CIEMR, Christmas

[Flyin6]

Christmas…
Who here really likes Christmas? Probably most everyone, right?
Me, Not so much. I know that sounds like I have a “Grinch” spirit, but far from that, I actually love giving things. But what does the giving of things have to do with Christmas? Well, the answer in the modern Wall Street driven context is, everything.

What Christmas really is or has become is the time of year when retail companies make most of their annual profit. It is a time when a brain washed world is told in endless ways that to be happy you need to buy gifts for people, everyone that you can. If not, then you overlooked someone or didn’t care about them. Not giving makes one a bad person. Further, the best gifts are the most expensive ones. Buy your wife a red Mercedes and you are husband of the year, a virtual hero of Facebook and other gossip channels, where you can lavish in endless praise from hundreds of people, many of them you barely know. Isn’t that the Christmas we all know?

What about the unbelievable crowds at the shopping places? The fighting for a parking place where we curse people for “taking our spot,” or making us ten seconds late for a date with some treasured something on isle 14 at Walmart or Kohl’s. Then let’s not forget the debt we incur. Debt that I have witnessed staying with people for years after the day when they spent money that they did not have for so many gifts that simply checked off someone on their extended shopping list. I wonder if one can even recall all the things they purchased two years ago? The payments are still with you, aren’t they? Wouldn’t it mean more if the reason for the bondage came easily to mind, was greatly appreciated and long remembered?

Christmas is a commercial holiday, let’s face it. Actually it is something far different, but in the prevailing ignorance that permeates America and much of the world, Christmas is the season to shop till you drop. Oh, you have little chance of escaping it. The Christmas music starts months (MONTHS!) early and manufacturers are busy everywhere peddling their goods on every form of evolving media known to man. We really get caught up in an out of control spending blitz on a day named Black Friday. Yep on that day we are programed to rush to the malls and wait out those other crafty shoppers to score that one big item at some super discounted price. Sort of feels like a modern day big game hunt! I mean you buy the 96” TV then hang it on the wall, much the same as my daddy shot a modest eight point buck once and had that poor critters head stuffed and mounted, then hung on the wall.

Christmas isn’t even Christmas, did anyone know that? First, who of the two most recent generations can even tell me what Christmas is supposed to be about, at its core? Anyone? A few, well, good, we have to start somewhere. Christmas is an artificial holiday created by a Pope of the early Roman Catholic Church that serves as a focal point for Christians where we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The actual date of his birth is not really known, but this pope of long ago, a part of the Roman Empire, knew that Jews had their holiday, and Muslims had their special day, so to keep all things equal and fair, Christians needed a special day too. So he created Christmas and festooned it with all manner of pagan symbols like the Christmas tree. Why let all those good used statues and deities go to waste? Heck no, just repackage them and present them to people as a new “Religion” seeking to find its space in those late Roman Empire days.

I have always found this creation of an artificial holiday by a Pope which promotes giving to be extraordinarily contradictory. You see, we Christians already had our special day of giving, it’s called Easter. Didn’t Jesus the Christ give his very life for and to us? And by doing so, didn’t he give us Salvation? That’s a gift isn’t it? Better than a new pair of shoes, and perhaps even a diamond or a Mercedes? You can see where I’m headed with that, Easter and the sacrifice of a perfect life for a bunch of wanton, thieves and liars (You and I) is way, way beyond just a gift. No, what he gave was an opportunity for us to go on forever, to live beyond our own physical death.

I just don’t see too much Jesus in all this Christmas season business. Oh you will hear about the ACLU filing a lawsuit to have some town remove a nativity scene on CNN. Or you may hear how some Satanist is offended and warns of suffering PTSD because someone said Merry Christmas to them at Best Buys. We are amazed later that some court finds for the defendant, awarding him or her several million dollars for having suffered such an awful experience.

Sorry folks, but this Christmas business is mostly just white wash and commercialism and based on some arbitrary date picked by some self-important man of antiquity. But for those of us who strive to ferret through all the fake commercialism to find that perfect moment to give in the name of Christ our savior, then for those special moments it is a blessed time.

