“Welcome, old aspirations, glittering creatures of an ardent underneath the holly! We know you, and have not outlived you yet. Welcome, old projects, and old loves, however fleeting, to your nooks among the steadier lights that burn around us” ― Charles Dickens

"The pause that refreshes."

Good morning and welcome to Wednesday, December 20, 2017, as the countdown continues towards Christmas Day. In support of the Christmas spirit, the wife, (Mrs. Claus), and I are planning this morning to show up to help give gifts to underprivileged children. This is a program sponsored by our county sheriff. As of last week, I was told that over 700 children were registered to participate in this program. We are delighted to have been invited to be involved in such a worthy cause. I am praying that we will stay well enough to finish our appointed rounds as Santa and Mrs. Claus. I say that because our area has been struck with flu and related types of maladies. Report after report on Facebook and within our own circle, and in our own family, tell us that illnesses are very prevalent at this time. I have had my share of runny-nosed kids. Moms sometimes are less than clued into the reality of the situation. Last Sunday afternoon at an event, one mom sent her very obviously ailing little girl over to Santa to give him a final hug goodbye. Really? Couldn't you at least wipe her nose? And, yes, I have picked up some congestion, but, thus far, with cold medicines and other remedies, I have been able to continue the Santa journey. For that, I am both grateful and thankful. Amen.

What about the way the world is going these days? I check fairly often, but, as best as I can tell it is still messed up and will be messed up until Jesus returns to make all things right. That is not a pessimistic viewpoint, it's a faith-based interpretation of our fallen world. When we see it for what it really is, it helps us to trust God and not the corrupt world. I read this week where the Obama administration slowed down a huge multi-faceted takedown of one of the world's largest terrorist organizations' drug running so that it would not interfere with their nuclear deal with Iran. That deal in and of itself is known to be very shaky, however, when you think about it, we had a known drug-selling ring that was bringing great harm to American citizens and they were near bringing it down, but, it was slowed to a stop so as not to impede the President's agreement with an American hating regime. You think I am being critical? It is intended to sound that way because as best I can tell there's no appetite within the mainstream media to pursue this story. Messed up, folks. We do live in a messed up world. People's lives are impacted by political decisions. The monies generated by the sale of these drugs inside our country were used to blow up innocents around the world. Literally. See what I mean? The answer? God and God alone. You can quote me on that. Amen.

We are so looking forward to our family Christmas gathering next Monday. We are hoping the flu bug will be done with by then since several are dealing with it at this time. People ask me if I am excited about Christmas. I often tell them that dealing with all that we have on our plate with my regular job duties, the Santa Enterprise, and other activities, it's hard to know if I am excited or not. However, I don't have to check to know that I am very much looking forward to seeing our children and grandchildren next Monday. That, as they say, is a fact. I got home from Church Sunday evening in time to watch some of the live theatrical presentation of the movie, "The Christmas Story". I thought it was pretty good set to music. I thought the acting was good as well. Now I find out that I might be the only one who gave it a passing grade. There I go again. A majority of one. I still liked it. Sorry. I did. It does get lonely but as Popeye might say, "I likes what I likes." Take care now, you hear? Enjoy. Remember that it was God Himself, The Son, that was placed in that feeding trough. He was born to die that you and I might be given life eternal. Now that is exciting. Amen. ....More later.