Merry Christmas, all. I was going to say that all I wanted for Christmas was to have Goomba back, but hey, I am set already. Welcome back, Nick. We have missed you. There's a lot we could discuss about what is wrong in this world ... where to start? But Christmas is a powerful, annual reminder that, indeed, with God all things are possible. As long as there is God, He could very well parachute into humanity's chaos to save the day in a way that no mortal could anticipate.
If you were writing a script for the greatest surprise entrance for a kingly character of all time, could you top the Christmas Story?
Who would and could have thought that Jesus would be born to poor parents in a stable on the outskirts of Jerusalem? Well, the prophet Micah did, but ... God never ceases to amaze, surprise, and overcome all odds and then make new odds to defy yet again.
Christmas reminds me of that.
Well, I will think of you all when I fire up "A Christmas Carol", starring my all-time favorite Scrooge, Alistair Sim, on Christmas Eve. Each time I watch it, I am reminded of something new and important.
Take heart. Be of good cheer. It's Christmas.
I will see you all in the New Year.
Why do you have Obama's picture so prominent in your blog? Is it to serve as a painful reminder for us all -- like the apostle Paul's thingamajig on his side which he never fully explained?
ReplyDeleteBut i hope you'll explain this one.
rin, it's a sarcastic take on a Third Reich poster. If it's giving the impression of support for President Hussein, it may be time to retire it.
ReplyDeleteYes, and Merry Christmas to you and your family. Stay of good cheer, one year down and three to go.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to the whole Goomba crew, fellow patriots, fellow Americans, fellow Christians. May God Bless and protect us all in the new year, as we do His will in all things.
ReplyDeleteIn rhetrospect the whole story makes perfect sense. For where else but in a stable would a lamb be born?
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you and keep all the days of your lives but most especially as we celebrate the reason for the season. The ultimate gift who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be adopted into the family of the Lord.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteВесели празници!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to at Goomba News Network.
ReplyDeleteRest up for next year there will be much to do!
Merry Christmas to evertone at the Goomba network and please keep fighting the good fight...
ReplyDeleteNicky and the crew, I hope and pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas. May the new year bring us all a renewed spirit of patriotism. Your friend, sharky
ReplyDeleterln, we want to keep the authorities guessing ... which side of the blog is serious ...
ReplyDeleteSpinster, that is an excellent point.
And Nick, i need a translator.
Merry Christmas DC and all.
ReplyDeleteLady Di... I wush you a warm and safe one! The new year will soon offer new challenges.
ReplyDeleteMay the Peace, Love, and saving Grace of our risen savior Jesus Christ be visited upon you now and always. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Toasty. Let's gird our collective loins for the fight ahead!
ReplyDeletePOV, you are correct. Truly the sacrificial lamb.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ana-Maria. I wish you and your family all the best in this Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteПавел Борисов Николов... As my sidekick, DC, would say: This is all Greek to me!
ReplyDeleteThe very warmest Christmas wishes to you.
Ration, I'm resting as fast as I can.
ReplyDeleteBorn Again... The Goomba News Network returns you kind and generous wishes.
ReplyDeleteLandshark, there's a Candygram on the way!
ReplyDeleteDC, having attempted to maintain a lengthy conversation with you, I'd suggest a translator at all times. I just don't get all those down-home Texas sayings.
ReplyDeleteYou too, Woody!
ReplyDeleteArby, you're a gent. Be sure to fully enjoy that wonderful family of yours.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas everyone, and a Happy New Year to you all. :-)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all and God bless.
ReplyDeleteBarky... Cheers, mate. The happiest of Christmases to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Parson. Merry Christmas to y'all down in the Lone Star state.
ReplyDeleteA most Merry Christmas to you and all on this site!
ReplyDeleteHappily this is not a Loin Girding Free Zone so go gird those loins or whatever you gather to gird no matter your girth, gender or choice of girdling gear. But "collective loins?" That sounds like a communist nudist camp.
And please post more about your Jerusalem travels!
To back up DC up on his observation, the shear improbability of much of the Christian story, from Bethlehem to Golgotha, is troubling for the doubter and confirmation for the believer. (I'm both of those at different times.)
ReplyDeleteI know that the mind and hands of man always reveal themselves in obvious invention, untruthfulness and predictabilities. Nothing truly original comes from them. Originality and truth come from Somewhere Else.
Peace and rest to everyone, of all faiths, in these awful times.
Hi, Rhod --
ReplyDeleteWhy not call a spade a spade? That "Somewhere Else" is G-O-D.
i guess what it does for me is like when i see ungodly stuff on TV or hear rap on the radio -- it makes me go "ugh!" inside...
ReplyDeleteBut it may be the right dart target for GNN -- every time one of your fans click on your site, they must throw a mental bull's eye dart at that poster.
Sig, you're correct. And it's located on the Red Sea.
ReplyDeleteSoon I'll post on Jerusalem revelations. Thanks for asking.
"...the Christian story, from Bethlehem to Golgotha, is troubling for the doubter and confirmation for the believer. (I'm both of those at different times.)"
ReplyDeleteRhod, I feel the same way. If it fully confirmed my doubts, I wouldn't have a need for faith. And faith is sometimes difficult to retain. T'was ever thus at my house.
Rin, for many in my circle of acquaintances "Somewhere Else" is not God. It's my hope that if they continue to focus on (and search for) the Somewhere Else, they may well find God.
ReplyDeleteI have a wonderful mentor who has a wonderful talent for...
1. Being able to see Christ in all people.
2. Being able to see God's work in even the most ridiculous aspects of modern culture.
Got it -- thank you :)
ReplyDeletei appreciate your words. \o/
Merry Christmas to the entire Goomba team/clan.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean to equivocate with "Somewhere Else". I think the Divine is unknowable until you stand before it.
ReplyDeleteChristmassy Christmas to your bunch, Ope.
ReplyDeleteThe Divine is unknowable until you stand before it.
ReplyDeleteA definition of Faith.
To give up ones sinful ways, especially the darkest of places, for Him; will be loved more.
Evan though the sinner loved that lifestyle. Gave it all up, to give ones all to Him, will be loved more.
It is redundant sounding, but needs repeating.
An agnostic may venture out from their selfcenterness and agree with "May the Force Be with You".
Where as the atheist will smirk at and ridicule the believer for having Faith in the Unknowable.
For the record, I have never met a true atheist. Dagon, the god-half man, half fish; the god of evolution.
So when I run into a atheist, I state that and ask, are you sure your an atheist?
Being an atheist requires "Faith" that "Somewhere Else", does not have G_d in it.
TSWS... What a wonderful contribution. Beautiful. Thanks!
ReplyDelete