Yes, YOU can be a pundit!

A press release crossed my desk again and this one was not as annoying as the previous bunch. In fact, it made me think about what could be an exciting new career!

The press release announced an upcoming industry-specific governmental affairs conference in Washington D.C. And let's face it, if you're going to have an affair, Washington D.C. is a hot bed of possibilities. But I digress.

Actually, the list of conference speakers was impressive. ABC reporter Bob Woodruff will inspire everyone with his life changing experience in Iraq. And being critically injured by a road side is definatley life changing. Then there's good old NBC weather guru Al Roker whose session "Let Your Smile Be Your Umbrella" will be a one-way ticket to your happy place. A slate of politicians also promises plenty of hot air to warm the chilly break-out rooms at the Washington Convention Center.

What really caught my attention were the two speakers who were simply identified as "pundits". Not award-winning news anchors, Pulitzer caliber authors, corporate honchos, or lawmakers of any kind. They were simply called pundits.

I like that word— pundit— it rolls off the tongue like week-old pudding. I have decided that I would like to be a pundit when I grow up. My first question was: What exactly is a pundit?

I always associated the term pundit with those blow-hard political commentators who actually find bantering with Bill O'Reilly a heart pounding indoor sport. That kind of thrill ride is not high on my to-do list. Plus my pastor once said not to engage in arguments with the Devil.

When I looked up the meaning of pundit, it opened it up more than just political prognosticating. Now I never wanted to be a prognosticator. Too much pressure to be accountable —you could lose your street cred with just one poorly placed prognostication.

The dictionary says a pundit is a learned person, expert, or authority. A person who makes comments or judgments, esp. in an authoritative manner; critic or commentator. I could learn to be a learned person. Why at age 47, I actually learned how to use the postage meter machine thingy at work. Yes, you can teach an old dog...well you get the point. I do have a problem with authority sometimes, but I can overlook that in my quest for pundit-dom. I found that putting my fingers in my ears and saying, "LALALALALALALALALALA!" can sometimes make the authority problem go away. I know I can be very judgemental, in a critical manner so that shouldn't be a problem.

So pundit status is achievable for a lowly ubermom like me. I just need to find a topic of expertise that I can claim as my own. Or better yet, I can make something up ! If Rush Limbaugh can do it, then gosh darn it, so can I!

Ho! Ho! Ho!...who you calling a Ho?

In what could be the season's best ironies, one the oldest and most venerated churches in our fair city has put a modern twist in the sharing of their Nativity Scene. Gone are the days when the Nativity is solemnly presented during Christmas Eve worship. With all the holiday hustle of gift shopping, fruit cake baking, and out of town guest welcoming, who really has the time? Welcome to the Fast Food Nation - Christmas Style.

Being a Jesus loving Christian, I have no qualms about sharing the good news of our Savior's birth. I just think having people queue up to the manger in their sedans and SUVs a bit, well, odd. This church posted huge signs in front of their chapel inviting everyone to enjoy their Drive Thru Nativity Scene. Yes, you can witness a reenactment of the birth of our Savior without ever leaving your vehicle. See Christian-dom's "first family" without even shifting out of first gear. And would you like an order of fries with your Messiah?

I'm no Scrooge, but I admit my cynicism is working up a good head of steam. Maybe it's because stores have been touting holiday gift items at THE BEST PRICES EVER since late August. Can we get back to the real reason we celebrate Christmas? Thank you, Lord Jesus!