I was raised in Alaska. Every year we cut down a fresh tree and decorated it and it smelled great and my Mom baked all kinds of great food and I always had several presents even when we had lean years. I got gifts that were very good for long winter nights in Alaska. It was a let down after the tree was gone though. The lights were put away and the pies just a memory. What I can remember most vividly is the Northern Lights that were so beautiful. I swear you could hear them on cold winter nights in the less inhabited areas where we lived. That has nothing to do with Christmas, I just wanted to reminisce a little.

    When my children were younger it was a joy to see their eyes light up when they opened their gifts Christmas Eve. We never could wait until the next morning. I was a single parent for many years and never could afford the gifts they wanted. I got a check from my parents for all of us each year and usually a card from the rest of the family. I felt disappointed for what I saw as their loss. I, as an adult, didn't want a lot of gifts given to me because it was usually something I didn't want or couldn't use any way. I felt self conscious when I received a gift from someone whom I could not give a gift to in return. If it didn't fit I had to exchange it for something useful. I think I've always considered Christmas over commercialized and thus less than appealing. My thoughts on Christmas now is that I'm tolerant of those that indulge in it but I am glad when it's over and the hub-bub dies down.

    My wife has bought me things that I dearly love so I appreciate her gifts, but she buys out of a loving heart, not by the time of year. The last gift I received from her was Max Lucado's "He Chose the Nails", CD. It's Wonderful.

    The year or so that I studied with the Jehovah's Witnesses, I found it hard to tell my kids that we no longer believe in Christmas. I was sure of my beliefs but it really tore at my heart to see their faces when they told of their friends at school getting all these neat things and they didn't get anything. I always tried in vain to make up for what I considered their loss. I felt a loss based on their expectations but at the same time I knew what I had learned was the truth. I studied some of the information that I have included here many years ago but most of it has been a recent education. Since my earlier studies I have not changed my mind about the falsehood of Christmas. My recent studies only confirm my earlier convictions.

    My beliefs are contrary to what many people believe. My whole family is pretty much involved in the season so there is always that look of disapproval that I get every year. Remember what I said about the nail that gets hammered? Each year I dread the whole season that starts right after Halloween and goes until the January white sale. Merchants depend on it. They gear a whole sales campaign around how much money they can make from toys, dolls, CD's, etc. Speaking of Halloween, there is another holiday steeped in paganism. But that's another subject for another book.

    Most of the Christmas music I hear during that season I am not too thrilled about, but I do enjoy Mannheim Steamroller and the music he has produced over the years for his many albums. A lot of them are not too Christmassy. A lot of the songs I play any time of year because I think they are beautiful songs. I also enjoy Beethoven's 9th symphony any time of year. It is equally beautiful. I hear "Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King" and it may be July. It's all the same to me. He is my King and He is no longer a babe is a manger but a risen Savior.

    Do you ever notice how the TV(another cesspool of Satan) stations keep playing all the same old songs and movies and Xmas specials, over and over and over. Jimmy Stewart and "It's a Wonderful Life" or the story of the little kid who wants a BB gun and Santa tells him "You'll shoot your eye out, kid." I used to get so sick of hearing "there's only ## of shopping days left until Christmas." Enough already. Time to turn off the TV.

    What really bothers me is when I think of my Lord and Savior dying on the cross after much suffering and torment and betrayal by friends, and then I see someone go to the mall and buy a child a Barbie doll and say "this is what Jesus is all about." I would rather buy them a cross or study bible January 1 and say, let's start the New Year off right by dedicating more time to the Lord.

    The thing is, you can't give in a package what really matters to people. Your love doesn't come from a department store. Your time takes time to give. It can't be wrapped up. When you hug a crying or hurting child, they won't break that in a week or take it back and say it's the wrong size. The giving goes on all year. And so does the resultant rewards that come from that giving.

    So how do I celebrate Xmas now? I'm going to start this year several months before the season and mail letters to my immediate family informing them that we will not be taking part in any pagan festivities and please feel released from any need to send a card or gift. If you really feel like giving anyway, please give to a good charity.

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