Yes, there are the spiritual reasons. I accept that Jesus was born of a virgin, born to die on a cross for our sins, born King of the Jews. Messiah. Yes, pagan traditions are covered over by declaring His birth on December 25, but we are not sure what day He was born, so celebrating in December seems fine to me.
This is MY holiday and I make no apologies for it. I don't interfere with anyone else's celebrations throughout the year, so you don;t get to tell me not to have mine. Take everything away from me, and I can still quote the Bible and the story of His birth, still raise my hands in praise. I intend that Jackson hear it all many times over the years. Yup I intend to raise my grandson to know about Christ. You can think that is non inclusive all you want, my message to you is...Jesus waits for you to find Him, Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you are in this exclusive club, No dues required, He paid the bill. Secure enough that my Christmas table is open to all. I have no problem with non Christians celebrating with us, if I know you are joining us in advance, I'll try to have presents for you. Joy shared is multiplied. But the layers of meaning have also become important. It is a day to remember..all of it. The church choir singing... the poinsettias covering the front of the church. Later, singing in that same choir. Carol and I have shared many a Christmas Eve, always it seems, in a different church, I am not sure why, But we hit a few that seemed so...un Christmas like, One year, Carol got so mad at the minister who wanted each church member to come up and privately confess their sins, one at a time, and didn't sing one hymn, she was so mad I thought she would bust, and I laughed and laughed, being a little on the strange side,, the year we sat and commented on every move the poor young minister made, with his Ipad? no physical Bible? but they sang hymns, so we were content. We are dreadful old ladies. Always waking up to something from Santa, Not sure how my mom managed, My dad died just before Christmas when I was 3. One or more of us were often sick at Christmas, the loss was never forgotten by any of us. Yet we had a lovely dinner. mom let us choose, we often chose steak! trying so hard with my few dollars to find a gift for my mommy. Yes, she put up with a lot, my mom. And when I figured out the Santa routine, mom was cool with it. Just let your brother believe for a while longer, if he chooses. OK. No stress or proclamations of evil or lies, There really were Christians who did deeds worthy of remembering, and they became part of the whole concept of the spirit of Christmas, St Nick is the one most people know, saved a girl from slavery when her family sold her, gave gifts to children. Not a jolly man in a red suit, but certainly full of love. So playing Santa's elf at the retirement home when I was 14, in my green velvet dress (I was so proud of that dress), and my hat, was just delightful fun. Mom arranged that too. The year Bruce played Santa for the families given a dinner,, many coming from places such as SAFE. Geena was his elf, and she gave her elf hat to a child who wanted it. A bit younger, we went with mom and Mrs Abbott, Diane's mom, to hit the woods for a Christmas tree, Mom (and Mrs Abbott) always bought a tree but the amazing thing is my mom went along with the raid. We cut a number of small trees and tied them together to give a family down the street a tree. Somehow those 2 women, without husbands, got some gifts for the kids also. When Megan was born, I bought a lovely Christmas onesie suit and she was awake the whole time we opened gifts, one week old in her little seat, watching everything. When I first met Dixie, the English cocker, at Denise's house, she was climbing the Christmas tree to get the bird at the top. I was in love! She became mine, along with her son General, our first cocker Amanda, and her dad Corey,and a tradition of doggie Christmas was born, You see, the only way to keep Dixie out of the tree was to give her a candy cane, every day, she would break it up right through the wrapper and then open it and eat it These days, we do the running of the tennis balls, toss a bunch of them down and watch the dogs go nuts. Brock usually ends up with a pile, but the premier dragon was Willow, who could steal. all of them and hide them. If, for one day, we can all love our families, remember our Lord and Savior, and delight each other with something that shows we thought of them.. does not have to be expensive, and kids do get bored quickly.. so don;t over load them... if we can share the Good News with others, and remember all the love of years past, it is not such a bad thing. May you have joy and remembrance this Christmas day, If you will be alone, please, My house is open, our food is good, and I promise not to preach! |
Faith and ReasonA grandma's perspective on a few things.. Archives
May 2020
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