The Conundrums Of Christmas

Christmas has always been a incongruous holiday.  It's the season when hope confronts cold. As winter begins we experience the longest nights; during Christmas those nights are lit up with often garish displays of light that fight back the darkness  During Christmas we celebrate a baby born of humble circumstances destined to have the

government . . . on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

That promise will be result in a crucifixion and an empty tomb.  At the risk of dramatically overstating the comparison, Christmas is about living well while knowing death is imminent.

Yesterday, the incongruity hit home.  I was a human jungle for my elementary school aged niece and nephews, and I read an email telling me that a friend from college had died.

This morning, the Christmas trees are still up; there are a few scraps of wrapping paper on the floor, and Skip Bayless is ranting in support of Tim Tebow on ESPN's First Take.

Death in the midst of life and life in the middle of death seems to be what Christmas is really about, a lot of hope during a season when fear and darkness dominate.

Christmas Nostaligia And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas

I made my father play this 78 dozens of times every Christmas season,  Hearing the scratches from the old record makes the nostalgia hurt a bit more.

The flip side is equally awesome if one is of a certain age.

I'm sure it's probably politically incorrect for a German from Russia to use a Swede to offer holiday greetings, but I really don't care.  Merry Christmas!!

The 12 Day Of Christmas Reasons Students Won't Be In Class Next Week

I guess I'm not in the Christmas spirit yet.  With sincere apologies to the composers and lyricists who gave us "The 12 Days of Christmas," here's a really bad and cynical adaptation.

12 Early Family Christmases

11 Colds and counting

10 Parents who live out of state

9 Chances to earn overtime

8 Ski trips with the church youth group

7 Last minute shopping trips because it's Mom's day off

6 I'm too tired from last night's band concert

5 I couldn't find my bling

4 I'm not ready for the test

3 My car wouldn't start

2 My brother needs me to get him from the airport

And My car hit the partridge flying out of the pear tree.