It’s not that I don’t like Christmas. Let’s set the record straight. I like Christmas. I think it is a fine holiday, in its purest form, as Jesus was a kind and loving man. He was accepting and all-inclusive. He gave freely to others, cared for the sick, welcomed strangers, and helped those in need. And whether someone believes he is the savior of the world or not, is neither here nor there, as far as I’m concerned. I think it is a good thing to celebrate those people in life who are amazing. So, happy birthday Jesus. The holiday is fine.
There.
But our current Christmas is off-the-charts wonky. It is commercialized. A lot of privileged kids are getting “laser-bots” and “widgy-fizzets” and a pile of other things they don’t need. At the same time, the majority of the poor and needy children are barely getting enough to eat. Our homeless population continues to grow. Jesus, we’ve lost direction.
Nonetheless, it’s hard to think about those societal downfalls when candy canes are hanging from evergreens. Everyone loves to join in the merriment of the holiday. The celebration. Santa Claus, reindeer, outdoor lights, baking cookies, and decorating houses.
I saw someone on Facebook saying they had just finished all their Christmas shopping. A few posts down, he was berating someone from a different political party and talking about using the 2nd amendment to remove those “demon-crats” from the country. Joy. To. The. World. ’Tis the season to give, I suppose.
Oh. But let me step back in time, some 50 odd years ago. I loved the joy of coming downstairs, knowing that Santa Claus had actually been in our living room. I saw his teeth marks in the cookie and everything. For crying out loud, I thought I heard the reindeer on our rooftop the night before. And the excitement of opening those presents rendered a little girl barely containable. I was nearly jumping out of my jammies to see what was inside. It was all so magical.
I think that’s why people do all this. To make this mortal life of ours seem magical, even for just a moment.
But what most of them are missing is the real secret. That magic is ours for the making, any time we wish. It comes from seeing what most people don’t see. It is the feeling we get, that magic, when we do the things that good guy Jesus did. When we give freely to others, welcome those, who don’t look like us, and help those in need. When we offer a smile, lend a hand, say a kind word — not just to those who sit next to us in churches — but the people of a different color, a different sexual orientation, a different class, or diverse heritage. It’s as simple as acceptance and love, even if only in our thoughts.
It is a fine holiday. It is.
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“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
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“There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching down and helping to lift someone up”
― Bernard Meltzer
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“For it is in giving that we receive.”
― St. Francis of Assisi
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It has become a holly day. A jolly day.
