19 December, 2009
Mick
Christianity, My Thoughts
family, Jesus, christmas, traditions, candlelight service, Christmas Eve, Happy Birthday
Christmas is a time when so many families carry out annual traditions. Every family has their own, whether it be to gather around a piano and sing Christmas carols or enjoy the company of family and friends.
Every Christmas Eve, my dad would cook breakfast. His most legendary achievement is what we have come to call JBP (Jim’s Breakfast Pizza). Don’t get the wrong idea, the only thing that made this a ‘pizza’ was the fact that it was round. I don’t think that eggs on a pizza crust would be appetizing. The closest I can come to describe it is a breakfast casserole. My parents will be in town for Christmas, and hopefully I can learn from the master how to make this wonderfully delicious meal.
We would always go to a candlelight service at our local church. This was probably my favorite part of the holiday. Often times, the sanctuary would only be lit with a few stage lights and candles burning around the perimeter. The service would go through the story of Jesus’ birth, and then end with a time of prayer. Even as a kid I loved just sitting there and praying while people would quietly take communion and leave.
Once we got home, we would open one present before going to bed. Then the long, sleepless night would come. Often times I would be so excited about the next day that I couldn’t fall asleep. Oh the joy!
On Christmas morning I would jump into bed with my parents and sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Jesus. I know this is probably not the actual day that He was born, but it’s when we as Christians celebrate his birth. So what better way to start than by singing ‘Happy Birthday.’
After opening presents, I would run off and play with my new plunder of toys while mom and dad would slave away in the kitchen for our big dinner. Most people cook a ham on Christmas, but we always did another Thanksgiving dinner. It was awesome! After taking a nap from all the food we would gather around the table, eat snacks, and play Clue.
This routine happened almost every year while growing up, and I loved every moment of it. Now that I have my own family, new traditions will be started. There will be some from my childhood, some from my wife’s childhood, and some new one’s that my kids will be able to enjoy. I know one thing is for sure… we’re having breakfast for dinner on Christmas Eve.
27 November, 2009
Mick
My Thoughts
Black Friday, Capitalist, christmas, Consumerism, Socialism
Black Friday is one of the busiest of the year for retailers. People wake up early to wait in long, cold lines for special sales that business make to bring buyers to their doors.
Though it may be a good day to get discounts on particular items, retailers know that people will spend more because of those discounts. For some reason we get in the mindset that says, “since I saved money on this item, I can go buy other items.”
Now don’t get me wrong, a good deal is a great thing to find, but I think people take consumerism too far. Buy, buy, buy. Charge, charge, charge.
I want to challenge you to avoid using a credit card this holiday season. Don’t go in debt to buy that high-priced item. Try and buy items outright, with cash, for your family. Granted, you may have smaller gifts for Christmas, but gift-giving is not really what Christmas is about.
Do this and you will not only be better off over the next year, but you will also be a good steward of your money.
19 November, 2009
Mick
My Thoughts
christmas, Feliz Navidad, Hanukkah, holidays, PetSmart, Ramadan
Today I went into PetSmart to get some stuff for the fish tank in my office and saw they had already put up their holiday season decorations. (apparently they don’t care about Thanksgiving)
Normally I would say Christmas decorations, but there was more than just Christmas. The sign said “Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Ramadan.
Interesting.
Just three years ago I remember people going crazy about religious decorations. Businesses were avoiding offending people and simply went with ‘holiday’ decorations. Now, businesses and schools are attempting to embrace it all.
Maybe this is evidence that people are searching for truth, but are not sure where to find it.
The crazy thing about it all, is that Christmas isn’t even much of a religious holiday anymore. Sure, it is for Christians, but I know many non-Christians who celebrate this cultural holiday. Santa Claus, Christmas Tree, Eggnog… it’s an American holiday. What’s wrong with celebrating that?
26 December, 2008
Mick
Miscellaneous
christmas, espresso, gift giving, gifts, holidays
Christmas time is coming to a close. When all is said and done, we will have been able to enjoy several celebrations with different people in our lives including friends, family, and co-workers. Each day (it seems) has been filled with lots of eating and good laughs.
With Christmas comes both gift giving and gift receiving. I always enjoy buying for other people because I look at it as a challenge to find that perfect item. Sometimes the nail is hit on the head, other times there is a complete miss, but that’s part of what makes it exciting.
People always seem to do great with me. My parents did a great job at getting me some video games and movies that I really wanted. My wife knows me better than most everyone else and did great with a tea pot that will be used well. And then my in-laws got me an espresso machine.
I look forward to many days of lattes and americanos as the winter hits Chicago-land full force. It will take some time to perfect the new machine, but with some practice and lots of tasting it should not be too long until I am in espresso heaven.
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