The world stole Christmas, not the Grinch.  I realized just how deeply this is true while I prepared for a prior Gathering Place on holidays vs Holy days.  Friends, we have been so misled and it disheartens me to realize it.

From Christmas trees to Santa Claus & Elf on the Shelf... from the timing of Christmas to exorbitant gift-giving... from commercialism to paganism - there are sadly so many off-putting roots to a day that is supposed to be dedicated to our Savior, and it seems no one even realizes it.  I surely didn't.

The ultimate question all of my research made me ask is:  How are we following scripture in any of this?  After all, isn't that what we're called to do?

​You can see how this year became a struggle in anticipation of lifelong traditions set against new found historical and Biblical knowledge.  Ugh... like a gut punch.  It's not easy to simply do a 180*...
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