Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays to all! Déjà
vu all over again. I wrote the
following message in 2012. I just
re-read it and can’t believe how it is all the same this year.
"So this is
Christmas and what have you done" are some of the immortal words in
John Lennon's song, Happy Christmas (War is Over). It's one of my favorites.
One could likely write an extensive commentary on those
words as they relate to our community, society and world. And that's just the opening line.
The other day, I was partially watching/listening to the
t.v. while getting breakfast and preparing to go to the office. The t.v. show, of course, was all about
preparing us for the Christmas "shopping" season. Alerting viewers to the new have to have
products, the best deals, and what's hot.
It's all lights, decorations, Santa Claus and parties. Between segments the commercials were doing
their best to entice with steals and deals. Emphasis was put on the idea that
Christmas is all about giving...gifts, merchandise, toys, electronics...yes...stuff!
It gave me pause and I thought..."and so this is
Christmas and another New Year", here we go again.
I'll be the first to admit I love the commercial side of
Christmas. I'm a big kid. I like everything about it, the lights,
trees, decorations, food, parties, and presents. I like receiving presents and giving
presents. I like Santa Claus, his elves,
Rudolph, and all the other reindeer. I
like driving around looking at Christmas lights on homes and businesses. I like hot chocolate, hot cider, cold weather
and snow! There's not much snow in
Texas, especially in our area. In fact,
it looks like it will be another hot Christmas.
Its 80 degrees as I write this, but growing up in New Jersey I had
plenty of cold and snow. In fact, some
of my fondest memories are walking to the church in the snow to attend midnight
mass. There is a strangely magical and
special feeling that you get as you walk in the quiet of the late night
enjoying the crispness of the air, and looking at all the homes lit up with
their Christmas decorations. Back then,
it seemed as if almost everyone had a nativity scene in their front yard. The feeling you got was one of true peace and
tranquility.
While I enjoy all the fun and commercial parts of Christmas,
recognizing it being the perfect time to acknowledge, appreciate, and express
in the form of material gifts, it is secondary to the heart, soul and message
of Christmas.
As many of you know, I'm blessed to have an extremely
diverse group of patients. I love to hear
about everyone's beliefs, rituals, heritage, ancestry, religion and customs.
During a conversation about Christmas and presents, one
young patient said they exchange gifts and her cousins put up a tree and
decorate. I said, "but you're
Muslim and don't celebrate Christmas".
She replied that the holidays are fun and they like the presents. So, of course, being the sarcastic person I
am, but in a nice way, I said, "If it's all about presents then why not
celebrate Hanukkah that way you can get eight days of presents!" Well, we
had fun talking about it. But it caused
me to realize there are many people that celebrate the commercial Christmas and
the holiday season because for them it's all about Santa Claus and gifts.
The Santa Claus we know and love today is a modernized,
commercialized adaptation of the original Saint Nicholas-a real person and a
Bishop in the early church. He believed
in and practiced Christ's teachings that we help those in need. Today, Christmas is more about those in
want!
Christians have to navigate the mine field of Christmas,
reminding others and ourselves of the history of Christmas, the truth of
Christmas, and the reason we celebrate.
Christ, Jesus was born!
I am saddened that we need to commonly justify or clarify
the intent of Christmas by saying such things as "the real reason for the
season" or the "true meaning of Christmas" or "put Christ
back in Christmas". I guess we are
compelled to do this because society as a whole has diverged so far from the
truth.
Merry, are those who sell consumables in a country that
zealously worships consumerism as their form of religion. The message of Christian religion-the message
of Christmas is virtually being overshadowed, diluted and paved over by the
message of consumerism-buy, buy, buy!
The message of Christmas is of a love so powerful that God presented
humanity with the greatest gift ever given.
It is a continuous everlasting gift that in my mind comes in three
parts. The first is the miraculous birth of a baby, the Son of God, made human,
named Jesus. The second part of the gift
unfolds and is revealed as this baby becomes a man who lives amongst us and teaches
us daily through his words and actions about the kingdom of God. Last is the ultimate gift, some 35 years
later when the gift is fully manifested in the ultimate sacrifice-the
crucifixion of our Lord, Jesus.
Of course, I realize that not all people share the belief
that Jesus is the Son of God. For some He
is simply a historical figure and others don't believe there is even a
God. There are many religions and belief
systems. Everyone's entitled to their beliefs. I can honor and respect them. But if one is to celebrate Christmas, they
should be at least aware, appreciative of, and respectful of the truth of
Christmas. It is the joyous celebration of
the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ into our lives. He came to love, cherish, teach…and eventually
die for us. Now that is a spectacular
gift!
God's gift connects us so intimately with Him in a very
obvious human way. It serves as a supreme
example-a sort of gift of all gifts.
What larger expression of love can be demonstrated than the gift of a
life...a Son?
We should be encouraged and even inspired by God's example
to find ways of giving part of ourselves to others who can benefit by what we
have to offer. Our love is free and our
time, expertise and talents can be given as gifts.
Understandably, the joy of Christmas that many experience
can also be an extreme burden and time of sorrow for others who are suffering
from their own problems or from the loss of family. There are people in great
need, physically...emotionally. Perhaps there
is some gift that you can give to one of them.
Something you've created or built with your hands-something that has a piece
of your heart and soul.
Perhaps it's the gift of visiting the elderly, and sitting
quietly as you listen to their stories.
Find someone to connect with this season, in a human way. You'll not only be blessing someone else's life,
but giving an everlasting gift to yourself.
"So this is
Christmas and what have you done.
Another year over and
a new one just begun...
And so this is
Christmas, I hope you had fun.
A very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.
Let's hope it's a good
one without any fear."
I wish blessings upon each and every one of you, your
friends and family during this Christmas season and each and every day. May peace and freedom be yours with health
and prosperity following you all the days of your life.
“To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary. To one
without faith, no explanation is possible.” Thomas Aquinas (c. 1224-1274)
Philosopher and theologian
Merry Christmas to all who believe and happy holidays to all
who believe differently.
Blessings for a beautiful Christmas and New Year,
Dr. Rick Barrett
P.S. To find people
in need simply inquire with your church,
synagogue, The Salvation Army, The American Red Cross, nursing facilities,
local service organizations such as The Rotary Foundation, Kiwanis International,
Lion's Club or your neighbors.
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