shib-bo-leth: a custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people, especially a long-standing one regarded as outmoded or no longer important
For the record, there are a multitude of sacred and secular festivals celebrated world-wide from November through January. There are dozens of Christian celebrations during December alone that are not specifically considered "Christmas." These festivities include St. Nicholas Day, St. Lucia's Day, Anastasia of Sirmium, St. Stephen's Day and others.
For several years it has been in vogue to castigate those who choose to welcome one another with "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". The prevailing assumption from the religious center- right seems to be , "If you want to honor the birth of Jesus and the real meaning of the season, you will say 'Merry Christmas'. If you want to be politically correct so as not to offend those who choose not to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas,then say 'Happy Holidays'. You just need to know that saying 'Happy Holidays' is a slap in the face to the baby Jesus, Santa, the Elf on the Shelf and everything else we hold sacred this time of year."
One of the strangest stories in all of scripture is found in Judges chapter 12. The story went something like this: The Ephraimites and the Gileadites were brothers, were kindred tribes of Israel with a common enemy the Ammonites. At least the Ammonites weren't brothers, they were more like first cousins. Be that as it may, they didn't like the Ammonites. As this chapter begins the Ephraimites are very angry that the Gileadites went to war against the Ammonites without their help. They were so mad about it they threatened to destroy the Gileadites. The Gileadites took exception to this and said, "We asked for your help but you didn't help us, but for threatening us we are going to destroy you! And you called us ugly names!" So they attacked them. They then controlled the fords across the Jordan river. The Ephraimites trying to escape back home had to cross at those fords. Now this is when the story gets very bizarre. Because of their dialect, the Ephraimites couldn't pronounce the "sh" syllable, it only came out "s". So as a test of who's who when the escaping Ephraimites tried to disguise themselves as Gileadites to get back home, they were asked to say "shibboleth." When it came out "sibboleth" the Gileadites immediately killed them. The Bible says that the Gileadites killed 42,000 Ephraimites that day. Brothers killing brothers over who got to kill their cousins. It was a great victory.
At Christmastime aren't we all basically doing the same things? We go shopping to buy gifts to exchange. We go to the homes of family and friends to eat good food, drink good drink and to wish each other well. We go into houses of worship to celebrate the meaning of the season in our own unique ways with the people we love the most. We tell again the stories that have been passed down for generations because they mean so much. We read the myths of the season to our children."Twas the night before Christmas..." We tell our children stories that contain no shred of truth simply because it's Christmas.
As we greet each other through this marvelous time, some of us say "Merry Christmas!" For some, including many Christians, who want to cast a larger net that includes the masses who are also celebrating, they say "Happy Holidays!" It's semantics really. We are really all saying the same thing. No one that I know who says "Happy Holidays" is trying to exclude anyone who says "Merry Christmas." They are just aware of the fact that there is much more going on from November to January that Christmas doesn't include. The Christian saying "Happy Holidays" would prefer to include rather than take the chance to exclude. Being politically correct can sometimes be a good thing.
But I will say this. If you are checking out at the mall and the clerk says, "Say 'Merry Shibboleth'". Just to be safe, I would say " Merry Shibboleth."
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
Have a Meaningful Christmas
"And this is what the Lord says, 'A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping; Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted because they are no more." Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:18
The words from Jeremiah are embedded in ancient Jewish history. The writer of the gospel of Matthew quotes it for another reason. When King Herod learned that "the King of Israel" was born in Bethlehem, he ordered the death of all children ages two and under in that city. Thankfully for the Christmas story and the story of redemption, Mary and Joseph had already escaped with their newborn son. But that first Christmas for hundreds was a horrible time. You can only imagine that the annual remembrance was one of deep sadness and sorrow, and not one of celebration.
Christmas is not an easy time for millions of people. The super joy aspect of the music and festivities can have the opposite effect on some. Instead of being a time of fun and feasting, it is a time of heartache and gloom.
Obviously if someone has just lost a child, as those mothers in Bethlehem did, then celebrating Christmas would be rather difficult. But there are many much less dramatic reasons for having a difficult time during the holidays. The list of reasons would be as long as the list of those suffering. My suggestion then for those people is to change "Have a Merry Christmas" to "Have a Meaningful Christmas". If parties don't help, then don't go to them. If the music in the mall makes you nuts then don't go to the mall. If all the stress of cooking and shopping, is getting you down, then do less cooking and shopping. Find the things that make Christmas meaningful for you and spend your time doing those things. Isolate the things that get you down, and try to avoid them. I realize there are certain realities of responsibilities and obligations, but keep them to a minimum and avoid, as much as possible, the situations that drain your energy and your joy.
Many churches now offer a Blue Christmas Service. These services are for these people I'm talking about. The services include candlelight readings and comforting songs and hymns. The service is designed for serenity and solace instead of cheerfulness and joy. Many churches have this service to coincide with the Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year. A Blue Christmas Service may sound depressing to some, but if you're depressed already it's an opportunity to connect with kindred spirits and caring people in an organized way. Antidepressants only help those who need them.
