Happy New Year!

It really is the most wonderful time of the year! I spent the weekend before Thanksgiving decorating for Christmas. It was wonderful to come back up to Savannah from Florida and walk in the door on the first Sunday of Advent and have everything gold, glittery and cozy. I'm ready for hot cider, enjoying a lit Christmas tree, and everything that comes with the season. But, it's also important to remember that Christmas isn't quite here yet. Here is Father Sam's sermon from this past Sunday. I'd encourage you to listen to it (takes less then 10 minutes) and remember keep watch and not get so caught up in Christmas that you forget the wonderful season of anticipation and preparation.

In the same breath, I thought I'd share Holly Anderson's astute response to 'holiday vs. Christmas' outrage she wrote last year on her blog:

"Holiday means "Holy Day." It's a religious word.

Middle English, from Old English haligdaeg, from halig (holy) + daeg (day)First Known Use: before 12th century

It even used to be spelled that way; it became "holiday" as a contraction, like saying "guvna" for governor. So when you say "Happy Holidays", you're wishing someone peace and prosperity in their holy days, whatever those are. But that's too Christian an act, it seems, for those who would rather trumpet their beliefs than live them.

The prevalence of a non-issue like this on talk radio and in op-ed columns is emblematic of everything that's wrong with America, and I say this without the barest trace of irony. Those who profess sincere outrage might do well to remember their Matthew 6:5 ... "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."

Now, I say "Merry Christmas" wherever I go, because that's how I got raised, but will I get offended at hearing "Happy Holidays" from a cashier? Please. We've all got bigger problems, and if you honestly believe a 2,000-year old religion that's killed and saved so many in its name can be brought low by some municipal signage wishing everyone passing by happy holy days, you might ought to go back to Sunday school. A total stranger is wishing me happiness, instead of just throwing my change at me and hollering "next"? A little human kindness, whatever the form? That's something to be truly thankful for. God (all of them) bless us (all of us), every one."

Well said. Happy Advent, y'all.