Yesterday was Holiday Fest in Jackson.  It is an annual celebration that ushers in the Christmas season.  I wish they would call it something different, but that’s another blog entry (see my other entries in the "Christmas" category)

At 4:30pm eight of us braved the cold weather and sang Christmas carols at the clock tower in downtown Jackson.  Various churches had signed up for half hour time slots.  The music was broadcast throughout downtown on the sound system.  Believe me…I help provide quantity…NOT quality.  But then again, if you are listening to a group a carolers and you are judging their quality, then you have a problem (at least as far as I am concerned).  I am just glad people showed up when they could have chosen the warmth of their homes.

During the late afternoon hours, various stores had open houses where they served soup, hot beverages and other Christmas goodies.  It was nice to walk into a store without someone bugging you with a sometimes overly enthusiastic, "Can I help you!"…"No thanks I am just looking."  Last night was about fellowship, not money.

At 5:30pm the Holiday Fest parade started.  Up to that point people were mingling on the street talking and trying to keep warm.  But when we saw the cop car with its lights on, silence ensued.  We all knew what was coming next…the color guard.  People stopped what they were doing; adult and child like to show respect for our nations flag.  The first float behind the color guard was one carrying a local soldier.  People waved and I heard shouts from the crowd, "Thanks for serving".  It gave me goosebumps to hear that support.

After the last float went by we rushed back inside to await the grand finale…the fireworks display.  That’s right…you read correctly…fireworks were on tap next.  I was standing in the entrance of the movie theater with some other Holiday Fest goers, trying to get warm again, wondering when the fireworks would start.  Just then we heard a loud BOOM!  I guess they were going.  All at once we rushed the whole one block to the river and saw a wonderful sight.  It was probably the best display I have seen in many years.  People cheered and car horns were honking.

Even though it was 10 degrees above zero; we forgot about how cold we were.  I shivered from time to time, but the Christmas cheer downtown last night was enough to keep me warm.  It is amazing what a does of Christmas cheer can do.  I firmly believe it could have been -10 degrees and people still would have come out to celebrate.

Jackson has it’s issues (like any other town) but for a few hours last night, none of that mattered.  I just wish I could bottle that Christmas cheer from last night and keep it for the next time people start bickering and arguing for stupid, trivial things.   We can co-exist in peace.  Last night was proof of that.

I guess it is true what they say, "Love is all we need".

Praise be to God and Merry Christmas. -EDH-

"The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate." (citation:  http://www.cresourcei.org/cyadvent.html).

For those of you not familiar with church seasons and holidays; Sunday, December 3 marks the first Sunday of Advent.  It is a season of anticipation of the coming/arrival of Jesus Christ (see above definition).  Advent is not just a day that marks the "appropriate" time to put up Christmas decorations, but it reminds us of God’s love for a fallen world.  God heard the cry of creation and came to us in Jesus Christ.  But Christmas is not only about the birth of Jesus, but the reason Jesus came into this world.  LOVE!  Jesus lived among us and went to the cross where he suffered and died.  But this is not the end of the story; Jesus rose from the grave and smashed to pieces death’s grip on our lives.  Jesus lives and reigns victorious and that victory is passed onto us.  This is the wonderful message of Christmas; love, life, and salvation.

Coming Dec. 1 is a movie I can hardly wait to see.  It is called "The Nativity Story"  (http://www.thenativitystory.com).  See this movie.  Don’t wait until it comes out on DVD, but see it now.  Experience the story and know it is for you.  Whether you are seeing and experiencing the story for the first time or not, the story of Jesus’ birth is one for the ages.  See it again and again and proclaim to the world the true meaning of Christmas; don’t let Satan win through commercialization.

Advent is here.  Christ has come.  Christ is coming again.  Praise the Lord and Amen. -EDH-

It felt great to pull out my Christmas CDs again.  The next step is to get out the Christmas decorations tonight (Sunday) and "go to town".  There is nothing quite like Christmas:  lights, decorating, great music and of course the most important thing of all…the celebration of the Christ child.

As you get yourself ready for this great season; as you put up your Christmas tree and lights; remember why we do those things.  It is not because everyone else is doing it.  It is because God has given us a reason to celebrate and be joyful.  With Jesus, we might as well "pack everything up and go home".  For without Christ there is no hope.  Without Christ there is no life.  Without Christ…well…you get the picture.

We don’t celebrate Santa Claus this time of the year.  Santa is a fictional character.  We celebrate Jesus Christ and Jesus IS NOT a fictional character.  Jesus is our Lord and Savior; who gives us hope and life everlasting.  Don’t worship a fat guy in a red suit, but worship our God; the Father almighty.  Have a very merry Christmas and God bless. -EDH-

I know, I know…It is not Christmas yet.  It’s not even Thanksgiving yet.  But if you go to stores like Wal-Mart, you will see their Christmas stuff up already.  Many big department stores are also getting their displays up and starting the huge holiday push.  For the retail industry, the Christmas season can’t come soon enough.  It seems they are in the Christmas spirit earlier and earlier every year.  I’ll get there, but get me through Thanksgiving first; then I will show you a Christmas spirit that is not tied to sales receipts.

But then this morning I started to have some hope for the retail industry.  The Today Show had a story about Wal-Mart bringing back "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".  I started to have more respect for Wal-Mart, if only for a few seconds.  But my respect for them was quickly brought back to reality as the story continued.

Apparently Wal-Mart (along with other retail outlets) received a lot of pressure, last year, from groups like the Catholic League about removing "Christmas" from the Christmas season.   People like me like to hear the greeting "Merry Christmas" but if you shopped at Wal-Mart last year, you probably did not hear that from an employee.  This year you will.

Has Wal-Mart and some other retail outlets finally seen the light?  Have they discovered the true meaning of Christmas?  No.  As the story continued Wal-Mart talked about a dip in the sales last year because of the boycott the Catholic League headed up.  So Wal-Mart as bowed to the pressure and has returned to saying "Merry Christmas".  I have no problem with this change.  But before you start thinking that Wal-Mart and others in the retail industry are having a change of heart, remember that for them it is about money and it always will be.  That will never change.

Thanksgiving is a week from Thursday.  As you prepare for Thanksgiving and get ready for the Christmas season, let me be one of the first to remind you to get ready in the right way.  Remember why we celebrate Christmas.  It is not about receiving something off you Christmas list you have always wanted.  Rather Christmas is about one thing and one thing only…Jesus Christ.  Don’t be fooled by clever advertising slogans to buy, buy and buy some more.  Don’t be taken in by the Christmas spirit unleashed by the likes of Wal-Mart and others.  Be taken in by the spirit of God.  Be taken in by the manger scene and know that that baby (Jesus Christ) is the reason for the season and nothing else.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving…and MERRY CHRISTMAS! (sorry…I couldn’t resist) Take care and God bless.  -EDH-