tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post569957074852769288..comments2023-10-24T06:55:53.274-07:00Comments on Talk Wisdom: Christmas StoriesChristinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-74407897654897732722008-12-24T08:43:00.000-08:002008-12-24T08:43:00.000-08:00Speaking of Christmas stories, a few weeks back I ...Speaking of Christmas stories, a few weeks back I had gotten a very poor manicure at a salon I usually do not visit. I hate fake nails, so I only get manicures when I absolutely have to - because they don't last but two days. I'm a very hands on person, doing work around the house, caring for our dog etc. This is why I only get manicures for special occasions (like my husband's work Christmas dinner.)<BR/><BR/>The woman who gave me a bad manicure was my age with 39, 24, and 22 year old adult children. We chatted a lot during the session. It was afterwards that I noticed how uneven the french manicure appeared. <BR/><BR/>Following this, my daughter and I had dinner at a nearby Greek cafe (so good!!) but my manicure suffered even further because it wasn't completely dry.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, the day of the Christmas party I decided to get my nails re-painted at my usual salon. The young girl did such a beautiful job, I wanted to show her my appreciation. A re-paint is only $8.00. I gave her a $20.00 and told her to keep the change. She said, "but the cost is only $8.00." I said, "you keep it - Merry Christmas."<BR/><BR/>As I sat at the desk with my hands under the ultra-violet light, I overheard her whispering to a group of people in the salon. Then, one person said, "the Vietnamese do not celebrate Christmas?"<BR/><BR/>This left me wondering. Was the young girl somehow insulted that I used that greeting with her? I can only guess at this point.<BR/><BR/>I have had people say "Happy Hannukah" to me before. One of my daughter's friends (Christian) gave me a "Kwanzaa" nutcracker decoration (I used to collect them) years ago. I just laughed. Didn't bother me a bit. So, why is it that people dislike Christians saying "Merry Christmas?" <B>That is the name of the holiday...isn't it??</B><BR/><BR/>When I go back to the salon, I hope to get a chance to talk with that young manicurist again. I would really like to know what her feelings were when I said, "Merry Christmas" to her.<BR/><BR/>When I give money to homeless people holding up signs at stoplights, I usually tell them that "All that I have belongs to Jesus Christ. Without Him in my life, I am nothing. This donation comes from Him, through me. God bless you."<BR/><BR/>Do you know what? Many of these people often acknowledge Jesus is Lord right back to me! They thank me and they say, "God bless you" back.<BR/><BR/>Any homeless person could be of any religion - or, no religion at all. However, when I share just where the money I am giving them came from, they gratefully accept it. There is no animosity because I mentioned Christ.<BR/><BR/>Go figure...<BR/><BR/>BTW, because of an unfortunate experience years back (a woman took the money I gave her and ran into the liquor store), I request that they not use it for alcohol or drugs. Most promise me that they won't.<BR/><BR/>I do this because I want them to realize that what the Lord provides through His Holiness and Righteousness should be respected. (Please note - I AM NOT saying that I am holy or righteous. In fact, the Bible tells us that "all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." <BR/><BR/>That fact humbles everybody and puts us in our place - Amen?Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-7800598624230463402008-12-24T08:18:00.000-08:002008-12-24T08:18:00.000-08:00GM- No one is telling you that you need to attend ...GM- No one is telling you that you need to attend church. This post was expressing <I>my opinion</I> that the annual classic movie, "A Christmas Story," was missing the main purpose of the holiday - any mention of Jesus Christ. People in the 50's were more inclined to attend church back then. I was just pointing out this fact.<BR/><BR/>They could have named it "A Holiday Story." I suspect with the atmosphere so hostile to even the mention of the term "Christmas," if the movie was made today, they most likely would have used "holiday" instead.Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-54743941918590729642008-12-24T08:10:00.000-08:002008-12-24T08:10:00.000-08:00Thanks Neil! Merry Christmas! I have been fighti...Thanks Neil! Merry Christmas! I have been fighting a bad cold the last two days. Hate when I get sick during the holidays.<BR/><BR/>Many blessings to you and your family as well as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!<BR/><BR/>Christine<BR/><BR/>My favorite saying:<BR/><BR/><I>Keep Christ in Christmas</I>Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-86370194157674320632008-12-23T23:14:00.000-08:002008-12-23T23:14:00.000-08:00Yes, the candy cane story does sound apocryphal, e...Yes, the candy cane story does sound apocryphal, especially that part about shaping it in the form of a J. I suspect the reason was rather more pragmatic.<BR/><BR/>Speaking as a secularist, I say: if you wish to attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day as part of your <I><B>"family tradition"</B></I>, go right ahead. I don't mind at all--really. Just don't insist that it has to be part of <I><B>my</B></I> family tradition.<BR/><BR/><I>Mele Kalikimaka</I>GMpilothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07189308176043748343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-28596134371176001772008-12-23T10:24:00.000-08:002008-12-23T10:24:00.000-08:00Good points and good stories. Merry Christmas! B...Good points and good stories. <BR/><BR/>Merry Christmas! Blessings to you for all you do to advance the kingdom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com