Christmas

Well the weather outside is frieghtening, rain with a chance of snow.  But it is still Christmas Day and that means that it is special.  I don't know what your religious beliefs are concerning this day, but it is our tradition, at the Parker household, to surround ourselves with loved ones, eat, drink and be merry then we exchange gifts.  When I was in the airline industry, I worked almost all Christmas'.  So we celebrated on different days other than the 25th of December.  Our tradition was always to symbolize Christmas and in doing so to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and not just to have Christmas because it was Christmas.  Our gift giving was meant to embrace the spirit of the three wise men's generosity.  To me this captured the Spirit of Christmas, and I search for this feeling every year.

When we gather as a family this Christmas, my hopes are that you have the same blessing.  When you gather this year in the name of our Savior, please give thanks to those that are not as fortunate.  There are brave young men and women who are away from home this Christmas.  They are sacrificing so that your freedoms can endure.  These remarkable individuals are so deserving of your respect and recognition.  Please include them in your thoughts and prayers.  Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, and Happy Hanukkah.