So if "Merry Christmas" is a bit of a stretch, work on having a "Meaningful Christmas." Reduce your expectations both for yourself and the season. And remember that from that very first Christmas you are not alone in your distress. Find the people who can help and let them help. Light a candle. Say a prayer. Sing a song. Just because you can't have a Merry Christmas doesn't mean you can't have Christmas.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Christmas is Born with Love
"Love came down at Christmas
Love all lovely, love divine
Love was born at Christmas
Star and angels gave the sign". Christina Rossetti, 1885
At Christmas there is an explosion of brotherly love. At Christmas people are more kindhearted and generous. At Christmas people are more understanding and forgiving. During Christmas we reach out to perfect strangers to care for them and to help them. Does this phenomenon say something about Christmas or something about us?
The most love I have felt in my life happened at five different occasions, only one of them at Christmas. Well one of them was a Christmas service, but it was in June.
1.In October of 1976 my bride said to me "For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health." I had heard those vows repeated a multitude of times. But I had never heard them repeated to my face. It was difficult for me to continue.
2.In June of 1982 I fulfilled a lifetime ambition of attending Church Music Week at the Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly, Black Mountain, North Carolina. The week's itinerary included a service on Thursday evening called "Incarnation." Although I was a big fan of John Purifoy who was to lead the service, I assumed the service was to sell Christmas cantatas and was very skeptical about the whole thing. I was very wrong. I left that service a changed man. For the first time in my life I felt that I understood the meaning of Incarnation--the Word made flesh. The music of John Purifoy and the service touched me in ways that I had never been touched before. It was June. But it was Christmas.
3.In July of 1981 my son was born. When the nurse handed him to me, I held him and then lowered him into a warm bath. When he looked up at me and blinked his eyes I could hardly contain the love I felt for him. That afternoon when I left the hospital I called everybody I could think of "I have a son!!!"
4.In November of 1991 I got hit by a car as a pedestrian. Although it was a very close call, I was relatively unhurt. Two nights later I was having trouble sleeping so I went downstairs and laid on the couch, To relax I put on some Christmas music, a CD of the Choir and Orchestra of Clare College Cambridge, England conducted by John Rutter. When the music cycled to Quelle est cette odeur agreable? (Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing?) something happened. It is the nature of mystical experiences that there are no words to describe the experience. Was it an "out of the body experience"? Was it a "near-death experience"? The experience was so immediate and so powerful that I got up and set the CD to loop that particular song. This "other-worldly" experience then continued for several hours. The love I felt from my visitations was not of this world. Or was it? My transcendental state ended with the morning light.
5. In February 2008 my granddaughter was born. That way I felt when my son was born? Multiply it exponentially! Is a human being capable of more love than that for a grandchild? My chest was much too small to contain my affection. It still is.
What do all of these experiences have in common? They all are a birth. A birth of a new marriage. The birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. The birth of my son. The birth of a life snatched from death. And the birth of my granddaughter. But is that it? I don't think so. The thing all of these things have in common is that they all happened to me. I'm the one who experienced those things, who felt those things. Those feelings were in me. They always were.
Those feelings are still in me. Just like that service at Ridgecrest, I don't have to wait for December 25th to experience the love of Christmas. I don't have to wait for someone to be born or a near-death experience for my heart to melt with love. All those things I feel and do at Christmas, I can do them anytime. And if and when I do, I feel the same way I feel at Christmas. Is it "Love was born at Christmas" or Christmas is born with love?
The entire time I've been writing this I looped Quelle est cette odeur agreable? As incredible an experience as it was in 1991, I was not trying to achieve an out of the body experience. I am very content to remain in this body. Those feelings were never out of the body; they were completely within my body. But I did want to be reminded of how fragile my life is, of how marvelous relationships are and just how beautiful Christmas music can be. I wanted to remember those births and how I felt during each one of them. I wanted to remember that the love that was born on those days can be born again and again.. And if that happens, Christmas can be born on any day.
Love all lovely, love divine
Love was born at Christmas
Star and angels gave the sign". Christina Rossetti, 1885
At Christmas there is an explosion of brotherly love. At Christmas people are more kindhearted and generous. At Christmas people are more understanding and forgiving. During Christmas we reach out to perfect strangers to care for them and to help them. Does this phenomenon say something about Christmas or something about us?
The most love I have felt in my life happened at five different occasions, only one of them at Christmas. Well one of them was a Christmas service, but it was in June.
1.In October of 1976 my bride said to me "For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health." I had heard those vows repeated a multitude of times. But I had never heard them repeated to my face. It was difficult for me to continue.
2.In June of 1982 I fulfilled a lifetime ambition of attending Church Music Week at the Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly, Black Mountain, North Carolina. The week's itinerary included a service on Thursday evening called "Incarnation." Although I was a big fan of John Purifoy who was to lead the service, I assumed the service was to sell Christmas cantatas and was very skeptical about the whole thing. I was very wrong. I left that service a changed man. For the first time in my life I felt that I understood the meaning of Incarnation--the Word made flesh. The music of John Purifoy and the service touched me in ways that I had never been touched before. It was June. But it was Christmas.
3.In July of 1981 my son was born. When the nurse handed him to me, I held him and then lowered him into a warm bath. When he looked up at me and blinked his eyes I could hardly contain the love I felt for him. That afternoon when I left the hospital I called everybody I could think of "I have a son!!!"
