I guess I just won’t understand it, but it seems that when ANY COUNTRY ON EARTH (except the U.S.) takes measures to protect their borders, they are simply “protecting their home land”, but when America wants to protect our borders, we are “turning our backs” on “the poor and downtrodden” who simply want to “work and earn a living, doing jobs Americans won’t do”. I’ve gotten into this debate on campus quite a few times, and my answer is most often, that if the jobs “Americans won’t do” paid an decent wage (and Ogre, I’m not advocating minimum wage raises) and offered benefits and advancement opportunities, maybe Americans WOULD take the jobs. But, when you can hire 3 or 4 illegal aliens for the same rate as ONE citizen or legal resident, why would you?

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14″Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

So often today, we are caught up in all the commercial aspects of the season, buying gifts, making sure that we have enough lights on the house, putting up the tree, cooking, and so on. Yet, few people ever stop to really think about why we even have Christmas, and I know it’s not the literal date on which Jesus was born. There are those who have never heard about HIM and need to. People today are living in the dark, yet we, as Christians, have such a wonderful light we could give them. You see, about 2000 years ago, a tiny little boy was born in a barn and laid in a manger. His mother was a virgin and in those times for an unwed girl to be pregnant meant she would be cast out of society, yet her betrothed, Joseph, still married her and raised her son as his own. That boy grew and eventually ministered more in just 3 years than most of us can in a lifetime, before dying for the sins of all mankind, and then rising from the grave 3 days later. You see, when he died on the cross, he became a sacrifice for all of our sins, and then when he rose on the 3rd day, he provided for us that death is not the end. You see, HE wants you to have a relationship with him, and he wants to forgive EVERY SIN you’ve ever comitted, all you need to do is ask and he will.

So, tomorrow when you are with your family and the food is being served, and presents are passed out, don’t forget why we are really celebrating, the REAL gift was given on that night in the barn and laid in a manger.

Merry Christmas and GOD BLESS!

Cross posted at Smoke Signals Blog

Now, for those who DON’T know it, that was SARCASM! You see, in time of war, the President has a little more power than usual. I’m not saying that I am happy or agree with giving up ANY of the rights named in the Constitution, but guess what, YOU DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO POSSESS A NUCLEAR BOMB (unless you’re in the military)!

Read the story here

That said, I’m leaving for a while, need to let the swelling in my head subside a little. Until next time!

‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I’d seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I’d heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
“Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps.”

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said “Carry on, Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all secure.”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

©Copyright circa 1991 by James M. Schmidt
(As printers in the December 1991 issue of the USMC magazine, Leatherneck)

Listen to the poem - Right click and then select “save as”