"Your policies," continued the Ghost, "left large portions of the Middle East a wasteland, badly contaminated, with so many citizens bereft of hope. The economy at home is a disaster for nearly everyone, especially the middle class and the poor. And the American Constitution lies in tatters. If you had paid attention to what really is important in life, maybe then your death would not be so cold, so devoid of people who really cared about you."
George cried out: "Please, Ghost, tell me: Is this the future that is foretold or can it be altered?"
"You are the one who can determine that future," said the Ghost.
Tears ran down George's cheeks. "The scales have been lifted from my eyes, Ghost! I've seen the bleak future. I will change! I will do what you suggest. I will carry the Christmas story in my heart and in my actions for the rest of my days. Will you take me back now?"
The sun's rays burst into the room and shone directly on George's face as he woke up in his own bed. He jumped up, ran to the open window and shouted to a youngster below: "You, boy, you beautiful boy, can you tell me what day this is and what year?" The boy shouted back: "Why, it's Christmas Day, sir, in the year of Our Lord 2007."
"Good, I still have time," George exclaimed. He threw some money to the boy and told him to buy a large goose and deliver it to the Cratchit house. Giddily, he got dressed while humming Christmas carols. His heart was filled with light and renewal and with the prospect of giving aid to his employee's damaged son.
George awoke in his dark room with a start. "Whoa! What a nightmare! It seemed so real, but no, it had to be a dream -- probably was all those pretzels I ate last night. Well, time to get dressed. Better give Uncle Dick a call. Today's the day we've all been waiting for: It's shock-and-awe time for Iran."
First published by The Crisis Papers and Democratic Underground 12/18/07.
Bernard Weiner, Ph.D. in government & international relations, has taught at universities in California and Washington, worked for two decades as a writer-editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, and currently serves as co-editor of The Crisis Papers (www.crisispapers.org).
Well if all the "saved Christians" understood that Christmas is the Birthday of the Prince of Peace, we would see the miracle we all long for. Peace on earth to men of good will. I fear they have mostly missed the purpose of Christmas or they are just mouthing platitudes and have not been saved at all. Christmas is a celebration of Christ and all his teachings. He came to save us from ourselves and this is the season to remember that. Weather you beleive he is God or a prophet his teaching were inspired by a greater purpose. We can only give honor and glory to God if we accept his lessons of love and acceptance of all. Keeping Christ in Christmas is what it is all about.. Forgiveness is the rule of the day.
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cluelessfl (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 184 comments)
on Friday, December 21, 2007 at 12:21:35 AM
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