1. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were thinking about all the things we didn't have; this Christmas we are thinking about all the things we do have.
2. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were placing wreaths on the doors of our homes; this Christmas we are placing wreaths on the graves of our heroes.
3. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were letting our Sons play with toy guns; this Christmas we are teaching them that guns are not toys.
4. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were counting our money; this Christmas we are counting our blessings.
5. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we paid lip service to the real meaning of the holidays; this Christmas we are paying homage to it.
6. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were lighting candles to decorate; this Christmas we are lighting candles to commemorate.
7. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were digging deep into our bank accounts to find money to fly home for the holidays; this Christmas we are digging deep into our souls to find courage to do so.
8. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were trying not to let annoying relatives get the best of us; this Christmas we are trying to give the best of ourselves to them.
9. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we thought it was enough to celebrate the holidays; this Christmas we know we must also find ways to consecrate them.
10. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we thought a man who could rush down a football field was a hero; this Christmas we know a man who rushes into a burning building is the real one.
11. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were thinking about the madness of the holidays; this Christmas we are thinking about the meaning of them.
12. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were getting on one another's nerves; this Christmas we are getting on our knees.
13. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were giving thanks for gifts from stores; this Christmas we are giving thanks for gifts from God.
14. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were wondering how to give our children all the things that money can buy- the hottest toys the latest fashions, the newest gadgets; this Christmas we are wondering how to give them all the things it can't -- a sense of security, safety, peace.
15. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were thinking about all the pressure we are under at the office; this Christmas we are thinking about the people that no longer have an office to go to.
16. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were singing carols; this Christmas we are singing anthems.
17. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were thinking how good it would feel to be affluent; this Christmas we are thinking how good it feels to be alive.
18. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we thought angels were in heaven; this Christmas we know some are right here on earth.
19. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were contemplating all the changes we wanted to make in the New Year; this Christmas we are contemplating all the changes we will have to make in this new reality.
20. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we believed in the power of the pocketbook; this Christmas we believe in the power of prayer.
21. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were sharing /spreading/listening to gossip; this Christmas we are sharing/spreading/listening to the gospel.
22. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we were complaining about how much of our earnings went to pay taxes; this Christmas we comprehend that freedom isn't free.
23. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas we valued things that were costly; this Christmas we value things that are holy.
24. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas the people we idolized wore football, basketball, and baseball uniforms; this Christmas the people we idolize wear police, firefighter, and military uniforms.
25. Before 09/11/01 at Christmas "peace on earth" is something we prayed for on Sunday mornings; this Christmas it is something we pray for every day.
There is one thing we must always keep in mind, "FREEDOM IS NOT FREE."