If you know anything about me, you know that I normally don't post this kind of stuff, but for some reason, this really meant a lot to me.........
25 Ways We’re Different this Year

1. Last 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. Last Christmas we were placing wreaths on the doors
of our homes.

This Christmas we are placing wreaths on the graves of
our heroes.

3. Last Christmas we were letting our children play
with toy guns;

This Christmas we are teaching them that guns are not
toys.

4. Last Christmas we were counting our money;

This Christmas we are counting our blessings.

5. Last Christmas we paid lip service to the real
meaning of the holidays;

This Christmas we are paying homage to it.

6. Last Christmas we were lighting candles to
decorate;

This Christmas we are lighting candles to commemorate.

7. Last Christmas we were digging deep into our bank
accounts to find the money to fly home for the
holidays;

This Christmas we are digging deep into our souls to
find the courage to do so.

8. Last 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. Last Christmas we thought it was enough to
celebrate the holidays;

This Christmas we know we must also find ways to
consecrate them.

10. Last Christmas we thought a man who could rush
down football field was a hero;

This Christmas we know a man who rushes into a burning
building is the real one.

11. Last Christmas we were thinking about the madness
of the holidays;

This Christmas we are thinking about the meaning of
them.

12. Last Christmas we were getting on one another's
nerves;

This Christmas we are getting on our knees.

13. Last Christmas we were giving thanks for gifts
from stores;

This Christmas we are giving thanks for gifts from
God.

14. Last 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 -
a sense of security, safety, peace.

15. Last Christmas we were thinking about all the
pressure we are under at the office;

This Christmas we are thinking about all the people
who no longer have an office to go to.

16. Last Christmas we were singing carols;

This Christmas we are singing anthems.

17. Last 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. Last Christmas we thought angels were in heaven;

This Christmas we know some are right here on earth.

19. Last 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. Last Christmas we believed in the power of the
pocketbook;

This Christmas we believe in the power of prayer.

21. Last Christmas we were sharing/spreading/listening
to gossip;

This Christmas we are sharing/spreading/listening to
the Gospel.

22. Last Christmas we were complaining about how much
of our earning went to pay taxes;

This Christmas we comprehend that freedom isn't free.

23. Last Christmas we valued things that were costly;

This Christmas we value things that are holy.

24. Last Christmas the people we idolized wore
football, basketball and baseball uniforms;

This Christmas the people we idolize wear police,
firefighters and military uniforms.

25. Last Christmas "peace on earth" was something we
prayed for on Sunday mornings;

Now it is something we pray for every day.