Springing-up along Interstates and major highways are message boards announcing times and miles to cities or crucial intersections—“10 miles and 20 minutes to Rocket Town”—as well as problems ahead—“Crash at mile marker 238.” A message like that might be enough for risk takers using GPSs and their adventurous spirit to try back roads in order to make it before the starting bell at work. For a competitor, it could be a challenge to beat—not that I would know anything about that.
Then there are message–board–people on social networks who have to announce days until major events—the end or beginning of a season, their birthday, and most importantly and annoyingly, days until Christmas. Yes, it starts in early July for some.
I was a bit like this in my kid years, at least in my own mind. There were two special days on my calendar—my birthday in July and Christmas. It gave me six months to look ahead and dream. However, as I got older, there became more to life. Every day is a celebration to be alive and each Sunday a special day of worship.
But apparently that is not enough for these folks. They’ve got the countdown going especially to this particular holiday. These are the type that are itching to play Christmas Carols before Halloween. I had a secretary like that. It couldn’t start soon enough for her. Of course the day after Christmas it was all over—tree down, lights unplugged, back to normal. I, on the other hand, start the carols after Thanksgiving, when it is legal, and keep things going until New Years when the season officially ends unless you’re an Orthodox Christian. Speaking of which, if I were one, I’d wait until after the regular Christmas to get a free tree. And think of all the after-Christmas-sales. Just saying.
I shouldn’t be too hard on these prognosticators. Many, including my favorite daughter (the only one), are not looking at this from the what-is-under-the-tree-for-me, but the entire mystique and atmosphere of the season—snow, music, family and friends, giving to others, special church services, and the reason for the season—Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, coming into this world for the express purpose of purchasing eternal life for all who believe. We look forward to something that happened in the past, to celebrate what it means in the present, and what it can mean in the future.
We look forward to something that happened in the past, to celebrate what it means in the present, and what it can mean in the future.So, continue being message–board–people on this one. I’m definitely in the Christmas spirit.
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Men Acting Badly, err Should We Say---Horribly!
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History of Bible Fellowship Church of Ephrata
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