Holidays

Bingle Jells

by Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
12/22/13
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Shrieks, sobs, giggles animate this snail’s pace colorful line of cranky, excited, overtired children. Fussy mothers are photo-prepping kids, spit-dampened tissues at the ready for  tiny dirty faces. Kids get to uncomfortably squirm on faux Santa’s lap, beg him to fill their commercial spurred demands, attempt to pull his beard off, and piddle on him when thoroughly enamored - or frightened.

How cynical I have become. I recall my unhappy times in line, the desire to run from the blaring speakers and glaring lights. Momma didn’t know I was afraid. We were frequently admonished not to talk to strangers, but there were different white-bearded Santas in every store and almost every street corner.  Some leaned against walls, drinking from paper bags. Confused, I preferred my over sucked, dirty nail wrinkled thumb to Santa’s goodies.

Every December 25th, lip service is offered to a wee harmless baby born in a stable manger. His humble beginnings are joyously celebrated, commemorating this cold day in December as His Birth date. We go to church services, children's Christmas pageants, strengthen the economy by purchasing outrageously beyond our fragile budgets.

All this Holiday pageantry, artificial gaiety, Christmas decorations; what reflection do they cast upon the tiny Christ child? How would He react to all the profiteering, revelry and greed promoted in His Holy Name?

We, as devout Christians can and often do eliminate the Santa Claus fiction from our celebrations. Good thing, too - as Santa, being given credentials of omnipotent and omnipresent pales greatly in comparison to Almighty God.

Poor economy. Homelessness. Long sad lines at community soup kitchens. Why - the very idea puts such a rotten damper on Christmas. I know - let's donate trees to the homeless. Even decorate them to cheer these poor folk. Don't be surprised if they start bonfires with them to keep warm.

When did Holy Days become holidays? The belittling of the term alone should stand as a stark warning to His people. Why not just refer to December - as the merchants would have it - as "Holly Days"?

Halloween is barely over before Christmas merchandise is trotted out. Haven't the merchants noticed the eyeball rolling and sighs of disgust from even their most faithful shoppers?

Where does Thanksgiving fit into the equation? It somehow slips in as "Turkey Day". Funny - the Pilgrim pageantry surrounding Thanksgiving - and yet not one mention of how the Pilgrims considered Christmas an abomination to be avoided by true believers in the Christ.

Celebrating His birth - rejoicing in the knowledge that God loves us so much He sent His only begotten Son that we might have life through Him.

How do we thank Him? Do we blush at our unworthiness, confess our sins, turn from our wicked ways?

Or do we simply uphold that tiny little infant, marveling at the beauty of his ten little toes and ten little fingers, not realizing those same hands and feet will be cruelly, unjustly nailed to an unforgiving cross - because we prefer our own way to God's way?

For His birthday, let’s begin to really know God, know the Christ, repent of our sins and truly become disciplined ones of Jesus, the Christ. There’s no better way to glorify Him.

Watching my first Christmas video this year, direly expecting the mundane, I was thrilled by this incredible paean of praise to God: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OE ... &vq=medium

I would consider Christmas a Holy Day only if the day was totally spent in study of exactly why Jesus had to die for us all. Otherwise, Christmas would make as much sense as sticking our tongues to a metal pole during a winter frost.  Hurt? Yes, but doesn’t even begin to describe His pain and suffering for us unworthy narcissistic sinners.

Yes, I understand the angels gave glory and informed the shepherds in the fields of Jesus' birth - but they told the shepherds WHY He came, not just that He came.

Someday we’ll stand in line to see our glorious Savior Jesus on His Throne at His Judgment Seat, sitting with His and our Holy Father. Confusion ends, all questions answered, all desires met, because, with our new hearts gifted by God – He will be the fulfillment of our desires.

Every knee is bowing to Jesus. But where is God in all this?

Wait. There He is. Jesus is bowing to Him . . .

KJV 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

The music has ended, but still flows through my heart. Come share my joy, warm your heart: http://faithwritersjesuspage.weebly.com/ .........................................................................................................................

Happy Holy Days!

Beware the "holly daze" . . .
Judith Gayle Smith

member #3067

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http://www.faithwriters.com/article-det ... ?id=165509

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Last edited by judi on Tue Dec 24, 2013 3:15 pm, edited 4 times in total.