The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Merry Christmas!

By: Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher-Owner

22 December 2004

Frankly, I would like to see everyone of us a bit more merry this Christmas. You understand, don't you?

There are soldiers in Iraq fighting in a war, there are those in critical condition or recovering from bad accidents. There are many who are missing at our tables this year, who have been taken from us, and there are children who have gone astray, drugs up and down our streets, profanity in our parks. And is it really safe to have the family at home around with the TV and Internet sending us regular doses of pornography and trash? Can we and our young ones make good judgements on what to watch or when to turn off the television, the computer? There are so many crazy and sick people out there with too much idle time on their hands: is it safe?

And it seems, the more we have the less thankful we are. Why is this? Can we think back when Christmas was simpler and more joyful and merry? It wasn't because there was an abundance of "stuff," but more likely a lack of it. There was more family time with those you love and trust.

Sorry, Wal-mart, but I vote for less trips to your store and more back to basics this Christmas. Singing around the piano, Christmas caroling around the community, baking cookies together, taking some to others, visiting shut-ins and spending time with family and friends.

Make merriment this Christmas. Include a Christmas service to recall the precious Reason for this Holy Season. May God bless you, and please, have a Merry Christmas!