Why I love Christmas – Peace on Earth

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

It seems that the Christmas season leapt into stores directly behind the Halloween clearance this year.  It was not just the retail world that launched things “early”.  Several friends have posted that in early November they already had the tree up and the house decorated. 

I have heard both complaints and joy at the early onset of the season.  I wonder how come this year the bacchanalia is so desired.  It could be that this is one of those years where the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the shortest it can be.  Since Christmas falls on Thursday only four weeks span the time between the two holidays.  Perhaps this pressure goes unnoticed but acted upon by people.

It may be that society at large is anxious for the general lift in kindness that tends to accompany the season.  Even though depression rises so does charity, good will, and generosity.  In a world weary from war and scandal it could be that people wish to simply feel better. 

Then also there is the possibility that the internal hunger for the peace that Christ offers has grown in all of us.  This has been referred to as “the God shaped vacuum in everyone.”  Christ calls to us constantly.  He draws us to knowledge of the Father, his love, and redemption. 

We long for something we cannot always define.  The belonging and promise that is inherent in the Gospel calls a bit louder in the Christmas songs and stories.  People try to suppress it, avoid it, and squeeze it out but it remains.  The Father calls his children to him every year.  The blood that flowed through the baby in the manger will be the blood on the cross some decades hence.

The path to peace on earth is walked through the birth of Christ.  We all yearn for that peace whether we admit it or not.  I love that Christmas each year gives me opportunities for that conversation.

Another Christmas Song – Ian Anderson

Hope everybody's ringing on their own bell, this fine morning.

Hope everyone's connected to that long distance phone.

Old man, he's a mountain.

Old man, he's an island.

Old man, he's a-waking says

"I'm going to call, call all my children home."

Hope everybody's dancing to their own drum this fine morning ---

The beat of distant Africa or a Polish factory town.

Old man, he's calling for his supper.

He's calling for his whisky.

Calling for his sons and daughters, yeah ---

Calling, calling all his children round.

Sharp ears are tuned in to the drones and chanters warming.

Mist blowing round some headland, somewhere in your memory.

Everyone is from somewhere ---

Even if you've never been there.

So take a minute to remember the part of you

that might be the old man calling me.

How many wars you're fighting out there, this Christmas morning?

Maybe it's always time for another Christmas song.

Old man he's asleep now.

He's got appointments to keep now.

Dreaming of his sons and daughters, and proving ---

Proving that the blood is strong.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store." 

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