During the upcoming New Year, we will have many choices to make. Choose wisely.

Cover sketch for my new novel South Union by Paul Spangler

Methodist Church Burns in Robinson

On a horrible note, the First United Methodist Church in Robinson burned to the ground on Christmas evening. It was a local landmark and my early childhood church when my family first moved to Robinson. The rumors around town say the the fire was a result of arson. If that's the case, I truly hope they find the culprit and boil him in oil.

Belated White Christmas

As the snow melts away, I can look at out my window and be reminded of a wonderful Christmas. It truly is a wonderful life.

Merry Christmas

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 good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD.

Fra ra ra ra ra ra

Linus explains the meaning of Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas was my favorite Christmas special as a boy and even to this day I try to watch it once a year. 

Nothing says Merry Christmas like an M&M

3 Days to go to your Holly Jolly Christmas

A Christmas Message from Ben Stein

My confession:  I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees... I don't feel threatened.. I don't feel discriminated against.. That's what they are, Christmas trees.  It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.  I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat...  Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.  In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school... The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about.. And we said okay.. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'  Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.  Are you laughing yet?  Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.  Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.  Pass it on if you think it has merit.  If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.  My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,  Ben Stein

4 days to go. The girls can hardly wait.

Andy Griffith Christmas Episode. It was the only one he ever did during the 8 years of the Andy Griffith Show.

Ornaments Gone Wild

You want me to go down there? Elizabeth Montgomery as Santa's Helper. 5 days and counting...

Rick Kelsheimer Book Signing in Lawrenceville

Rick will be signing books in Lawrenceville, Illinois on Friday December 21 from 5pm to 7pm at Terrapin Station on the Square. Hope to see you there.

Forecast: Fire and Brimstone for Tomorrow

Only 6 days to Go. White Christmas with Bing and Michael Buble'

Bing Crosby and David Bowie sing Little Drummer Boy. Only 7 days left

Only 8 More Days left. Hopefully Santa can get by without an iron lung.

Santa has been working so hard...he needs another smoke break.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Only 9 Days to Go!

10 days left. Stay tuned for more Christmas fun

11 days to go. Here's a little Christmas humor.

12 Days Left...Santa's Elves are Working Overtime

Only 13 Days Left Before Christmas