Christmas and Easter It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. (W. T. Ellis, Civil War veteran) So much of the “Christmas spirit” is manufactured by advertising and showy programs, but, as Ellis suggests, the real Christmas spirit comes from the...
Christmas Joy Christmas is for children. But it’s for grown-ups, too. (Lenora Mattingly Weber, 19th-20th century American author) With a rather disheartening comment, Weber continues, “Even if it’s a headache, a chore, a nightmare it is a period of necessary...
Christmas is Coming For children Christmas is anticipation. For adults Christmas is memory. (Eric Sevareid, late American news journalist) This is Christmas week, and children are eagerly awaiting the parties and, especially, the opening of gifts on Friday. Although...
Arrogance Arrogance blocks honor either by seeking it or by rejecting it. (Dan Rockwell, fitness enthusiast) We are often disappointed by someone who is a successful winner but who is arrogant. Pride is a strong turn off for lots of people. Rockwell also says,...
Ready for Christmas? A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together. (Garrison Keillor, American storyteller) In most of the so-called civilized world, Christmas will be observed in just one week even by...
Principles A principle is an approach you stick with even if you know it might lead to a short-term outcome you don’t prefer. (Seth Godin) Godin continues, “If your guiding principle is to do whatever benefits you right now, you don’t have principles of much value.”...
Judgment We don’t see things the way they are, but the way we are. (Anaïs Nin, 20th-century French-Cuban American writer) It’s often a question of viewpoint or perspective. We evaluate what we see and make our judgments based on our personal experience and bias....
Living One day your life will flash before your eyes; make sure it’s worth watching. (Gerard Way, American singer and songwriter) Whether it’s true that people see their lives flash before them in moments of extreme danger, the idea is both frightening and...
Friendship III Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you. (Elbert Hubard, 19th-century American writer) Friendships can be pretty fragile when there isn’t a firm commitment. Before we discard a friend because we learn something about him or...
Friendship II It takes a long time to grow an old friend. (John Leonard, late literary critic) Long-time friends are invaluable assets to anyone who enjoys life and strong relationships. Most people have a lot of acquaintances, but the people who are most valued are...
Friendship I A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself. (Author unknown) There may come a time for some of us when we’re not doing well, and we feel like we just can’t go on. We’ve lost confidence in our abilities and don’t see...
Advent Advent reminds us we need salvation, not savings. We need peace, not presents. (Pastor Tim Sprankle) As we near Christmas, it’s good to remember that this is Advent season, the time to reflect on the real reason for celebrating. Gift giving is but a small...