Sunday Faith Blog...CHRISTMAS PRESENTS (and Happy First Advent)

First, I'd give you an update about my stepdaughter, Ms Z:  She and her sailing partner have made it in their 49' sail boat to Sardinia and they are now sailing to the west coast of Spain...to Ibiza, Estepona then through the Straits of Gibraltor to Lanzarote (Canary Islands), where she'll fly back to Munich.  There's wind and they're loving it. 3 more weeks of sailing.  She is crazy for dolphins and emailed that they had 2 sailing alongside them today!  Prayers answered!

(This isn't one of my typical Sunday Faith Blogs, but since it involves CHRISTMAS and CHRISTMAS is (usually) about FAITH, I thought I'd post it today as a shopping reminder before you spend too much on Chinese goods!!  I did not write this, but I say HURRAH! and I think YOU will, too..........please put it into practice!  I'll be publishing it again nearer Christmas  but thought I'd give you a head's UP while you're starting to shop!  One thing not mentioned is making something for your loved ones...knitting, carving, painting, whatever you do!  Anyway, here are amazing ideas our country can benefit from :

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high
gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods --
merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This
year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine
concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift
giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes
there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in
a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates
from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned
detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a
book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down
the Benjamin’s on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift
receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or
driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about
a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this
isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town
Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who  
is   struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin
their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery
and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at
your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about
fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that
China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring  
about   US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow
their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our
communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. 

 THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. 

 Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion
groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in
your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations,
and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other,
and isn't that what Christmas is about?

Z:  I really like these ideas, don't you?  OH, and another idea:   Send money to a charity in America and give your loved one a card that includes "In your honor, a donation has been made to ...The Amyloidosis Society..(as an example)..."  WHY NOT?  The amount needn't be known if you don't think you can send a lot, but any amount will help charities today.
I thank you, my site thanks you, and my country thanks you :-)  Oh, and Santa thanks you!  The stuff above isn't stuff he's got to lug around on his sleigh!!

z