You can see it in the windows, on cars, spiraling up the tree, and on the rooftops. This year's Christmas colors are more red, white and blue than the traditional red and green. Patriotism beats out religion every war. We always try to combine our faith in God and country, and there are more than a few similarities. God is out there, anonymously taking care of everything the faithful believe he is supposed to do. Country is right here, asking for your support, trust and money. Country is here, and God is there.

After spending a week with my parents, I realized how far I've removed myself from the religious scene. My dad had more than a few cracks about The Fundies. While it sounds like a great name for a sit-com, The Fundies are actually folks who believe so much in the Word of God that it skews their thinking into a "I'm right, you're wrong" mentality. I don't know much about The Fundies personally, but apparently there are a lot of them. The most contact I have with a church is the occasional postcard I get from the neighborhood Presbyterian Church, trying to convince me that Christianity is cool. Just what I need--faith in another cool clique. No wonder Jesus hung out in the desert by himself.

After living through a couple months of war this year, I realized how far I've removed myself from mainstream America. I'm as red, white and blue as the next American, but I've never thought to wear the colors on my sleeve. Our conflict has dwindled down to a man hunt, and we have killed or hurt as many of our soldiers running our operations as the enemy has. It's not really a Christmasy thought, but war has always superseded holidays. Ramadan came and went, Hanukkah came and went, Christmas will come and go, and the manhunt will continue. Faith in our leaders, faith in our military, faith in our way of life. I don't get a postcard, but I know what I'm supposed to do. Let the government do what it wants, and don't make a big stink about it. No wonder so many colonists headed west for the new frontier.

But let's not forget that Jesus is the reason for the season. I actually took a moment to ponder the Christmas story, and I think we are putting the emphasis on the wrong individual. Yes, Jesus was born, and three decades later, he died for everyone's sins. Christmas is really Joseph's big moment. He was the one who had to stay with his pregnant girlfriend even though he'd never slept with her. Some people may say Mary's role was more important, but at least she got filled with the Holy Spirit. Joseph got a kid that wasn't his before he was even allowed to touch his wife in a familiar way. How many young men would put up with that today? If you want an example of faith in God, you can't do much better than Old Joe.

But let's not forget those brave men and women fighting for us halfway around the world. It's the season of giving, and these soldiers are willing to give up their lives with no questions asked. Presidents, generals and reporters make their names in times of war, but the emphasis should really be put on the grunts who do all the nasty work that Jesus himself would never approve of. I doubt Mohammed would be too pleased with the Taliban and bin Laden either. Some people may say an officer's role is more important, but at least they get their own mess hall. The grunts are out there combing the mine-filled tunnels in the wintry climate of Afghanistan. There's is not to reason why, there is but to do and die. If you want an example of faith in country, you can't do much better than the American soldier.

The personal irony about writing this column is that I don't have a heck of a lot of faith in either God or Country. I can appreciate the dedication to the unknown, but I've never been able to throw up my hands and say "Ah forget trying to figure out why, I believe, and that's all there is to it." It's not in my wiring, I suppose.

The people who faithfully believe are the ones who keep this country stable. They don't think so much, and they don't question so much. They go to church on Sundays, and they put American flags on their cars. They are all about the status quo, but they are also very steady. Put a thousand faithful people in a room together, and everything will probably get done on the program. Put a thousand Chris Jungles in a room, and you won't get through the second name on roll call without a disturbance or wise crack.

Christmas isn't my favorite holiday, as the military isn't my favorite branch of the government. For people of faith though, this is a very important time, and I can respect that. Since I'm not so faithful, I can at least be tolerant. When it comes to God and country, that's the least all of us can do.

Chris Jungle puts his faith in sports teams that regularly do not deliver.