Since it is Christmas Day itself, we add a bonus story by our own Hugh Cron. It is not our object to deride those who have faith or get sentimental about the holiday. And Hugh’s The Perfect Personification of Religion states the true meaning of Christmas better than a fleet of Rudolphs. It is a tale of common decency and a priest who made himself holy through his dedication.
Who better to add to this than the author himself:
Thanks Leila and Diane for putting this forward. I am honoured. Not just for the posting but sharing the day with Tom!!
I think this is one of those stories that I’m most proud of.
I know I slag off priests and religion but I would never have started if they were all like this brave, true humanitarian!!
Hugh
The Perfect Personification of Religion.
Image: wormhole from Pixabay.com with extra Christmas streamers
literally stories 
Merry Christmas Hugh
Maybe someday the Cranberries’ lyric “it’s the same old thing since 1916” will finally refer to ancient history.
Take care!
Leila
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Hi Leila,
I loved the Cranberries – You couldn’t take the Irish out of Dolores O’Riordan if you tried!!
It was so sad that she was taken so young!!
Thanks so much for you suggesting that this went up today, I am truly honoured.
Merry Christmas!!
Hugh
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Hugh
I love Dolores’ voice. Her death was tragic and preventable. Both she and Whitney Houston decided to take baths upon getting loaded and passed out and drowned (Matthew Perry, in the hot tub, appears to be along the same line). A person must be awfully stinking blasted for that to happen.
Still a great story and powerful image.
Leila
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A good story for today. It’s as poignant of a reading now as it was six years (six years!) ago. All the best to you, Hugh.
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Thanks so much Dave!
I was so glad that I could do something with this.
Have a great time over the holidays my fine friend.
Hugh
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A sobering reminder, very cleverly cast as a private conversation. Thanks Hugh and best wishes to al at LS
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Thanks for that Mick,
I send you and your family a happy and restful time over the holidays.
Hugh
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It was not God who killed the soldiers, but people, driven by the vagaries of human nature, which can be hateful and brutal and stupid, especially when possessed by belief, political, religious, or otherwise, or by the spirit of revenge. Most of us have also done bad things out of false belief or assumption, although usually not of that gross nature. Indeed, that would be an excellent idea, to have that image placed in all churches across the world.
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