bah!

This is the longest I've gone without posting anything since I started this nonsense six months ago. I know in the past I have gotten on here and whined and complained so I have been trying to avoid that, but... It's not like anyone reads this drivel anyway, so here it goes. Back in the summer, I read a fictitious book about a man who had an encounter with "God". I use quotes there because the version of God in the book was a bit different from God found in the Bible. The book had a suspenseful plot and was a thought provoking story. It made me ponder deeply the relationship (or lack there of) between God and myself. I don't think I was mislead into any false assumptions by what I read. I know God needs nothing from me and I cannot, no matter how "good" I am, control God. I know the good stuff I hold up to Him is a pile of (you know) in His sight. All I have is the blood soaked cross of Jesus Christ. That is ALL. Back to my point, I hope I didn't misguide others by mentioning that book. I think if you do not have a firm grasp of who God is, books (and everything else in the world) like I'm talking about could veer you off course. That being said... What about the season we find ourselves in at the moment? I have been reading a little on the history of Christmas and I cannot help but think we have been pulled off course by something disguised as Holy. There are no commands to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. Why do we give gifts to others in celebration of His birth? Not to mention the fat guy in the red suit that keeps up with how good you've been (and magically flies through the air being pulled by reindeer?). Give me a break. I finally snapped last year and told my kids the truth. Did I ruin Christmas for them? Oh well. Maybe I can repair the thought that dad's a liar. I guess I'm just a bit frustrated by people getting stirred up over one man's book (although I am not defending it), when the whole country goes nuts over a commercial holiday veiled as Spiritual. Seems all that really deepens is our debt. Thanks, I feel a little better now.