Christmas is my old friend and my best friend, too. I have known him all my life, and he is as dear and close as my mother.

I really like Christmas more than all my friends in the entire world. I like the Christmas trees with the Christmas lights, the colorful gifts under the lighted tree, all the shoppers, and the shopping spree. But what I like most about my friend is the opportunity to give.

Giving and Christmas are so wonderful together. But my friend Christmas only stays around to visit for just a few hours and then he is gone far, far, far away. I know he is coming again, but so many other things dampen my days.

Christmas is my best friend, but unlike other friends, I have never disliked him. There have been times when things have been sad, but still it was Christmas, and I was glad we were still friends.

However, I am worried about my friend though he has never gotten old in the traditional way; many people are changing his name to a holiday, a person who is not a believer and who says that Jesus is too mean-spirited.

Well, my friend will be gone shortly and I will have to face the world without him. Will you join me in prayer that my old friend will always be Christmas not holiday? For Jesus, His truth, His precious cleansing blood, and His birth will be the reason for the friendship for all peoples, nations, kindreds, and tongues.

Merry Christmas everybody and Happy New Year.

James David Manning, Pastor