Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand. Why the PC Police had taken away The reason for Christmas - no one could say. The children were told by their schools not tosing About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels andthings. It might hurt people's feelings, the teacherswould say December 25th is just a ' Holiday'. Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checksand credit Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it! CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod Something was changing, something quite odd! Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda. As Targets were hanging their trees upside down At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where tobe found. At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears You won't hear the word Christmas; it won'ttouch your ears. Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty Are words that were used to intimidate me. Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, WolfBlitzen On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton! At the top of the Senate, there arose such aclatter To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter. And we spoke not a word, as they took away ourfaith Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged anddiscarded The reason for the season, stopped before itstarted. So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your'Dream Tree' Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me. Choose your words carefully, choose what you say Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday! Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS Christ is The Reason' for the season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pit Bull Tex Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Can you email that to me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 Can you email that to me? Hi PBT pard - I can forward you the email I got that from - just PM me your email again if you would - thanks, GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 GG, you know by now that I am not a Christian. I clicked on the link thinking it would be something else and read of my own volition, though. Oddly, the only knee-jerk response I had was to hope that what I write doesn't get the thread pulled. For what I am about to write, let's not dwell on any of the historical antecedents and understand everything in its modern usage and context. Someone may think it is hypocritical of me, but I will be putting up a tree, a Christmas tree. I will be opening gifts on Christmas morning. Why? Well, to paraphrase what you said, Jesus is the reason for the holiday. Even without the deification of the person, the teachings are such that they are worthy of celebration. We celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, who as a Christian minister worked for civil rights based upon Christian teachings. We celebrate the birth of Washington who gave credit to divine providence for our establishment as a nation. Given the odds against us, that belief is understandable. We celebrate the birth of Lincoln, who also was guided by the teachings of Christ in his efforts both to sustain a nation and to end slavery. Please, no argument about the Civil War here, just bear with me. How is it feasible that we would celebrate these men, yet not celebrate the teachings of the man that inspired them to their greatness? It seems to me nonsensical to argue against it. If one doesn't wish to celebrate, that right is inherent. Does that mean we should celebrate in private, respectful of the right of people to not be offended? Well, no. We should be mindful to not insult someone knowingly, but I refuse to live my life in fear that my words will cause someone distress when I attempt to use common sense in using them. There is also tradition, which to me is as important as anything else. Traditions are vital in binding us together as a culture. That applies to the culture of today and the ancestral culture that brought us to where we are. If we throw out all traditions, we lose our way as a people, no longer guided by the lessons learned by our elders. We also loose the cohesiveness that keeps cultures together in the present day. Some traditions should be forgotten. But a tradition of peace and goodwill? To do so doesn't make sense to me, and I tend to find the notion unreasonable. I have no qualms about people saying "Happy Holidays." After all, there is Christmas, the New Year, as well as Chanukah. It can be all encompassing. However, when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I tend to smile and respond "Merry Christmas to you, too." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 GG, you know by now that I am not a Christian. I clicked on the link thinking it would be something else and read of my own volition, though. Oddly, the only knee-jerk response I had was to hope that what I write doesn't get the thread pulled. For what I am about to write, let's not dwell on any of the historical antecedents and understand everything in its modern usage and context. Someone may think it is hypocritical of me, but I will be putting up a tree, a Christmas tree. I will be opening gifts on Christmas morning. Why? Well, to paraphrase what you said, Jesus is the reason for the holiday. Even without the deification of the person, the teachings are such that they are worthy of celebration. We celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, who as a Christian minister worked for civil rights based upon Christian teachings. We celebrate the birth of Washington who gave credit to divine providence for our establishment as a nation. Given the odds against us, that belief is understandable. We celebrate the birth of Lincoln, who also was guided by the teachings of Christ in his efforts both to sustain a nation and to end slavery. Please, no argument about the Civil War here, just bear with me. How is it feasible that we would celebrate these men, yet not celebrate the teachings of the man that inspired them to their greatness? It seems to me nonsensical to argue against it. If one doesn't wish to celebrate, that right is inherent. Does that mean we should