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[RodgerPerry]

I pray everyone will recieve this Christmas as much as they gave during the course of the decade.

deed honoring deed.

May charity be granted to the charitable.

May those who stole have all taken from them.

May all that feed, be fed themselves in abundance.

May all who have driven families into the streets sleep there themselves.

May we all be reminded that All are poor in they eyes of God, that like the child Christ, we may all end up helpless, homeless in a strange land with no room at the inn.

Thanks be to God for all the humble blessings of this life and pray Lord guide us stop our self destructive ways and join together in one brotherhood to strive for the sustainable welfare of all human beings.

May there be peace on earth and goodwill between all it's children.

In the name of God I pray,

Amen.
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Those who deny rights to the lower income for the sake of their housing value don't deserve to live here!!!!

[stix]

Rodger.. as words have unique meaning only to the supplicant, I would pray that your petitions be answered according to the will of God. And personally, I wish you the best in this most blessed season of Christian celebration…
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[Bob Bruhns]

It does not seem right to me that Christmas should be a time of vengeance.

My understanding of the meaning of Christmas is that it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, who taught of undeserved forgiveness and reconciliation, in a context of love. It is a celebration that a holy kingdom of good and true justice is in fact coming upon the world. Not the petty vengeance so often pursued by mankind, but rightness, aimed toward healing. Although terrible things would yet come, it seems to me that the core of the teaching is about a wish that people would turn from evil ways and embrace love - not that people should be punished horribly (although according to the same scripture, that would still happen).

I would think that one should pray for mercy, that what must come, will come only as it must. According to Christian scripture, as I understand it, all people are sinners - not deserving, but still yet possibly receiving, salvation. And according to Christian scripture as I understand it, it is not by works, but by faith, that this would happen. As I understand Christian scripture, sinners (that's everybody) should not judge and condemn, particularly in the name of God, lest they be judged themselves.

As I understand the Christian scriptures, Jesus, whose birth is celebrated in Christmas, taught that prayer should be about the holiness and greatness of God, about asking for that kingdom on earth, asking for one's daily sustinence, asking for forgiveness for wrongdoing, and individually remembering also to forgive others as well, asking for guidance so as not to do wrong, asking for deliverance from evil, and remembering human humility and divine perfection. I recall a passage about two men praying, one saying "Thank You Lord, that I am not like them..." and the other saying "Forgive me Lord, a sinner." According to the scripture, Jesus preferred the second prayer. I also remember another passage, where Jesus said that the greatest of the commandments is to love.

So I think it better to pray kindly, than to pray angrily; better to pray for blessings, than for punishments.

What can I say... whatever else may be true, Jesus is just all right with me.

[stix]

I choose to assume Rodger’s prayer is simply unartfully worded. As a Muslim (and a son of Abraham), he of all people surely understands that whatever he may wish for others is only his personal wish, which will not become reality unless it is first in accordance with the will of God…
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[Vicky Dorman]

Why just Christmas? Is there a better time or a less offensive time for vengance? Is Valentines day better, or perhaps only on Thursdays? Shall we only be civil on some day "special" to any religious group?

May all the days of each of you and yours be bright, with love from your families and friends, and understanding for those who are not your friends or family... but just because they exist.

[wildbill]

.... as I understand Christian scriptures, "what" Jesus taught - is secondary to "who" he said He was.... ( as I understand Christian scriptures )