CORBIN —
Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all have one thing in common. It is a retail event for all three of these moments on our yearly calendars. Some stores actually have Christmas items on the shelves by Halloween. When I was growing up, Thanksgiving was all about pilgrims and Indians. My childhood memories are about the story of Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower and about how those searching for the new world met those who were already in this land we know as America. Today I believe the number one symbol of Thanksgiving is the turkey. You don’t see any retail stores advertising anything about the history of Thanksgiving but you might see some Indian corn if you visit a farmers market. The meanings of the various holidays we celebrate in our nation seem to be slipping away and Christmas, too is losing its meaning with each new emphasis on sales and retail promotions.
If you want to have a new perspective on our American holidays go to another country that doesn’t celebrate our Thanksgiving. In Haiti, for example, the only people who even know about Thanksgiving are America missionaries who are there serving. The cost of a turkey in Haiti ranges between $70-$100 dollars. Meat itself is something special, but in America we have meat everyday sometimes two or three times a day, so we have no connection with the way parts of the rest of the world live daily. If you listen to the political leadership of both parties in Washington, D.C. today there appears to be no acknowledgement of the blessings we have. All American politicians want to do today is blame everyone, anyone else for a mess, point fingers and degrade others with insulting words, instead of working together, offering assistance, being someone that could be described as helpful. We as a nation have lost our sense of where we came from as a people, what made us great in forming this perfect union, and that responsibility we have in citizenship.
In my travels to the country of Brazil one of the things that struck me in an observing way is that everyone in Brazil was Brazilians. Color didn’t matter, and in Brazil there are many combinations of color. I pray for the day in American that all Americans will share in genuine love for our country and see all of our citizens as a part of our great nation. Cooperating, being friendly, and seeing the best in others without focusing on the negative, finding common ground are all still things I believe in. The Bible says that the three greatest things are faith, hope and love and love is the greatest. As a Christian I still believe in these things too even if the rest of the world seems to have other priorities.
Christmas offers not just Americans but the world an opportunity to look into the sky and see the Star of Bethlehem again. During that time there was a massive taxation underway, the world had her problems and the unknown couple — Mary & Joseph — had their own personal problems and issues they were trying to resolve and address. An experience that was very complicated for them to explain to their family and friends, a pregnancy surrounded by questions and not in a positive way either. The first Christmas of faith, hope and love that happened in the City of Bethlehem 2000 years ago is available in the year 2012, too. While the world is in confusion, frustration and disappointment individual peace can still be found.
“Light and life to all He brings, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. ‘Hark!’ the herald angels sing.”
Until then. . .
Editorials
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Tim Mills
Discussion
‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’
- Editorials
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Say ‘thank you’ to military heroes this weekend
Throughout the year, in rain, sun and snow, if you’ve been in a cemetery during a veteran’s funeral, you couldn’t help but notice the men and women dressed in white and black uniforms folding the American Flag, firing off a 21-gun volley or playing Taps. These uniformed people play a very important roll to many military families in this community. And Memorial Day is one of their busiest weekends.
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Weather can turn deadly in an instant
Tuesday’s storm that swept through the region reminded me just how deadly the weather can turn.
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Will Main Street ever trust Washington again?
The scandal at the Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department spying on the Associated Press came at the same time that I have been reading Moises Naim’s excellent book The End of Power.
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Mistreatment doesn’t warrant story
The man strode into the office with a purpose. He had been wronged, and he wanted the newspaper to do something about it. But regrettably, I had to inform him that we couldn’t help him.
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Controversies expose policies we should evaluate
Scandals like those roiling Washington often look more or less nefarious as time and facts unfold. After all, what at first looked like a third-rate burglary turned into Watergate.
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The world could use a little more ‘Tebow Time’
I try to leave the sports writing and opinions to my friends, Les and Chris, here at the Times-Tribune, but as a big sports fan, the occasional story will grab my attention.
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Compliance cars and souls
Within 12 years, it is projected; about 16 percent of cars on America’s roads will be zero-emission vehicles (ZEV).
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KY Mountain Laurel Festival - Reflecting Pool
Kentucky is a most unique Commonwealth for many reasons.
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Coal problem worth tackling in Washington and Frankfort
Despite hysterical cries from radical environmentalists, neither Sen. Rand Paul’s Defense of Environment and Property Act nor Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Coal Jobs Protection Act would allow activities that bring harm to Kentucky’s wildlife or waterways for the sake of propping up the coal industry.
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Dress appropriately for the situation
I stopped in a fast-food restaurant this week for a giant sweet tea, and while I waited in line I saw a girl in her early 20s filling out a job application.
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