4.In November of 1991 I got hit by a car as a pedestrian. Although it was a very close call, I was relatively unhurt. Two nights later I was having trouble sleeping so I went downstairs and laid on the couch, To relax I put on some Christmas music, a CD of the Choir and Orchestra of Clare College Cambridge, England conducted by John Rutter. When the music cycled to Quelle est cette odeur agreable? (Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing?) something happened. It is the nature of mystical experiences that there are no words to describe the experience. Was it an "out of the body experience"? Was it a "near-death experience"? The experience was so immediate and so powerful that I got up and set the CD to loop that particular song. This "other-worldly" experience then continued for several hours. The love I felt from my visitations was not of this world. Or was it? My transcendental state ended with the morning light.
5. In February 2008 my granddaughter was born. That way I felt when my son was born? Multiply it exponentially! Is a human being capable of more love than that for a grandchild? My chest was much too small to contain my affection. It still is.
What do all of these experiences have in common? They all are a birth. A birth of a new marriage. The birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. The birth of my son. The birth of a life snatched from death. And the birth of my granddaughter. But is that it? I don't think so. The thing all of these things have in common is that they all happened to me. I'm the one who experienced those things, who felt those things. Those feelings were in me. They always were.
Those feelings are still in me. Just like that service at Ridgecrest, I don't have to wait for December 25th to experience the love of Christmas. I don't have to wait for someone to be born or a near-death experience for my heart to melt with love. All those things I feel and do at Christmas, I can do them anytime. And if and when I do, I feel the same way I feel at Christmas. Is it "Love was born at Christmas" or Christmas is born with love?
The entire time I've been writing this I looped Quelle est cette odeur agreable? As incredible an experience as it was in 1991, I was not trying to achieve an out of the body experience. I am very content to remain in this body. Those feelings were never out of the body; they were completely within my body. But I did want to be reminded of how fragile my life is, of how marvelous relationships are and just how beautiful Christmas music can be. I wanted to remember those births and how I felt during each one of them. I wanted to remember that the love that was born on those days can be born again and again.. And if that happens, Christmas can be born on any day.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Christmas Happiness--Thank you Joe!
"Taste and sensory immersion foster happy occasions. Happiness goes beyond satisfaction, and it must be measured through the unfolding of the unexpected, of wonder and memorable occasions."
I always document the origin of my quotes. I do it for two reasons. One is that from a research and literary standpoint it's the right thing to do. The other is so that you can explore that source for yourself if you care to know more about it. In this case I am not going to reveal this source just yet.
At first glance I thought the author had gotten the first sentence backwards. Shouldn't it read "Happy occasions foster taste and sensory immersion" ? Regarding a Christmas party, for example, wouldn't the occasion itself allow the opportunity for the taste and sensory experience? Then I read it again--"Taste and sensory immersion foster happy occasions." Ah hah !" It is those sensory experiences that make the occasion happy. We go to those parties not to just be in good company, but to enjoy the food and beverages that the host and hostess offer. Imbibing is not just an afterthought of the party, something to do while we're together, it is the main course.
But the next sentence particularly interested me, especially for the Christmas season--"Happiness goes beyond satisfaction, and it must be measured through the unfolding of the unexpected, of wonder of memorable occasions." If the story of Christmas is nothing else, it is the story of the "unfolding of the unexpected", and of "wonder." Mary never expected to become pregnant. Joseph never expected to have to deal with being an unwed father. Mary and Joseph didn't expect to need to travel to Bethlehem. They didn't expect to have nowhere to sleep, nowhere to bear her child. The didn't expect to stay in a stable, the home to the innkeeper's animals. How could they have expected their guests-- the shepherds and the wise men? How could they have expected the wise men to bring them delightful and expensive gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh? How in this world or the next could they have expected for their newborn son to be the King of Israel, the Son of God? The entire story is the story of the unexpected. A story of "wonder".
But the story of Christmas doesn't stop there, does it? This story includes the story of our stories. Our own Christmas stories are unique and full of "memorable occasions.". No matter where Christmas finds me each year, I can never forget and should never forget those Christmases at my grandmother's house with my immediate family, my aunts and uncles and cousins. We all slept in the same house ! Well until we overflowed to my great aunt's house across the street. My brother, my sister and I along with all our cousins woke early to see what Santa had brought. And we were never disappointed. But that celebration didn't start there. All of this family had already gathered one month prior to decorate the ten foot tree in the living room. I can hardly begin to describe the "taste and sensory immersion" of that occasion. Boiled custard, coconut cake, butter cake, chocolate cake, pound cake, pecan pie, Christmas cookies, rum balls, coffee, tea, egg nog, and so much more. I've never thought about it till now. That "sensory immersion" was a significant part of those celebrations.As a child I thought it was all a prelude to the presents on Christmas Day, but I understand now that even as a young child this "sensory immersion" was all part of its meaning and significance.
But that was forty years ago. I have experienced forty more Christmases in a myriad of places since then. They all have become of part of the fabric of my celebration. "Memorable occasions" yield "happiness."
Many times when I read a news article, at the end of the article are links to other articles. This one caught my eye --Coffee Culture: Thoughts and Paradigms. A few initial thoughts sparked by the Global Coffee Forum. This forum was a part of International Coffee Day sponsored by the International Coffee Organization. The quote I referenced for this article is about coffee! Now go back and plug coffee into this equation--"Taste and sensory immersion foster happy occasions." So now you don't have to wait for a party, you can experience a little happiness anytime you wish. "Do you take cream and sugar?"
