Yvonne, what an absolutely beautiful Christmas Greeting! A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to you, Bobby and your family.
As the years have past each Christmas looks a little less like Christmas. I assume we learn from our growing up years and our early married years what Christmas should be and how we should behave during that time. Even before my kids left home Christmases started to decline. That was due partly to kids growing up and having other interests, and my own aging process, I'm thinking. I'm sure I could be enlightened but each Christmas has brought other reasons for me to think Christmas means less and should be phased out. Even the main reason to celebrate Christmas in the first place appears more and more like a myth. The kids leave home, then after a time we quit decorating or decorating less. The Christmas tree gets smaller, and finally done away with. This Christmas may be "just another day" as it has been for the last several years but worse because of health issues. While this year will be bleak due to age and this ugly pandemic we can't do away with it. Think of the young ones coming along and what they would miss out on. Think of the pleasure of giving that gift to someone special and the lass who recieves that something special from her beau and knows then he really loves her. Think of the new generations who will be building memories which will pattern their lives for the years to come. And think too of the economic disaster not having Chrismas would cause. Some small businesses get forty percent of their annual business this time of year. Christmas may no longer be as meaningful to an old sorehead like me but it is important; for the economy, for those millions coming along who are building memories, and for many, a time of spiritual renewal. And for that reason I will reach out to those most near and dear to me and wish for them a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year, and to some perhaps a small gift. Yes, it's Christmas time.
To all on the forum: Have a merry Christmas! And may the joys of the season be yours! And, as the song everyone knows says: Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. " Hail! The Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings,
Although this year is likely to differ significantly from past years, the forum is generally slow during the Christmas season, as members are visiting with family and involved in other seasonal activities and so on. Nevertheless, someone usually asks where everyone has gone, so I thought I'd mention that here. However, for those who are unable to visit with family members or who have few family members remaining, Christmas can also be a sad and depressing time. The forum will be open and some of us will no doubt be here. My wife is likely to be busy with her recovery center, as they have stuff scheduled straight through Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day, so I am likely to be among those feeling sad and depressed. More likely, I'll just pretend that it's not Christmas and go on as usual. We do most of our Christmas celebrations on January 7, anyhow, although we would ordinarily have Christmas Dinner and the religious stuff on Christmas Day. Anyhow, I wish you all the best for Christmas. Those of you who will be visiting with friends or family, don't let your governors find out about it, but otherwise enjoy the season. Otherwise, if you are living with your husband or wife, Christmas can be just fine with the two of you, although it can be a little harder when you're alone. We'll be here, and Merry Christmas.
I am at my son's and I may drop by in the early A.M., but I'll be rather busy cooking for us. However, Merry Christmas to all of course.