Christmas spirit. You hear it talked about a lot this time of year, but what exactly do we mean?

I learned something recently. Leprosy, although extremely rare, still exists and is now better known as Hansen's disease in the medical field. It is easily cured with a series of antibiotics and 95% of the population is naturally immune to it. So I don't think we need to be concerned.

God is not to be thought of as a genie in a magic lamp that, if I have enough faith, will grant my every wish. And although some preach the power of positive thinking as the key to getting what we want, that seems to put more faith in our own will than in God's. This "positive thinking" kind of prayer seems to me as meaningless as saying you will send someone "positive vibes". (I've never understood what that was supposed to do.) It's almost an understatement to acknowledge that there have been times when, despite the fervent prayers of many very devoted and faithful followers, the answers did not…