Christmas 2010

Is it just me, or does Christmas now come more often than it used to? It seems to me that we just got all the decorations put up from last year when Jan thought it was time to pull them all out and do it all over again! Our tree and all the inside "winter wonderland" decorations went up on November 15, with some being put up two or three days before that. She wants it all done every year before Thanksgiving.

Don't misunderstand me; I am not a "Scrooge." I love Christmas. I just think we sometimes make more of it—in more ways than one—than we should. Many years ago I knew a preacher who annually preached a sermon titled "Xmas Xtremes." I think he was on to something.

I am happy that in a sea of secularism, people's attention can be turned toward Christ at least a few times during the year. I enjoy saying and hearing "Merry Christmas." But students of the Bible know that it nowhere tells us the date of His birth (or how many Wise Men came to visit Him!). I continue to be amazed by the things that some people are "sure" are in the Bible but are not, as well as the things that are in the Bible that some folks can never see!

According to Zondervan's Pictorial Bible Dictionary, Roman Catholics and most Protestants celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25. The Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate it on January 6, and the Armenian Church celebrates it on January 19. The same source goes on to say: "Whether the early Christians thought of or observed Christmas is not clear." For sure, no mention is made of it in the New Testament. What the New Testament does stress is a first day of the week assembly in which the Lord's Supper was eaten in memory of the body and blood of Christ offered for the sins of mankind. (Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 11:23-26; At our house, Christmas is a time of joy and happiness (not that we do not try to express such the year 'round), a time of special togetherness, a time to "spoil" our two grandchildren with special gifts, a time to experience special dishes and treats not usually enjoyed at other times of the year (country ham, Jan's divinity and peanut butter fudge). Carson, our eight year old granddaughter, loves "that white candy grandma makes," and granddad loves the peanut butter fudge! Jan's recipe for divinity was obtained at least thirty-five years ago from Eloise Crews in Mobile, AL. The peanut butter fudge recipe was obtained about fifteen years ago from Martha Morrow in Selma, AL.

As another Christmas season is now upon us, I wish for all a beautiful and bright season. May "Old Santa" treat you generously. (Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! He came early to our house this year as he finally "broke down" and brought us a new big screen flat panel TV set. How I have been enjoying the football games and Christmas programs in HD! And the Bowl Games are yet to come!)

"Friendships are a priceless treasure in every season of the year. But when the happy Yuletide rolls around, they seem to be more dear."

A very merry Christmas to all! (Please note the P. S. below).

P. S. The "brightness" of our Christmas this year has been dulled by the fact that my wife, Jan, took a terrible fall on her treadmill the day before Thanksgiving and was slammed into the wall behind the treadmill, badly injuring her left shoulder (she is left handed). After trips to her doctor, X- rays, and an MRI, it was determined that she has torn tendons and a badly damaged rotator cuff. Surgery is scheduled for January 5, followed by an extensive period of therapy. Your prayers will be appreciated. True to her exceptionally strong will, the divinity and fudge nevertheless were made! She is truly a marvel!