The Weather and Ethnicity-free Christmas

It is hard to believe we are debating the ethnicity of Santa Claus, a fictional character. That is like debating if Snoopy is really a beagle? It is a mute point. Saint Nicolas was a real person, born Greek, in what is modern day Turkey. He is revered in Turkey but that does not make him Turkish or a turkey. Ethnicity can not be attached to the symbolism of good will and charity.

Moving on to the weather. As I have been listening to Christmas songs all month I have noticed they all mention snow even in the traditional carols. In the "First Noel" it refers to the cold that was so deep"... and so in time we have been conditioned that Christmas is not Christmas without cold and snow. After all Santa comes in a sleigh and there is no use of having a sleigh if you do not have snow. It is really unfortunate for all the children born in countries and regions without snow. But I am not into predestination in any setting so I am not buying a predestined white Santa Claus that only comes in the cold and snow. I am an equal opportunity good tidings and good will sort of person.

The angels announced to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, "Peace and good will to all men". It was good news that transcended ethnicity, time, and location. In our conditioning to what makes a perfect Christmas we have to have snow, cold, Santa on a sleigh, the right gift, the perfect food, and a normal family. Well, all I can say is 'good luck with that'. You are destined for some disappointing Christmases.

Christmas is not any of the above it is this simple prayer:

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

God with us, with or without snow. God with us in the cold and in the warmth, God with us red, yellow, black or white. The perfect Christmas because we did not plan it, imagine it, or bring it about. Christmas and good will come to all people of all time who simply know that God is with us.

Enjoy Christmas with your family even if they are crazy as loons just remember you are part of them. Enjoy Christmas in the snow or in the dessert. Enjoy Santa Claus and Christmas songs and whatever are your holiday traditions but Christmas  is only Christmas if God is with us.

A Baby in a Blanket

 "This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

Luke 2:12 The Message

Every one wants to know what to look for at Christmas. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas and that was in October. It is hard to believe there is so much controversy over Christmas, even saying; "Merry Christmas". Retailers have no problem 'selling Christmas' just don't mention it is a religious holiday. This is not a defense of Christmas or the right to say, "Merry Christmas". But from a blanket and a baby we have come a long way.

We now have men in boxer shorts playing Jingle Bells and we are told in another advertisement not to miss the Holiday event of the year "Victoria's Secrets Fashion Show". Listen, Victoria no longer has any secrets.

I am not an old fuddy duddy but, seriously? I can hear John Lennon asking; "So this is Christmas..." 

The shepherds had it easy, no list, no advertisements, they simply were not looking for anything. The first Christmas came upon them unexpectedly. They did not have to spend months planning or thinking about what to do about their crazy Aunt and Uncle at the dinner party. They received the first Christmas party invitation and they were not to bring a thing. They were simply to look for a baby in a blanket. Would a baby be in anything else in their day and time but a blanket?  Too easy but it gets better. They are to find a baby in a blanket in a manger. They are shepherds and are more than familiar with stables and mangers - feeding troughs for live stock. This was not going to be a formal Christmas party, no dressing up, no gifts, just come as you are and expect the unexpected. Men in boxer shorts and Victoria Secrets fashion shows should be the unexpected but given our current climate of amusement it is quite to be expected. 

In the first Christmas God hid himself in a baby in a manger. It could not have been more simple nor more humbling. In our current take on Christmas nothing is hidden, the flesh is exposed and humanity is left naked and empty.

What are you looking for? If you really want to celebrate Christmas, you are looking for a baby in a blanket.