Most of us are blessed by having lots of information about how to keep our physical, mental and spiritual natures strong, fit, and healthy. We all know what we should do to keep ourselves in great shape.

Many, if not most of us, are knowledgeable but also neglectful, forgetful, and just plain lazy. The good Lord gives us good minds and all the information we need to receive, keep and maintain our strength, fitness, and good health. It's not right to have this knowledge and not use it. In fact, it's probably sinful to receive it as a free gift and then ignore it and not put it to good use.

As you contemplate the gift of another year of life, think of the things you have to do, such as your daily walk, your jog, your bike ride, your spiritual reading, and so forth, as a small price that we all have to pay for the joy and gift of living.

We are only here for a short time. So let's pay this small price by using all the information that we have to get the most out of this greatest of all gifts. We only get one - it's called life.

As for my family and me, we wish you a most holy Christmas, and may you and your family have a joyful, prosperous, healthy, and richly blessed new year.