For those of you looking for a great holiday movie to replace one of the ones you've been watching to death, I humbly recommend "Mixed Nuts." Forky got me hooked on it, so blame him, but it really is one of the sweetest and funniest Christmas movies ever made. Without giving away too much, Steve Martin is a suicide hotline counselor. In the speech below, he is talking someone down from a roof:

"You're upset because it's Christmas. Christmas is a time when you look at your life through a magnifying glass. And whatever you don't have feels overwhelming. Being alone is so much lonelier at Christmas. Everything that's sad is so much sadder at Christmas. You can't give in to this Felix. I thought today was going to be the worst day of my life. But then, something wonderful and unexpected happened. Well first, something horrible and unexpected happened. Well actually, three horrible and unexpected things happened. But then, something wonderful. The holidays aren't over yet, Felix. They're not over for you and they're not over for Gracie. Who knows? Who knows? There's magic at Christmas. And I bet if you come down, you'll find that out."

In a world where we've tended to replace that magic with technology, it's nice to be reminded. There's a very good reason we tend to think of Christmas in terms of magic and possibility. Crack open Luke chapter 2 and remember or learn for the first time. God came down in a unique way to be with us. And that makes all things possible.

It was never better said than by those angels, "Peace on earth and goodwill towards men." My hope and prayer for the year to come is that we may take to heart the words that heralded the arrival of Jesus to this world.

May God richly bless you all without exception.

Nunc Dimittis.