The Meaning of Christmas (One last time)

(Picture: Members of First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, leaving worship, prepared to "plug the world back into normal")

- Let's not put Christmas behind us just yet. Today is The Twelfth Day of Christmas; here's something to think about before we put the last of the decorations away:


BRANDON, FL - Very often, starting around the last few days and counting before Christmas, otherwise downcast people begin to light up from the inside. Something changes - something fundamental - and even confirmed Scrooges are seen to smile, wave, and hold the door for strangers.

• "He's caught the Christmas Spirit," people will say, 
• Or, "Too bad she's not really this nice." 
• And, "Enjoy it while it lasts; in a couple of days he'll be back to normal."

But here's what I think: the goodwill, the pleasantry, and the gentle light shining from deep inside these folks is nothing short of 100 percent natural. What's abnormal is the dysfunction; what's wide of God's mark are the other 360-plus days; what's uncalled for is this broken world's unrelenting pain.

As Christ followers we have this power to turn things around; we have this extraordinary opportunity to plug people back into normal.

We can be the people who have the courage to truly unpack Christmas...
(In My Heart I Carry A Star: stories for Advent, page 144)