‘You better watch out you better not cry…Santa Claus is coming to town.’ Our year is fast approaching its conclusion. As a young man, I enjoyed the fast passage of time. It seemed surreal to me. A workshift was like an hour and a workweek was like a day. I enjoyed my job and the hours flew by. This time of year spirits were high at SIUC. There were several days off with pay in store for us. Colleagues brought in all manner of sweet treats. Hope was at its zenith as I wore my long black coat around campus.

Working with young people keeps you young. The eyes were full of Christmas wonder. Students from around the world enjoyed Christmas at Southern. The University was Home. Everyone held a feeling of mission. Laughter filled the halls.

Christmas is a mystery. Its sights, sounds, smells and tastes are different from the rest of the year. The end of one year is the beginning of another. After the rest, there is good work to be done. People need to help. Making church better, working stronger, and making the home complete.

Aaron and Jonathon looked on…eyes of wonder and delight. Bruiser and Abigail tore up the Christmas paper. Possibilities abound. What comes next?

Daily trip to the Theatre between Christmas and New Year. The best movies were out. A Christmas Vacation was much like a Christmas we had experienced. After seeing the comedy classic Christmas was never the same…it was better…

Christmas is being a part of something big. I heard a program in the New York Times regarding variations of Christianity. The person advocated for ‘Thick Christianity.’ Christians endeavoring to imitate Jesus. People practice their bold faith by helping and forgiving others. He spoke of replacement constructs of life replacing Christianity such as MAGA and WOKE. The podcast noted that politics was a poor substitute for faith. Although he is an atheist he hoped for the bedrock principles of forgiveness and hope of Christ Teaching.