My Favorite Christmas Song

Years ago when the kids were very young, we were driving to church for a Christmas Eve service. On the way we were singing Christmas songs. We did carols, hymns and fun songs (but no "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer"...that came later...). After we had sung a few, Brenda said, "Let's sing our favorite Christmas songs."

So I started with my favorite, "What Child Is This?" After that, it was Bryant's turn. I think he was either four or five that year. And without hesitation he said, "Jesus Loves Me."

I opened my mouth to tell him that wasn't a Christmas song. And then I closed my mouth to words and started singing with him. Because really, is there a better one? Is there anything else that describes the purpose and meaning of Christmas better than those simple words? I know lots and lots of Christmas songs, but I can't think of a more fitting or appropriate one still today:

Jesus loves me
This I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak
But He is strong
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so.

Missed it by That Much

So last year we had seven inches of snow on Christmas Eve. This year we had temps in the upper 30s and rain, but no snow. Still, even though I'm spoiled after last year, we've had a wonderful day. We watched Miracle on 34th Street (the real one) and now we're watching White Christmas. Hard to beat Bing Crosby, even without the snow.

Merry Christmas everybody. God bless us, every one.

That's a Really Good Question

I was going through some material from a new client today and came across this thought. "When Jesus told the weary and heavy laden to come to Him for rest, who did you think was going to show up? People who don't need anything?" Of course the ones (us) who come to Jesus are messed up. Yet once we have come, we spend so much time trying (and expecting others) to look perfect that we forget who He invited for rest. Maybe if we put down the masks for a little while we would find the grace that we're missing. From God. From man. And (maybe most of all) for man.

A Perfect Parody for Our Times

The version of this that's floating around the Internet is both anonymous and too explicit to reproduce here...but here's my cleaned up version of the chorus (to the tune of the classic Christmas hymn "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer")

Grandma got molested at the airport
Flying home to our house Christmas Day
It should be plain she's no more threat than Santa
They all should be arrested--TSA

It is a tribute to the political correctness that is probably going to end up getting all of us killed that we're practically strip-searching grandmothers and nuns and taking porn photos of everyone (and if you believe the government's line that they aren't keeping those...along with complete tabs on who each person is, I can offer you a really good deal on a bridge) but can't seem to keep track of who is supposed to be our "no fly" list until after the fact. But at least we won't have to face the charge that we are guilty of the awful sin of "profiling" as we lie dead in the smoking ruins.

Irony Is Pretty Ironic Sometimes

Julian Assange's lawyers are complaining that the police have leaked details of the rape accusations that have been against him in Sweden. Seriously, guys? Talk about chutzpah.

After the Music Stops (and the Snow Melts)

Ever wonder how the story of Frosty really ends? Well wonder no more...




(Image shamelessly swiped from Dan Phillips)