Christmas Video Countdown Part Seven

Ok, I'm gonna wrap up this Christmas video countdown today. I'll do #24 and #25 since I shouldn't be wasting my time on the internet on Christmas day. I'll be wasting time with my family instead...I mean spending quality time with my family. Before we get started I just want to talk about the whole "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays" controversy. A bunch of other blogs I read have mentioned it as well and I agree with what they say. I don't think it matters what your holiday greetings happens to be, what matters is where your heart is and what your motivation is when you say it. If you say "Happy Holidays" because you are being friendly, that's fine. If you say "Happy Holidays" out of spite, that's not fine. Same thing goes with "Merry Christmas". If you say it, fine. But if you say it after someone has told you "Happy Holidays" and you reply with an arrogant "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" that's not fine. So here's a video that I found amusing that kind of deals with what I just talked about.

#24) Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas:



I don't think the problem lies with certain religions, systems of belief, lifestyles, etc. I think the problem happens when people of certain religions, and systems of belief try to force others into doing things their way. Plus there are always going to be people who just want to argue about things and they'll always find a way. This time of year seems to be the time those people tend to get loud and voice their opinion openly. Look, if you celebrate Hanukkah, then celebrate Hanukkah. If you celebrate Kwanzaa, then celebrate Kwanzaa. If you celebrate Christmas, then celebrate Christmas. If you don't celebrate anything, then don't celebrate anything you party-pooper...just kidding.

I accept however people want to greet me. If someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, great! If someone tells me Happy Hanukkah, right on! If another person tells me "Have a kickin' Kwanzaa", awesome! If you have found something that you believe in and you want to share it, go for it. That's why I'll continue to say Merry Christmas because I believe in Jesus Christ and what he taught us and what he came to do for us. I want to share that, but I'm not going to force it on anybody. If someone has a problem with me saying it, then that's their problem, not mine. If I tell someone Merry Christmas and they reply with any other kind of friendly greeting besides Merry Christmas I will be thankful for that. I feel like I'm repeating myself. But anyway, to wrap this up, there is a little boy named Linus who sums up what Christmas is all about. Remember you don't have to watch it and you don't have to agree with it. I'm just saying this is what I'm about, this is what I agree with.

#25) Linus and the true meaning of Chirstmas:



That's what Christmas is about. It's about the birth of Jesus Christ. I think the best way to celebrate Christ and celebrate Christmas is to spend quality time with friends and family. To love and help the needy. It's not so much about the gifts, even though it's nice to give and receive. It's definitely should not be about stressing out, because if you do, you're missing the point. Sometimes this time of year can be depressing for some people and that's understandable. We need to reach out to those people. We need to be a light to the world. Some of our lights have dimmed, I know mine has at times. But let's do our best to make our light shine. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Christmas, Merry Holidays, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever you prefer.

BONUS!) I found this clip while searching for "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and I had to share it:

Christmas Video Countdown Part Six

Is there anything you don't like about Chirstmas? I'm sure we could all name a few things we don't particularly care for. Today I found some videos of people/animals that don't like certain things at Christmas time.

#19) Here's a dog wearing a jersey that doesn't like snowmen:



#20) Some kids think it's terrible when Santa eats their cookies:



#21) This kid's grandmother was a good sport for helping him make an instructional video on how and how not to react to getting a bad Christmas gift. I thought it was funny:



#22) One of my personal pet peeves are those tacky over-priced battery operated animatronic Christmas decorations:



I've always wanted to do that too!

#23) And speaking of tacky over-priced battery operated animatronics, the Grinch doesn't like Elmo:

Christmas Video Countdown Part "FIVE GOLDEN RINGS!"

Don't worry, I'm not going to have a video of the 12 days of Christmas. That song is so annoying. I'm going to do something worse...here are some songs that parody the 12 days of Christmas.

#16) The 12 Days of Christmas, Indian style:





#17) The 12 Days of Christmas, Canadian style, (maybe it should be the 12 days of Christmoose) brought to you by Bob and Doug Mckenzie from the 1983 movie "Strange Brew" starring Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, no not the Wendy's guy. After the song is a preview for an animated series which may be a little inappropriate for the little ones:





#18) The 12 Days of Christmas Norah Jones and Jimmy Kimmel style in a tribute to YouTube? Didn't see that one coming did you? Me neither:




By the way, Christmas is only a week away. Good thing too, it's hard to find videos for this countdown.

Christmas Video Countdown Part Four

It's time for some more videos!

