- To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;;>
 
- Subject: " 25 ways we are different this Christmas"
 
- From: "Charlie Alread" <calread@internetwork.net>
 
- Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2001 15:56:25 -0600
 
    " 25 ways we are different this Christmas"
1. Last Christmas we were thinking about all the things we didn't 
  have; this 
Christmas we are thinking about all the things we do have. 
  
2. Last Christmas we were placing wreaths on the doors of our homes;this 
  
Christmas we are placing wreaths on the graves of our heroes. 
3. Last 
  Christmas we were letting our sons play with toy guns; this 
Christmas we 
  are teaching them that guns are not toys. 
4. Last Christmas we were 
  counting our money; this Christmas we are 
counting our blessings. 
5. 
  Last Christmas we were lighting candles to decorate; this Christmas we 
are 
  lighting candles to commemorate. 
6. Last Christmas we paid lip service to 
  the real meaning of the holidays; 
this Christmas we are paying homage to 
  it. 
7. Last Christmas we were digging deep into our bank accounts to find 
  money 
to fly home for the holidays; this Christmas we are digging deep 
  into our 
souls to find the courage to do so. 
8. Last Christmas we were 
  trying not to let annoying relatives get the best 
of us; this Christmas we 
  are trying to give the best of ourselves to them. 
9. Last Christmas we 
  thought it was enough to celebrate the holidays; this 
Christmas we know we 
  must also find ways to consecrate them. 
10. Last Christmas we thought a 
  man who could rush down a football field 
was a hero; this Christmas we 
  know a man who rushes into a burning building 
is the real one. 
11. 
  Last Christmas we were thinking about the madness of the holidays; this 
  
Christmas we are thinking about the meaning of them. 
12. Last 
  Christmas we were getting on one another's nerves; this Christmas 
we are 
  getting on our knees. 
13. Last Christmas we giving thanks for gifts from 
  stores; this Christmas 
we are giving thanks for gifts from GOD. 
14. 
  Last Christmas we were wondering how to give our children all the 
things 
  that money can buy; this Christmas we are wondering how to give them 
all 
  the things money can't (peace, security). 
15. Last Christmas we were 
  thinking about all the pressure we are under at 
the office; this Christmas 
  we are thinking about all the people who no longer 
have an office to go 
  to. 
16. Last Christmas we were singing carols; this Christmas we are 
  singing 
anthems. 
17. Last Christmas we were thinking how good it would 
  feel to be affluent; 
this Christmas we are thinking how good it feels to 
  be alive. 
18. Last Christmas we thought angels were in heaven; this 
  Christmas we know 
they are right here on earth. 
19. Last Christmas we 
  were contemplating all the changes we wanted to make 
in the new year; this 
  Christmas we are contemplating all the changes we will 
have to make in 
  this new reality. 
20. Last Christmas we believed in the power of the 
  pocketbook; this 
Christmas we believe in the power of prayer. 
21. Last 
  Christmas we were sharing / spreading / listening to gossip; this 
  
Christmas we are sharing / spreading and listening to the Gospel. 
22. 
  Last Christmas we were complaining about how much of our earnings went 
to 
  taxes; this Christmas we comprehend that freedom isn't free. 
23. Last 
  Christmas we valued things that were costly; this Christmas we 
value 
  things that are holy. 
24. Last Christmas the people we idolized wore 
  sports uniforms; this 
Christmas the people we idolize wear police, 
  firefighter and military 
uniforms. 
25. Last Christmas peace on earth 
  is something we prayed for on Sunday 
morning; now it's something we pray 
  for every day.