Where's The Line For Jesus: A Christmas Song

The Hallmark channel broadcasts continuous Holiday TV shows during this Holy Season. Some are inspirational, funny, sad...all are good, but very few are religious. The few that are, aren't shown as often as the others. Producers believe that if they throw in a human "angel" that takes care of the God obligation. I haven't heard a religious Christmas song hit the airways in awhile. Guess that's not politically correct, either. So when I was sent this e-mail, I just had to post it. The explanation below the video was written by the songwriter...the song is sung by Becky Kelley. It is truly a blessing and I hope becomes a Christmas classic. It reminds us of the Reason For The Season....the birth the Christ Child, Jesus!

While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"?

My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to  Nashville   without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus.

My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios. It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goosebumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to   Nashville ... still no response.

Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothin'. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today - getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you. Merry Christmas everyone.

Christmas Salute To Our Military

Did you know? 20-25% of Americans are Catholic
Did you know? 45-50% of those serving in the U.S. Military are Catholic

I wonder if the reason for this high percentage of Catholic men and women willing to serve this nation is that woven into the fabric of a Catholic is the sense of community, service to mankind and the willingness to sacrifice because Christ said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

It is a fact that after the Federal Government of the United States of America...the Catholic Church is the Largest Charitable Organization in the World.

The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people - not just Catholics- in the U.S. today.
Generosity, Love & Compassion is also woven into the fabric of a Catholic.

 The Video and Poem below is in honor of All Our Military especially during this Sacred Season when many are far from home. God Bless Each And Every One!  May God Protect Them As They Protect Us.  May All Leaders Make Good & Godly Decisions.


Credits: Poem by Michael Marks, Music by Era (I Believe), Video by Hal@c2cmedia.net, YouTube video

Naughty Or Nice Stores For Christmas?

American Family Associations's 2010 listing of top retailers and how they recognize Christmas

Based on current advertising, below is a list of companies that avoid, ban, or use the term "Christmas" in their advertising.  We will continually update the list, so check back often.
Criteria - AFA reviewed up to four areas to determine if a company was "Christmas-friendly" in their advertising: print media (newspaper inserts), broadcast media (radio/television), website and/or personal visits to the store. If a company's ad has references to items associated with Christmas (trees, wreaths, lights, etc.), it was considered as an attempt to reach "Christmas" shoppers.
If a company has items associated with Christmas, but did not use the word "Christmas," then the company is considered as censoring "Christmas."
Color Code: (I changed the original color yellow to blue for better viewing)
GREEN: Company uses the term "Christmas" on a regular basis, we consider that company Christmas-friendly.
BLUE: Company refers to Christmas infrequently, or in a single advertising medium, but not in others.RED: Company may use "Christmas" sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize it.
A company may be removed from the "bad" list by providing documentation to AFA.
For more information or other topics go to: American Family Association

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SPECIAL ALERT! Legal group offers valuable resources
If you hear of instances of hostility toward Christmas expression, please let us know. AFA is working with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) to provide resources for government and public school authorities laboring under the misimpression they must censor Christmas. You can contact ADF at (1-800-TELL-ADF ) for a copy of their legal analysis and memo on rights of seasonal expression at Christmas. We want to inform public officials about the law, and then encourage them to take a stand for Christmas.

Companies FOR "Christmas" updated 11-17-10  Amazon.com Bed Bath & Beyond Belk Best Buy Big Lots Books-A-Million Cabella's Collective Brands Costco Dollar Tree Family Dollar Dollar General H.E.B. Stores Hallmark Harris Teeter Stores Hobby Lobby Home Depot* AFA boycott JC Penney JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts Stores Kmart kohl's Kroger Lowe's Macy's Meijer Menard's Michael's Stores Neiman Marcus Nordstrom Petsmart Pier One Imports Publix QVC Rite Aid Sears Super D Drug Stores Target Walgreens Wal-Mart/Sam's Club

Companies marginalizing "Christmas"updated 11-17-10 Bass Pro Shops Banana Republic Bath & Body Works Gap Stores Hancock Fabrics Hy-Vee Stores Old Navy Limited Brands Safeway Starbucks Toys R Us Whole Foods

Companies against "Christmas" updated 11-17-10  Barnes & Noble CVS Pharmacy Dick's Sporting Goods Office Depot Radio Shack Staples SUPERVALU Victoria's Secret