Christmas is about a baby - the Baby Jesus. Many believe that babies begin at conception. The Bible does not quite agree with that view. The Bible informs us that before the world came into existence, God already had in place every human being to be born. Conception of a human being took place in the mind of God (Eph.1: 4). For that reason, every human baby is holy unto the Lord (I Cor.7: 14). The Bible also tells us that the people God needs shall be born with God's help and protection. By human capability, Sarah was too old to bear Isaac (Gen.18: 10-15). The baby Moses was saved by those that intended to kill him (Ex.1: 1-10). Hannah was barren; yet, she gave birth to Samuel (I Sam.1). Then we have a virgin bear a son whom we worship as our Lord and Savior (Lk.1: 26-38).

Do babies go to heaven when they die? We have lost a grandson. He lived only one day. Religious leaders have done many things, like christening so they shall not be lost. It is an act that dedicates or places babies in God's care. Beyond that, we have to trust someone that knew what happens. That one was Jesus, the Son of God, that came down to earth as a baby. Please note: It was in the baby that God was with man (Mt.1: 23). For that reason, we celebrate Christmas because it is the evidence that God loves us.

The Church Fathers used apologetics to defend the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ. Because of Him, we have the greatest beneficial time of the year. Several years ago, my wife and I attended a Christmas celebration. The MC began apologizing for not saying, "Merry Christmas." To me, it was an outright denial of the reason why we have such a happy and prosperous season.

In a few days winter shall be upon us. Our fruit trees appear dead. We too learn from our trees. In Jesus time the Fig Tree was a calendar. When it budded and leaves began to emerge, summer was soon to come. The leaders had no trouble interpreting the fig tree but they were blind with regard to the events that pointed to hard times ahead (Mt.24: 32-35). Jesus had the destruction of Jerusalem in mind that would take place in their generation. That same generation would miss the signs that there would be evil days ahead and no escape from them (Mk.13: 1-2). Just like the fig tree cannot change and is expected to bear figs, so are certain events and old ideologies that lead to definite conclusions.

Recently a gentleman insisted that the Constitution separated the Church from the State. That is absolutely incorrect. In fact, the U.S.A. Constitution protects religion. It is the Communist Manifesto that separated the two and outlaws religion, particularly Christianity. It is unfortunate that some religious groups endorse the separation between Church and State. I too belong to such a denomination. The Marxist dogma has influenced the Church and our present government. The truth is, we are wrong. Let us look at some Biblical references.

During the last few weeks, I fell frequently and had to use the support of a cane. I became attached and dependent on the cane. It also required all my concentration and limited my output. The cane was helpful but also habit forming. It also drew attention and sympathetic friends and even strangers were ready to assist me. I became apprehensive and it gave we something to think about for the New Year.

Jesus was tired, stopped at a well and waited for someone that could draw some water. A Samaritan woman came and he asked her for a drink and she refused (Jn.4: 4-10). I remember being a refugee on a train packed like sardines and very thirsty. The train stopped briefly and father too got off to get some water and barely managed to get back on the moving train with help from outreached arms pulling him up. Apparently he was being watched and assisted in his effort. Without their help father would had to follow us on another day with a later train. He returned with a pail of water. How thankful we were, especially mothers and their infants for a drink.

Are we getting tired of this endless harping on how bad things are? Is there no more goodness anywhere in this once magnificent land? Have our leaders past and present been that bad? Are they really responsible for the conditions we have managed to put ourselves in? And are our conditions intolerable? Just look who is complaining and who is being bailed out?

Jesus told his disciples before He was crucified: "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lays down his life for hid friends" (Jn.15: 13). The Greek is much stronger: "No one has greater love than the one that sacrifices his soul for his friends." The text implies that such a friend will go to hell to save his friends. These were the strongest words Jesus spoke and they indicate how important the soul of a human being is in the eyes of God. Jesus set the example himself and His sacrifice became the heart of Christianity. Christians are called upon to give their lives and not take lives (Mt.16: 24-28).

Jesus once said, "he who is not scandalized because of me, is blessed"(Mt.11: 6). Our English versions have "not offended in me" or "not fall away because of me." John the Baptist may have been offended and may have lost faith in Jesus; but the issue may have been much more serious. It seems to me that John felt he was being ridiculed and ashamed of a Messiah that was not delivering him from jail. He felt that he was being scandalized because he had great hope in Jesus. John had become confused and uneasy to be identified with Jesus.