What Christmas means to me

What does Christmas mean to me?

It is a time of family. I heard a saying recently that the other "f" word is for family. I fortunetly have a family that is relatively close. Yeah, we argue, say a few f*&@ you's to each other, and we fight, but we generally come back and work things out. Good practice for relationships. Well, maybe not the f*#@& you's. I come from a family that is largely full of strong personalities. So we have strong opinions about many things. One thing I can count on is my family. We have a strong bond.

Christmas also means giving. At this time of year it is natural to give to those who are less fortunate. But we must not forget them during the year. This year has been very difficult financially because of my debt. I have made a commitment not to use credit cards and also made the committment to pay off my debt. Which I am slowly doing. Giving has been a big struggle this year. The only time I have used credit cards in the past year and a half of of making a committment not to use credit cards, was on vacation back in Spetember. Which I now regret because of trying to pay it back. I have found that debt is an inhibitor to giving. When I do get out of debt I want to make a habit of generously giving to others in need. I see all the needs around me and see people suffering, and I just cannot do anything about it. Yeah, maybe ten dollars here and there but it is not much compared to the people in need.

Today when I was at a visting church, I sat next to a friend of mine. I found out she is going through a divorce and custody battle for her two kids. It is already starting nasty and they are heading for mediation in their divorce. As I sat next to my friend she just started crying uncontrollably. All I could do is just be there next to her, rub her back and put my arms around her. She just cried and cried. I felt helpless to do anything for her and at this time of year she is heading for rough waters ahead.

What does Christmas mean to her? It means the most generous gift given to us. That is Jesus. A small baby born to give us hope from our discouraging days, to give us peace when we are anxious and stressed, to fill us with security when we are sad, and the put a smile on our face. It is also to fill us with awe, worship and praise. But how does a baby do this? It is God coming down to man. He is our heavenly father who opens the windows and doors of heaven to let us in. We don't have to reach to him, He reaches to us. He sees our needs before we even have to say anything. God is a loving giver of gifts. He wants to lavish gifts on his children. Sometimes the gifts are literal and sometimes they are emotional and mental. Peace and hope for our minds and souls is a gift. It is the most precious gift we can get. In our lives that are filled with struggle, pain, trials and suffering, we have a God we cares deeply for the soul, the deep down desire that no one ever sees. Yeah, we can put on a fake smile and fake people out when they ask us how we are doing. But the only one that sees the heart, the deep down needs is God. Not all physical gifts can satisfy our inner needs. What is that inner need for you today? Open up your heart and ask God for the gift of your inner heart's desire. You never know, you just might find it on Christmas morning.

Darfur, Sudan

This was a letter I sent to Secretary General Bin Ki Moon regarding Darfur, Sudan back in August Ban Ki-Moon Secretary General United Nations 1 United Nation Plaza NY, NY 10017 RE: Poverty in Sudan and Ethiopia Dear Mister Secretary: I am writing to you to voice my concern over Darfur, Sudan. A while back, I saw pictures that made me angry. I saw pictures though a forward of a oil sheik’s home that was quite grand, opulent and ornate. I saw a lifestyle that was very luxurious. I also saw pictures of this oil sheiks car made out of silver. I understand that this affluence comes only from sky rocketing oil prices. I am like everyone else, struggling to make ends meet because of the oil prices. As I understand, the oil prices before September 11, 2001 were only $20.00 a barrel, and now after the downfall of the Hussein regime, oil is up to $140.00 a barrel. This is also effecting the whole economy of the United States. I believe that the war in Iraq was one of the causes of the oil crisis we are now facing. But, I also believe this is a new form of terrorism of the Islamic world toward the western countries. I thought this was extreme considering the poverty that was only a thousand miles away. After researching the area, Saudi Arabia is only a thousand miles east of Darfur, Sudan and Ethiopia. I know from seeing pictures over the years of the poverty in these two countries. Yet the Saudi Arabians live in utter ornamented luxurious pleasure. I cannot understand that in the United States, I am getting letters from UNICEF and of other international relief organizations at how terrible the plight of the Sudanese people are living in utter poverty and here are the Saudi Arabians living in utter excellence. Saudi Arabia is so close to Darfur, Sudan and Ethiopia. My small donation can only go so far since I am getting back to work after being unemployed for five months. Poverty page 2 I went to the bookstore to see in what proximity the area of Darfur, Sudan and Ethiopia is to Saudi Arabia and I was shocked. They are only a thousand miles away from each other. It is like going from Chicago to Connecticut. I cannot understand why the oil sheiks, who are also Muslim cannot try through diplomatic negotiations, have the fighting cease and desist. These oil sheiks, who live in r ornate opulence, cannot help with relief aid to this poverty stricken area of the world. I also cannot understand why they cannot mediate in the fighting and poverty going on in the Sudan. These countries are both Muslim countries. It breaks my heart to read and see little children and families starving while the oil sheiks of Saudi Arabia live in utter luxury. I am writing to voice my concern over this area of the world and would hope this letter can point some relief to the starving children of Darfur, Sudan and Ethiopia. I would love to hear from you and hear what you have to say about this concern. I am enclosing a copy of the UNICEF letter that was sent to me and an email from the United States Holocaust Museum. I believe the desperate plight of the people in Darfur can be relieved but I am sure how. Sincerely, Kellie Cameron

The Dark Knight

Well, I was one of the people who helped "The Dark Knight" gross over 150 million this past weekend. I went to see it Friday night. I thought Health Ledger's performance as the psychopath Joker was the best in the Batman series. I also think that Christian Bale is the best Batman. Health Ledger's performance in this movie "The Dark Knight" was the best villain I have seen in my viewing history. He was so scary ever the mob was afraid of him (in the movie). I thought that Heath's performance does deserve an Oscar. It is too bad his life and career were cut short. I hope this sets a new trend in Hollywood. Maybe more actors and actresses who play villains will get an award. What do you think? Do you think it was worth the 150 million it grossed? Do you think Health Ledger should get an award?