Have you ever wondered where "a cup of Joe" came from? When U.S. Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels banned alcohol from Navy ships, the sailors grudgingly called their beer substitute "a cup of Joe." (Urban Dictionary).
Did you notice there was no beer or wine at our tree decorating? Like I said, it was at my grandmother's house.
I always document the origin of my quotes. I do it for two reasons. One is that from a research and literary standpoint it's the right thing to do. The other is so that you can explore that source for yourself if you care to know more about it. In this case I am not going to reveal this source just yet.
At first glance I thought the author had gotten the first sentence backwards. Shouldn't it read "Happy occasions foster taste and sensory immersion" ? Regarding a Christmas party, for example, wouldn't the occasion itself allow the opportunity for the taste and sensory experience? Then I read it again--"Taste and sensory immersion foster happy occasions." Ah hah !" It is those sensory experiences that make the occasion happy. We go to those parties not to just be in good company, but to enjoy the food and beverages that the host and hostess offer. Imbibing is not just an afterthought of the party, something to do while we're together, it is the main course.
But the next sentence particularly interested me, especially for the Christmas season--"Happiness goes beyond satisfaction, and it must be measured through the unfolding of the unexpected, of wonder of memorable occasions." If the story of Christmas is nothing else, it is the story of the "unfolding of the unexpected", and of "wonder." Mary never expected to become pregnant. Joseph never expected to have to deal with being an unwed father. Mary and Joseph didn't expect to need to travel to Bethlehem. They didn't expect to have nowhere to sleep, nowhere to bear her child. The didn't expect to stay in a stable, the home to the innkeeper's animals. How could they have expected their guests-- the shepherds and the wise men? How could they have expected the wise men to bring them delightful and expensive gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh? How in this world or the next could they have expected for their newborn son to be the King of Israel, the Son of God? The entire story is the story of the unexpected. A story of "wonder".
But the story of Christmas doesn't stop there, does it? This story includes the story of our stories. Our own Christmas stories are unique and full of "memorable occasions.". No matter where Christmas finds me each year, I can never forget and should never forget those Christmases at my grandmother's house with my immediate family, my aunts and uncles and cousins. We all slept in the same house ! Well until we overflowed to my great aunt's house across the street. My brother, my sister and I along with all our cousins woke early to see what Santa had brought. And we were never disappointed. But that celebration didn't start there. All of this family had already gathered one month prior to decorate the ten foot tree in the living room. I can hardly begin to describe the "taste and sensory immersion" of that occasion. Boiled custard, coconut cake, butter cake, chocolate cake, pound cake, pecan pie, Christmas cookies, rum balls, coffee, tea, egg nog, and so much more. I've never thought about it till now. That "sensory immersion" was a significant part of those celebrations.As a child I thought it was all a prelude to the presents on Christmas Day, but I understand now that even as a young child this "sensory immersion" was all part of its meaning and significance.
But that was forty years ago. I have experienced forty more Christmases in a myriad of places since then. They all have become of part of the fabric of my celebration. "Memorable occasions" yield "happiness."
Many times when I read a news article, at the end of the article are links to other articles. This one caught my eye --Coffee Culture: Thoughts and Paradigms. A few initial thoughts sparked by the Global Coffee Forum. This forum was a part of International Coffee Day sponsored by the International Coffee Organization. The quote I referenced for this article is about coffee! Now go back and plug coffee into this equation--"Taste and sensory immersion foster happy occasions." So now you don't have to wait for a party, you can experience a little happiness anytime you wish. "Do you take cream and sugar?"
Have you ever wondered where "a cup of Joe" came from? When U.S. Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels banned alcohol from Navy ships, the sailors grudgingly called their beer substitute "a cup of Joe." (Urban Dictionary).
Did you notice there was no beer or wine at our tree decorating? Like I said, it was at my grandmother's house.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
The Unpardonable Sin
"They err who think that Santa Claus enters through the chimney. He enters through the heart." Charles W. Howard
Over the years much has been said and written about "the unpardonable sin." Since Christians preach and believe that God is a God of mercy and forgiveness, regardless of the offense, this sin must be something unspeakable. For much of my life I bought into the theology of my childhood. This way of believing included that when we die we stand naked before an angry God and are accountable for our lives--"death and the judgment". "Death and the judgment" is an awful thing. So you certainly don't want "the unpardonable sin" on your resume when you face the Almighty to be judged.
What I did was unpardonable. Every Christmas I have to face it. I have to think about it. I have to relive it. I have to regret it. I have to hold it up in front of my face and deal with it. It was a heinous and horrible offense. And the worst part of it is that one day I'll have to face the judgment!
We all do the things we do for the reasons we do them. As a church soloist somewhere I had picked up the idea that I was supposed to tell a short and meaningful story before I sang.
In early December 1973 as I stood to sing a solo at my church in Jasper, Alabama, as was customary, I told a personal story about a Christmas at my grandmother's house in Enterprise, Alabama. Keep in mind that the congregation, just like most church congregations , included young children. Young impressionable children. Young believing children. Young trusting children. Young listening children. It also included parents and grandparents of those children who propagated certain myths and legends to those children at Christmastime.
Forty two years have past since this horrible moment and I've tried over the years, but to no avail, to block it completely from my thoughts. But some things are so terrible you can never forget. During this awful, horrible, thoughtless and yes "unpardonable" moment, I told the congregation including young impressionable children. Young believing children. Young trusting children, Young listening children and their parents and grandparents, I told them for reasons I have long forgotten--.about the Christmas I found out for sure there was no Santa Claus.
