It is a gray day in Little Egypt. There are many in winter. Not really cold or warm. A bit like life. Christmas lights help. Joy comes from within.

Christmas is fast approaching. It is a time to reflect on our year and the year to come. I learned a life lesson: to count on myself if I want to change my life. No barbarians at the gate awaiting knights on white horses crusaders to vanquish them. We are individually the ones who are sent to bring peace on earth and goodwill to men.

We are not all bad or good. We are a mixture. On our best days, we sore to lofty heights. On our worse days, we grovel under the shadow of a rock to hide us. The cavalry is not riding to save us. We must save ourselves. Throwing stones at our perceived enemies is not the answer…that has given us the shape of our current distress.

When I was a supervisor manager at Southern Illinois University I noticed that I disarmed my critics by being nice to them. Ill words and thoughts expect the same in return. Kind words mollify hate.

Word Weapons receive the same in kind. Armed encampments are easy to understand is hard. Living the Baby Jesus teachings is understood through actions, not rhetoric. We believe what we see more than what we hear.

Today we carry a gun in my day we might have a pocket knife. Fire fights fire we cry. There is nothing but ashes.

Christ came to us in a lowly state. Mom and Dad were poor and without shelter for his birth. Something quiet but powerful happened. Religious leaders of the day were unaware. The Prince Of Peace joined us for a season. Pharisees and Sadducees counted their shekels. Money Changers continued to weigh the profit of religion. Rome ruled. A change began that has been profound. Swords did not bring it about. Money did not buy it. It was a matter of Heart…