Merry CHRISTmas my friends.
May the love and peace you feel this time of year follow you throughout the rest of your lives.

Allow me to vent once again.

It pains me terribly that Christmas has become commercialized.

Presents, decorations, and fancy meals have become more important than the man who it has been in celebration of.

I am very jealous of the Jews this time of year. Hanukkah is such a peculiar name it makes the holiday unique and special, and thus unadoptable for the gentiles. It remains a holiday to remember the miracle of the eight days of oil and nothing more. Perhaps if Christmas had a more unpronounceable name it would remain the sentimental holiday it was meant to be.

Two thousand and nine years ago, a man named Jesus Christ was born to a virgin woman by the name of Mary. This man, sired by God himself by a miracle only He could perform, grew up to be the most important man for the whole human race. He then gave the ultimate sacrifice and suffered for every one of our sins with great and unbearable pains. Jesus did this because he loves us, and knows us all personally.

It may be hard to imagine that this is how it was, but you must admit that the man, if not the son of God, DID actually exist. There are accounts many places besides the accounts of devote Christians. History can no longer deny the existence of such a wonderful man and he is in many cultures that still thrive in the middle east. He lived, he taught people how to be good, and he cared about people. These are FACTS that are not made up.

Such a wonderful reason to celebrate someone-their good good works-, I am sad that my day of worship for him is being taken away from me.

Commercialism has stolen my sacred day and turned it into a day of idols where gifts are worshiped more than the man it's meant to honor. It disgusts me when people say xmas and refuse to let me worship my Savior on my own precious holiday. If you want a present day, please have the creativity to go get your own. New years sounds like a fun day, and we already get it off anyway. Celebrate the new year with new things, but please let me have my day with my Savior. The Jews have theirs, please give me mine back.

I am thankful that the Jews still have theirs. And Kwanza is hopefully another name that will help their day stay personal for those who celebrate it. Now Maulana Karenga had the right idea in 1966. She at least had creativity. Presents for her culture and a day just for her and her people; no stealing and making others forfeit centuries of worship. I like her.

Thus I propose...

For us Christians needing to have that day of worship preserved; I suggest that we take a day back for our Savior. A day to remember him and all he did for us. No presents or lists of gratuitous things to salivate over. Just carols and love and a remembrance of all that he did for us.

I happen to know Christ's actual day of birth. This may sound strange, but prophets walk the earth again and angels still communicate with us. Joseph Smith was one such prophet, and he was told by one of these angels that Jesus's birthday was on April 6.

I propose that all Christians who read this help me celebrate the man whom this season was claimed for. We can drag out Christmas carols and pass out cookies to dear friends and serenade them with Christ's taught love in our hearts on this other day as well. Perhaps if this works, we can do it again in August... just for the fun of it. This will certainly spread love throughout the year to those who forget the meaning of Christmas for the other 364 days. Truly, I keep it with me always, but I know that many who claim to also have a rough year.

A little light humor, but wouldn't it really be nice to capture the special feeling we feel this time of year and release it on the unsuspecting public en masse throughout the year? Haha, I chuckle as I picture the faces that will, at first be wary, but then bloom into the smiles I'm trying to see there. People need to take life lighter....

Sometimes it is hard to be the light happy person people see all the time. I don't have someone like me to bring me out of my funks. Though if I can bring someone else out of theirs, it does make me feel great. I am thankful for the teachings of the Savior to help me remember that we can all be here for each other.

I will always be here for you. I listen even better than I write. I love you all, and may the reason of this precious season warm your hearts this chilly winter time and all year.

God Bless and Hugs and Loves and happy wishes.

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