I Like Christmas                               

My tastes have changed over the years. I used to gag over English peas, lima beans, and brussel sprouts. I kind of like the peas now, and I’m getting to be ok with the sprouts. Some things never change though, do they? Yellow squash still tastes like vomit to me, and I still like Christmas.

I used to like Christmas for the presents. Growing up with five kids in our family there was always a pile of presents under our tree on Christmas morning. Excitement, in red and silver ribbons! I confess to still liking to see my name on a box or two under the tree, but it’s not the excitement it used to be. A sweater, or shirt, or pocket knife is greatly appreciated now, but that’s not where the excitement comes from anymore. Nowadays, it comes from seeing my children come home and gather at the table. It comes from seeing Lorna get out her recipe books and do her amazing things with flour, sugar, frostings, and rib roasts. This past week while a fire burned in the fireplace each evening and my grand-daughter ran from person to person, I got to watch my son play with his cutie of a wife in such loving ways. I got to watch my beautiful daughter talk with her mother, work on Christmas presents, and photograph everything that was going on. I was forced to ask myself more than once, how did it happen, that this group of people is able to be together like this, emotionally, spiritually, with humor and tears? I confess to being so moved the first time we sat down to eat together that I had to ask Forrest to lead the prayer. I couldn’t speak. God surely is good and powerful and able to have such an effect on our lives. According to Romans 14:5-6, this day surely is a special day in the year for me, and for my family.

But I like this day for other reasons. I get tired of going all year and hearing the impatient, angry, careless, outbursts of the world on every side. The casual profanity, the sexualization of young girls, the empty promises of politicians, the constant appeal of materialism and marketing... doesn’t it all wear on you too? I kind of like a season where folks slow down (except in the grocery stores on Friday night, :-)), smile a little more, and wish each other kind greetings. I’ve been around long enough to know that Jesus wasn’t born on Christmas day and the wise men in the nativity scenes are not representatives of the Bible story which says they visited the babe in a house. Ha, I even know that the Bible neither says there were three magi, nor that the angels sang at Jesus’ birth. Knowing these things, however, doesn’t mean that I have to be angry about them. I’m kinda glad to hear my Savior’s name on the lips of people, talked about on talk radio, sung about on the country music channels, and even used as the subject of surveys and polls on the morning news shows. I certainly don’t agree with every sentiment that is expressed at this season, but it’s rather like prayer in public schools. I didn’t agree with every sentiment expressed by every flavor of teacher that ever led a prayer in public school, but I sure miss those prayers now that they’re gone, don’t you?

I may not agree with every false doctrine and sentimental idea put forth in the name of my Lord connected with this season. But, I like to hear His name and I like that He gets some praise in this time of year that is so sorely lacking the rest of the year. I like the way that He has a calming effect on people at this time of year. And yes, I’m thinking that when Christmas is completely secularized and we all join our President at the health club or on the golf course on Christmas morning, instead of gathering with our families, I’m going to miss it. Referring to the above mentioned scripture I will probably try to make this a special day for me and my family for a long time to come. And I will thank God for the opportunity.

It may not be the usual gospel preacher’s viewpoint, but yeah, I like Christmas. I like that it gives us an excuse to remember that the first great institution God ever created was the home. It gives us a time to think about and participate in “giving” to others, just to see their joy. It brings Jesus to the forefront of people’s minds and lips who are too busy and too distracted the rest of the year. And the cookies aren’t too bad either.

If you're another oddball that knows Christmas is not the the birthday of Jesus, but loves it just the same, leave a comment and say so. And thanks for sharing a cup.