It's wonderful to see the eyes of children light up during the Christmas season. But let's not go overboard with the candy cans, the trees and the idea that the holiday season is about love and joy and making the world a better place.

The original Christmas did not have snow, chimneys, presents under the tree and egg nog. The original Christmas was in the MIDDLE EAST.

There were camels, palm trees, dust storms, and terrorists, even then.

The Son Of God hadn't planned on being born in a barn. Joseph was not a homeless man. He was a very successful Nazareth carpenter. He and his wife were running for their lives because Herod had ordered the slaughter of ALL boys under the age of two. (Just in case anyone here thinks it can't get any worse than ISIS.) The original Christmas began with a threatened act of terrorism much more heinous than 911.

The Son Of God, the future King Of the Jews was ordered killed. His birth truly was a miracle.

For those who think the Middle East is a powder keg merely because of oil, just remember the very first Christmas.