The Meaning of Christmas - Have we lost it?

[BassBuddah]

I agree about the homeless. There was a guy "camping' in his trailer at Ponquogue one time. I thought he was just another fisherman and found out he lost his house because of a foreclosure due to medical bills. As said it could happen to any of us. Never look down on those less fortunate because you don't know if some unforseen path might take you there. Good thread and Merry Christmas folks. Best wishes for safety and happiness through the new year.

[bababooey]

DS I would never touch a homeless dude that creeps the hell out of me. Good for you for being able to do it. I do think they are a misunderstood group. I mean who would want to study a group that smells like **** and crap. Scary s*** and I mean that. I do remember reading that a lot of homeless dudes are Vets. That says a lot about our VA and how they treat guys who have fought in the wars for us. Maybe they should give a little more money to Vet programs instead of Obama throwing tax dollars at opening the gates to Cuba. just my .02
The meaning of christmas should be about peace and goodwill towards men. I think if you want to still find that in America you may have to go to Nebraska. merry christmas everyone!
Good thread.

[cowherder]

That is ridiculous opening unrestricted travel to cuba. That defeats the purpose of the blockade. Castro wins. sorry for the hijack

[surfrob]

DS: I know you aren't looking for accolades but amazing "what Christmas is all about" story... good job.

Of course, you're figuring you might have been taken for a homeless guy, sleeping on rocks, or in other people's cars someday so...

Hope all here have a Happy New Year... and wishing that we all can get out and FISH! More importantly that you and your
family can be thankful for all God provided, and be content in whatever situation you find yourself in!
I found out last night that I will be a twice Granddad (aka Poppa) as my son in law, daughter with baby #1 gave us the good news!

I in bed last night reflecting on this thread of all things, and reflecting on my year (lack of fishing time) and thinking about
our family and the amazing grace and blessings we've experienced! Prior to going to bed I took the time to visit Samaritan's
purse dot org to give what I could...

While getting ready for daughter/SIL and GS to come over last night, my wife wrote out a note for a gift card to Bonefish grill:
"If you can't catch the fish, at least you can eat it"... and we both got a chuckle about my own fishing season in 2014,
how few fish I caught, the few times I was on them, lost GOOD fish. But she noted I really had a lack of time.

As I laid there, I reflecting and smiled... time. Yeah, but thought about all the amazing things that did happen last year.

Here's praying you all have a Happy New Year!

[DarkSkies]

Thanks Rob and others....
I hope you all understand the connection I was trying to make there....that it could be any one of us...if we were handed a few bad breaks in life, one after the other......I know some end up homeless because of their life choices....and they are responsible for that......but it's easy for me to see how some things could turn our lives around in an instant.

Was at a party last night, we were talking about AC and the casino layoffs.....something like 6000 people? You know a % of those people are going to lose their houses. If you're in your 50's or 60's and get laid off it's tough to find something comparable....some of these people never knew it was coming......

In trying to keep with a positive theme for 2015.....
I thank you all for stopping by, and wish everyone (better) health, some peace, and possibly better opportunities for this year.

Rob, I congratulate you on being a grandfather, and your new additions to family.....
One of these days maybe we'll actually fish a night tide together......let me know.....

[porgy75]

I was thinking about Christmas and found this thread. The day after Halloween all the stores were out putting the Christmas stuff and decorations. I realized that's the way it is but there are some movement out there. On the internet I read about a movement where people decided to stay home on Black Friday. It's not just about the buying and being a consumer jmo. To me the meaning of Christmas is spiritual. Have we lost that?