The Christmas/Holiday Controversy

Okay, so everyone's freaking out over the fact that "Happy Holidays" is replacing "Merry Christmas" as the greeting of choice at stores and restaurants. Look, if you are a Christian and it takes someone saying Merry Christmas for you to be reminded as to the reason we celebrate it in the first place, then you are in a sad state. If I walk into Wal-Mart and they say, "Hello, Sir," does that mean I've lost my identity because they didn't say, "Hello, Rick?" Hey, they could say, "Hello, Kitty" for all I care. I know what Christmas is about, it doesn't matter what anyone else says.

As for churches being closed. I guess I have to go back to the old "Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep it Holy" thing. I know some churches will fall back on the fact that the needs of their "emerging" congregations dictate that Sunday is not the best time for services on Christmas Day. But, I don't know, I think it's an unfortunate precedent. I know, I know, Jesus was not born on December 25. But, hey, that's the day that's been set aside for many, many years. I know, I know, it's a tradition thing and traditions are meant to be broken. But why the urge to close the church doors on any Sunday, especially on Christmas? It seems that would be and even better reason to have church. But hey, probably nothing to get in too much of an uproar about and I guess if the Vatican or Willow Creek says it's okay, then we can shut the doors.

But hey, now that you mention it, the Super Bowl falls on a Sunday, and that may not be the best time for people to attend services either . . .

Education Option Vetoed

Anna asked Dorene if she could home school Cameron over Christmas break. Dorene said sure. Cameron, however, said, "Oh phooey, not going there!" Home schooling will never be an option in our house. I always say that if Dorene tried to home school, it's likely Anna would get expelled the first week.

The Highest Compliment

As we were riding around doing Christmas shopping this past weekend, Dorene was telling Anna stories about how we met and when we were dating. At one point Anna said, "Yeah, you and dad always have fun together."

The more I thought about it, the more that was a great compliment of our parenting style. Our kids are being brought up in an atmosphere where mom and dad can joke around and have fun with each other, and that naturally spills over in our interactions with Anna and Cameron. I'm glad my kids think of their parents as having fun with each other. That goes a long way in creating a happy home.

Can the Colts Run the Table?

They keep winning and winning . . .The Colts are now 12-0 and are looking like they could possibly join the '72 Dolphins and become the second team to go through the season undefeated. If they are going to do it, they'll have to earn it. This weekend, they play at Jacksonville. The Jaguars may want to honor their fellow Floridians by taking the Colts out. The following week, they return home to play San Diego, which they shouldn't have a problem with. If they win these two, that puts them at 14-0, which matches the Dolphins record back when it was a 14 game season instead of 16. The following weekend, on Christmas Eve, comes the big test. They travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks who are 10-2 this year and the second best team in the league. That will be one fired up team to take them out. If the Colts survive and are 15-0, they return home to face my team, the sacrificial lambs known as the Arizona Cardinals. To lose that game would truly be a tragedy, although the Cardinals have been late-season spoilers before. But I don't see that happening. We'll see what happens, but if they can get by the Jags and Seahawks, then 16-0 is definitely a possibility.It's been fun watching this team.

It's taken a while, 20 years to be exact, but Indianapolis finally may be on the verge of a national championship. And to think, that back in 1998, they had a choice. Draft Ryan Leaf or Peyton Manning? Draft Ricky Williams or Edgerin James? I would say they chose wisely.