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To the Editor:
Christmas is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus and not a time to reflect on yourself and your hurt feelings. It’s a time for friends and family to gather and enjoy, bless and encourage each other. The irreplaceable time together can’t be diminished. No one knows if or when they may see grandma or grandpa again or anyone else for that matter. Next year anything could happen. Everyone will have to make their choices about what loved ones they see during the holidays and then live with those choices! The best way to have joy is to put Jesus first, others second and yourself last!
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13 love isn’t easily provoked or offended. It’s unloving to be easily offended. Christians don’t have a right to be personally offended. Jesus in all the things done against Him, in every offense made against Him, more than we could ever suffer in a thousand lifetimes was never offended personally. If Jesus didn’t become offended for such extremes, why should we be offended at lesser things if we are dedicated to following the example of Jesus? If someone offends us personally, then it simply doesn’t matter. We are to let it go. Being offended is only concerned with self. There’s no way around that because it’s only the self that was offended and to the self that the offense was made. Being personally offended is selfish, a waste of time and is focusing on one’s self. The Bible teaches not to bear grudges and ignore insults against us. You choose to be offended. We are accountable to God only for what we do and say not for what others do or say. Families need to stay united in these dangerous end times. Even here in Carter County we have had a record number of people reporting packages stolen from their front doors or from their vehicles. It would be foolish to let thefts steal our joy. It would be even more foolish to let our own pride and sensitivity to criticism steal our joy and precious time with friends and family this Christmas!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton