The reason for the season

*addendum at bottom*

Many of you have posted your Christmas rants so I figured I'd throw in my $.02 worth.

Oddly enough one of my favorite parts of Christmas is sending Christmas cards. There are some old friends I only hear from at Christmas time, but that is ok. I am not complaining, I am glad we have this time of year when we think of others and send greetings letting them know they are still fondly thought of.

Sending/giving cards has always been a very personal thing for me. I have been known to go to 1/2 dozen stores and card shops before I find that "right" card. Christmas time is no different, although I do buy the box of cards instead of individual cards for each person. But I still have to find the "right" card. I have been to many stores looking for cards to send this year, but I had an extrememly difficult time. It seems over the years there seem to be less and less spiritual cards and more Santa, humor, and simply 'Happy Holidays' cards. There was the card that showed Santa and his sleigh of reindeer on an outhouse that said "Rudolph, I said the Schmidt house!" Then there's the scene of a bunch of cute little animals standing around a Christmas tree lit up in the forest. Or how about the ones with a beautiful winter scene of a farm house and a horse drawn sleigh in the snow. I enjoy humor and cute as much as the next person, and if there is no snow in Miami, FL does this mean it's not Christmas?

My point is this - What do any of these have to do with Christ being born? I'm sorry people but this is the Christmas season and that is what I am celebrating. That is the day that gives us the holiday. Without Christmas there would be no holiday.

I came close to choosing a card that said "Happy Holidays" and cross out the 'i' and make it a 'y'. I bet that would have made my point. Well, I finally found some today and I will sit down and make them out tomorrow. I certainly wish I could send each and every one of you a card. Please feel free to email your mailing address if you feel comfortable doing that. I would love to send you one.

The inside says "May His name renew your spirit and bring blessings of peace and joy to you and those you love throughout the coming year. Merry Christmas"

We should be celebrating Christ's birth and not the holidays generated with this special day.

Well, that's my $.02 worth. But who can put a price tag on Christmas?

***I almost forgot.....Today is a special day in the Catholic Church. It is the celebration of the Immaculate Conception. You can go here to read more.