Pastor Mike Nodland of the Christian Fellowship Church in Vining, IA.

January supposedly originated with the ancient Romans honoring their god, Janus. The Romans had only 10 months in their calendar year and the winter months were not named. Their calendar began with March, in honor of their god, Mars, the god of war and protector of agriculture. So, the winter months were considered a “wash” since they couldn’t go off to fight, nor could they grow anything.

Then, what’s remarkable about January? It contains National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day…a favorite of my younger sister. For Christmas each year, our family held back on a box of chocolate-covered cherries… my favorite. They were to be saved until a special time in the doldrums of the winter to be opened and “shared,” a concept that troubled my sister.

Unable to contain herself one winter, she ate the entire box of chocolate-covered cherries (a fantasy of all 5 of us kids)! Following an episode of incredible purging, she never repeated the matter, nor was she disciplined! She was given the nickname, “Candy-Counter Carol,” and things haven’t changed in that arena for her in over 60 years.

As with most things, moderation is the best policy. But when it comes to loving your neighbor… throw restraint to the wind. While you’re at it, “Taste and see that the Lord is good, too!” Happy “Chocolating!”