Christmas Chatter And Other Matters

I’ve been considering sharing a few different studies here, but just haven’t had the time to really dig deep to come up with something that is solid enough to post. I’m sure some of that has to do with the distraction of Christmas approaching which (thankfully) doesn’t include me running to the mall, wrapping gifts, sending cards, etc.

Instead, I’m working on finishing up several projects that will come due next week while planning to take a few days off between Christmas and New Year’s Day. After that the real fun begins: I’ll be working on getting my taxes in order (and praying that God gives me the strength to stay sane).

My wife and I have been trying to watch a few Christmas videos these past few weeks, but haven’t finished one. The other day we were watching A Christmas Carol (1951 version with Alistair Sims), but had to turn it off when our children walked into the room.

They’re still not old enough to watch the movie without having nightmares, something I remember having when I first saw it when I was eight or nine. Most chilling to me was the face that appeared on the door knocker when Scrooge went home on Christmas Eve — I think I could handle the spirits, but not the face!

My wife also likes It’s A Wonderful Life, a movie that I wouldn’t watch for a long time, but finally saw in its entirety a few years ago — I like it. Sure, it is a corny movie but Hollywood doesn’t make actors and actresses like they used to. Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart made for a cute couple too.

I’m also fond of A Charlie Brown Christmas, an animated flick that I think is a must watch for families. Charles M. Schultz made sure that Linus quoted from Luke 2 when the show aired, a first of its kind production when it was released in 1965 (on December 9th, no less). The producers wanted to cut out the scripture reading, but Schultz stood fast — what a God honoring way to spread the Christmas message to millions of households!

I also like The Polar Express even if some of the scenes are dark or a character or two is a brat. The animation is simply awesome and the story line would enhant any child who believes in Santa Claus.

Christmas music is something I enjoy, particularly the hymns including O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, and my favorite — O Holy Night. I also enjoy listening to various traditional tunes and get a chuckle when the cable channel’s non-stop Christmas station plays something funny including Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.  I absolutely hated the song when it came out in 1979, but not anymore — it is a good parody of the way we can look at Christmas, from a secular point of view.

As far as food goes, that could be my downfall especially if I’m not careful. Egg nog is fine, but I usually drink a very small amount right around Christmas as my cholesterol level needs to be kept under control. I can think of a half dozen or more treats that I like, but I dare not discuss what they are or I’ll have visions of chocolate kisses dancing in my head tonight.

The center of the season is, of course, Jesus Christ and we have a family advent calendar which our children love to open each morning. We’ll take in the town’s annual Christmas parade this Saturday and keep up with church services, but we’ll also read some stories on our own. This year I’m thinking of putting our children’s devotional book to the side for a few days and reading straight out of Luke 2 — our kids are familiar with the story, but I’ve generally given them kid-sized snippets — time to put away the milk and break out some meat!

My wife loves to decorate the home and with our children’s help it “looks” like Christmas here just after Thanksgiving all the way to the New Year. One of our boys is allergic to pine, so we got the fake tree up, but I do miss the smell. Poinsettias are out of the question because of our two cats and I seem to be the only one who likes holly scented candles.

However way you choose to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, my prayer for you is that this season would be one of renewal where the Spirit of our Lord would shine brightly in your heart and that you would rejoice with all of the saints and angels to give God the glory.

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