Ideas are dangerous.
Our lives are the paths we walk as we try to decide which ideas are worth following.
Christmas isn’t just a holiday. It’s an idea.
Which is why it has shaped our minds over the years. It’s why writers, poets, and artists have focused so much time and attention to capture: the idea of Christmas.
I like to say Merry Xmas. Mainly…..because I like to see people get triggered.
“Don’t take the Christ out of Christmas!” They say.
X is the greek letter chi. The first letter in the name Christos. And it’s been used to represent Christ for a long time.
It’s interesting how Christmas has changed over the years.
In the Middle Ages, it was like Mardi Gras. A big party. Considered pagan by the Puritans, there was a time that it was outlawed in England (and Boston). But you can’t keep a good holiday down and soon it was back. It became a national holiday for us on June 26, 1870. Trees, stocking, caroling, manger scenes, lights. And now ugly sweaters, cheap gifts, and watered down egg nog.
Christmas isn’t actually pagan, I just used that title above to grab your attention. It’s not the re-invention of the winter solstice by the Apostles. That’s absurd. But there is a beautiful similarity to this ancient midwinter festival…
To celebrate the end of hard times and the return of the sun.
For many people, Christmas is about time with family. But the truth is, for some, there is no family to gather with. There are no good memories to cherish. It is only another day on the calendar.
Normally when I write, I have an audience in mind. Someone I’m thinking about. Maybe it’s a patient that’s struggling with addiction, or a stranger fighting depression, or an old friend dealing with his doubts and failures. But this time, I’m just writing.
There are a lot of people that don’t believe. They don’t believe in God, they don’t believe in Christmas, they don’t believe in themselves. But even in this dark night, there’s a small light burning. Maybe it’s a wish. Maybe it’s a dream. Maybe it’s something deeper.
I don’t know where I’m going with this. Except that I had something I wanted to say about Christmas.
And this is what I wanted to say:
Humans have a tendency to muck things up.
We have history of creating hell on earth. For ourselves and for others.
Christmas is our celebration of the opposite. Heaven coming to earth.
No matter where you are this Christmas. I want you to know this message.
In the strangest of places.
A promise.
Hope.
A way to redemption.
A baby…..sleeping in a manger.
p.s.
I’ve written about Christmas before: Here and Here
p.p.s.
Merry Christmas and God bless you everyone!
Doc Park,
I always look forward to reading your blog. This Christmas is particular hard for me. My house sold and I’m having to move by next weekend. My 2nd grandchild is not due until the end of January, but, may come any day. I was going to have the little bit of family that I have left over this afternoon, but due to my very defiant 15 year old that went to live with her father, I have decided to do Christmas with all of them separately, because she will only take the joy from my time with the other kids. There’s a lot more to this story than I’m not going to get into, but, You are so right when you said humans have the tendency to muck up things. Well, that about sums up my Christmas this year. But, I do wish you and your family a most wonderful Christmas!
Sorry to hear about this difficult time you’re going through. Thanks for sharing your experience. You never know who else is going through a rough patch in their life. I hope your story can help someone else and maybe in turn, their story can help you. Merry Christmas. And here’s to 2018 being your year 😉
Thank you for writing about Christmas and people. Christmas is a time of happiness for some, sad times for some as they only remember what has been lost, remember what was, but at the end of the day, it is not about us at all but about a miracle that God sent to all of us if we only believe. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, they do inspire, Mary Christmas to you and your precious family!
well said! thanks for reading