Remembering Christmas

Another multi-killing in the United States- but this time the victims were not adults or young adults-they were vey young children-ages 6-10. It is tragic when adults or young adults die- but little children-it is beyond tragic and tears the life out of everyone who hears or reads about the incident. I watched the new reports and my eyes fill with tears-so young- children who have not even started to experience what life is all about. So close to Christmas. The parents have bought and wrapped the gifts, bought new film for the camera-ready to capture that magic momnent- the joy in their childrens eyes when they wake up and see the tree with all the lights and glitter and of course- the many wrapped gifts. The camera will capture the smiles, the wide eyes and the laughter of the children- Pictures that the children will appreciate when they get older- the camera ,however does not show the happiness on the face of the parents. If you go beyond the corny Christmas shows, the lights and glitter, one will realize that the best part of Christmas is the look on the childrens faces. As adults we remember our own happy days and we wonder now as adults- how ould we have believed in something so silly as eight reindeer, pulling a sleigh with an elderly fat man, who travel over the world, climbing down chimmneys and leaving gifts- As silly as this sounds, and as much as we believe in telling our children the truth- we still lie about this idea-- and why-- because of what Christmas represents. Beyond the gifts, and the joy it brings our children, it is also the celebration of the birth of the child of God- Jesus- the simple carpenter who preached unconditional love- sort of the love parents receive from their children. Christmas is about honoring the teachings of Christ- the giving of ones self, the helping hand when someone is in trouble, the respect we show others- and we do this- not to hear the words "Thank you", we do it because it brings happiness to another human who may be hurting- our reward- we feel good for our good deed- and we share the gratitude and happiness of the person helped. With tragic loss this magic might fade- but it doesn't have to. If you have bought gifts, and wonder what to do- donate them to a charity(Toys for Tots etc.) and imagine the magic on the face of those children who will receive your gifts. For the adults who do not have children, but still remember the magic of Christmas- go buy some gifts for a local charity and remember the magic. To everyone- remember this day as the birth of Jesus- the Son of God- and remember the love that is given to us unconditionally. Merry Christmas