celebrate in private, respectful of the right of people to not be offended? Well, no. We should be mindful to not insult someone knowingly, but I refuse to live my life in fear that my words will cause someone distress when I attempt to use common sense in using them. There is also tradition, which to me is as important as anything else. Traditions are vital in binding us together as a culture. That applies to the culture of today and the ancestral culture that brought us to where we are. If we throw out all traditions, we lose our way as a people, no longer guided by the lessons learned by our elders. We also loose the cohesiveness that keeps cultures together in the present day. Some traditions should be forgotten. But a tradition of peace and goodwill? To do so doesn't make sense to me, and I tend to find the notion unreasonable. I have no qualms about people saying "Happy Holidays." After all, there is Christmas, the New Year, as well as Chanukah. It can be all encompassing. However, when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, I tend to smile and respond "Merry Christmas to you, too." 'Merry Christmas' GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I send all of my Jewish friends Christmas cards. In the same spirit, they send me Chanukah cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bama Red Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 GG, thanks for starting this thread, and, Doc, that is one of the most reasoned, concise and sensible posts I've seen on any subject. Merry Christmas to both of you and to all the rest of the fine folks, of whatever faith, here in the Saloon (ACS). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 GG, Bama, Merry Christmas to the both of you! Although I think we will have plenty of time to say so again before the day rolls around. Also, thanks for the kind words, Bama I should also admit that, much to the chagrin of friends and family, especially my daughters, I can be found singing Christmas carols and songs just about year round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Houston # 35508 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 "Christmas" is everywhere at Wal-Mart here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 GG, Bama, Merry Christmas to the both of you! Although I think we will have plenty of time to say so again before the day rolls around. Also, thanks for the kind words, Bama I should also admit that, much to the chagrin of friends and family, especially my daughters, I can be found singing Christmas carols and songs just about year round. hmmmm...maybe...just maybe we might have a 'closet' Christian here GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Complicated Lady Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 "Christmas" is everywhere at Wal-Mart here Be glad that we live where we do, Jack. By the way... I was at a football game in Lindale last Friday night. Don't you live in or near Lindale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 hmmmm...maybe...just maybe we might have a 'closet' Christian here GG ~ No, if I were, there would be no time spent in the closet except to grab my coat! I've enjoyed singing them since my time in High School Choir and choral ensemble, where we sang them many times and many places over the season. Great memories associated with them for me, although some are also melancholy as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 Be glad that we live where we do, Jack. By the way... I was at a football game in Lindale last Friday night. Don't you live in or near Lindale? I used to love living in Kilgore (and Longview)....just looked at it on Google Maps and it looks like 259 has a diversion around Kilgore right in the backyard of my old apartment (Stoneridge Apts, Kilgore) - that's were I used to walk my dog LOL!! Alot has changed in 20 years! GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry T Harrison Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Just for laughs This version is by my son A die hard Steelers fan exiled to Philly Twas the night before Christmas And all through the Burgh The townsfolk were smiling Only joyous sounds were heard Black and Gold Stockings were hung by the Chimney with Care In hopes that Saint Nicholas would soon be there And Malkin and Sidney lay asleep in their beds As dreams of Lord Stanely's Cup Skated through their heads And Big Ben and the Steelers With their playoff berth certain Chuckled knowing all feared The mighty steel curtain When out toward the city I heard such a sound I ran to the window To see who was around "I can't believe it!" I finally said As up in the sky was the big man in red And pulling his sleigh Were his reindeer so tame And I couldn't help but giggle As he called them by name "On Geno, On Mario, Pascal and Fleury" "On Troy, On Hines, On Myron and Casey" From the Mon to the Ohio Down the Allegheny and back It's time to deliver some presents N'at He came down the chimney His sack overflowing I knew under the tree the gifts would be going He walked to the table, no cookies on the plate A fresh Primanti's sandwich was instead what he ate. He was covered in red From his head to his brow And hanging from his waist was a Terrible Towel He went right to his work Doing the job only he could do A Donnie Iris cd for me and Kennywood Tickets for you And as I noticed his departure grow near I asked Santa "Could you make the Pirates win, for at least one year?" He gave me a wink and said "I would if I could" "But sorry son, even I'm not that good" When the job was done and he was ready to leave He tossed his sack up the Chimney with one mighty heave He jumped in his sleigh and shouted, as he drove out of sight Merry Christmas to Pittsburgh, Yinz have a good night!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Houston # 35508 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Be glad that we live where we do, Jack. By the way... I was at a football game in Lindale last Friday night. Don't you live in or near Lindale? Mineola, 10 miles north of Lindale, you most likely came thru here to get to Lindale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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