How in Heaven's name can I get forgiveness for that !?!
Over the years as I have run into people who were there that fateful morning, they still laugh about it. To this day I don't see the humor in it. I have to face this music year after year. And I am going to be answerable to an angry God! Can you imagine what He's going to say to me on that Great and Terrible Day? " David, you actually told those children, those young impressionable children, that there was no Santa Claus?". "Yes sir (gulp) I did." Long pause (as my life flashes before me) "Then I think a lifetime of torment is long enough, Enter into the gates of Heaven. But there are children here so be careful what you say about Christmas. And I'll put in a good word for you to good Old Saint Nick! He and I are very close. Very close. He's a jolly ole fellow and he'll cut you some slack."
I have long since forgiven my childhood church for teaching me so many untruths about the nature of God and for constantly dangling me over the pit of hell. Thankfully over the years a much kinder, gentler Being has replaced the angry and wrathful god of my childhood. It must not have occurred to our parents that when those evangelists, who came twice a year, spewed their venom, the congregation included young children. Young impressionable children, Young believing children. Young trusting children. Young listening children. Either we should have been playing games in the fellowship hall, or those men should have never been given the pulpit. But people do the things they do for the reasons they do them. In spite of the damage they caused, none of them committed an unpardonable sin.
If we get another chance to do it all again, I'm going to tell that congregation, including those children, about all the marvelous Christmases with my family at my grandmother's house. And I'll leave it at that. But I won't be singing Santa Claus is coming to town. Those children just don't need to hear all that stuff about "better watch out I'm telling you why". Whatever their Christmas includes, it shouldn't include the wrath and judgment of Old Saint Nick. Well heck, maybe they don't even think of it that way.
I think I can leave it alone now. Come to think of it, it is pretty funny. I'm sure it was cleared up that very day at lunch all over town. It was never an unpardonable offense. If there is an "unpardonable sin", I don't think it was that.
"Children I've got very good news for you, Good children. Bad children. All children. This year, like every other year, Santa Claus is coming to town!"
Over the years much has been said and written about "the unpardonable sin." Since Christians preach and believe that God is a God of mercy and forgiveness, regardless of the offense, this sin must be something unspeakable. For much of my life I bought into the theology of my childhood. This way of believing included that when we die we stand naked before an angry God and are accountable for our lives--"death and the judgment". "Death and the judgment" is an awful thing. So you certainly don't want "the unpardonable sin" on your resume when you face the Almighty to be judged.
What I did was unpardonable. Every Christmas I have to face it. I have to think about it. I have to relive it. I have to regret it. I have to hold it up in front of my face and deal with it. It was a heinous and horrible offense. And the worst part of it is that one day I'll have to face the judgment!
We all do the things we do for the reasons we do them. As a church soloist somewhere I had picked up the idea that I was supposed to tell a short and meaningful story before I sang.
In early December 1973 as I stood to sing a solo at my church in Jasper, Alabama, as was customary, I told a personal story about a Christmas at my grandmother's house in Enterprise, Alabama. Keep in mind that the congregation, just like most church congregations , included young children. Young impressionable children. Young believing children. Young trusting children. Young listening children. It also included parents and grandparents of those children who propagated certain myths and legends to those children at Christmastime.
Forty two years have past since this horrible moment and I've tried over the years, but to no avail, to block it completely from my thoughts. But some things are so terrible you can never forget. During this awful, horrible, thoughtless and yes "unpardonable" moment, I told the congregation including young impressionable children. Young believing children. Young trusting children, Young listening children and their parents and grandparents, I told them for reasons I have long forgotten--.about the Christmas I found out for sure there was no Santa Claus.
How in Heaven's name can I get forgiveness for that !?!
Over the years as I have run into people who were there that fateful morning, they still laugh about it. To this day I don't see the humor in it. I have to face this music year after year. And I am going to be answerable to an angry God! Can you imagine what He's going to say to me on that Great and Terrible Day? " David, you actually told those children, those young impressionable children, that there was no Santa Claus?". "Yes sir (gulp) I did." Long pause (as my life flashes before me) "Then I think a lifetime of torment is long enough, Enter into the gates of Heaven. But there are children here so be careful what you say about Christmas. And I'll put in a good word for you to good Old Saint Nick! He and I are very close. Very close. He's a jolly ole fellow and he'll cut you some slack."
I have long since forgiven my childhood church for teaching me so many untruths about the nature of God and for constantly dangling me over the pit of hell. Thankfully over the years a much kinder, gentler Being has replaced the angry and wrathful god of my childhood. It must not have occurred to our parents that when those evangelists, who came twice a year, spewed their venom, the congregation included young children. Young impressionable children, Young believing children. Young trusting children. Young listening children. Either we should have been playing games in the fellowship hall, or those men should have never been given the pulpit. But people do the things they do for the reasons they do them. In spite of the damage they caused, none of them committed an unpardonable sin.
If we get another chance to do it all again, I'm going to tell that congregation, including those children, about all the marvelous Christmases with my family at my grandmother's house. And I'll leave it at that. But I won't be singing Santa Claus is coming to town. Those children just don't need to hear all that stuff about "better watch out I'm telling you why". Whatever their Christmas includes, it shouldn't include the wrath and judgment of Old Saint Nick. Well heck, maybe they don't even think of it that way.
