Talking to the Stars

I like to believe that I am a rational person.  I try to be and act intelligently.  Yet within me there is a part that is just like a little child with simple faith and belief.  I feel most whole when I allow that part to have expression.  This poem describes that part of me.

Jesus, Lord at Thy Birth

The celebration of Christmas in our community was almost universal when I was a child.  Even school would have bulletin boards with the Nativity Scene.  The overwhelming majority celebrated Christmas.

  Over the years America has become very diverse.  We have so many different religions represented today that any particular group's celebrations cannot be recognized as universal to a community.  However, Christmas still is a national celebration.  School will be out.  Businesses may close.  Government offices will be closed.  The decorations and lights of Christmas are everywhere around us.  But that is the secular part of Christmas.  We all can enjoy that part and I am glad that we do.  It brightens the dark days of December. 

Nevertheless I feel a sadness as I look around or  listen to the music.  The community at large focuses on the secular part because it is the part we can all share and enjoy.  The real meaning of Christmas - the acknowledgement that this is the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World - that is no longer the public celebration.  I am not angry about it.  It can no longer be that way in our diverse communities.  Yet I know too many "Christians" for whom the holiday is also secular and that is what makes me sad.

Christmas Gift to God

Everyone who celebrates the real Christmas in our culture usually has added Santa to the celebration.  For good or for bad he has become a part of the season.  And there is good and bad in that addition.  The bad part for me is that Santa makes Christmas "all about me" as the child worries about what Santa will bring him.  Perhaps I blame Santa too much.  Perhaps the addition of gift giving even without Santa would do that.  The average child is not ready to focus on giving. He is too self-centered.  So Christmas begins with "me" in the way we celebrate.  Talk all you want about the real meaning of Christmas - the child will go to sleep Christmas eve excited because Santa is coming.

Yet fairy tales end and children grow up.  The focus gradually changes.  One of the joys of being a parent is that you become Santa and you are totally focused on delighting your children. 

Yet there is still another whole level of Christmas celebration that occurs to those who focus their celebration on the Savior himself.  It happens over time as year after year you celebration this "holy day".  The story become etched on your heart. "And in came to pass in those days. . ." becomes more important than "Twas the night before Christmas. . ."

Then life itself brings a unique set of challenges to each of us that cause us to reach out to this Christ Child.  Those personal experiences change our hearts and the holiday comes and we find ourselves celebrating the birth of the One who has given us so much!  Our hearts are filled with loved for Him.  What a celebration Christmas then becomes.

Light Came Into the World

I don't know about you but I am bothered by the darkness of the winter months.  So the holiday lights of December really make a difference to me.  I look forward to Christmas and how the nights are SO beautiful.

I've had dark seasons of my life also.  It was the Savior who brought light to me in those times.  And so it is very appropriate that the holiday lights remind us of His coming into the world.