No doubt there will be a "Merry Christmas" message from Governor Asa Hutchinson's administration coming out soon.
There will also be a direct focus from him on Facebook for all of us to remember that long ago scriptural revelation about a baby being born in Bethlehem.
But in reality folks, the Christmas Spirit, that lithe, super-good feeling we all get this time of year...
Well, it may not just be there this year.
We will also hear, perhaps by a Tweet, the President's holiday message. He's got a lot to say these days, but I am not so sure the world is listening -- as much as watching.
It is, without a doubt, a very scary time around the world.
Not much positive news from the President these days, so let's move along.
While our governor has been traversing the state, often using golden shovels to announce plant extensions, speaking from a podium on a packed break room to brag on new jobs, or even standing in a windswept, stark, empty field to bring hopeful economic news, but there is still a great pall over the state with its finances.
Veteran legislators tell me that the upcoming fiscal session -- just after the March 1 primary -- will be one of the hardest for any governor -- let alone one in the end of his first term as governor.
Tax cuts, which many may cite as being a catalyst for the economic bump Arkansas may or may not have actually seen -- will be the problem.
There will also be several brawls in committee over audits, meager agency budgets and cuts in services to taxpayers. These and other austere measures the state will take are likely to derail some, if not all, the bravado that entrenched legislators will hope to carry to the campaign stump over the summer and into the November General Election.
There will be a "bathroom bill," an attempt to legislate morals with birth certificates under the guise of science and more and more bills on guns from the GOP.
But if more cuts to state services are a reality, how will these additional cuts be explained to the taxpayers?
It is almost Christmas, so I feel compelled to deliver some better, if not good news for the holiday.
Arkansans will reach down deep to help their fellow man.
They always do.
Those bell ringers for the Salvation Army will, as always, do a good job. And the community, one at a time, will contribute to those red kettles. The take overall may be down, but the needs of many will still be met this season.
Church after church in our communities will have a holiday give away of food, coats, gifts and encouragement. Literal throngs of people will show up and take away the donated goods.
The local food pantries of Northwest Arkansas will show empty shelves but only after the needy have been given sustenance for the holidays.
And story after story will be told about individuals opening their hearts, pocketbooks, businesses and even their homes for those who need to know that others care.
It's almost Christmas.
There is still time to do something good, something beneficial and something that can help fill that void that too much over-commercialization and this vile yammering on politics has built deep within us.
I am wishing each of you a Merry Christmas and not just to fill the squiggly inked-up letters on this page.
Having a Merry Christmas is, always, up to you.
Reach out to those in need.
Contribute to those causes which help those less fortunate.
Volunteer your time in these short hours left before the sun goes down on a night in which we all believe deep within our heart of hearts something great indeed did occur which changed the world.
And that belief can still change your world today if you will only allow it to do so.
Merry Christmas everyone.
MAYLON RICE IS A FORMER JOURNALIST WHO WORKED FOR SEVERAL NORTHWEST ARKANSAS PUBLICATIONS. HE CAN BE REACHED VIA EMAIL AT [email protected]. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.
Editorial on 12/20/2017