In the next few days families will be getting together to celebrate Xmas. Oh wait. I shouldn't spell Christmas with an X? Why not? X is the greek letter Chi which is the first letter of Christ.

Todd Wilken on his Sunday show December 18th pointed out in the last minute that the X even looks something like a cross. Jesus died on a cross didn't he? Yes He did.

Anyways as I started out, families including mine will be gathering together to celebrate the birth of Christ. This season like others has brought out the controversies about whether we should say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays". Some department stores have taken to not putting up the words "Merry Christmas" in their stores. Others have stopped the Salvation Army ringers from standing outside ringing for your contributions. For that I say thank you. I never could stand those incessant bell ringers and since I don't agree with the theology of the Salvation Army I don't see the need to give them my change when there are other worthy charitable organizations that help people at this time of year.

Again back to my first thought (Note to self: I must learn how to not digress when I write.)
Families getting together to celebrate Christ's birth. My family doesn't have any real standard traditions that we follow on a yearly basis. Sometimes we go to church and sometimes we don't. The only real thing I would call tradition is which side of the family we celebrate with on which particular day. Christmas Eve is traditionally with my Father's side of the family. My Dad passed away in February 1989 and though we miss his presence the memories we have of the Christmasses with him are still ingrained in my head.

When I got married, my wife and I started a new tradition. We have Christmas with both sides of the family and then we have a time where we have a private Christmas with just us and our children. This has come to mean much to me because it is one that will go into the future of my family when my children are grown and have families of their own they too will begin their own traditions.

I wish all who read this a very Merry Christmas and may the traditions you begin go on to the next generation.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.