Merry CHRISTmas

Beverly, the girls and I rang the bell yesterday for the Salvation Army. It was funny how some people would come in, see our little princesses dressed in their warmest clothes, with red cheeks and noses and say, "That's cheating!" before they dug deep in their pockets for all of their spare change. Maybe the girls' cuteness did evoke some people to give more but that wasn't our mission. Our mission was to show our kids the importance of volunteering, sacrificing or serving some one other than themselves.

As we stood there we greeted everyone who walked in and said "Merry Christmas" as we thanked all those who gave on their way out. One senior gentleman gave the girls some money to put in the bucket (as a lot of people did) and we chimed Merry Christmas as he walked away. He stopped, and slowly turned. He thanked Beverly for saying "Merry Christmas" rather than the ever-so-popular, "Happy Holidays" or some other non-descript substitute. He said, and I agree, that we need to take Christmas back. We need to remind others of the true meaning of Christmas and that it has nothing to do with a red suit, a glowing red nose, or a green, hairy, pug-nosed creature in Whatland or some other town.

So, MERRY CHRISTMAS! I pray that you all have a safe Christmas time with family and friends. I pray that all of the GBB men and boys take time with their families to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and share it with others.