Christmas comes but once a year….

And so this is Christmas…

I remember this song by John Lennon.  It was a sort of dreary song for this time of year.   The Vietnam war was over, (published in 1971).   The melody and words are in stark contrast to the commercialization of this season.  Everywhere there are commercials, advertisements, and other marketing devices which portray a “Norman Rockwell” type of scene.  Maybe you are feeling less than cheery this season.

I have a rather large circle of  friends.  This year, many of them have faced tragedy:  death, disease, disenfranchisement, divorce, and depression have all worked their way into my immediate circle.

There are spouses missing for one reason or another.  Some have died.  Some have decided that they wanted a newer, younger, perk-ier version of the wives they have discarded.  Children are incarcerated, in the military, or have for whatever reason discarded the family values they were raised with.  Still others are reeling under the massive destruction of natural disasters.   Everyone has been hit by the world-wide economic downturn.

I don’t see much of “Norman Rockwell” in these scenarios.  However, if I contemplate long enough, the real meaning of Christmas is evident:  This is the season when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, who brought reconciliation to spouses, and freedom for the enslaved.  He still turns the hearts of the fathers to their children, and still ‘owns the cattle on a thousand hills.’    Second Corinthians 5:19 puts it very well:  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Let us go and do likewise.  Let us all remember the ministry of reconciliation and reach out to others, especially our family and friends.   Let’s bring those who are lost, home; both emotionally and physically.   Let’s reach out to those who are grieving lost spouses for whatever reason.   Find enough spare dollars to bless someone who has less than we do.  We all can make this season merry and bright.

Until next time,

Merry Christmas,

Dr. Polly

  • Carole says:

    Fox reported last night that some show, I think it was The View, was talking about how stressful Christmas is and they thought it was because of the religious element!! I thought: “now I’ve heard it all!!”