Welcome to Gaia! ::

This might not be front page material, but it needs to be said.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and what a holiday it is.

A time to celebrate family - you may not like your whole family. I know some of my dearest friends have the worst possible relationships with some of their family. This is a day to forgive, or at least to tolerate, and to appreciate the friends and family who you do get along with... and always be receptive to a Christmas miracle with those you don't.

Peace on Earth - we may be in a terrible conflict now... but we've brought, if not physical peace, then at least peace of mind. So many people are now living a freer life than they once thought possible, free from fear and tyranny, because of the brave sacrifice of some of the greatest men and women on Earth. So let us remember them, pray for them, and appreciate all that they've done for us and others.

Goodwill towards man - there are many hateful people in the world. Thriving on death, and hatred, and fear. Powerful foreign figures, or someone right down the street, you know who they are. On Christmas, we'll ignore them. We'll let them stew in their own darkness, and love another, and feel safe in knowing that they'll get what they deserve in the end.

The most amazing birth - there is skepticism. Corruption in church. Christians who are as hateful towards non-believers as any of the worst radicals in the world, who would like nothing more than the next crusade. People constantly decrying the Faith of good men, constantly stamping out their beliefs where they can be found. Let's remember what it all means though - the birth, life, and sacrifice of Christ, the greatest act of love ever known to mortal man. Let us show this Christ-like love not only to one another, but to all of man, let us, for once, BE CHRISTIANS, BE CHRIST-LIKE, as much as we can, and let us know and pray that no malignant force no matter how seemingly mighty falters in the face of Christ our Lord.

So maybe bad things are happening to you, maybe you're feeling down, heck, maybe you scoffed at that last little paragraph of mine. But even if only for today, I ask - no, plead - that you take my message to heart, and if only for this one day, live for love towards everything and everyone, and know that there are people who love you as well, and a Father who wants you to know the ultimate love.

Again -

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

amen.

would if i could

merry christmas, now where's Mariemaia? she's supposed to be here now!

Merry Christmas to you too.