December is the month that more illegal drugs are used and the most alcohol is consumed. Every store that has a liquor department will display attractive advertisements suggesting that alcohol is needed to celebrate the holidays.

Millions of dollars will be spent on outdoor billboards enticing people to purchase their products in order to make their party a success.

Every barroom will have a Christmas party, not to celebrate the birth of Christ but to satisfy people’s lust of the flesh.

As I reflect on my past, I shutter to think how much time I spent away from my family barhopping, looking to have a so-called good time.

I recall going to “happy hour” promoted by the barrooms looking to fill the vacuum in my life.

Today I remember hearing that unhappiness is not knowing what you want, killing yourself to get it.

The following poem was written a few years ago by a convict in a Joliet, Ill., prison:

THE BAR

The name of each saloon’s a Bar,

The fittest of its names by far.

A Bar to Heaven, a door to Hell,

Whoever named it named it well.

A Bar to manliness and wealth,

A door to want and broken health;

A Bar to honor, pride and fame,

A door to grief and sin and shame;

A Bar to hope, a Bar to Prayer,

A door to darkness and despair;

A Bar to honored useful life,

A door to brawling, senseless strife;

A Bar to all that’s true and brave,

A door to every drunkard’s grave;

A Bar to joys that home imparts,

A door to tears and aching hearts;

A Bar to Heaven, a door to Hell,

Whoever named it named it well.

I pray that as we celebrate the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, people will be convicted that a personal relationship with Him is the only way to fill the void in an empty life.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.