Last night the Clarion Arts Council hosted a "Christmas Soiree" at our local museum. Among other events, people who attended were asked to share a Christmas memory or tradition. Leonard Cramer shared one of his from Christmas of 1944.

His story prompted a memory for me of the same year. It was my dad's story. He was doing the same thing that Leonard was doing 60 years ago at Christmas - as a soldier in World War II. I heard the story many times, as I retell it I hope that I have my facts straight. It was nearing the Christmas holiday and their division was fighting in the Battle of the Bulge - driving to the North Sea, believing if they could divide the German army, they could win the war. My dad and his soldier friends had set up temporary barracks in enemy territory. He told that when they woke up on Christmas morning, they saw several inches of new fallen snow on the ground. As they got out of their tents, they witnessed foot prints in the snow all around them. The steps were those of German soldiers, not those of the Americans. He would tell that he never understood why they were not killed or captured, while they slept. The rest is, as they say, history. We went on to win the war and defend the freedoms of our country and all of the countries which enjoyed similar freedoms.

Today is Pearl Harbor Day, the date when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, in 1941. And today, as we once again defend our country against world terrorism, we are reminded that "freedom has never been free". We had to fight to get our freedeom during the Revolutionary War and we have been called on many times during the 200+ years of our history to defend what was begun for us by others.

For a third time, I would like to share from the book I received from the Weld Cousin Reunion this fall, "God Bless America: Prayers & Reflections For Our Country".

From the Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  July 4, 1776

First Amendment from the Bill of Rights:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.  Approved December 15, 1791

Written by Mother Theresa:

"Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow men throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands this day their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy.

Jesus came to give us the good news that God loves us and that He wants us to love one another as He loves each one of us. And to make it easy for us to love one another, Jesus said, "Whatever you do to the least of me, you do it to me. If you give a glass of water, you give it to me. If you receive a little child in my name, you receive me. So whatever you do to the least, you do to me."

And where does this love begin? In our own families. How does it begin? By praying together. The family that prays together stays together, and if you stay together, you will love each other as God loves each one of you. So teach your children to pray, and pray with them, and you will have the joy and the peace and the unity of Christ's own love living in you."

And from the Bible:

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."   John 15:13