“Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men on whom his favor rests.” Those were the words the multitude of angels spoke to the shepherds – heaven’s first public words at the birth of Jesus. Though modern Christmas is a lot about family and gifts, at its core, Christmas is about reconciliation.
This year more than any other, I feel the burden of all the wars going on inside our own country – culture wars, political wars, minorities vs. police, citizens vs. the “undocumented,” elected officials trying to invalidate an election, couples we know divorcing, fights over what to do with grizzlies and wolves, water rights, pipeline approvals (or not), EPA regulations…I could go on and on. My wife asked me today where to find a news show or newspaper that was not clearly on one side or the other and I said there are none. The middle is completely empty. People live only at the poles, and I’m not talking about Santa. It flat wears me out.
Thank God I can get some relief in the outdoors. Closing my truck door and walking away with weapon or binos in hand washes away the filth. I need those breaks. Thank God for public lands and certain generous landowners. Thank God for the freedom to bear arms, from bows to magnums. Thank God for freedom, period.
When I’m here, it’s my desire as someone that cares about people and cares about what this country is like, to spread goodwill and peace. It’s easily done – courtesy and chivalry, a smile, humor, actually listening with interest, finding the good in someone and praising them for it. The world is full of people you haven’t complimented yet.
Hey, everyone has flaws. So do you. Get over it or live your life unhappy.
You can bring peace and joy to those who love you by investing undistracted time in them, easier to do in winter than any other season.
I hope we’ll put a smile on people’s faces this Christmas season and do more than our part to spread peace and goodwill.
Remember the soldiers in WWI that when they heard the other side singing Christmas carols got up out of their trenches and walked the short distance across the battlefield to talk, offer a cigarette or gum and be human beings again? Let’s take a break from war, love on each other and have a little fun.
Have a great Christmas!
This year more than any other, I feel the burden of all the wars going on inside our own country – culture wars, political wars, minorities vs. police, citizens vs. the “undocumented,” elected officials trying to invalidate an election, couples we know divorcing, fights over what to do with grizzlies and wolves, water rights, pipeline approvals (or not), EPA regulations…I could go on and on. My wife asked me today where to find a news show or newspaper that was not clearly on one side or the other and I said there are none. The middle is completely empty. People live only at the poles, and I’m not talking about Santa. It flat wears me out.
Thank God I can get some relief in the outdoors. Closing my truck door and walking away with weapon or binos in hand washes away the filth. I need those breaks. Thank God for public lands and certain generous landowners. Thank God for the freedom to bear arms, from bows to magnums. Thank God for freedom, period.
When I’m here, it’s my desire as someone that cares about people and cares about what this country is like, to spread goodwill and peace. It’s easily done – courtesy and chivalry, a smile, humor, actually listening with interest, finding the good in someone and praising them for it. The world is full of people you haven’t complimented yet.
Hey, everyone has flaws. So do you. Get over it or live your life unhappy.
You can bring peace and joy to those who love you by investing undistracted time in them, easier to do in winter than any other season.
I hope we’ll put a smile on people’s faces this Christmas season and do more than our part to spread peace and goodwill.
Remember the soldiers in WWI that when they heard the other side singing Christmas carols got up out of their trenches and walked the short distance across the battlefield to talk, offer a cigarette or gum and be human beings again? Let’s take a break from war, love on each other and have a little fun.
Have a great Christmas!
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