Merry Christmas to All!

December 23, 2001

by Brian W. Peterson

‘Tis the season to be jolly... It’s that time of year again. Christmas! When we wish good tidings and good cheer to all. We spend time with family and friends and celebrate God’s gift to us by giving to others.

Santa Claus is coming to town... A potbellied, bearded old man being dragged around the world by a bunch of venison that we can’t eat for dinner have managed to make this season a joyous time for children. What adult cannot recall at least one long-ago Christmas morning, waking up with excitement and anticipation? And Dad was always happy that I left out milk and cookies for Santa.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas... Most of the country never consistently has a white Christmas, but maybe that’s the appeal. Cold weather, snow on the ground, fireplaces burning... now that’s Christmas!

So they (shepherds) hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger... But Christmas is empty and meaningless without the birth of Christ. Christmas is a celebration of the virgin birth and of Christ’s life. The secularization of Christmas can be fun, but its true meaning should never be lost.

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks... Sometimes the commercialization of Christmas can be maddening, but there is a certain excitement in the air when shopping at the last minute - that is, until you get to the mall and someone aces you out for the parking space you’ve spotted.

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir... We sing at Christmastime because it is the best way to express our joy. We sing carols from our hearts knowing that, in some ways, every day really should be like Christmas.

Blue, blue, blue Christmas... Yet Christmas is the time of year that some get down and depressed. Some are haunted by Christmases past, while others are lonely on the inside or alone on the outside. Maybe the deepest sorrow flows from those who are experiencing their first Christmas without a loved one who has died. We should extend our families to include such people at Christmas.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree... With the exception of the Nativity, the Christmas tree is the most recognizable symbol of Christmas. Why do city folks get real trees, but rural folks get artificial trees?

They opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh... Gift giving reflects the spirit of Christmas. We give because of the excitement in a child’s eyes, the warmth in an adult’s heart. We give because nothing expresses love like giving. Receiving gifts is fun, but it is usually awkward. (Did we act over-appreciative? Under-appreciative?) But giving isn’t awkward. It’s an expression that requires no words. The act speaks for itself.

Bearing gifts, we travel afar... And travel we do. Yet, it’s worth the hassle when we arrive at our destination. Somehow, the journey is forgotten when we see the smiles of our loved ones.

To face unafraid the plans that we made... Christmas also means that a new year is near. Time to forge boldly ahead to help ensure a prosperous future. We make New Year’s resolutions in the hopes that somehow, some way, our future, our outlook, and the way that we are perceived will be positive. Indeed, Christmas is a positive time. Away with the old! Bring in the new! New Year’s Eve is merely celebrating the changing of the calendar. Christmas carries the spirit of life and joy!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night...

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Brian W. Peterson writes a political column for the Antelope Valley Press (circulation approximately 60,000) in Palmdale, California. He is a graduate of Oral Roberts University, where he majored in TV/Film. Brian’s weekly commentary and newspaper columns can be found at www.LifeAndLiberty.com.

Send the author an E mail at Peterson@ConservativeTruth.org.

For more of Brian's articles, visit his archives.