#12) One of my favorite Chrismas specials was Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas by Jim Henson. Here are some bloopers from that special, it's a long video, but it's funny, especially if you are a fan of this one:




#13) A couple of inconsistencies with Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer:




#14) Kids love Santa...at least they do from a distance. Up close, not so good. I love the picture shown 46 seconds into this video:




#15) And here's robot Santa helping out with the Salvation Army:

Christmas Video Countdown Part Three

Okay, I'm back with a few more videos. One of my favorite Christmas specials they played on TV when I was little was the Garfield Christmas Special. I don't know it they still play it, but I found it in three parts on YouTube, enjoy:

#9) Garfield Christmas Special part 1:



#10) Garfield Christmas Special part 2:

My favorite part is when they light the tree and everyone goes "Ooooooohhhhh!" Their mouths look funny. Even if you don't watch the whole thing, atleast watch 2:32-2:44

#11) Garfield Christmas Special part 3:

Christmas Video Countdown Part Two

The videos I posted yesterday were fun, but I want to be serious today and show a clip from Morgan Spurlock's documentary "What Would Jesus Buy?" I know it's not very "Christmas-y" but I think it's something you should watch and really think about.

#8) What Would Jesus Buy?:



"More consumption, less satisfaction...how about, less consumption and more satisfaction."

Wise words.

It's sad to think that some of the clothes we wear and the toys our kids play with have caused injuries and cost lives to people who get paid only cents per day working 19 hour shifts. Is that what Christmas has become? Does this kind of Christmas have anything to do with Christ? Absolutely not.

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Getting into the Christmas spirit has taken on new meaning for me throughout the years. When I was little I would make a paper chain out of construction paper and number each one. I would hang it on a hook that was screwed into the ceiling and I would rip one paper chain link off each day to count down to Christmas. I would usually make my chain in September, so it was pretty long at first. And then I would get really excited when the paper chain would get short enough that it wasn't lying on the ground anymore. Christmas was coming soon! Toys! Games! Candy! Christmas Specials on TV! Christmas tree! Pretty Christmas lights!

As I've gotten older I've found it harder to get into what we call the Christmas Spirit. I can't find it in the same things that I did when I was a kid. Although I did sit down with my fiancée and her little four year old boy the other night to make a paper chain and it brought back memories. I think that's where it started for me this year. Then I went to my church for a service we call Carols and Candles. It was a great time for fellowship with friends and family and that got me even more in the mood for Christmas.

I'm still unemployed and that has really been bogging me down, I never thought I would get excited for Christmas this year. But I'm starting to. It's almost like the Whos in Whoville. They woke up on Christmas morning with nothing but each other and they were thankful for that. I need to be thankful for what I have rather than worry about what I don't have. What I have is a family that loves and cares for me. I have a great girl in my life who will soon be my wife and that's all I've every wanted. She has a little boy who looks up to me and I'm going to try to be a good father figure even though I'll never be his dad. Why should I be sad, I have everything I need to be joyful. I have a God who loves me and a savior named Jesus Christ who sacrificed everything for me and you and all of humanity.

There is a saying that goes "Jesus is the reason for the season". But what happens when someone hears that saying and all they know about Christmas is trying to get a good parking spot so they can go Christmas shopping and try to buy everyone the things they want?

Is Jesus the reason why we go into debt this time of year?

Is Jesus the reason why people get stressed during the holidays?

Is Jesus the reason why we get annoyed while trying to string up the lights on the house?

Is Jesus the reason why some people get trampled in the stores and killed just to get that one item that's on sale?

NO!

That's our own stupid fault. We've made Christmas into the monstrosity it has become.

Jesus is the reason for the season because he came to show us how to live. He showed us how to love our family, our friends, our neighbors, our enemies. He came to give of himself, not to have things given to him. He was a teacher, a servant, a savior. That's what the Christmas Spirit is all about. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of that. And it isn't something that should just come once a year, but all year long, continuously forever and ever.

Amen.

Christmas is Coming!

It's the first week of December. Christmas is coming! Beware of junk like this little battery operated waste of space I found at a department store recently:





Buying gifts for your friends, family, and loved ones is great, don't get me wrong. But instead of buying them that sweater that they'll only wear when you come to visit or that exercise video their never going to use (not to mention how insulting that would be), try to do something a little more thoughtful this year. What my family is doing this year is getting a bunch of money together to help people in third world countries. We are doing this through an organization called Gospel for Asia Through this we will donate money so a family can receive farm animals for eggs, milk, and/or meat. As far as gifts for each other, we've decided to keep it simple and not spend much on each other because there are so many out there who need so much.

