Christmas column turns into a ‘C’ conglomeration

“Hey!” That caught me by surprise but, frankly, nothing surprises me anymore. But the “Hey” was followed by “I missed your annual Thanksgiving ‘cuff this year. Are you going to have one for Christmas?” … and then continued … “What got you off on a bunch of words the past couple of ‘cuffs?”

Those weren’t his exact words, but that was their meaning. But what a surprise! If a column ever gets a comment, it’s pretty much of a miracle. Confession: I just come up with a ‘cuff now and then to keep my fingers limber on the old Underwood. And sometimes I just get something on my mind and that’s my opinion. There, just like the talking heads on the tube which I growl about so often. We’re all guilty occasionally, aren’t we? Just like those letters to the editor. And don’t forget the Facebook jumbles that hit the computer screens. I seldom turn on a computer — mainly just to Google something which interests me. ‘Nuff said.

But back to the “hey.” I grinned ‘cause I knew my friend was tormenting me just for the fun of it … and by the way … tormenting is not the correct word. Really it was all just in fun. It made for a fun exchange.

So, I admitted that, having written dozens of Thanksgiving and Christmas columns throughout the years, nothing just hit me … only I would be more thankful if the moral and down-home feeling of Americanism that once filled our lives would return; it would be wonderful. And Christmas? Christianity is under so much torment and disbelief and attack from so many areas … the pastoral community must speak the words that must be spoken in defense of the values that have forged our society and which are so under attack by the political world, entertainment and others … as well as amazingly condescending comments from … you fill in the blank.

So this ‘cuff is going to stray into a “C” column: Conglomeration. Remember? For instance, did you know one of those old time TV Christmas programs, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” is under attack? It just isn’t “politically correct” in the minds of some. Put that on top of the complaints against timehonored Christmas songs such as “Silent Night” and “Away in a Manger” … it just makes me shiver to write that fact.

The Rudolph story dates back to my early childhood when someone sent me a copy of the first Rudolph five- or six-page booklet that Wards Catalog Company had published. I must have been four or five. Several years ago, while looking through a box of clippings my mother had saved, there was that Rudolph booklet … all wrinkled, with pages partially torn and page after page filled with scribblings by a little feller who enjoyed it. I thought if that little publication was in perfect condition, it might be worth something more than a memory. But the value of memory has the greatest value of any.

This “politically correct” virtue has basically infected and ruined the freedom of speech that was a foundation for our nation, as are those other freedoms we also hold in such high esteem … and so often take for granted. The value destroyers moan and groan and shout from the hilltops that our Constitution is a “living document.” That may be basically so, but more than that it is a “foundation” document. Our judicial and legislative systems have so weakened and muddled that foundation. They have forgotten that our founders said the document can only be changed by our population through a legal process, an amendment. The process is aptly described in the Fifth Amendment and the process has been employed many times. Remember prohibition, then repeal of prohibition? How about limiting the number of terms a president may serve, and a number lowering the voting age to eighteen? The word “citizenship” is tossed around trying to define what constitutes being a citizen.

Persons, including immigrants and new residents, may apply for citizenship. The process includes studying a book which outlines so many of the traits which qualify a person as a citizen, and the person must pass a test which guarantees understanding the responsibilities of citizenship. That book should be a requirement for every high school student … since I would bet that not one in a thousand present citizens are able to get a passing grade. Should many of us be uncitizened? Hmmm….

Since there is so much controversy on who coming into our country is or can become a citizen, wouldn’t it be wise to pass an amendment to our constitution, specifically defining who or what a citizen is? Would one or more of our congressional delegation propose such an amendment? I wonder.

Another topic? Vaping. Yep, that non-cigarette habit that has found its way into our society and which, after several years of studying and consideration, is being questioned as a bad habit, particularly for teenagers and younger children. They have adopted lighting up that nicotine habit which is available in all kinds of flavors from bubble gum to … you name it; it’s probably available. For a price, for our youth, what do you suppose the outcome of this nicotine habit will evolve into? That’s it for this week.

Except … may your family, your friends and each of you spend a few minutes of your precious time in remembrance of what Christmas really is. Be happy, be thankful, enjoy the day, in fact, every day, by protecting and enhancing the freedoms we Americans enjoy. Enjoy the lights and sounds of the holiday as you exchange remembrance and love with those around you. It is a time to rejoice and remember there is a greater and brighter light with words that have changed the world. A light of peace for all mankind. Merry CHRISTmas.