I think I can leave it alone now. Come to think of it, it is pretty funny. I'm sure it was cleared up that very day at lunch all over town. It was never an unpardonable offense. If there is an "unpardonable sin", I don't think it was that.
"Children I've got very good news for you, Good children. Bad children. All children. This year, like every other year, Santa Claus is coming to town!"
Thursday, December 3, 2015
The Ghost of Christmas Past
It is unfortunate that we so often define events and activities as either "sacred" or "secular". Sacred involves God, the Bible, the church, etc. The secular then is everything else. The American Indians, and I imagine aboriginal tribes throughout history, did not make this distinction. To the Indian everything is sacred. Everything is done in "a sacred manner." The Indian saw all of creation as a reflection of the Divine. There is nothing that they experienced with the five senses that was outside of the sphere of the sacred and the spiritual. In their dances the circle they made didn't just represent the center of the universe, but actually became the center of the universe. Although it's more difficult for them, this sacred manner is still true for many Indians today.
There is a celebration during December that most Christians either know nothing about or just choose to ignore . That celebration is the Winter Solstice. It's strange that pagans lay claim to this annual event more so than the adherents of any organized religion. Pagans very often choose not to celebrate Christmas because it is either too religious or too commercialized. In either case Christmas is just not something that they want to celebrate.. On the other hand these "pagans" sense the astounding significance of this solstice and participate in world-wide celebrations. For centuries before Christ the solstice was a time for much feasting and exchanging of gifts. Adornments during the feast over centuries included a Yule log, and holly and ivy. And they sang carols! During the feasting many people expressed forgiveness and shared their food with peasants.
The irony of what's pagan and what's not is that the Winter Solstice is how December 25th came to be in the first place. It's certainly, according to those who know these things, not the day Jesus was born. Many church leaders thought if they set the date of Christmas near the solstice then perhaps many pagans would abandon their ways and celebrate with the Christians. Another irony is that many Christians choose not to celebrate Christmas because they consider it to be pagan in its origin. And they would be right in that assumption.
So to recap, pagans have celebrated the Winter Solstice for centuries. Christians borrowed the dates and many of the celebrations and called it Christmas. Most pagans don't celebrate Christmas. Most Christians don't celebrate the solstice. Many Christians consider Christmas to be pagan and don't celebrate anything at all in December. So you might say that to most pagans Christmas is meaningless and the Winter Solstice is sacred. To most Christians, Christmas is sacred and the solstice is pagan. The solstice has been celebrated for hundreds of years. Christmas didn't become a recognized holiday until the mid-1800s.
This year the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere will be at 11:49 ET on Monday, December 21st. This moment is simultaneously the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Therein is the mystery. The Winter Solstice is the exact moment that the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun. This is the darkest day of the year in our hemisphere. In the next instant the North Pole is tilting back toward the sun. The mystery of that moment, and thus all the fuss about it, is how do you quantify that moment? In the same instant the pole is furthest away and then moving back toward the sun. There is no instrument that can measure that moment. It's like Schrodinger's cat, it's both going and coming at the same time. That measure of time is infinitely small. If you found the smallest time measurement possible, it would be less than that. To extend the mystery even further, the exact opposite is happening in the Southern Hemisphere at the exact same moment.
So am I going to have a feast on the night of the 21st? Since it's between the feasts of Thanksgiving and Christmas, no I won't. Then how do I plan to celebrate? Unless I fall asleep, which is entirely possible, I plan to walk outside with a lighted candle. Then I plan to blow the candle out at precisely 11:49 pm. Or I could light the candle at precisely 11:49 pm. Either way I will be saying, "Something incredible is happening under my feet right now.There is a disturbance in the Force and I'm paying attention." I will be celebrating with millions who share that moment world-wide..
What I'm asking then of myself and of you is that we simply become solstice aware. I'm not asking you to jettison Christmas. Let's just notice and acknowledge the fact that something of a cosmic nature will happen on the night of December 21st that is important to a lot of people. This earth that we call home is hurtling through outer space and will make an imperceptible but significant shift. If not in awe, then we can at least just be aware.
The Mayan Indians had three men climb a 50 foot pole. While one beat a drum, the other two tied a rope around one foot and jumped. It they landed on their feet then the sun god was pleased and the days would get longer. In the first place I have the feeling the days got longer anyway. But in any case I'll stick with lighting a candle with both feet on the ground.
There is a celebration during December that most Christians either know nothing about or just choose to ignore . That celebration is the Winter Solstice. It's strange that pagans lay claim to this annual event more so than the adherents of any organized religion. Pagans very often choose not to celebrate Christmas because it is either too religious or too commercialized. In either case Christmas is just not something that they want to celebrate.. On the other hand these "pagans" sense the astounding significance of this solstice and participate in world-wide celebrations. For centuries before Christ the solstice was a time for much feasting and exchanging of gifts. Adornments during the feast over centuries included a Yule log, and holly and ivy. And they sang carols! During the feasting many people expressed forgiveness and shared their food with peasants.
