Some folks are upset that others choose to call this special time "Christmas" while others are upset because some refuse to use the word "Christmas" and choose to call it a "holiday season." The conflict continues to be argued back and forth, with some stating that this is a threat to the foundation of our nation as a "Christian" nation. I do agree that is a distinct possibility, as much of our religious freedoms seem to be crumbling away one brick at a time.

On the other hand, do you know what really bothers me? It's the fact that folks have become so involved in protecting their idea of what is right or wrong about the holiday that they have forgotten that the foundation of it is the proclamation of some angels who said: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14 NKJV). Somewhere along the line, we have lost the ability to see the things that are really important about Christmas — or even much of the rest of the year.

"Yeah, ain't it too bad."

Think about that as you read this interesting story I ran across.

In one of the All in the Family episodes that aired some years ago, Edith and Archie are attending Edith's high school class reunion. Edith encounters an old classmate by the name of Buck who, unlike his earlier days, had now become excessively obese. Edith and Buck have a delightful conversation about old times and the things that they did together, but remarkably Edith doesn't seem to notice how extremely heavy Buck has become. Later, when Edith and Archie are talking, she says in her whiny voice, "Archie, ain't Buck a beautiful person?"
Archie looks at her with a disgusted expression and says: "You're a pip, Edith. You know that. You and I look at the same guy and you see a beautiful person and I see a blimp."
Edith gets a puzzled expression on her face and says something unknowingly profound, "Yeah, ain't it too bad." (Christian Globe)

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Russ Lawson is a former missionary to Africa and minister in Ohio. He now works with World Christian Literature Outreach and writes a weekly email devotional, Messages from the Heart. For more information about Russ, click here.

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