Wednesday, December 25, 2002
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Wednesday, December 25, 2002 |
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Breaking out of the Christmas rut By JOHN HATCHER The final arrival of Christmas Day brings important considerations. Like, the trash. It's very important that you didn't miss putting out the garbage can last week. For this week's will be running over with Christmas trash: wrapping paper, inside Styrofoam cushioning, boxes, and throwaways from food preparation. My father-in-law is always amazed how much trash we can produce when all five of us get together. But, boy, we can generate the garbage. Another consideration is boredom. Christmas Day usually finds folks finding something to do after all the hoopla. The gifts have been opened and assessed as to which ones will be returned. The turkey and ham no longer have the appeal before knives and forks attacked. What do you do? The movies! That's why they are open on Christmas Day; they know you will be bored and developing cabin Christmas fever. Go see a movie. Now, just think about it. Christmas is all about the warmth of family, the devotion of faith, and cherishing of traditions. What do we end up doing? Sitting down and watching a movie. At least, I suppose we can say, "We watched a movie TOGETHER on Christmas Day." Wow! Big deal! Then, there is the matter to decide whom to call. On the telephone. Okay, sure, call Mama and Daddy. But what about sister and brother? What do you say after, "Merry Christmas. How was your Christmas? What did you get?" The truth surfaces that it's hard to act interested when you have not been interested the rest of the year (this is not directed at my four sisters who always have shown their interest and love). As I remember Christmases past, one of the important considerations has been the meaning of life and what really is significant. I think the manifest boredom many feel on Christmas Day may be a mask for deeper questions of purpose and meaning. I mean, another Christmas has come and gone and what's better about my life? Has my life degenerated into making sure all the trash is out of the house every Friday or Thursday or whatever your pickup date is? Has my life become so bored that I depend upon Hollywood to perk me up and stimulate my brain cells? I mean, am I to depend upon Leonardo DiCaprio in Gangs of New York to save my Christmas from a washout? Does Hollywood market its products assured of my boredom? Bet your Christmas pudding on it, mate (that is if you had a Christmas pudding). "So, what are you saying, John?" I say do a little revolting. Stop being subject to the intimidation of Christmases past. Break your rut (a rut is a coffin with the ends knocked out). The first Christmas was about God deciding to do things differently. For hundreds of years, he tried preaching. He gave up on preaching and decided to invade the planet with himself. What a totally revolting development it was. This Christmas Day, think about something other than taking out the trash. Catch the drift? The Rev.
Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of |