The irony of what's pagan and what's not is that the Winter Solstice is how December 25th came to be in the first place. It's certainly, according to those who know these things, not the day Jesus was born. Many church leaders thought if they set the date of Christmas near the solstice then perhaps many pagans would abandon their ways and celebrate with the Christians. Another irony is that many Christians choose not to celebrate Christmas because they consider it to be pagan in its origin. And they would be right in that assumption.
So to recap, pagans have celebrated the Winter Solstice for centuries. Christians borrowed the dates and many of the celebrations and called it Christmas. Most pagans don't celebrate Christmas. Most Christians don't celebrate the solstice. Many Christians consider Christmas to be pagan and don't celebrate anything at all in December. So you might say that to most pagans Christmas is meaningless and the Winter Solstice is sacred. To most Christians, Christmas is sacred and the solstice is pagan. The solstice has been celebrated for hundreds of years. Christmas didn't become a recognized holiday until the mid-1800s.
This year the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere will be at 11:49 ET on Monday, December 21st. This moment is simultaneously the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Therein is the mystery. The Winter Solstice is the exact moment that the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun. This is the darkest day of the year in our hemisphere. In the next instant the North Pole is tilting back toward the sun. The mystery of that moment, and thus all the fuss about it, is how do you quantify that moment? In the same instant the pole is furthest away and then moving back toward the sun. There is no instrument that can measure that moment. It's like Schrodinger's cat, it's both going and coming at the same time. That measure of time is infinitely small. If you found the smallest time measurement possible, it would be less than that. To extend the mystery even further, the exact opposite is happening in the Southern Hemisphere at the exact same moment.
So am I going to have a feast on the night of the 21st? Since it's between the feasts of Thanksgiving and Christmas, no I won't. Then how do I plan to celebrate? Unless I fall asleep, which is entirely possible, I plan to walk outside with a lighted candle. Then I plan to blow the candle out at precisely 11:49 pm. Or I could light the candle at precisely 11:49 pm. Either way I will be saying, "Something incredible is happening under my feet right now.There is a disturbance in the Force and I'm paying attention." I will be celebrating with millions who share that moment world-wide..
What I'm asking then of myself and of you is that we simply become solstice aware. I'm not asking you to jettison Christmas. Let's just notice and acknowledge the fact that something of a cosmic nature will happen on the night of December 21st that is important to a lot of people. This earth that we call home is hurtling through outer space and will make an imperceptible but significant shift. If not in awe, then we can at least just be aware.
The Mayan Indians had three men climb a 50 foot pole. While one beat a drum, the other two tied a rope around one foot and jumped. It they landed on their feet then the sun god was pleased and the days would get longer. In the first place I have the feeling the days got longer anyway. But in any case I'll stick with lighting a candle with both feet on the ground.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
When Reindeer Fly
If you have been keeping up, you know that I do not believe that the Bible is literally true. As such many people have said that I don't believe the Bible. That is not true. I do believe the Bible. There is a world of difference in saying "I don't believe the Bible is literally true" and saying "I don't believe the Bible is true." This is not an argument about the Bible, it's about the glory of Christmas.
Bear with me here. I end up saying, "Yes it's true! It's all true!" I just get there in a round-a-bout way.
As a believer in all things Christmas, I don't think anything is more beautiful than the birth narrative in Luke Chapter 2. "And it came to pass in those days" begins a magnificent and other-worldly story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. The miracle of their newborn son in a stable. The visitations of angels and shepherds. The story is marvelous and magical. Is it true? Of course it's true. This story is the engine that powers all of Christmas world-wide. There is no secular and sacred at Christmastime. It's all sacred. Saint Nicholas :::::::> Sinterklaas:::::::::::> Santa Claus. There's no escape!
Years ago I was enjoying a very secular science fiction book. The heroes of the book at the time were orbiting a planet in some distant star system of a far away galaxy. I was there with them in this "galaxy far, far away". I about fell over when one of those characters referring to some cosmic event said to the other, "But all that changed at Bethlehem."
But right out of the gate there are technical problems with the story. Whereas Luke 2 reports that Jesus was born when Quirinius was governor of Syria, Matthew 2 reports that Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the Great. Historians tell us that Herod the Great died in 4BC. That means that Jesus was born four years "before Christ." Historians also tell us that Quirinus ruled Syria during 6AD. So according to the account Jesus was born six years after "the birth of Christ." Besides the discrepancy, either time creates a huge problem with the calendar. And the story.
Matthew is the only gospel writer who mentions the Magi from the East. The Magi as you know found the Christ child by following a star that settled over the manger. A star over the manger? A star, any star in any star system, is a blazing inferno. Our star, which is 93 million miles away, is hot enough to send you to the hospital if you stay out unprotected for several hours in the heat of a summer day. You may say, well thousands of sailors navigated by the north star without getting burned. I'm just saying that the narrative says that the star "stopped over the place where the child was." That's what the Bible says happened.
So is my point to say "This Christmas don't believe any of it" ? God forbid!! My point is exactly the opposite. I'm saying "This Christmas believe all of it!" Suspend your disbelief and bask in the glory of the Lord! Over 30 years ago, just when I was about to throw the truth of the Bible out with the literal bathwater, I discovered the writings of Joseph Campbell. After reading The Power of Myth, The Hero With a Thousand Faces, The Masks of God (four volumes), The Inner Reaches of Outer Space and other of his works, I, for the first time, understood the power of stories in our lives. Including Bible stories. "Myth" doesn't mean that the story is not true. "Myth" means that the story IS true. All of a sudden all the stories of the Bible that I could no longer accept as "literally true" , became true in ways that they had never before been true. The "myth" of the birth of Jesus is one of the most powerful and life-changing stories in the world culture. What would Christmas be without the star, the angels, the shepherd, the wise men, the animals standing in awe around the baby in the manger? "The first Noel, the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay. Noel! Noel! Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel ! They look-ed up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far. And to the earth it gave great light and so it continued both day and night. Noel ! Noel! Noel! Noel! Born is the King of Israel."
