OT Chistmas 2000 vs Christmas 2001

[Guest guest]

Received this from a friend - -

Subject: Christmas 2001 vs. Christmas 2000

25 ways we're different this Christmas

1. Last Christmas we were thinking about all the things we

didn't have; this Christmas we are thinking about all the things

we do have.

2. Last Christmas we were placing wreaths on the doors of our

homes; this Christmas we are placing wreaths on the graves of our

heroes.

3. Last Christmas we were letting our Sons play with toy guns; this

Christmas we are teaching them that guns are not toys.

4. Last Christmas we were counting our money; this Christmas we

are counting our blessings.

5. Last Christmas we paid lip service to the real meaning of the

holidays; this Christmas we are paying homage to it.

6. Last Christmas we were lighting candles to decorate; this

Christmas we are lighting candles to commemorate.

7. Last Christmas we were digging deep into our bank accounts

to find money to fly home for the holidays; this Christmas we are

digging deep into our souls to find courage to do so.

8. Last Christmas we were trying not to let annoying relatives get

the best of us; this Christmas we are trying to give the best of

ourselves to them.

9. Last Christmas we thought it was enough to celebrate the

holidays; this Christmas we know we must also find ways to

consecrate them.

10. Last Christmas we thought a man who could rush down a

football field was a hero; this Christmas we know a man who

rushes into a burning building is the real one.

11. Last Christmas we were thinking about the madness of the

holidays; this Christmas we are thinking about the meaning of

them.

12. Last Christmas we were getting on one another's nerves; this

Christmas we are getting on our knees.

13. Last Christmas we were giving thanks for gifts from stores;

this Christmas we are giving thanks for gifts from God.

14. Last Christmas we were wondering how to give our children

all the things that money can buy- the hottest toys the latest

fashions, the newest gadgets; this Christmas we are wondering

how to give them all the things it can't buy -a sense of security,

safety, peace.

15. Last Christmas we were thinking about all the pressure we

are under at the office; this Christmas we are thinking about the

people that no longer have an office to go to.

16. Last Christmas we were singing carols; this Christmas we

are singing anthems.

17. Last Christmas we were thinking how good it would feel to

be affluent; this Christmas we are thinking how good it feels

to be alive.

18. Last Christmas we thought angels were in heaven; this

Christmas we know some are right here on earth.

19. Last Christmas we were contemplating all the changes we

wanted to make in the New Year; this Christmas we are

contemplating all the changes we will have to make in this new

reality.

20. Last Christmas we believed in the power of the pocketbook;

this Christmas we believe in the power of prayer.

21. Last Christmas we were sharing /spreading/listening to gossip;

this Christmas we are sharing/spreading/listening to the gospel.

22. Last Christmas we were complaining about how much of our

earnings went to pay taxes; this Christmas we comprehend that

freedom isn't free.

23. Last Christmas we valued things that were costly; this

Christmas we value things that are holy.

24. Last Christmas the people we idolized wore football,

basketball, and baseball uniforms; this Christmas the people we

idolize wear military uniforms.

25. Last Christmas " peace on earth " is something we prayed for

on Sunday mornings; now it is something we pray for every day.

There is one thing we must always keep in mind,

" FREEDOM IS NOT FREE "

May God continue to provide each of us with a measure of

STRENGTH, WISDOM and PEACE.

elaine