12252021 – Christ Mass
To complain that Christmas has become commercialized IS almost “its OWN seasonal ritual.”
We know that a lot of people expend WAY MORE money than they can afford to spend in the annual gift-buying-EXTRAVAGANZA. Just what we need, more STUFF to provide fodder for the next yard sale.
Remember when everyone paid cash for everything? And the words, “Charge it” did not exist?
But Christmas has always been MORE than just about the gifts under a tree…
What Americans have historically wanted to buy MOST is “a connection” to “an idealized past.”
We remember when Christmas “WAS” what it SHOULD BE about.
Yes, there was Santa Claus. Yes, there were presents under the tree. Yes, there were bright colored screw-in light bulbs and shiny ornaments (mostly made of glass.)
Older folks actually remembered when candles predated the new-fangled-and-often-tangled-electric-lights.
And there was something called tinsel and mistletoe.
That was when tinsel WAS TINSEL and you never wanted to get caught standing under the mistletoe, by your fat aunt Ella.
And how many times could your cheeks be squeezed and pinched?
Oh, and dependent upon WHERE you lived, there was snow. REAL snow. Not man-made, not “the flocking variety” meant to give a snow-like-quality to the trees that came out of a spray-can.
Of course, the CHRISTMAS TREE was THE main focal point in each household…proudly displayed for many to see…often times DIRECTLY CENTERED in the picture window.
And there was music, not like the music of today. Music with lyrics that could be understood and sung, music that touched the spirit and warmed the heart and the soul.
And in most homes, there was a creche. Joseph, Mary, the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger-bed, cows, and sheep, with the customary shepherds lingering nearby.
There were kings and camels…
BUT Christmas was about the family, immediate as well as the extended. And people gathered together.
It was about gatherings of family and friends in homes…and spending precious time together.
Smiles, laughter, hugs, and kisses and good will filled the air. People were jovial, happy and joy-filled…
But underlying it all, behind it, was remembering the birth of Jesus…the Savior. One who came to save us from our sins.
The Prince of Peace.
The Light of Life.
The evergreen of everlasting life.
The wreaths of infinity, that had no beginning and had no end…
Small little children were taught about the SONG of the angels, the GLADNESS of the shepherds, and the WORSHIP of the wisemen.
Because he CAME, because God GAVE, people everywhere were to “close the doors of hatred” and “open up doors of love and welcome” around the world.
Cards were sent and the sentiments inside were meant…
“Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.”
“Let there TRULY BE peace on earth and goodwill to all.”
And like Mary, people actually “pondered all these things in their hearts.” (Not because they were told to, but because they wanted to savor the moments!)
All of this because of a BIRTH, because of his COMING.
So, people gathered to WORSHIP and PRAISE and to SING the old familiar hymns of the season…generations of family members sat proudly together, side-by-side and worshiped the newborn KING.
There was a blessing that was brought on each and every Christmas morning…and a silent prayer to be delivered from ANY AND ALL evil.
And another silent prayer that Christmas morning made us HAPPY to be children of God, and Christmas evening, brought us to OUR KNEES and to OUR BEDS with grateful thoughts and hearts, knowing we had forgiven others and had been forgiven ourselves.
Christmas WAS GOOD. SACRED. HOLY. AND SPECIAL.
And now, that I have you feeling all warm and toasty…or completely repulsed…
How do you wash your hands over the holidays, now-a-days? With SANTA-tizer.
What do you call a bunch of “Chess players” bragging about their games in a hotel lobby? CHESS NUTS BOASTING IN AN OPEN FOYER…
Why is everyone so thirsty at the North Pole? NO WELL… NO WELL…
Merry Christmas, Everybody…may the day hold only blessings in store for each and every one of you…
I pray it is so.
Amen.