[Old Sarge]

I wish I could tell people on Freerepublic my opinions regarding Santa without being flamed as ignorant racist bigot, like I was last Christmas day.

But Chronic, your aside story tells me that you at least appreciate what Santa means to me - and a whole raft of soldiers here in Iraq who have been raised up by FReepers and their generosity.

Santa has visited my troops, not just on 24 DEC, but every week since we arrived in Ramadi. The spirit of that generosity, sharing the bounty of THEIR Christian belief, will make joy here for us. THAT, FRiend, is what Santa's iconography is about, not just a knee-jerk commercial hate.

All gifts come thru Christ, and Santa is a very special delivery guy, an agent of His will, just as so many of us are.

But this year, Santa is wearing ACU's and is bringing presents to Iraq - freedom being one of them. Santa's always been a part of the season for me, and these last two years, because of Freerepublic's good people, I and my family and my soldiers have seen the spirit of Santa mixed in with the true meaning of Christmas.

[StarCMC]

*smooches!*

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Thanks for the ping Sarge. As long as people believe ~ Santa exists. There are more people with love in their hearts than there are with hate.

For good news: I was wished a Merry Christmas yesterday by a Chinese friend and a Muslim shop keeper, and when I looked at them with a big smile and a big thank you- it seemed that they were gratified to have said something nice and meaningful to me. Seriously.

There is good and bad.. it is ebb and flow....and Santa is real... Always remember that! :]

Merry Christmas!

[reagandemocrat]

Well done.

Merry Christmas.

RD

[Kathy in Alaska]

All gifts come thru Christ, and Santa is a very special delivery guy, an agent of His will, just as so many of us are.

Yes.