Well, I clearly missed Saturday, so I’ve designated this week’s “Saturday Shorts” as the Christmas edition instead…
 

Random links of interest, concern or curiosity from the past week or so, that deserve at least a SHORT mention:

 
The Grinch that DID steal Christmas ~ Spare a thought – and a prayer – for the poor beleaguered citizens of the socialist paradise of Venezuela ~ Such a sad Christmas ~

How could it be otherwise? People do not even have enough cash, literally, for shopping the Christmas essentials. In Venezuela that would be to build up an Hallaca, the Christmas dish. And even if you had enough banknotes, or a well furbished checking account, there are so many staples that cannot be found or are so far out of reach that many this year will have no hallaca on their plates. And many will simply have little on their plate. Period.

Dear Michelle Obama: You’re looking for the wrong source of hope ~ This Christmas Remember Real Hope Doesn’t Come From Politicians, It Comes From God

 
Slithering surprise: Australian woman finds snake on her Christmas tree ~ Yikes ~

According to professional snake catcher Barry Goldsmith, a woman in Melbourne found a tiger snake (highly venomous!) intertwined with the tinsel on her Christmas tree on Sunday morning.

 
Scrooge Defended ~ This article at the Mises Institute has been around a while (1998) and may at first seem hard-hearted, but perhaps Scrooge – before his transformation – wasn’t the villain we’ve always considered him. Oh, he’s clearly lacking any sense of Christian charity, but maybe he was just pragmatic – and an ardent anti-socialist. For example ~

The fact is, if Cratchit’s skills were worth more to anyone than the fifteen shillings Scrooge pays him weekly, there would be someone glad to offer it to him. Since no one has, and since Cratchit’s profit-maximizing boss is hardly a man to pay for nothing, Cratchit must be worth exactly his present wages.

 
NUTS! Why Remembering Christmas 1944 Can Change Your Life ~ Some seasonal words of wisdom from “The Art of Manliness” ~

No matter what weakness or problem you’re battling, a dark option always exists to crumble under life’s hardships. When you feel miserable, you’re tempted to quit under the weight of the difficulty.

Recalling the Allied forces at the Siege of Bastogne can revive our courage.

Lefties, take a long look at Lena Dunham. This is why you lose! Ben Shapiro slams Dunham on her thoughtless, disgusting proclamation, “I still haven’t had an abortion, but I wish I had.”
 

Abortion Activists Post Pro-Abortion Signs Outside Pro-Life VP-Elect Mike Pence’s DC Home ~ But, Police Stop Pro-Lifers From Singing Christmas Carols on Public Sidewalk Outside Abortion Clinic.

What an ironic contrast. Rabid feminists have dragged us to edge of insanity.
 
Where Have All the Christmas Decorations Gone? A Meditation on Joyless Secularism – Dennis Prager, a Jew no less , defends our Christmas traditions ~

Without God and religion there is, of course, much to enjoy in life. You can enjoy Bach without believing in God (though Bach would not have composed anything if he didn’t believe in God); you can enjoy sports, books, travel and so much more […]
 

What secular joys can compare to a family putting up Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree, going to church together, singing or listening to Christmas carols and engaging in the other rituals surrounding Christmas?

 
Mary and Joseph Could Have Aborted Their Role, But They Trusted God Instead And thank Him that they did! ~

A devoted husband and his courageous wife had to trust each other and trust the Lord that He would guide them through this earthly unchartered journey […]
 
Courage unleashes miracles. This Christmas, may we be reminded of the faith and vulnerability that is required in our own journeys. May we never forget that Christmas is the beginning of God’s love story for us and completed in the ultimate act of selfless love—Christ’s self-sacrifice on the cross and miraculous resurrection.