I love Christmas, but I never let my kids do the fat guy in the red suit thing. Christ is always the reason for the season at our house.

To be honest, I was having a bit of trouble getting into the spirit of the holiday at the beginning of the month this year. The negative state of our country at the current administration’s hands is always a concern for me and never far from my thoughts.

Just a few months ago, my oldest son who graduated from seminary with a B.A. in theology announced he was not going to the mission field as expected. Instead, he had just signed up for the military and was waiting for his orders. He has a wife and three children. I became keenly aware that the U.S. is at war, and every phone call or text message from him could be the last I hear from my boy.

I really think the Lord helped me in my effort to stay positive. I could not have orchestrated the following events myself if I had done it on purpose. I had received an invitation to attend a motivational seminar in San Antonio on a Wednesday with George W. Bush as the keynote speaker. Do I want tickets? Are you kidding? I love Mr. Bush! I was truly inspired to see some 20,000 Americans cheer and give a standing ovation to one of the finest men in American history.

We beat it back to Lampasas to attend the annual Lampasas County Republican Christmas party the next night. True, many Republicans nationwide have left our party’s platform and core beliefs for liberal compromise, but there are still a few of us hard-core left, and it’s always nice to fellowship and see new faces.

That same day, I heard that the great American, Sarah Palin, would be at Fort Hood the next day autographing her new book. We waited in line five hours to shake hands, and she was worth every second. She is even prettier and more gracious in person than on the stupid box.

Saturday morning was about the historical Lampasas Christmas events going on downtown. We did the tours, drank coffee and ate cookies. Just as I was about to relax, I read an article that former State Rep. Suzanna Hupp -- someone I admire and respect -- was going to be at the library in a few days autographing her new book. OK, another scarfeddown dinner and hurry-up-so-we-can-wait-in-line evening.

As you can imagine, I am feeling pretty patriotic by this time. I have been surrounded by some of the finest conservative Americans in the world in our flurry of activities the past few days.

Feeling much better now, Christmas is a little different for me this time. Sure, shopping, gifts and baking for grandchildren remain, but there is more thankfulness. We still live in the greatest country in the world; she is still worth fighting for, worth praying for. The conservative Christian cannot let her go into the hands of a liberal agenda bent on taking our God-given liberties from us.

Will we really be silent and continue to let evil rule our nation? No politically correct “Ho, Ho, Ho!” and “Happy Holidays” nonsense for me. Merry Christmas and God Bless America! come from my lips. I have nativity scenes in my house, along with an American flag. If the communist administration comes to my door to try and take them from me, please keep in mind that I still believe in my Second Amendment rights.

If you’re serving in the armed forces, and you or your family are out in public in uniform, you will get a “Thank you for your service to our country,” and I am liable to embarrass you with a hug and tears in my eyes.

Merry Christmas, and God Bless America!

Diana McDonald