|
 The
first Christmas. Most of us have sentimental images of
that glorious night. Lets face it, from the time we first started to
realize what Christmas was really about, we have been exposed to
thousands of images of that picturesque scene over 2,000 years
ago—peaceful animals, a sweetly smiling baby, a brilliant star in the
sky, and an angelic choir. To see what I mean, just check out the
Christmas card aisle the next time you go shopping. The religious cards
all portray safe and serene settings right out of a picture book. I have
even seen images where the animals are actually smiling.
But the Gospels tell
another story. A frightened young mother-to-be and her husband must make
a grueling trip to register for a tyrant’s taxation scheme. Under the
judgmental gaze of soldiers and friends, the couple arrives in
Bethlehem. Unable to find a safe or comfortable place to give birth,
Jesus is born in a barn-like shelter, probably a cave, surrounded by the
smell of animals and animal dung. His crib is a food trough and his
diapers are rags. The people who come to celebrate his birth were simple
shepherds, in ancient times considered dishonest, dirty and smelly—not
the image we are used to seeing. But when pictures are touched up, the
truth is sometimes lost.
Now, fast-forward to
our modern Christmas. We all get caught up in the pageantry of the
season with brightly decorated homes, sparkling trees, Christmas carols,
gifts piled high and stockings hung from the chimney with care. The
works! We all love it. I love it. But keep in mind that to many of
the less fortunate among us, Christmas only means a special meal at the
homeless shelter or maybe a new coat from the used clothing bin. Their
picture of the holidays and our picture are not even close.
While the truth is
not always pleasant, it can indeed set you free. So this year, enjoy all
the special trimmings that go with the Christmas season. I certainly
will. But also open your eyes just wide enough to see past the blinking
lights and to the needy among us. Imagine a world where no one has to be
hungry during the holidays. What a Picture Perfect Christmas
that would be! |
