Isn't There Anyone Who Can Tell Me What Christmas is All About? (Charlie Brown)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVp5AGte_4Q


I grew up watching A Charlie Brown Christmas and the original Grinch animated specials, all bundled up in my flannels and learning about the true meaning of Christmas. The message was clear: amid all the bows, bags, and busy-ness, there is a fundamental "reason for the season" that should be the focus. Christians everywhere will quickly parrot, "Jesus is the reason for the season," and for the most part, it's not a wrong answer. But then, we have to think about "why Jesus?"-- yes, we celebrate his birth in December (but scholars have already questioned our calendars, and logic should prevail). So there must be a deeper reason.

Why Jesus? The world was a turbulent place, and, as the salvation story goes, humanity needed a corrective. A "new Adam" was needed-- the Holy Reset Button, if you will. Looking around us now, it would not be too strange to start wondering if we are in dire need of a reset again. Not that I'm looking for End Times, but I wonder if it would be too much to ask that people pause for a breather and really consider my question: Why Jesus? What was (and is) going on that begs to be addressed? The social problems and stresses in our own communities, let alone the nation and the world, are overwhelming. Let's start locally: what can we do? Fill the food cupboards and donate time and treasure and talent to those who are in need. Lend a hand. Buy local. In short, all the things that, as a child of the late 60s-70s, I thought was the way to live. I still think so. Maybe I'm just a bleeding heart liberal, but I think people should be able to eat, live with dignity and security, and should have a path to hope. 

Take a minute and really look around this weekend: what can we do? Practical solutions are a short-term fix, but they are a start. We can embrace the shiny and fun and festive a whole lot better when we know that we have honored the "reason for the season" by lifting others up.

Take care, and stay warm,

C

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by!

Popular posts from this blog

Keep good thoughts, please...

Image
If you've been following along the blog this summer, then you probably already know that today, G has surgery on his foot to (we pray) correct the ongoing injury so that it will finally heal. If you are a praying person, please keep him in yours. It has been a very long summer of "hurry up and wait" and he's anxious and growly, and he wants to get back to doing. To get back to work. To stop sitting and thinking about all of it.  I'll be online in my writing conference (isn't it always the way, things have to collide like this?), but since it's day surgery, I should have an update early on. Thank God for Meg, as she is running point on the medical side of things.  I hope I have good news to share tomorrow.  C
Read more

More prayers-- there's so much to pray for--

Image
Hey folks, things are unsettled --even more than they have been-- and your prayers, good thoughts, and positive vibes are needed and welcome. Geoff continues to heal (we hope), but that road is rocky and uncertain. He's pretty much out of commission for the foreseeable future, even though he *thinks* he can do more than he is supposed to. Crutches are a pain, but are critically necessary. Thus, he has next to no practical mobility. Tim is back in hospital in Boston, and they will be trying to ascertain the source of the fever he's running and has been for a couple of days now. I have zero idea what is up, but we pray it's not another huge hurdle. Meg is doing her best, but it ain't easy. She's headed to Boston in a few hours, and we hope she'll be able to come home in a few days. She is once again not able to get to go to work, so help is always appreciated. G and I have Holly, a friend of Meg's has the new puppy, and we're just gonna do our best.  The r
Read more

A change in plans, and I'm glad to live here...

Image
Well, today started out a little different than what I'd originally thought it would-- but all to the better, in a lot of ways. It's a good thing for everyone that Meg et al live next door; her furnace was on the fritz again, and we got up to her letting herself in to bring Holly where it was warm while she waiting for the furnace guru to show up and figure it out.  Long story short, the furnace is fixed, and we got a chance to have an impromptu Sunday breakfast together: Finnish Pancake (a type of dutch baby custard), maple sausage, and fresh raspberries. And hot coffee. Lots. G had to go to work, so it was just us three, and it has been delightful. Yes, I didn't go to in-person church, but the last time I checked, God is everywhere, and He would likely rather I was home to help in this mini-situation. And we have livestream Mass, so that works.  What's interesting, too, is how, in Littleton, it seems that our young adults are bucking a national trend of some decades&#
Read more