I see borders and Manifest Destiny doctrines were useful to these Divine Kings, but those borders are not merely physical or drawn on maps. The borders that separate man and woman, or made races and 'chosen ones' are borders that promote war and genocidal rages of all sorts. The Scale of Nature or Chain of Ascended Beings which saw European at top of chart and promoted ideas like North American Indian being just up from orangutan still echo in halls of justice. The laws we follow are laws and morays established with foul intent to diminish our souls.

'Stop, somebody please stop merry-go-round, I have to get off.'

Do those words bring back any childhood memories? I can remember that exact phrase coming out of my mouth as a child! I had no sooner jumped up on playgrounds' intoxicating and well used merry-go-round, then within a few turns of it's rotation, desperately wanting off. I was afraid to jump, and dragging my feet in worn circular trench underfoot was next best alternative; unless a kind hearted playmate daringly grabbed an outside rail and forced merry-go-round to a halt. Not only did I experience dizzying effects of merry-go-round's centrifugal force, my equilibrium suffered greatly even well after ride. But, for some childish reason, this did not stop me, from jumping up on merry-go-round next time I went to playground.

Thankfully, we all grow-up and learn as we go. I personally had to avoid merry-go-round, even at gleeful beckonings of my playground friends. Yes, playground is full of wonderful childhood memories. Many of life's lessons are learned within those memorable childhood years, and thankfully without matured mental capacity to fully evaluate them till later on in life.

Our Americanized lifestyle presents it's own array of merry-go-rounds. Even, we as Believers have unabashingly jumped aboard some of seemingly innocent and gone along for dizzying ride. One of greatest rides is within well marketed advent of our Holiday Season. From Thanksgiving Day, thru Christmas Day, on to New Year's Day, there seems to be same dizzying effect perpetrating our social playgrounds. The Holiday Merry-Go-Round frenzy of preparing for these strategic events surreptitiously invades our homes, schools, churches, business's, and last but not least, our very souls. As Christian Believers we need to recognize consequences of jumping on this Holiday Merry-Go-Round, each in our own way.

From red and green holiday color-wheel to plethoric glitz of holiday decorations, we are bombarded at every turn with zeal of our local retailers. Advertisements abound to catch our eye. Credit cards are blithely scanned, with nary a conscious consideration of so un-holiday red line of over extensions. Check books flash, and pockets empty out their paper bills and jiggling change, all for perfect gift that must be perfectly presented in cheerful ribbons and jolly designer paper. Holiday tunes subliminally turn our fancy to seek out Santa Claus at Mall. The sweet tooth fairy sprinkles her holiday fairy dust upon our taste-buds. Such a rush of plans and festivities, from holiday greeting cards, to holiday menu's, to shopping excursions, to gift wrapping, to tree and home decorating, to parties that run day and night. A crescendo of Holiday anticipations arise as eventful pressures prevail. A countdown to 25th ticks away as all eyes turn to upcoming New Year...

"And there were in same country shepherds abiding in field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, Angel of Elohim came upon them, and Glory of Elohim shone round about them and they were sore afraid. And, 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 City of David, a Savior, who is Yahshua, Christ. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with Angel a multitude of Heavenly Host praising YaHWeH (God) and saying, Glory to YaHWeH (God) in Highest, and on earth Peace, Good Will toward men." St. Luke 2:8-14

... The proverbial gifts opening and big eyed children and fabulous eats abound in displays of holiday cheer. Usually in such merry making with all holiday hugs, smiles and kisses exchanged right up into climatic New Year. And, before we can hardly catch our breath again, it is over! The ride has ended, merry-go-round grinds to a halt. Our dizzy little heads need to rest. Our equilibrium staggers as we try to stumble back into our everyday routines. But, then holiday decorations have to be packed away, holiday bills have to be paid, holiday extra weight has to come off, etc, etc.

But, I thought Holiday Merry-Go-Round had stopped! Yes, it did, but now comes cold reality of Americanized Holiday Merry-Go-Round's after effects. Where once as a child merry-go-round only left you with a dizzy head, and a funny walk; this kind of merry-go-round leaves you with more to deal with afterwards. We ceremonially rationalize our Holiday Merry-Go-Round, as part of our Christian culture. After all, it is all about Christ anyway, and extra holiday spirit doesn't harm anyone. What would children do if we did not celebrate holiday's like everyone else? We all need this time to be special. After all, it is all biblically based and there's no real harm in it anyway...