And it came to pass in those days...Luke 2:1 KJV
A widespread haze from three bonfires creates a mirage for the guests gathered for the annual outdoor Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Vogel State Park. In the distance, one can see three young boys toss a football, but the haze clouds both vision and judgment. The fuzzy image of the active lads gives birth to the illusion of children everywhere playing - now, or in the past, or in the future.
Christmas, ever timeless, blends memories of past celebrations with present day realities and future hopes. Can we look at a decorated tree today and not see ourselves as children snooping around presents placed under the trees of yesteryear? Do not church services prompt memories of our own children in Christmas pageants or concerts? Cannot even a single ornament inspire dreams of the future?
We have attended this specific celebration in the North Georgia mountains for seven consecutive years. Each time, the music is the same; the reading of the Christmas story in Luke 2 is constant. The 35-foot living blue spruce decorated with colored lights, may grow an inch taller each year, but otherwise, it remains the same. The local host churches continue to serve hot apple cider and hot chocolate with home made cookies each year; the menu never varies. Santa, clad in red velvet, arrives to listen to the children each year. Visitors bring new gifts for the county’s Toys for Tots drive; I always select a favorite gift from my childhood - the largest box of crayons available, 120 this year, and the fattest coloring book. As a child, I don’t think my boxes ever numbered more than 24.
Regardless of the steadfastness of the components each year, this celebration always seems new, fresh, different from all the others. Perhaps a new group sings some of the old familiar carols. First timers, Children of Promise - Nikki Shaw with two of her five children - stir the audience with “Children, go where I send you.” The previous year, country singer Justin Terry opened with “Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue.” He repeated his repertoire this year. The Young Family and Alan Kendall have entertained and inspired members of the audience from the beginning of this event a dozen years ago.
Perhaps the unpredictable weather differs from previous years. Two years ago, temperatures dropped below freezing. Last year, the temperature hovered in the 50’s - a heat wave, residents called it. The crowd certainly grows larger each year - organizers estimated 850 attended the last ceremony. Perhaps, a difference lies in us. We, bundled against the cold, arrive with our same chairs and blankets, but maybe our needs and wants differ each year.
In Epworth United Methodist Church’s Advent devotional book for 2015, the Rev. Kathy Israel-McLeod, writes, “Time is one of God’s amazing gifts to humanity...Accepting the gift of time that is past, present and future found in Christ Jesus, allows us to prepare for Christ’s coming as if it was a new gift on Christmas Day; so that we can live as beloved children, because the gift is already present with us. We get to look into the future with great hope, because Christ will come again.”
For as long as I can remember, Christmas has surrounded me with sights and sounds, fragrances, tastes and feelings. I sense Christmas with my whole being. From Thanksgiving, through Advent and Christmas Day, this holiday comes to full fruition with the fresh beginnings of the New Year. It truly is my favorite time of the year.
There's that word again - time. Christmas, noted for gift giving, reminds us that time is the most precious gift each of us ever receives. How we use whatever amount of time we're given says much about who we are.
Over the years, our celebrations of Christmas may change from place to place or the size and kind of trees may differ or special events may sing familiar carols or introduce new ones. But our ever growing collection of memories over these same years doesn’t make the holy season mundane; rather each past observance intensifies the newness of each Christmas Day.
These celebrations remind us that the message of Christmas, unlike pretend magic, does not end at midnight December 25. Rather, choosing to observe the true spirit of Christmas year round offers us direction for the next step in our ongoing journey. Each Christmas, often similar to all others, yet always different, invites us annually to renew our pilgrimage.
2016
Beautiful