Christmas is almost here. Are you ready? If not, it’s coming anyway. So just relax, let go and enjoy the day. What you don’t get done won’t matter the next day. The most important thing is getting together with your family and celebrating the season together.

There has been a lot of controversy this year about Christmas. There are people who would like to change it. The funny thing is many of the people who they claim to be defending are not opposed to Christmas. There was an actor of Jewish descent on television the other day. He is part of a Jewish group that is marching for the rights of Christmas. He said people should be happy to be in a country that allowed everyone to celebrate their own religious holidays. He doesn’t think they should take that right away from Christians or anyone else. He said when he came to American he said, &uot;I would like to say Happy Hanukkah. They said to me go ahead and say whatever you want.&uot;

Franklin Graham said he says Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Ramadan, whatever people say to him.

I think the two of them just about sums it up. Why should anyone want to take away anyone’s right to celebrate? According to the polls ninety some percent of Americans are either Christians or believe in Christ. Why would someone try to suppress that big a majority? I don’t think it has anything to do with rights. I think the ones who fight are opposed to Christ himself. They may try to disguise their motives or someone may have convinced them to be &uot;politically correct&uot; but the result is the same. They don’t want Christ to have any part of this country and they don’t want Christians to have a voice.

It seems to me to be discrimination.

Our country is very diverse in race, religion and creed. Diversity is not a thing to fight about. Our differences in those matters are a thing to learn and appreciate about each other. Things we can discuss and exchange ideas about. Not things we fight about. Discrimination itself comes from a desire in us to feel superior to someone else. We want to be able to say, &uot;Well at least I am better than they are.&uot;

Anyway you cut it; it is a trait we need to remove.

When we learn about other people and get to know them, we suddenly find we are different but much the same. We find that we have a common meeting ground because we are all human. We have the same troubles and joys while traveling this earth and we find we can be friends. I have found very few people of my race, religion or creed or of different race, religion or creed that I didn’t like. Being different or not having all of the same beliefs does not mean hate or suppression. I may not agree with all they believe but that doesn’t make me want to take away their right to celebrate whether it is at home or in public.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are some groups and individuals whose beliefs are against the law of the land. We can never allow those things to be acceptable. But we will never reach all our country can be until we stop fighting with each other over our differences.

December 25 is the day we celebrate Christ’s birth, whether some approve or not. And I hope whatever your belief, whether you celebrate Christmas or not that you respect those who do and that they respect your right to be different.

I am a Christian and Christ law is to love one another and whatever your race, religion or creed, it doesn’t stop me from wanting to meet you, know you and love you for who you are.

For all those who do celebrate Christmas, I wish you a joyous Christmas with family gathered round and lots of food to eat. And remember why we are celebrating.