Long ago, I learned about the truth of the creation of this man-made Christmas thing. But I said, “Heck with it, even though the day isn’t the actual day when Jesus was born, I’m just going to go with the spirit of the day and try and focus on the one this is supposed to be all about.” So, what does that look like you may ask? Well, there are a lot of parties to go to with delicious food and the chance to reacquaint with some dear friends, I like that pretty well. I’m fortunate to own and run a forum website where men of conviction and honor donate money every Christmas season. That money is used to bless some special someone(s) with things that they both desperately need and never expected to receive. Last year it was a couple of Latin families who are salt of the earth good people, but who also did not have two nickels to rub together. The year before last it was two little girls that got warm clothes, blankets and sheets (That they did not have!) and some nice girly gifts to boot. I actually had the pleasure of buying those girly things. That was a trip!

I do delight in seeing the eyes light up in my children and grandchildren as they bust through the wrapping paper, but that soon gives way to a bit of disgust at the sheer volume of toys and things they actually get. I am not exaggerating to say that those kids have thousands of toys! And not just them. When I get a present from one of our children, something I know that cost them dearly I am touched. After all they barely have any money at all, and although I feint joy and pleasure on the outside, on the inside, I am so sorry that they spent their precious money on a belt for a guy who has dozens of them and doesn’t really need anything. But I try and take the good from that, noting and admiring the self-sacrifice they made. Unfortunately that is eclipsed when I see them drive off in their twenty year old, 300,000 mile car in need of a valve job and a wrecking yard!

Kids and folks well into their thirties, perhaps even forties have little or no previous experience of what it is like to be frugal. They have lived lives of ah-plenty enjoying lavish gift giving for decades. It was not like that for me and those of the Baby Boomer generation. We, the children of the greatest generation grew up with men and women who lived through some really hard times and made incredible sacrifices and then afterward strived to live humble lives. My home that I grew up in was only 900 square feet. It had only one bathroom, and I had to live in the attic. I had no air conditioning and almost no heat until I was a teenager. There was only 5 closets in the whole house and we did not own much. I recall having between seven to ten toys as a kid but they were well used and worn out toys! Today I have so many things that I am often surprised when I uncover something I misplaced years ago and forgot that I actually owned. I could scarcely name ten percent of all the things I own today.

But back then I had a .410 shotgun, a three speed bike, a Garcia fishing rod, with a Mitchell reel, several bass lures, some Bata bullet shoes, an aquarium, microscope, and a hatchet. Can you believe I was blessed with all of that? Man how is it that one person could own all of that? And I remember the Christmas very well when I got a desk. A pine desk that my dad and uncle built for me in the basement. Sitting on that desk was a scientific experiment lab kit, a bag of green “Army Men,” and a plastic army tank and truck set. I was speechless at the sight. Truly my best Christmas as a kid.

It’s good to have little. First of all, why do we need all these modern conveniences anyway? I mean for everything you own, that’s just one more thing requiring a warranty that is going to break anyway at some future (Too soon) date. I have spent many a Christmas at war in some far off land. The one in Panama during Operation Just Cause was one I remember. The seals found a pine tree somewhere, chopped it down and carried it into Hangar 3 at Howard Air Force base in Panama City, Panama. They decorated it with hand grenades and belts of machine gun cartridges. We cobbled together a decent meal sang carols and had a service. That was a pretty good Christmas.

There was one memorable Christmas when I was in Kandahar, Afghanistan. My sister called me Christmas night, which was Christmas morning for her in the US of A. While we were talking a rocket came in and exploded nearby. She heard it and got really worried and scared. I was trying to hide the whole event from her, down playing it when a second rocket came in and went “Thump” in the ground just outside my room. I remember her saying, “Don, what was that?” I was dropping to the floor awaiting the thing to explode and tear my building apart over my head, all the while talking Christmas stuff to her. It never detonated, but caught the place on fire instead! On that Christmas night God spared me my life. That was a pretty good Christmas to be sure!

Those Christmas holidays were amongst the most memorable. And then there was the one up in a very cold Kabul. We held a secret service because anything Christian was pretty much either forbidden or concealed. Afterward, I looked off into a starry night toward the mountains holding onto a warm cup of coffee and thought about the birth of Jesus, the greatest single event in all of history. And I thought about how someone more important than all of earth knew me, and I knew him. Just knowing that was Christmas enough, nothing more needed, ever!

