Hi all,
As the unfortunate school-age children of JWs worldwide, or at least in Christendom, face up to two of what must certainly be the most dreaded days of the school year -- today and Monday, I don't think it would be remiss to do pay them tribute -- the honor of a brief recognition of some sort, say by the raising of a glass, a prayer, a couple moments' reflection, whatever.
I refer to all those of the trembling knees, quivering lips, moistened eyes and hollow feelings in the pits of their little tummies as they loyally face up to the humiliation of standing aside from the masses of Christmas celebrants among their school friends.
How they must agonize over dealing with the incessant questions of their mates about ``what are you going to do this Christmas," ``what did Santa bring you?'' -- not to mention listening to the spirited banter of their school friends recounting how much fun they had and what they found under tree Christmas morning, etc. etc.
What touches me most about this is that most of these youngsters endure such embarassment not because they fully comprehend the principles underlying the JW anti-holiday policies, but because of their unconditional love for their parents, who urge them to their resolute stand against the tiniest compromise.
All this while the very JW leaders their parents all but venerate and follow uncrtically shamelessly walk hand-in-hand with Satan's ``image to the Wild Beast'' in a bid to appear more ``mainstream'' and ``less radical'' before the eyes of increasingly skeptical elements in the government of Western Europe.
I submit that it's these young ones, the ``least among them'' that merit our greatest admiration; their example of guileless courage and unconditional love ought to shame their duplicitous leaders, if that were possible.