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 Holabird AdvocateProviding all the news we see fit to print since 2002!Wednesday, December 21, 2011 I'm not sure how long it's been going on, but for the past 5 years or so, I've noticed a definite split in this country toward people who say "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays". It seems that some well meaning people have crafted the saying of Happy Holidays in order to wish people well without the risk of offending people who don't celebrate Christmas. Trouble is these same people have started to offend the people who do celebrate Christmas. Certain people get offended easily, there is no way to avoid it. The rift between these two camps keeps getting wider. There is noting I can do to stop people from getting offended. I can only stop myself from joining them. I have it easy, because I don't have any close friends who celebrate Hanukkah. I observe it myself, but I don't celebrate it like I do Christmas. Nor do I celebrate the Saturnalia debauch, or this new thing called Kwanzaa. If someone were to wish me a "Happy Hanukkah", "Happy Saturnalia", or even "Happy Kwanzaa" I could take it in the spirit with which it is given. It is too bad that those who don't keep Christmas can't do the same.
Irving Berlin, a man of Jewish faith wrote "White Christmas". Does that take away from either faith, by no means. I say it makes both faiths all the richer. People who find or take offense at anything, not just Christmas, but anything, are paling into Satan's hand. So go ahead and wish me "Happy Holidays". Just remember that the Magi were not even Jewish, and they travelled two years to see the boy who was King of the Jews. As for me I'll just say a Clement C. Moore said 189 Christmases ago, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night"! If that offends anyone, I'll apologise, but NOT until I've actually offended someone. Sunday, December 18, 2011 This morning in church, Pastor Lou was reading a new version of the gospel of Luke. It was from the Contemporary English Version (CEV) of the Bible. This translation is so new that it just came out last summer. In this version it is said that Mary laid her firstborn son in a manger, "Because there was no place for them in the guest room". This new phraseology got my attention right away. This new way of telling the story opens up an interesting take on the story. The translation suggests, just from that one little change, that it was not a cold impersonal innkeeper that put Joseph and family in the stable, but his own family. As you recall, Joseph went to Bethlehem to register and pay his taxes, because it was his hometown. If you think you have difficult in-laws imagine how Mary felt. Here she is away from home,pregnant and, as we say back in Holabird, ready to pop.On top of that, her husband's family puts them out in the cold smelly stable. This doesn't take away from the traditional wonder of the story, in fact it lends a whole new true to life layer to it. Joseph's own family had no room for Jesus in their home! Powerful stuff! It helps me to cherish my own family all the more! We don't always get along, words get said, feelings get hurt, but when family comes to the door, they are always welcome. At least I always am! I hope this Christmas, we can all welcome Jesus into our homes as a part of the family. God be with you and do the best you can! Tuesday, December 06, 2011 In the interest of fairness, I should give equal time to my other Grandma, Bergit Hinkle. Grandma died 17 years ago this very afternoon. As I said in my previous article, I had a spare, but it was never quite the same. Her loss created a void that has never been quite filled. Grandma was a truly remarkable lady. She had, with her 8th grade education, more sense than anybody I've ever known. Grandma never sought greatness, which is what made her all the more awesome. She was a true master in the kitchen. The Keebler elves could not make better cookies, and her milk gravy was the gold standard as well. But more important that her cooking was her compassion. For every time she would say "it's a long way from your heart" when I was hurting physically, she was always kind and understanding when I was hurting in ways that couldn't be seen. She was dependable. When she left this world all too soon 17 years ago, I honestly didn't see that coming! I couldn't imagine the world without her. All of the sudden, it was happening. The worst part of that was that I felt so alone. As time went on, I got used to having her gone, and all I had was memories. I'd like to think that I've become as kind hearted as she used to be. There are times that my temper comes back, but when I realize it, I try to pull back. I have indeed been truly blessed, twice blessed in fact! Both of my grandmothers were the best! It's sad that there aren't more ladies like them in the world, but I guess we're doing OK. Where they are happiness abounds, so why should I be sad. There are so many people in the world that never experience that blessing. I'm glad that I am one that did, and I am also glad that I wasn't alone after all! God be with you and do the best you can! Friday, December 02, 2011 Grandma's pretty much rock! We only get one mother, but God gives us two Grandmothers. A spare in case we lose one I guess. Well I lost both of mine, so I'm pretty much screwed. In fact I lost my Grandma Bergit nearly 17 years ago, much too soon. As painful as that was I still had Grandma Agnes! So I've been coasting since December of 1994. In February of this year, I lost Grandma Agnes. As hard as it was to lose her, a lot a changes that I started making in my life made it necessary to grieve by myself. Like the first time, this death took me by surprise. I mean Grandma had a broken leg! People don't die from that! I guess they do! To me, and I reckon a lot of other people that knew her well, Grandma Agnes WAS Christmas! When I was growing up, not going to Christmas Eve at Grandma's house was unthinkable. It was as much a part of the celebration as singing "Away in a Manger" or "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing"! And Grandma threw her heart into Christmas! She celebrated all of the holidays, but Christmas was all hers! I went back "Home" earlier this week. It was a little shocking to see Grandma's wise men on my mother's counter, but If someone else had to display it, I'm glad those 3 kings were kept in the family! I hope that all of the uncles, aunts and cousins have part of Grandma's Christmas treasury! I'm sure her lose is just as keenly felt by each of them as well! On a trip to Pierre gave the chance to hear the Capitol City Carolers. When they sang "Up on the Housetop", it was hard to sing along. That song was ALWAYS in the Christmas mix at Grandma's! I've sung that song for nearly 40 years by heart, but my voice faltered as it dawned on me that Grandma was gone and she wasn't coming back! The next day, my mother got a package in the mail. It was a Christmas Tree ornament, an angel with Grandma's name engraved on it. The irony hit me. Grandma truly was a Christmas Angel! Her family might not gather at her earthly home to celebrate the holiday, but she will be with all of us. As we use this Advent season to prepare for Christmas, she is looking down and smiling on each of her friends, neighbors and family members. Losing Grandma has been a mixed blessing, especially as Dec. 25 looms ever closer. But just like Christmas snow, she will never go away completely. As the original Christmas Angel in Luke's Gospel tells us, "Don't be afraid, for I have good news of great joy" If it were possible I'm sure that is just what Grandma would say to me and everyone else who is missing her at this time! 
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