There are other organizations out there that are doing similar things. One of my favorites is Advent Conspiracy. Here are two videos, I'll put a link to the site below:





Click here to check out Advent Conspiracy.

Also, click here to see the post I wrote for charity:water

Blood:Water mission is also a great outreach started by members of the band Jars of Clay.

Also, be sure to check out how you can get involved in helping others in your local community as well.

So have a stress-free holiday and don't trample anyone to get your kid the one thing they really want. Believe me, they'll still love you if you don't.

And try not to get trampled.

Merry Christmas.

Story Time Tuesday ~ A Collection of Shorts

Today I thought I would tell some short stories rather than tell one long one. These stories take place throughout different times in my life and some are about family. When you have a family like mine there are plenty of stories to tell. So let's get started with:


Mom's 40th Birthday

My family decided to throw my mom a surprise party for her 40th b-day (hence the title). It was mostly close family and a few friends. My aunt from California couldn't make it out here to the East, but she sent a video. In the video my aunt was acting like she was asleep and having a nightmare. When she woke up she said she had the most horrible dream that she was turning 40. It gave us all a good laugh, but she had some nice things to say as well. But the funniest thing I remember is telling my mom that I was half her age, I was turning 20 that year. My mom looked at me and said "You were always half my age." Hey mom, remember when I started kindergarten when you were in 5th grade? Yea, My mom's math skills aren't the best but I'd rather have a good mom than a mathematician, and she is a great mom. Her birthday is on Groundhog's Day so we always tell her not to look at her shadow on her birthday.


Buzz Off

When I was about four or five years old I was really into He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. It was getting close to Christmas and I asked my dad to write a letter to Santa for me. So I listed a few things and the last thing I asked my dad to put on the list was the He-Man character called Buzz Off. I was afraid that Santa would think that I was telling him to "Buzz Off" so I told my dad to specify that it was the name of a toy and that I was not trying to insult Santa. I did get Buzz Off that year for Christmas, yay!

Buzz Off

Boy Scouts

I was about eight or nine years old when I was in Boy Scouts. My troop went to different locations all over town with cans to collect money for charity one day. We even had the little fake poppy flowers to give away. We were collecting money for disabled veterans. As people walked I was supposed to ask them if they would like to donate money to help disabled veterans. But do you think that's what I said? NOPE! As people were walking by I would ask "Would you like to donate money to help disenabled veterinarians?" I didn't find out I was saying it wrong until my mom picked me up when I was finished. She asked me what we were supposed to say when asking people to donate. So I told her and she just busted out laughing. I felt embarrassed when I found out what I was supposed to be saying. I was young, I never heard the word veteran before so when our scout leader said it I just figured he meant veterinarians. And I don't know why the heck I was saying disenabled, it's not even a word. Why didn't anyone correct me when I was saying it?! Most people probably busted out laughing as soon as they walked in the store I was standing in front of after hearing what I had to say. So embarrassing.


Internet Dating

This one is not as embarrassing as the last story but it's kind of embarrassing talking about it on this blog. I've gone on a few dates through internet dating. It's not something I'm proud of and they were probably some of the worst dates I've been on. I was putting together my profile on one site in particular and I wanted the girls to know that I was a follower of Jesus Christ so in my introduction paragraph so I tried to be clever by saying "I'm looking for a girl who is already in a serious relationship with another man. A man named Jesus." I swear to you, I am not making this next part up. A few days later I checked my profile and I got a message from a girl. I read it and I was horrified to find out that she wanted to cheat on her boyfriend Jesus (pronounced HEY-SOOS) with me. So I think she completely misinterpreted what I was trying to say. It's needless to say that I didn't end up going on a date with her. In fact I think I sent her a message back that said something like "Sorry, wrong Jesus".


Ready for Take Off

Okay, last story, the grand finale. This is one of my family's favorite stories to tell, and we tell it to just about everyone. This story is about my grandmother. I wasn't there when this happened but my aunt told us about this. My aunt and my grandmother were on a plane and I think it was my grandmother's first plane ride. She was looking at the back seat pocket card. It was the card that showed you how to get into the crash position. She must have misunderstood what the card said because as soon as they started out onto the runway, my grandmother bent down and put her head between her knees. My aunt said, "Mom, what are you doing?!" My grandmother replied, "I'm getting in the take off position."






So those were just a few short stories for today, I hope you enjoyed them.