pace of life is slowed ever so slightly, at least for a few days. Christmas giving and presents - what a great concept. Yet this tradition we all share has a very interesting beginning.
There were some wise men (Magi they were called) living somewhere in or near Persia. These pagan Astrologers were keeping watch in the skies for a celestial event that would foretell of the birth of a ruler of the world. They find a star and immediately start to pursue it to view the new king. These guys travel some 650 miles by foot. As they near Bethlehem, the star seems to stop its nightly movement, and come to rest, directing these "wise men" to the very house where Jesus resides.
In reverence to the future "Ruler of All" these pagans, men who had worshiped multiple Gods all their lives, bowed and gave gifts to the one true God. They give gifts to pay homage and to worship the king. Gift giving at Christmas had its beginnings right there. Gifts given to the one true God. It was slowly transferred to giving to each other. As we give and receive gifts this and every Christmas, Christian or Non Christian, we are following a practice that dates back to the earliest days of Jesus. Our giving to each other should not ever demean or debase this early tradition, and we should all strive yearly to remember this traditional beginning. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh: gifts fit for a king. If you haven't started yet, make this the year you reflect back and remind yourself of what you have and be thankful.
I hope each of you, dear readers, have a safe and Happy holiday time, but I also hope you take some time to remember the true meaning of Christmas - Christ and his birth!! Revel and enjoy!!
4 comments:
Reid, I have a good story opening for you...."It was a dark and stormy night".
Kind of hard to turn that into a feel-good, Christmas wish but it's all I've got.
Merry Christmas to you too.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
How about, "It was a bright, cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."
Or, "Who is John Galt"?
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