These astonishing carols that we sing year after year tell a story that needs to be told. A story that must be told. My scientific mind may shout"Stars don't do that!" but my Joseph Campbell drenched brain screams back, "Oh yes, at Christmas they do. At Christmas anything is possible. At Christmas everything is possible!"
You say "What about 'peace on earth, goodwill to men' , is that possible? Find a baby, any baby, borrow a baby if you need to. Rock the baby in a quiet room in front of a crackling fire. Then hold the baby asleep in your arms. Yes, it's possible.
Albert Einstein spent the last forty years of his life in a futile attempt of finding the principal, the formula, that unifies all of physics. Most call it his "string theory." He spent that time also in the futile attempt at finding a way to world peace. He thought that peace could only be achieved by having a single world government. I say forget a government's path to peace. That will probably never happen. Instead find peace one sleeping baby at a time. Starting with that baby in Bethlehem.
"Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord. Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Born is the King of Israel."
Bear with me here. I end up saying, "Yes it's true! It's all true!" I just get there in a round-a-bout way.
As a believer in all things Christmas, I don't think anything is more beautiful than the birth narrative in Luke Chapter 2. "And it came to pass in those days" begins a magnificent and other-worldly story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. The miracle of their newborn son in a stable. The visitations of angels and shepherds. The story is marvelous and magical. Is it true? Of course it's true. This story is the engine that powers all of Christmas world-wide. There is no secular and sacred at Christmastime. It's all sacred. Saint Nicholas :::::::> Sinterklaas:::::::::::> Santa Claus. There's no escape!
Years ago I was enjoying a very secular science fiction book. The heroes of the book at the time were orbiting a planet in some distant star system of a far away galaxy. I was there with them in this "galaxy far, far away". I about fell over when one of those characters referring to some cosmic event said to the other, "But all that changed at Bethlehem."
But right out of the gate there are technical problems with the story. Whereas Luke 2 reports that Jesus was born when Quirinius was governor of Syria, Matthew 2 reports that Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the Great. Historians tell us that Herod the Great died in 4BC. That means that Jesus was born four years "before Christ." Historians also tell us that Quirinus ruled Syria during 6AD. So according to the account Jesus was born six years after "the birth of Christ." Besides the discrepancy, either time creates a huge problem with the calendar. And the story.
Matthew is the only gospel writer who mentions the Magi from the East. The Magi as you know found the Christ child by following a star that settled over the manger. A star over the manger? A star, any star in any star system, is a blazing inferno. Our star, which is 93 million miles away, is hot enough to send you to the hospital if you stay out unprotected for several hours in the heat of a summer day. You may say, well thousands of sailors navigated by the north star without getting burned. I'm just saying that the narrative says that the star "stopped over the place where the child was." That's what the Bible says happened.
So is my point to say "This Christmas don't believe any of it" ? God forbid!! My point is exactly the opposite. I'm saying "This Christmas believe all of it!" Suspend your disbelief and bask in the glory of the Lord! Over 30 years ago, just when I was about to throw the truth of the Bible out with the literal bathwater, I discovered the writings of Joseph Campbell. After reading The Power of Myth, The Hero With a Thousand Faces, The Masks of God (four volumes), The Inner Reaches of Outer Space and other of his works, I, for the first time, understood the power of stories in our lives. Including Bible stories. "Myth" doesn't mean that the story is not true. "Myth" means that the story IS true. All of a sudden all the stories of the Bible that I could no longer accept as "literally true" , became true in ways that they had never before been true. The "myth" of the birth of Jesus is one of the most powerful and life-changing stories in the world culture. What would Christmas be without the star, the angels, the shepherd, the wise men, the animals standing in awe around the baby in the manger? "The first Noel, the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay. Noel! Noel! Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel ! They look-ed up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far. And to the earth it gave great light and so it continued both day and night. Noel ! Noel! Noel! Noel! Born is the King of Israel."
These astonishing carols that we sing year after year tell a story that needs to be told. A story that must be told. My scientific mind may shout"Stars don't do that!" but my Joseph Campbell drenched brain screams back, "Oh yes, at Christmas they do. At Christmas anything is possible. At Christmas everything is possible!"
You say "What about 'peace on earth, goodwill to men' , is that possible? Find a baby, any baby, borrow a baby if you need to. Rock the baby in a quiet room in front of a crackling fire. Then hold the baby asleep in your arms. Yes, it's possible.
Albert Einstein spent the last forty years of his life in a futile attempt of finding the principal, the formula, that unifies all of physics. Most call it his "string theory." He spent that time also in the futile attempt at finding a way to world peace. He thought that peace could only be achieved by having a single world government. I say forget a government's path to peace. That will probably never happen. Instead find peace one sleeping baby at a time. Starting with that baby in Bethlehem.
"Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord. Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel! Born is the King of Israel."
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