So for me, I would ask that you not buy anything for me. Please don’t give me something unless you need to do so to feel better yourself. If you want to give me something, then give me a bit of your time. Buy me a cup of quoffee (Spelled in the New York English) and talk to me for a time. That would be wonderful, wouldn’t we both like that? Or better yet, say a prayer to Jesus for me, I’d like that. You could do something kind for someone, maybe even a soldier and under your voice say, “This is my gift to Don.” Do that and you have stored up in the kingdom of God and I will learn of your kindness when I go home. Call me and share some time on the IPhone or stop by my forum website and join in the conversation and share in the love found there, that would be great.

I can’t have what I want so everything else is just second best. I’d like to know that Jesus is really important to you. Like the most important thing in all of your and other’s hearts. I’d like to see him openly celebrated all across America. I’d like to see his enemies just stomped into a mud hole. (Kinda enjoy doin’ that myself!) I’d like for good to triumph over evil and for truth to come out and bury all the lies we are fed on a daily basis. No Sir, I guess that I ask too much, so I’ll just settle for some quiet time with him and maybe you over a warm cup of joe.

[wyorunner]

May God bless you chief. For all you have done to try and bring folks into HIS kingdom. 

What year was Kandahar if you don’t mind me asking?

[cruizng]

Don was asking about ideas for the Christmas support we might be able to provide from the people of this site. Be careful what you ask for. LOL. He also encouraged me to post my reply. So here goes. 

Don,

I don't contribute any content for the website and get a lot of benefit from it so if I can contribute in other ways I am good with that.

As far as who or what I have always thought you pick great options. The family with the girls and then last year with your Preacher friend that needed assistance was perfect. So wherever you see the need I am fine with.

I do have a soft spot for anything armed services related from the K9 service dog relocation to handlers, wounded vets, suicide prevention, or just active military that don't make a lot of money but serve and have kids that might have needs that can be met. They rarely ask for anything.

Your Christmas post hit home as well. As kids we never know any better until we get older and reflect back on how we were raised and what we had. My mom got pregnant in High School and so her and Dad got married and proceeded to have two more kids they couldn't afford. We lived in small house and shared bedrooms. It wasn't bad. We always ate due to my Dad working three jobs and hunting. It was always devastating when we didn't get that Elk. That meat fed us all year long and I still remember processing every last bit of it. Nothing went to waste.

For Christmas we got to ask for one toy. One Christmas my Sister would get a Susy Bake oven, I would get a HO Race track, Older brother got a train track. We thought it was the greatest thing in the world. All of the other presents were things we needed like underwear, socks, jeans, a coat, or something like that. We always loved opening those presents as well but our focus was on the one toy we got. We would wear it out. We had family over for dinners and they reminded us of what was important.

Now the Christmas tree is overflowing with presents and our kids get so much. As parents we always want our kids to have more than we had. I don't see anything wrong with that as long as the true meaning for Christmas is front and center and that they understand how fortunate they are and it inspires then to pay it forward. I probably haven't been a very good Christian over the years and could have done a lot more but at the end of the day if your kids show respect and compassion that is half the battle.

I'm not sure why I didn't post this on the Prayer site but back in April my Mom was diagnosed with Pancreatic and Liver Cancer. At the time they gave her 3 to 6 months to live. She lasted up until a couple of weeks ago and passed away. I had never heard the phrase "her body is in the active dying stage". She didn't want to be buried and wanted to be cremated and ashes scattered up at Trappers Lake in Colorado where we used to spend that one week per year vacation camping and fishing as a family. So we will do that this summer. Ever since I graduated High School our family has been spread out across the country. So we never got to spend much time together since then. But once we do get back together, typically at a relatives funeral, it is like we never left. So if you have family and kids, grand kids close, enjoy it while you can. :)

I feel and pray for JR. the Holidays will be a little emptier this year but they continue on.

Sorry to ramble. So yeah... I trust you to but any donation to great use!

Thanks

[Flyin6]

May God bless you chief. For all you have done to try and bring folks into HIS kingdom. 

What year was Kandahar if you don’t mind me asking?

T- I deserve no credit. All good things are of him. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be doing any of this. I take no credit, please.

Kandahar, let me see. I was there in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Some of 08 and 09 I was back in Iraq, and I started the whole charade in Baghdad in 05

[Flyin6]

Just noticed Mike posted up his email to me.

