Christmas is full of shiny things
That sparkle, gleam and glow
These holiday pleasures "dazzle us"
And yet,
Deep down, we know ...

That Christmas has its special gifts
Our year round joy depends
On the cherished people in our lives
OUR FAMILY, and friends! "

cont'd ...

Wishing ALL of you
A Great Day
And an exceptional year
Filled with kind deeds,
Love in your hearts,
Respect for each other.
May your beliefs light up
your lives and those of others!

Peace and Joy and Good Health to ALL!

This was written a few decades ago:

Where had the year so quickly flown?
A thought echoed in a reflection of a glass ball

The fragrance of pine
The shimmer of tinsel
Small packages nicely wrapped
For giving once a year

A Festive Season here again
Time for celebration
With family and friends
Broken promises renewed

What promise for the future?
The answer out of reach
In its place a quiet reality
The toll of church bells in the still night air

A birth proclaimed
A song took form
Sounds of voices breaking the silence
Joy and Peace to all on earth
At least this once a year.

CHRISTMAS ought to remind us to care for the weak, the lost and the poor and sick, though it is not a one of event it is a life given for others. In Christmas we remember the birth of Christ who amid suffering and conflict God revealed a true character to shine light into our World. He gave his life for others, both in his life and death.

The commercial opportunists and power moguls have perverted it for self-interest. It should be about the reflection of the inner character of each of us - the life that reflects the character of God.

Individual,

<<Think about it, when children were exposed to such believes (beliefs) they developed their imagination.>>

Regarding Santa: "It’s a lie. It degrades your parental trustworthiness, it encourages credulity, it does not encourage imagination (in terms of children and Santa), and it’s equivalent to bribing your kids for good behavior."

From David Kyle Johnson Ph.D - The Santa Claus Lie Debate.

To everyone,

The Santa myth or lie (whatever term you use), is unfortunately being passed onto future generations, regardless of the implications, the long term damage to people and the benefits of providing them with something else which has a relation to Christmas and people's lives, lets say God for example.

I agree credulity should not be encouraged (a tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true) and people should learn, grow and develop - but it doesn't mean it should come from Santa, it can come from elsewhere and from a range of areas. This can include books, story telling, nature play, dreams, learning, and discovery.

Parents need to stop putting out this Santa lie, that Santa is real and that there are lots of benefits that come from Santa being in existence. He is to my knowledge not real and should be put out as a story or fairy tale and nothing else or not at all.

God though is another question, something Atheists and others have not been able to prove - so I'll sit on the fence on that one and say to parents out there, why not give him a try, just to see how it all works.

A few light thoughts about this time of year:

Santa Claus has the right idea.
Visit people only once a year.

Santa wears a red suit. Must be a communist.
He has long hair and a beard. Must be a pacifist.
And what's that he's smoking in his pipe?

This holiday season, no matter what your religion is,
please take a moment to reflect on why it's better
than all the others.

A really mean act is to give a small child
a practical gift.