Out Our Way: christmas or Christmas? - Isaiah 9:2-7

Out our way, I noticed that, after a long ride, Doc always picked up his gait when we were heading for home. No matter how tired he seemed to be from it all, when we got close to the stable, grain bucket and reunion with his girlfriend, Babe — new energy flowed.

We may see a bit of this in ourselves as the year winds down and Christmas lies just over the ridge. It has been a tough year for us all with the virus, the lockdowns, jobs and businesses being lost everywhere, rising crime and violence in many places, vicious politics and hate speech filling the airwaves, and all the rest. Yes, we are weary and worn down. Even the holidays seem to be dull and empty. That is, unless, we take the time to remember just what we are actually celebrating.

Granted, the “C&E” christians — Christmas and Easter only — secularists, agnostics and such, may only know christmas — small “c” — which is about Santa Claus, decorations, presents, and a lot of colored lights and tinsel. For many, “the reason for the season” is corporate greed. Some cynics suggest christmas is a big scam created by retailers to sell more unnecessary junk and increase store profits. Indeed, “Black Friday” is the big christmas sale after Thanksgiving when corporations hope to sell enough to ensure a profit — being in the black — by year’s end. Thus it is not surprising that some folks who only know about christmas but not Christmas sometimes display a “holiday spirit” that consists of shoving, yelling, and grabbing as greedy folks fight to be first to get their hands on a christmas special.

Add to this that the tinsel and lights, and family traditions are hard for many to bear — especially the lonely who find themselves alone during the holidays. Thus, for many, christmas is not a happy time at all. Depression is especially common this time of year and I have heard that christmas is the darkest season of the year when the suicide rate tends to go up.

On the other hand, Christmas, — note the capital “C” — and I mean the real Christmas, is a totally different matter. The Light we talk about is not on a Christmas tree — and the Gift we celebrate is not wrapped in colorful paper with a ribbon on top. And unlike christmas, the real Christmas season does not end, for the Gift continues to be given. The Love that is expressed is eternal and even if we are alone, we are still embraced by the One who loves us and will never let us go. 

Read the Isaiah passage, and then one — or all — of the Gospel accounts of the Christmas story. No Santa Claus, no red-nosed reindeer, no tinsel or holly, just Christmas. Listen to Handel’s “Messiah” and let the music sink in.

True, Mark, the first gospel written, does not tell the Christmas Story, for it begins with the adult ministry of Jesus. Yet, even so, he acknowledges Christmas’ meaning by referring to Christ as the Son of God. The Gospel of John also skips the details of the birth of Jesus, but focuses on what His birth means: God has come to us in human form and is the Light of the World Isaiah prophesied.  

So, if you could use a little bounce in your step and a lifting of your spirits, try a little Christmas instead of settling for just christmas. Like Doc, sensing the grain bucket and rub down and reuniting with Babe, that gorgeous sorrel paint he so deeply loves, you may indeed discover joy starting to rise within as you discover that your days of walking in darkness are coming to an end and the great Light has already begun to shine in the darkest shadows of your soul.

Be blessed and be a blessing!  

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write “Out Our Way.” He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].