Happy Advent

On this first day of Advent, let us consider the difference between Santa Claus(fiction) and St. Nicholas (fact).

Santa Claus belongs to childhood;

St. Nicholas models for all of life.
Santa Claus, as we know him, developed to boost Christmas sales—the commercial Christmas message;

St. Nicholas told the story of Christ and peace, goodwill toward all—the hope-filled Christmas message.
Santa Claus encourages consumption;

St. Nicholas encourages compassion.
Santa Claus appears each year to be seen and heard for a short time;

St. Nicholas is part of the communion of saints, surrounding us always with prayer and example.
Santa Claus flies through the air—from the North Pole;

St. Nicholas walked the earth—caring for those in need.
Santa Claus, for some, replaces the Babe of Bethlehem;

St. Nicholas, for all, points to the Babe of Bethlehem.
Santa Claus isn't bad;

St. Nicholas is just better.

Taken from: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=36

Not On the Menu

Do not eat meat from China, Vietnam or Thailand. Here is why.

Looking for a career change? Like the open spaces? Looking for lower gas consumption? Want the chance to see the world? If China appeals to you, the above might be the answer. All you would have to do is case the neighbourhood, knock on a few doors and ask if there are any dead chickens for sale. You don't have to ask what they died of, just collect the carcasses and transport them to the processing plant where they will be prepared for export to the gullible West.

Now if you are already in the West and, are happy with the status quo, just sit back and enjoy a repast prepared in the filthiest of conditions, on slave labour and don't let the fact that thousands of your fellow citizens are out of work stifle your gastric juices or interfere with your taste buds for a second. Once the herbs and spices are all in place, who will know the difference?