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Christmas Online

I’ve found the Norelco commercials for this Christmas season!

It seems like yesterday, Santa cruising down the snow-filled slopes on his triple-head Norelco electric shaver. Before your time? No problem they’re on YouTube - of course. Now Santa is selling you a luxury sports car (A red BMW).

Have you noticed how fast time flies as you get up in years? We’re already into November, Thanksgiving in just two days! And yes, “Christmas - is - just around the corner.”

Do you have this years tree? If not, you can order your fresh Christmas Tree Online and have it delivered to your home. Shopping Online is not just one day anymore. Deep discount sales start one-week before Thanksgiving. According to Foursquare, the check-in app turned location intelligence company, Black Friday crowds are expected to decrease by 3.5 percent compared to last year.

And once again REI is closed for Black Friday. I salute them. Do you think others will eventually follow suit?

 As a youngster I was convinced - just around the corner - meant Main Street; Marshall’s Hardware - Santa Land. My brothers and I would take a walk to town to see all the holiday decorations and toys we wanted Santa to bring. Day-and-Palin’s was the only Christmas tree lot that I can remember in Cuba, Illinois. Waiting for Christmas, seemed like an eternity. The toys have morphed somehow, instead of a Daisy BB gun, or a G.I. Joe, now it’s a new smart phone, Apple TV,  jewelry, tools, clothes, iTunes gift cards, and home repair items. Today, just around the corner reminds us; in the blink of an eye the holidays will have come and gone.

Come to think of it, how would Charles Schulz have written A Charlie Brown Christmas today?

“I suggest we try your iPhone, Charlie Brown,” would have led Charlie Brown and Linus to Google Maps to search for fresh trees. Come to think of it, I'm quite sure Linus would have checked with Siri first.

It’s hard to believe A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired - December 1965. Admittedly, it’s still one of my favorite holiday programs. I make it a point to watch it every year. Things have changed a lot over the years but the commercialism that Schultz and others portrayed still exists today more than ever.

Now the statement, “Christmas is just around the corner.” is accompanied with “Have you finished your Christmas shopping?” – No, have you?

Yes, Christmas - is - just around the corner; if you still think it’s about shopping till you’re broke, I’m sorry. Please take some time this holiday season and listen to Linus’s sonorous voice as he recites from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2 verses 8 through 14 from the Authorized King James Version:

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.”

 . . . “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”

 Whatever you're looking for there’s probably an App for that.

 Merry Christmas!
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