Not yet Christmas

You wouldn't know it from the tv advertising and the scenes in most retail stores, but it's not yet Christmas. It's not even December! In fact Advent, the pre-Christmas period of anticipation that many churches observe, doesn't even begin until tomorrow. Why the rush?

 

I hear people say it every year.  They aren't going to decorate early.  They aren't going to give in to the Black Friday madness.  Christmas is such a wonderful time, let us give it our all, but let's wait until it actually arrives.  Oh and the twelve days of Christmas?  Let's go back to celebrating that way, but the 12 begins on December 25th - that's not when it ends!

 

I love the season of giving and the emphasis that is placed on helping folks who are without.  I love the parties and the joy.  I really do.  What I am not a fan of is the rush and the early start.  Some folks begin trotting out Christmas decorations or merchandise before summer is even over!

 

So, let us continue to enjoy our Thanksgiving weekend and then let us let the season build slowly.  Let's not let any stores or businesses rob us of this great celebration and let it continue on after the sun sets on December 25th too.  Oh and happy holidays?  I have no problem wishing folks happiness for the several celebrations that happen to come near each other each December, but there is also nothing wrong with a specific wish for a happy Chanukah or Christmas or Kwanza or New Year's, but not yet!

Let us give thanks

The world is not perfect.  For many, this has not been a very good year.  I have an idea though.  Let's look on the positive side.  Surely there was something good in our lives.  If we are honest, I think we can find a lot to be grateful for. 

 

It's pretty difficult to make our lives better if we always dwell on the negative.  Didn't have any negatives?  Oh my!  You are one of the very fortunate ones!  Of course that means that you have even more reason to give thanks.

 

How about the other folks?  We can't fix every problem in the world, but we can spread love and kindness, and a holiday like today is a great place to begin.

 

Yes, the turkey dinner, the parades on tv, the football, the gathering with family and friends - all very good things.  Don't forget what the name of this holiday is though.  Let us give thanks.

it's My Right

Way back when our country began, only white males who owned property could vote.  There are those who would like to see that policy return, but thankfully the right to vote is now enshrined in the US Constitution and several amendments.  ALL citizens who have reached the age of eighteen, have the right to vote.

 

Today is Election Day.  You will hear about it all day long.  Tonight tv, radio, and the internet will devote a lot of time to reporting the results of our balloting.  Will the status quo continue?  Will there be huge changes?  That is what we all will help decide.  Actually, I should say what we all should help decide.  Sadly, many don't even bother to vote.

 

It's my right.  I can vote or I can stay home.  Why would you choose the latter?  We can decide who our senators and congresspeople will be.  We can decide who will be our governor.  Think about it.  We have the power.  Together we can do some incredible things.  So many parts of the world don't have such power.  Why would we want to throw it away?

 

I cannot stress this enough.  If you truly care about your community, your state, your nation, get out there today and let your voice be heard.  VOTE!  There really is a LOT at stake.