As the song goes... And so this is Christmas... and this is sad but I really don't know the rest of the words. LOL but those 5 words are enough to get me started on this Christmas night in the desert. And so this is... Christmas... and many people here would rather just say SO what? There's no snow here. There are people wishing you Merry Christmas who really don't even have the first clue what it means. Then again, there are those who do... ALL of those of us deployed here to Iraq (and all of the other locations we deploy to as well) in fact SHOULD know why we celebrate this wonderful holiday once a year!
Today, just over a couple thousand years ago, was born a child that would change everything forever. Jesus was born on this day, the Christ, the Son of Man, the only son of God. I think a lot of us tend to get caught up in all the ruckus of the holidays and forget this little tidbit of information. I know I've been guilty of it plenty of times, but yet when you're here, in this place far away, it's very easy to remember. I went to church last night in celebration of Christmas, and it was wonderful if not moving even. The sermon was titled "What if there were NO Christmas?" It's a valid question that can apply just about anywhere in the world at anytime depending on what you believe.
If there were no Christmas what would bring us together at this time of year? Certainly not New Year's. Did not the legend of the great Saint Nicholas (notice the word SAINT) derive directly from the very meaning of CHRISTmas as we know it today? The 3 Wise Men did have something to do with the gift giving part of this fine holiday as well. As you can see... all of them are intertwined. Families come together over Christmas more than at any other time of the year, which is no accident. This gathering of loved ones could possibly be what keeps us going from year to year even. It's the one time when you tend to forget all of the negativity in your life and simply enjoy the company of others. That even happens here in the desert.
I went to lunch today to enjoy my Christmas feast, and I found nobody I recognized when it was time to be seated to eat. So... I asked a table of complete strangers if I could join them, thereby making a number of new acquaintances over the Christmas meal. There were Joe, Randy, Kristy, and a few others at the opposite end of the table. It was very enjoyable. I also found that they are folks in my job that we talk to every single day while we work. What a coincidence, huh???
Anyway... I hate to cut this short... but I must go so this can post before my battery dies. I hope you've all had an awesome Christmas, and I will do my best to continue this at a later time! MERRY CHRISTMAS from Iraq!!!
Peace, Love, and Poker
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