Isn't Jesus sending them a message?

If there really was a Jesus (don't worry; there isn't), He might send signs to Americans, to guide them in the gun debate.

He might have some guy shoot a school bus driver and take a 5-year-old kid hostage in an underground bunker.

He might make an Iraq war veteran shoot dead the author of "American Sniper" at a gun range.

He even might let five people get shot at gun ranges on "Gun Appreciation Day".

All this has happened, yet Christians don't see a "sign" in this. On the other hand, every tornado screams "gay marriage" at them. These folks wear blinders 24/7. The signs are everywhere, even without a real Jesus to make them. It's time for guns to disappear from the American landscape.

The Ghosts of Christmas Present

We feel the pall that hangs over this holiday. It won't go away and it shouldn't. This is the way Christmas 2012 happened: with the ghosts of children hovering over holiday gatherings, nationwide.

Looking ahead -- and we must -- I hope Americans treat what happened in Connecticut the way the people of Norway responded to Anders Breivak's mass murder of children. Instead of fracturing, they came together in love. It made them stronger rather than weaker, and more determined than ever to bring about a just, peaceful society.

We could do worse this Christmas than emulate the wisdom of these people, who have been through the same and worse. No guns, no violence. That must be our goal. This Christmas, my fondest hope is that we can come together as a nation to make this dream a reality.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.