Still Alive

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...no I am not in hiding with Tiger Woods...no I have not been hanging out with Elvis...I have simply been working through a Salvation Army Christmas. Yes, that time of the year when we celebrate the birth of Christ by raising as much money as we can, so we can help as many people as we can. No, that is not meant to sound at all cynical, just a reality of the dangers of Christmas. This season is busy for almost everybody, not just your local Salvation Army folk.

I always remember an old TV series called "Till death us do part". It was an English show starring a character called Alf Garnett (the show was duplicated in the USA with the character Archie Bunker). In it Alf was remembering the Christmas story and, when talking about there being no room in the inn, rhetorically asked the question "why" to which his wife responded, "It's because it's Christmas...everybody's busy at Christmas."

It's a sad stigma because the birth of Christ is something to reflect upon. Christ was and is the ultimate gift. His life, as recorded in scripture, is our model for life and His death represents our hope of eternal life. Without Christ I am nothing, but through Him I am an heir to everything...and it all started in an obscure stable in Bethlehem.

When I was a kid I thought my Action Man (GI JOE in the USA) was the ultimate gift. My children will consider their DS as the ultimate gift...in the midst of celebrating the ultimate gift.
For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.(Luke 2:11).

And now, as if to contradict myself, our Kettles are at $120,000. This is $20,000 below my target but $23,000 above last year. I'm quite happy - thank you Fredericksburg.