Merry Christmas ..

Well the big day is here and we have had a grand time opening presents ...Plus we had a lovely Christmas Eve service at our Church . So now its time to prapare for the feast , with most of our family coming . So as Tiny Tim has said before - God bless us ,everyone.

Joy to the World ...Indeed!

I usually stay away from shopping on Sunday. I have felt for a long time now, that Sunday shopping was never needed. Well today I had to drop my oldest son off to work at Wal-Mart. So needing a black ink cartridge for our printer , I decided to venture into the throng. Now here is my beef , regardless if it was Sunday , as Christmas Carol's played over head , singing songs of joy and love , the frowns and bickering I heard displayed the utter disdain so many have for even being there shopping! Which baffles me . If you do not want to shop and hate this time of year so much , do the staff a favor , go home . No one is forcing you to shop .No one is making you go in debt for stuff you seem to begrudge giving anyway. Having worked in retail for almost 5 years , I would rather have my eye teeth pulled out with a wrench then work behind the counter again . It almost ruined my celebration of Christmas. It took all I could do to focus on the real meaning of Christmas , that Jesus came to save sinners like those I waited on and like me , becoming bitter behind the counter . If you want to see the doctrinal teaching that we are all sinners and totally depraved worked out before your eyes, just spend time in the shopping madness of Christmas and you will realize how bad we need a Savior.

Classics

The 2 Christmas albums that have to be on anyone's list are Perry Como and Bing Crosby. They both bring class and a feel that you are sitting around the fire , the tree is all aglow and the Christmas story is about to read. I still remember watching the annual Bing Christmas specials every year . When I want to feel nostalgic or recall a favorite Christmas memory , these are the ones I reach for .

These of Some of My Favourite Things !

These 2 Christmas albums have to be the most played around the Christmas season. Steven Curtis Chapman truly understands what Christmas is all about . From the first Christmas album back in 1995,to the newest in 2005 , Steven incorporates but classic carols and a few originals to perfection. With the classics he is able to breath life into them with his arrangements and the new are both well written and have that season feeling , if that makes sense. His reverence for the material and his devotion to Christ clearly come through in how he passionately handles the material . You will not find any Santa Claus here but the focus is on the amazing truth of God, in the incarnation , clothing Himself with flesh in the Son , Jesus Christ. These 2 albums will surly help you with both your devotion and keeping centered on the message of Christmas , that the redeemer has come . Both these albums get the snowflake stamp of approval!

The Countdown to Christmas

Well here we are but 25 days away from Christmas. Hard to fathom another year draws to a close. So as I wrote in my last post ,I will list off some of my favorite Cd's of Christmas and will, starting tomorrow, tell you why I love the ones I list . Plus each day I will reflect on my favorite Christmas memories and list movies and T.V specials and books that played a part in my Christmas traditions and still do. God bless .

Update ..to the Minute ...Almost

Well here are some quick updates .
My wife and I celebrated our 21st anniversary on the 14th of this month. Quiet time , we went out to dinner and just enjoyed each others company .
Then on the 15th I turned 45. Yes I was married a day before my birthday . Great really because as I get older it will always help me remember . OK just kidding.
My oldest son is going to be baptized Sunday.
We got walloped by a heavy storm today and it took almost 3 hours to dig out our drive way.
Well that is all the news worth commenting on . Soon it will be countdown to Christmas. My next post I will list my all time favorite Christmas CD's . Till then don't hold your breath , my tip for the day.

The Messiah Draws Nigh...

Well with the election to the south of me it seems the messiah will be announced tonight. Yes that statement is full of sarcasm. But it seems to me as I have watched Obama's followers , there is almost a messianic quality to the passion they have for his candidacy. However realistically there is no way he can deliver the promises he has talked about , nor will his empty rhetoric work once he has to run the most powerful country in the world . With all the turmoil going on in the world , I think McCain would be the better choice but the Bush shadow has lingered over Obama's rise to the throne. On a level playing field I really believe McCain would mop the floor with Obama. What bothers me the most about his candidacy and probable ascension to the White House, is that we have a man who supports not only abortion , a crime against humanity but a man who publicly supports infanticide . But if he is elected the bottom line is God is still on the throne and Christ is still king and one day unless Obama changes his views and repents , he will answer for his positions on abortion and the promotion of gay rights . May the Lord indeed change this mans mind on these issues and bring him wisdom that comes form the one who is the truth , the life and the way .