Christmas #2009 or #2042

Merry Christmas! By my count this is either #2009 or #2042. Either way it is Christmas. The Christ Child is reborn in our hearts on this day. Immanuel. God with is.

As this Christmas Day dawns here in Little Rock, we listen to the music, watch the excited eyes of the children, and sit in awe of tje gift given.

To those who are at war, may Peace come soon. They have been a long and weary conflicts – one of need and one of want – and we pray for swift ends to both. May you all be home safely and soon.

To those who are hurting this Christmas, may Peace come soon. Sit and relax while basking in the glow that is the Baby Reborn in mankind’s heart.

To those who have known the pains of death this year, may Peace come soon. I think of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who have passed this year. To their loved ones, I pray that the Christ Child will ease the pain and heartbreak of the first Christmas without your loved one.

To family who we will not see this holiday, may Peace come soon. We love you. We miss you. We hope for you joy and happiness that cannot be found in things, but can be found in the Christ Child.

To family who we will see, may Peace come soon. We are happy that we can be together again. We hope our time together is memorable.

To my colleagues, may Peace come soon. I work where I do, largely because of you. May the blessings of Christmas permeate your souls.

To my neighbors, may Peace come soon. Yes, I will get my yard cleaned up soon.

To my Professors (and everyone associated with my education – both formal and otherwise), may Peace come soon. Thank you for teaching. I have learned immeasurable amounts from you and thank you.

To my friends, may Peace come soon. Some of you, I have known since childhood. Some of you, I met for the first time only recently. To all of you, I am grateful and humbled to have you in my life.

To my Church and its Pastoral leadership team, may Peace come soon. From you, I learn how to live a life that is as incense at the altar.

To Mrs. Pam, Miss Lisa, Mr. Steve, and the rest of the Snider clan, may Peace come soon. I am grateful for your friendship. I am grateful for your impact in Emily and Caleb’s lives. I am grateful to call you friends.

To my parents, may Peace come soon. Although we are not together in body this year, we are always together in our hearts.

To my Caleb, may Peace come soon. Here’s hoping that I provide an example that you can, should, and will follow. I love you.

To my Emily, may Peace come soon. You are a beacon of light. You are a learner and a doer. I am immensely proud of you. I love you.

To my Stephanie, may Peace come soon. You are my rock. You keep us level and balanced. You hold this crazy ship – the USS Simants – on a steady course. I am what I am, the kids are what they are, because of you. We are grateful. We are blessed. I love you.

And now my favorite Christmas song:

Happy Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let’s stop all the fight
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so Happy Christmas
We hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now
Happy Christmas