A Christmas Tradition to Cherish

I think that the experience of cutting a live Christmas tree is one of the richest and most family-friendly of all Christmas traditions. In an outing that took me back to my childhood, I visited a Patrick Co. Christmas tree farm to do a radio feature for my morning radio show recently. At a time when many of our customs and traditions are fading away, it is refreshing that many families still cherish the fellowship and closeness to God and nature that accompany a holiday outing to search for the perfect Christmas tree. This is a wholesome annual ritual that has been passed down for generations in many families. Despite the growing popularity of artificial trees, ...there's nothing like getting that perfect tree the old fashioned way, cutting it fresh as a family! Here's wishing you all a Merry CHRISTmas and one that is rich in family tradition.

Keep CHRIST in Christmas!

I would like to publicly commend Grace Baptist Church for its efforts to keep "Christ" in Christmas! Hearing news reports that the White House will have a "holiday tree"" as opposed to the traditional Christmas tree, the church purchased 100 "Merry Christmas" badges and is selling them for #1 each with proceeds going to the church building fund, according to member and friend Betsy Wilds. I'm wearing one, proudly and wishing everyone a "Merry Christmas"!

In these times of political correctness when the government and society tries not to offend anyone, it often seems that our society tries to take God out of our culture altogether. That very much offends me! Even though I fail Him every day, it is in GOD that I trust and upon JESUS that I depend for my salvation!

Let's resist these persistent efforts to take God out of our schools, institutions, and society and stop this movement to take CHRIST out of Christmas. Christ is Christmas! The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the very essence of the Christmas season. This 'happy holidays' greeting is humbug. How can any holiday or any other day be happy without Christ in your life and without the joy that all Christians should feel in knowing that by trusting in Christ, by the grace of God, we have eternal life. That is something to be "merry" about in Christ. So I say very loudly and clearly....MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Honor Our Veterans

Today and every day let's seek to honor our veterans here in Patrick County and throughout the United State. They are to be commended for their efforts to secure and maintain the freedoms that we enjoy but all to often take for granted in this great nation. I salute the veterans of Patrick County who are living and honor the memory of those who have given their lives in service to our country. As we honor our veterans for thei sacrifices, let's pray for the U.S. troops who are stationed around the wold today to defend, with their lives, the freedoms and way of life that we as proud Americans hold dear.

An Inspiring Lady

Today, I'm trying to follow the example of an elderly Patrick Co. lady who inspired me during Friday's 21st annual Health Fair. With her positive attitude, I "just keep going", said 96-yer-old Etta McGhee when asked the key to her long healthy life. Let's all smile and think positively as we 'keep going' forward thanking God for the blessing of this day!

Ms. McGhee is a true community treasure. Alert and full of sweetness, she just "keeps on going" and inspiring others with her zest for live. Bless her heart. Bless you too!

Your morning radio friend,
Richard