I'm still impressed/moved by it

This thread right here is pickin' up steam.

[cruizng]

I thought I would throw in a all is not lost Christmas Thingy... :)

Pictured is what we have in the lobby of our office. $1billion gross revenue a year company and it has the nativity in it's lobby.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and remembering why it is here. 

[Flyin6]

I thought I would throw in a all is not lost Christmas Thingy... :)

Pictured is what we have in the lobby of our office. $1billion gross revenue a year company and it has the nativity in it's lobby.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and remembering why it is here. 

God blesses and watches over his own...Undoubtedly your company will see a windfall from showing they are not ashamed of him!

[BobbyB]

09 I was back in Iraq

Same here.

[MEbowMAX06]

Well said good sir. These are wise and serious truths. We live in a nation that no longer uses critical thought. Where consideration for others well being is far removed from everyday thought.

We can only hope that more people start living by the tenants and teachings laid before them in the Bible. God bless all the real men in this country and world. May good health and prosperity bless you this season and allow you to continue to do the great work you do.

[dave945]

Thanks for your service Don and everyone else who served, as well as everyone who supports our military.

06 was when I was bouncing around  for a little bit Afghanistan setting up NATO comms. Maybe I saw you in line for Tim hortons in Kandahar while watching th Canadians on their hockey rink. That was the darnedest thing to see.


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[JR]

Mike, sounded like we were working through this at the same time.

Thank you all for putting your life on the line for us protecting this great nation.

[cj7ox]

09 I was back in Iraq

Same here.

Same here

[cj7ox]

Mike, and JR - it sucks to have to work through grief, especially during the holidays. My condolences to you both.

Don - you are right on the money. They only part I enjoy about the Christmas season is the time I get to spend with family. It means so much, although I often take it for granted. It's time like these, when deployed overseas, that I truly appreciate all I have back home. I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and Don, thanks for reminding us what it is truly about...the birth of our savior.

[Flyin6]

Thanks for your service Don and everyone else who served, as well as everyone who supports our military.

06 was when I was bouncing around  for a little bit Afghanistan setting up NATO comms. Maybe I saw you in line for Tim hortons in Kandahar while watching th Canadians on their hockey rink. That was the darnedest thing to see.


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I have been there a couple of times!

Was there when the boardwalk was about half that size with only a couple of shops. First Timmy Ho's then the rink. Drank many a quoffee watching the Canadians bang each other up in that thing.

[Flyin6]

Mike, and JR - it sucks to have to work through grief, especially during the holidays. My condolences to you both.

Don - you are right on the money. They only part I enjoy about the Christmas season is the time I get to spend with family. It means so much, although I often take it for granted. It's time like these, when deployed overseas, that I truly appreciate all I have back home. I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and Don, thanks for reminding us what it is truly about...the birth of our savior.

Amen...Stay safe

[cruizng]

Thanks all. Merry Christmas to each and all.

Oh and TRN. Sneak a little of that Bourbon with you and have the wife drive!  Makes the in laws a little more tolerable.


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[oklawall]

Merry Christmas to all

[Superwhdm]

I am late to the post but what a good one. Thanks Don. While I do enjoy Christmas time, it’s mostly because my beautiful wife and girls light up and love the season. I completely disagree with what it has become, a commercial holiday. Where people stress an exorbitant amount over “getting” people things. It disgusts me and I would be salty Scrooge if it weren’t for my family’s Joy for the holiday. They don’t care about the things but love the time we spend together. I’m good with that.

The company I work with couldn’t be run by better people. They are a a successful combination of a very business savvy woman and a retired Army Officer of 23 years. These two are awesome.  I would do anything for them and I don’t say that lightly. And they would do the same for me.  This year we, as a company gathered clothing and toys for a family in need. A single mother with 3 young boys and one girl. The mother was a hard working human being who Is also fighting breast cancer.

It hit me in the feels when we turned over work shoes for the Mom and clothes for the ever growing boys and some girly things for the one sister.  There were tons of stuff from the turnout of our big hearted company family. That is what it should be about. Promoting love and support for fellow man is a gift good enough for me.

[Flyin6]

^^^^^^ A-Men^^^^^^^^^^